When traveling in the Hi Ace I had 2 fires in 2 years and my thinking was that to do fires safely one would need lots of equipment and the space to house smoky containers plus the extra gear.
After spending time at Boulder Creek where we had fires continuously for almost 2 weeks I came away with the idea that I would like to be geared up to do fires. Whilst at Bluewater Park above Townsville I worked out how to fit a box on the rear of the coaster and contracted to get one fitted.
Since then I have been on an uncharacteristic spending spree buying items needed to be able to safely have a camp fire and what's more actually to be able to cook on it. Including the box and all the other items I have spent $900.
The cheapest item and the most useful is the cut down gas bottle, the chuffer, but only because Rod spent a day grinding and drilling and all I supplied was the bottle, hinge and bolt. 2 quart camp oven 30" cast iron frying pan chain saw 12" long handle axe safety gloves billy can jaffle iron tongs and non stick egg rings. There is another item needed but it will have to wait until I get to a bigger town than Babinda, a tripod to be used above the chuffer to hang the billy into it and when using an open fire it will be useful for cooking above the coals.
Those who know me will be surprised about my sudden interest in cooking but now that I have slowed down my progress there is much more time for fires and cooking. Am getting good at jaffles and using the frying pan. Still uncertain about cooking potatoes in the foil but the next time will part cook the potatoes first. I have posted over the past few weeks pictures of my fires and cooking attempts although I have been in one spot for longer lately have updated the posts every couple of days. John
jules47 said
02:58 AM Aug 30, 2013
Well - John, next time we are together - I expect a "proper" three course meal, with all that equipment!!!!!
Pleased you are cooking and looking after yourself - so much better for you.
yeoeleven said
03:06 AM Aug 30, 2013
jules47 wrote:
Well - John, next time we are together - I expect a "proper" three course meal, with all that equipment!!!!! Pleased you are cooking and looking after yourself - so much better for you.
Jules the last 3 course meal I made was unusual to say the least, noodles then the chicken juice followed by M&Ms.
Next time will be better I promise
John
jules47 said
03:11 AM Aug 30, 2013
Unusual, but delicious John! Especially the coconut M & M's!!!!
countryroad said
12:05 PM Aug 30, 2013
so where else can one find a chuffer or is there something else that is available but doesn't use a lot of fuel. The VN Commodore bit uses too much fuel, what a shame.
Your posts John are like having a conversation and you seem to be able to fill in the gaps.
Cheers...Robyn
-- Edited by countryroad on Friday 30th of August 2013 12:07:35 PM
wasn_me said
06:40 PM Aug 30, 2013
This is what I have been using for a few years. It's a VN comodore rim raised 1" to let air circulate, $5 from the wreckers. The VN rim is good as the centre is fully offset to one side. I have a cast iron grate that sits on one side for cooking. The wind guard cost $30 for sheet metal. It's good if a few people are around, but can use a fair amount of wood to keep going. I have an old gas bottle which I'll turn into a choofer one day, mainly for when I go away by myself.
If you want something that uses Heat Beads, and is light, and easy to put together, Google "Kelly Kampa Kooka." Or use the Search button to see previous Posts about it. It's a cheap alternative for a Cobb Cooker.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Friday 30th of August 2013 06:51:34 PM
Sheba said
01:44 AM Aug 31, 2013
Don't know if you can buy one from a retail outlet countryroad, but found this Page when I Googled it
I use a cook fire all the time.......never have a campfire tho.
A small pit with a wire rack over it.
Cook the meal and heat water and then let it go out.
I have a gas bottle stove and use it when there is bigger wood available.
The little pit and wire works with the smallest of branches and sticks.
Dawa
GaryKelly said
04:21 PM Aug 31, 2013
I have a stove, an oven, pots, pans, casseroles, toasters, grill, steamer, etc, but I have a feeling it's the jaffle iron that's gonna be my fav.
jetj said
06:41 PM Aug 31, 2013
Sheba wrote:
If you want something that uses Heat Beads, and is light, and easy to put together, Google "Kelly Kampa Kooka." Or use the Search button to see previous Posts about it. It's a cheap alternative for a Cobb Cooker.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Friday 30th of August 2013 06:51:34 PM
Sheba,
Have you used the KKK and how well did you find it works?. I have a Cobb but it is large to take with me and washing it was nearly impossible without facilities.
Sheba said
04:16 AM Sep 1, 2013
Hi Janette. I have a couple still waiting to be "Christened", and have given another couple away, but still haven't used mine yet. I remember seeing some Posts by people who had, but I'm not sure which Forum they were on. They were pleased with it though.
Cheers,
Sheba.
jetj said
05:44 AM Sep 1, 2013
Mine's waiting to be christened too. lol
Dougwe said
02:08 PM Sep 1, 2013
countryroad wrote:
so where else can one find a chuffer or is there something else that is available but doesn't use a lot of fuel. The VN Commodore bit uses too much fuel, what a shame.
Your posts John are like having a conversation and you seem to be able to fill in the gaps.
Cheers...Robyn
-- Edited by countryroad on Friday 30th of August 2013 12:07:35 PM
Robin, you could always check out the 'OzPig'. You will see all about them if you look in the 'What's Cooking?' section of this forum. when packed away they about the same size as a 9kg gas bottle.
Just an option.
Rip and Rosie said
03:19 PM Sep 1, 2013
I saw once some one made one from a metal colander, but can't find the post now. Searched google without any luck either.
There should be more than that Rosie. If you can't find them, let me know, and I can E-mail them to you if you want.
Cheers,
Sheba.
herbie said
03:21 AM Sep 3, 2013
This trip we just used an old brake drum from off a truck for containing our fire and it worked really well
just lifted it off the ground with a couple of rocks under it to let the air circulate
halfpint said
05:17 AM Sep 3, 2013
The Chain Saw looks like a toy one :)
yeoeleven said
07:21 AM Sep 3, 2013
Chris and Roz went to Innisfail today and brought back a tripod so now I can cook on open fires and also suspend a billy or camp oven over the chuffer. This cooking is not so easy over the fire I now find out, this afternoon and well into the evening I have been working hard over a hot camp oven.
The first effort was a damper and the first problem was how to reduce the recipe to fit my 2 quart cooker, I decided to cut everything in half and set about mixing it all up, eventually all looked well and with the cooker sprayed with cooking oil I set it on the fire. All the ingredients were reduced in half but forgot about reducing the cooking time, you guessed it, well before my timer told me to take it off it had to be checked and removed with the bottom and sides a thin layer of charcoal. Also the damper had risen and become stuck to the ungreased lid. After the sides and bottom had been peeled off the end result was actually moist and of a nice texture and with butter and honey proved to be tasty. Next time less ingredients and less cooking time.
So after the oven had been cleaned off I set about with Heather's help to make a potato bake. Apart from the ingredients I have learned from this exercise to make sure that the cooker gets greased around the sides not just the bottom and that a certain time period is not the way to go because different heat cooks more slowly or quickly it has to be checked regularly. Again the end result was very tasty but it was burned on to the sides, didn't affect the taste but sure gave me a hard job with the cleaning. I have decided that one course in the camp oven is all that I will do in future I seemed to have been working for hours and couldn't be bothered to do my jaffle. John
herbie said
08:12 AM Sep 3, 2013
Good job John, a cooks life is not easy.
eureka said
07:30 PM Sep 3, 2013
countryroad wrote:
so where else can one find a chuffer or is there something else that is available
Cheers...Robyn
-- Edited by countryroad on Friday 30th of August 2013 12:07:35 PM
This Sunday at Salamander markets sport oval (Port Stephens NSW) there will be a stall selling Choofers
John, this is my first attempt, it is a damper under all that charcoal Hahaha
firstly I saw a small gas cylinder made into a cooker by cutting a door in the side and hinge the piece cut out a few holes drilled around the lower edges and a piece of mesh put inside then cut out the top leaving the top edge on and a piece of mesh on top doesn't need big pieces of wood and cooks well and easy to carry with you also try putting a trivet in the bottom of the camp oven keeps the damper /bread off the bottom I made a trivet for mine from two small pieces of aluminium square tube and a piece of cake cooling rack on top
roy and mia (spalas)
countryroad said
05:57 AM Sep 4, 2013
After seeing these posts think I'll give it a miss. Maybe the KK Kooka would be better, won't need the chainsaw for that. Need the dishwasher to do all that cleaning, does have a certain camping charm though.
Maybe could fashion a foil pan...save washing up.
chaslib said
06:27 PM Sep 4, 2013
The converted gas cylinders are great - we have been using one for the past 8 weeks of our travels (got it at one of our stops - neighbours left and told us we were welcome to their remaining fire wood - they left their cut down gas cylinder also - not sure if by mistake or they just did not want it! I have seen them for sale at markets - but not for a while. I have heard people say you can DIY if you have the right tools - I have also heard you should be careful as there may be some sort of gas or chemical residue in the cylinder - assume problem if using a welder or some such thing??? We were actually using a cheap habachi up until then - binned it, but retained the cast iron top grill as it fitted perfectly on top of the "bequeathed" fireplace.
herbie said
05:47 AM Sep 5, 2013
Just thought I would let you know how we cook potatoes in the coals.
Wash and prick spuds with a fork, lightly coat with oil & season.
Wrap in a layer of Alfoil and then wrap in two squares of newspaper which have been lightly soaked in water.
Then finish off with another piece of Alfoil'
Place in the coals on edge of the fire and cook for approx. 1hr or until tender.
No more charcoal taste.
Some times we cut the spud almost in half after finished cooking and put cheese or coleslaw inside with a dollop of sour cream.
When traveling in the Hi Ace I had 2 fires in 2 years and my thinking was that to do fires safely one would need lots of equipment and the space to house smoky containers plus the extra gear.
After spending time at Boulder Creek where we had fires continuously for almost 2 weeks I came away with the idea that I would like to be geared up to do fires. Whilst at Bluewater Park above Townsville I worked out how to fit a box on the rear of the coaster and contracted to get one fitted.
Since then I have been on an uncharacteristic spending spree buying items needed to be able to safely have a camp fire and what's more actually to be able to cook on it. Including the box and all the other items I have spent $900.
The cheapest item and the most useful is the cut down gas bottle, the chuffer, but only because Rod spent a day grinding and drilling and all I supplied was the bottle, hinge and bolt.
2 quart camp oven
30" cast iron frying pan
chain saw 12"
long handle axe
safety gloves
billy can
jaffle iron
tongs and non stick egg rings.
There is another item needed but it will have to wait until I get to a bigger town than Babinda, a tripod to be used above the chuffer to hang the billy into it and when using an open fire it will be useful for cooking above the coals.
Those who know me will be surprised about my sudden interest in cooking but now that I have slowed down my progress there is much more time for fires and cooking. Am getting good at jaffles and using the frying pan. Still uncertain about cooking potatoes in the foil but the next time will part cook the potatoes first. I have posted over the past few weeks pictures of my fires and cooking attempts although I have been in one spot for longer lately have updated the posts every couple of days. John
Pleased you are cooking and looking after yourself - so much better for you.
Jules the last 3 course meal I made was unusual to say the least, noodles then the chicken juice followed by M&Ms.
Next time will be better I promise
John
so where else can one find a chuffer or is there something else that is available but doesn't use a lot of fuel. The VN Commodore bit uses too much fuel, what a shame.
Your posts John are like having a conversation and you seem to be able to fill in the gaps.
Cheers...Robyn
-- Edited by countryroad on Friday 30th of August 2013 12:07:35 PM
This is what I have been using for a few years. It's a VN comodore rim raised 1" to let air circulate, $5 from the wreckers. The VN rim is good as the centre is fully offset to one side. I have a cast iron grate that sits on one side for cooking. The wind guard cost $30 for sheet metal. It's good if a few people are around, but can use a fair amount of wood to keep going. I have an old gas bottle which I'll turn into a choofer one day, mainly for when I go away by myself.
Cheers Pete
If you want something that uses Heat Beads, and is light, and easy to put together, Google "Kelly Kampa Kooka." Or use the Search button to see previous Posts about it. It's a cheap alternative for a Cobb Cooker.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Friday 30th of August 2013 06:51:34 PM
Don't know if you can buy one from a retail outlet countryroad, but found this Page when I Googled it
http://byebyemythyroid.com/category/all-things-choofer-choofa/
Cheers,
Sheba.
I use a cook fire all the time.......never have a campfire tho.
A small pit with a wire rack over it.
Cook the meal and heat water and then let it go out.
I have a gas bottle stove and use it when there is bigger wood available.
The little pit and wire works with the smallest of branches and sticks.
Dawa
Sheba,
Have you used the KKK and how well did you find it works?. I have a Cobb but it is large to take with me and washing it was nearly impossible without facilities.
Hi Janette. I have a couple still waiting to be "Christened", and have given another couple away, but still haven't used mine yet. I remember seeing some Posts by people who had, but I'm not sure which Forum they were on. They were pleased with it though.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Mine's waiting to be christened too. lol
Robin, you could always check out the 'OzPig'. You will see all about them if you look in the 'What's Cooking?' section of this forum. when packed away they about the same size as a 9kg gas bottle.
Just an option.
Anyone remember how its done?
Have PM'd you Rosie.
Cheers,
Sheba.
found it, thanks Sheba
There should be more than that Rosie. If you can't find them, let me know, and I can E-mail them to you if you want.
Cheers,
Sheba.
This trip we just used an old brake drum from off a truck for containing our fire and it worked really well
just lifted it off the ground with a couple of rocks under it to let the air circulate
The Chain Saw looks like a toy one :)
Chris and Roz went to Innisfail today and brought back a tripod so now I can cook on open fires and also suspend a billy or camp oven over the chuffer. This cooking is not so easy over the fire I now find out, this afternoon and well into the evening I have been working hard over a hot camp oven.
The first effort was a damper and the first problem was how to reduce the recipe to fit my 2 quart cooker, I decided to cut everything in half and set about mixing it all up, eventually all looked well and with the cooker sprayed with cooking oil I set it on the fire. All the ingredients were reduced in half but forgot about reducing the cooking time, you guessed it, well before my timer told me to take it off it had to be checked and removed with the bottom and sides a thin layer of charcoal. Also the damper had risen and become stuck to the ungreased lid. After the sides and bottom had been peeled off the end result was actually moist and of a nice texture and with butter and honey proved to be tasty. Next time less ingredients and less cooking time.
So after the oven had been cleaned off I set about with Heather's help to make a potato bake. Apart from the ingredients I have learned from this exercise to make sure that the cooker gets greased around the sides not just the bottom and that a certain time period is not the way to go because different heat cooks more slowly or quickly it has to be checked regularly. Again the end result was very tasty but it was burned on to the sides, didn't affect the taste but sure gave me a hard job with the cleaning. I have decided that one course in the camp oven is all that I will do in future I seemed to have been working for hours and couldn't be bothered to do my jaffle. John
Good job John, a cooks life is not easy.
This Sunday at Salamander markets sport oval (Port Stephens NSW) there will be a stall selling Choofers
John, this is my first attempt, it is a damper under all that charcoal Hahaha
You did well!
Helen
firstly I saw a small gas cylinder made into a cooker by cutting a door in the side and hinge the piece cut out a few holes drilled around the lower edges and a piece of mesh put inside then cut out the top leaving the top edge on and a piece of mesh on top doesn't need big pieces of wood and cooks well and easy to carry with you also try putting a trivet in the bottom of the camp oven keeps the damper /bread off the bottom I made a trivet for mine from two small pieces of aluminium square tube and a piece of cake cooling rack on top
roy and mia (spalas)
Maybe could fashion a foil pan...save washing up.
The converted gas cylinders are great - we have been using one for the past 8 weeks of our travels (got it at one of our stops - neighbours left and told us we were welcome to their remaining fire wood - they left their cut down gas cylinder also - not sure if by mistake or they just did not want it! I have seen them for sale at markets - but not for a while. I have heard people say you can DIY if you have the right tools - I have also heard you should be careful as there may be some sort of gas or chemical residue in the cylinder - assume problem if using a welder or some such thing??? We were actually using a cheap habachi up until then - binned it, but retained the cast iron top grill as it fitted perfectly on top of the "bequeathed" fireplace.
Just thought I would let you know how we cook potatoes in the coals.
Wash and prick spuds with a fork, lightly coat with oil & season.
Wrap in a layer of Alfoil and then wrap in two squares of newspaper which have been lightly soaked in water.
Then finish off with another piece of Alfoil'
Place in the coals on edge of the fire and cook for approx. 1hr or until tender.
No more charcoal taste.
Some times we cut the spud almost in half after finished cooking and put cheese or coleslaw inside with a dollop of sour cream.