Camp ovens

[GeeTee]

I've been offered a camp oven for my birthday. I like Hillbilly stuff but to be honest don't know much about what makes a camp oven 'terrific'...

So you lot, tell me what's good and bad in camp ovens and I'll tell me mum and dad!   

[Glenno]

I've been using my camp oven's for many many years , and a LOT, but I only had the thought the other day, is a camp oven a camp oven, is cast iron all the same, or is there varying quality?

Was going to ask here, so will watch replies

[UIZ733]

Good post. Do people generally have different ovens for savoury (roasts etc) and baking (bread)?

[jclures]

I use the cheep ovens to cook all the time, I also like to have one oven for making bread. My bread oven if used regularly gets a nice glaze on the surface, and then the bread never sticks when you turn it out to cool.
If you are getting one for your birthday and price is not a worry, I would get one of these.
http://billmansfoundry.com.au/camp-ovens/

[Malcolm Tugless]

One camp oven does the lot for us.
It wasn't expensive just your average garden variety camping shop purchase.
Keeping it well maintained is the secret.
Camp oven roasts mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[GGV8Cruza]

I use the spun steel ones, I like them because they are light and also they pack up neat, my small one fits inside the larger one and takes up less room

GG

[DannyG]

We use our camp ovens quite a lot and we have both Cast Iron and Spun Steel. I think there are good and bad points for both.

Spun Steel is lighter and you can't crack it, but if it is windy or a cold wind it loses its heat very easily, and likewise it will also crank the heat up very easy so you need to be more vigilant at heat control.

Cast Iron can crack if mistreated (although I have never damaged mine) but it is far more forgiving with the heat control. It has a more even heat and holds it heat better.

Both our spun steel and cast iron ovens fit inside each other if you buy the sizes to do that so storage is the same except for the weight.
They both need to be looked after or well seasoned as they will both rust if not treated well.

So having used both quite a lot, I prefer to use cast iron. Tassie gets a cold breeze at times so you need to shelter the spun steel oven and constantly keep an eye on the temperature when its like this.

Our really large family oven is spun steel for its lighter weight so its a keeper but the smaller ones are cast iron in our kit.

As for quality of cast iron ovens I cant really comment because I have nothing to compare, but for us we have always used the cheaper priced ovens and they have been really good to us. I can see why people would buy the dearer well known Aussie made brands though.

For me its not so much about the quality or price of the oven, its more so about getting the experience using the oven you have.

[Matto]

+1 to everything here.

The BillmansFoundry ones are obviously a luxury purchase, but would make a nice gift if your parents want to give you something you can keep for the rest of your life. Not sure if they're approaching the "too good to throw in the back of the ute, lest it get damaged" line though.

Personally, we've just got cheap cast ones - both a round and an oval. I never thought to get two round ones and stack them inside each other - that makes a lot more sense.

Good luck!
Matto

[Kit_e_kat9]

Opinion # 6

I used cheap cast iron camp ovens from the camping store.  I have one at home that I use to cook bread in the actual oven (it's got a rounded lid) and 2 in the camper (flat lids - IMHO these are better for coal retention) that fit inside each other (4.5 & 2.5 quart) ... ensure the lid of the inner one is upside down.  I use them for whatever works on the day, however the 4.5 gets used the most.  Keep in mind we are only 2 people and this size is just right for us for a roast meal.

I suppose you could spend your hard earned (well Ma'n'Pa's hard earned) on something expensive ... like afore mentioned Billman's ... but it's going to work exactly the same no matter the cost. 

Don't forget there are also those African pots that some people swear by as well ... just to make the decision a bit harder.

I have no opinion on the steel ones, but I do use a stainless steel saucepan inside my CO on occassion to make 1/2 sized cakes stand taller.  Nothing worse than a short cake I reckon.

Kit_e

[GeeTee]

wow with the inscriptions/name on top, those Billmans ones look terrific.. I might get some "GT Campers" ones made!

[Bird]

I'm the opposite, I've got one and used it once in 9 years. The roast we did that weekend was to die for...

[GeeTee]

yeah Lost I can understand that many wouldn't be used too often due to prep time etc but as you hint, the results are worth it!

At Bathurst evey year we sit around canning-on and eating for five days and a roast would be a nice change from steak...Again.

[Matto]

wow with the inscriptions/name on top, those Billmans ones look terrific.. I might get some "GT Campers" ones made!

Aside - that's actually a really cool idea as a bonus for your customers. I think it would really set you apart. An Australian made camper, with a bonus Australian-craftsman-made camp oven.

Imagine you've just arrived home with your brand new camper, you open up the kitchen to pack it for the first time and find that there's a unique camp oven waiting for you ready to be used on your first trip. Bonus points if you had arranged "GT Campers" across the top of the lid, the date/year across the middle, and the customer's name across the bottom. Just that little bit extra something.

Cheers!
Matto

[GeeTee]

holy moly Matto, do you want a free Fiji holiday as well!! How about a year's supply of beer and petrol?!

[Kit_e_kat9]

holy moly Matto, do you want a free Fiji holiday as well!! How about a year's supply of beer and petrol?!

Makes me believe GeeTee just saw the price of them!   

Kit_e

[GUEY]

Until we bought the Webber we used ours on every trip.
If your buying one the only real issue I've seen on some is the lid doesnt sit down nice and flush.
This can lead to heat escaping and longer cooking times.

[Matto]

holy moly Matto, do you want a free Fiji holiday as well!! How about a year's supply of beer and petrol?!

Well, if you're offering...

Suggestion was serious - I think it would be a really cool surprise for your customers. Play up the Australian camp oven / Australian camper angle, one local business supporting another. You can't compete with the Chinese imports on price, so I see ideas like this as a way to differentiate your offering. If you went with a generic "GT Campers" lid, I'm sure Billmans could do you a better price if you were going to buy a few of them in a batch. I've got no idea how much they cost, but I'm sure you could factor it into the RRP of a camper. I understand that your margins aren't huge, but I can't imagine it would be a high percentage of the price of the GT hilux all-in-one.

And herein endith the business/marketing lesson. Probably worth considering at this point that I only did two business electives as part of my degree, and failed them both.

I'll take that holiday now though.
Matto

[LB]

A roast in a camp oven is like a slow cooker in the bush but even better. If done right the meat will melt in your mouth.

Keeping t seasoned is very important. After every trip give it a good wash then rub it with oil.

LB

[GGV8Cruza]

I'm the opposite, I've got one and used it once in 9 years. The roast we did that weekend was to die for...

Better check it hasn't rusted out Lost

GG

[Glenno]

I also have a cheap Rays one. Mine has been used pretty much every night for TWO 8 month trips around Aust. I use it for not only roast, but nearly every other meal

It is so well used (seasoned?) that the inside bottom has been warn smooth!

I agree, make sure the lid seals. Other thing I don't like are those with little cast knobs/legs on bottom. Doesn't pack as easy, and don't see the point

G

[Daawl]

Geetee.
My two cents.
I have used a cheap camp oven for many years and been through a couple of them, not all mistreatment on my part either. I have used a Billmans foundry camp oven and their workmanship is excellent, they are heavier and more solid than a cheapie. I have just purchased my own Billmans with an inscription through the charity group I am with. They are certainly not cheap but it will last your lifetime and will be one of things that can be passed on for generations to come, much like the original Furphy's.

Depending on who you talk and this usually causes much debate, but most cheap camp ovens are actually Dutch ovens, better designed for cooking in a hole. Dutch ovens have no legs where a camp oven has legs so it stands above the coals.


Somehow sent from my iPhone using that Tapatalk thingy

[achjimmy]

Anaconda sell an American brand (although I suspect not made in US) that looks a cut above the cheapies with a glossier coating. Cant remember brand, Less than $100.

We have the hillbilly spun steel camp oven, it's great and works well for us. The veggie rings  are a good idea.

Can't go wrong either way as cooking in one generally means your away having a break!

[GeeTee]

Well, if you're offering...

Suggestion was serious - I think it would be a really cool surprise for your customers. Play up the Australian camp oven / Australian camper angle, one local business supporting another. You can't compete with the Chinese imports on price, so I see ideas like this as a way to differentiate your offering. If you went with a generic "GT Campers" lid, I'm sure Billmans could do you a better price if you were going to buy a few of them in a batch. I've got no idea how much they cost, but I'm sure you could factor it into the RRP of a camper. I understand that your margins aren't huge, but I can't imagine it would be a high percentage of the price of the GT hilux all-in-one.

And herein endith the business/marketing lesson. Probably worth considering at this point that I only did two business electives as part of my degree, and failed them both.

I'll take that holiday now though.
Matto

hey thanks Matto and yes your idea is a good one, I was just being cheeky, I have been looking at things like GT Campers stubby holders etc for a while and I have contacted Billymans for a discussion about pricing etc . For instance my next customer (optioned-up trailer with metallic black paint and 19s!  ) wants his kitchen to be fully-stocked with plates, knives etc and a camp oven would be a good piece of kit to include

[Bird]

Better check it hasn't rusted out Lost

GG

nope, still all good last night when I looked.

[xcvator]

nope, still all good last night when I looked.

Howdja find it ?