Help with Cobb Cooker

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

Help with Cobb Cooker

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Your Cobb is not getting hot enough, even though your thermometer says 220, that is not a constant heat - I use a minimum of 8 beads, sometimes more - and if the meat is a solid piece I will cut it in two - and I put it directly onto the plate, vegetables - try par boiling them first, or microwaving - or you can put them in the moat - do you put a liquid into the moat? Can be water, beer, wine - keeps meat moist - Had a peice of pork the other night which just melted in the mouth!!!! Cook silverside in there as a roast as well - yummy.

Eight beads will cook us a roast for 3-4 people, potatoes,(I either par boil or use canned ones) and still have enough heat to bake some bread rolls. Have had the Cobb for years - one of the old original ones before the mesh.

Just noticed that you are using Hot Shot Heat Beads? are they impregnated with firelighter stuff? In my experience the only Heat Beads to use are the original ones called "Heat Beads" - and either Jiffy or Redhead fire lighters.

Hope this helps you - don't give up on it - worth the patience.

jetj · Guru

I've heard a lot of people say that heat bead brand are the only ones to use and not only in the Cobb Cooker. There are also coconut husks that are supposed to be ok as well. I haven't tried mine yet but I'm taking notice of your experience. Definitely 8 is the minimum beads suggested.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Janette - I tried the "home brand" beads and firelighters - went out before the meat was half cooked - but we got rid of them and purchased the real stuff.

I usually have enough heat left even after making bread or rolls to use the bottom part as a heater - just take the lid and the plate off - can even take it inside a caravan, we used to take it inside the camper trailer - made it very cosy indeed!!!

Enjoy the Cobb experience!!!

Sol · Senior Member

We use 10 heat beads to cook a roast and when the roast is done there is enough heat left to cook a self saucing pudding.

Jen and Sol

Bales · Member

I have used the beads impregnated with firelighter as well and they are no good -
I have been using about 6 beads and finding things are cooked ( I sometimes cover with a towel if there is a breeze ) but there's not a lot of heat left so will increase to 8 and bake some bread or a pudding.
I did use the coconut husk heat beads but cant find them anywhere now - anyone knows where there is a supply in Melbourne let me know - there is a Cobb one single a huge - but it is too expensive to cook with these.
It says on the paperwork with the Cobb not to use as a heater - carbon monoxide ?????" inside the van - we use it only as a heater outside where there is an air flow - correct me if I am wrong
Annette

Bales · Member

Also I get my beads heated by sitting them on my single burner stove (canister type) on high for a few minutes - works well then when they have turned grey into the Cobb.
Annette

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hi Annette - I think the leaflet I got with my Cobb - many, many years ago - said it could be used as a heater - and we did use it often in the camper trailer - not as insulated as a caravan I suppose, and it was ok.

Yep - minimum 8 beads is what I use - and if they are still quite big, and not too burnt out, you can take them out - douse them with water, dry them out and keep in a tin to use another time - and what a good idea to pre heat them on the gas stove.

Never too old, or young, to learn something new!!! smile smile

brickies · Guru

I had looked at buy a Cobb 1 year ago seen it at BCF now you could buy the cobb there but they didn't sell the beads and the chap couldn't tell me were I could buy the Beads so I went cold on the Idea

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

The Hot Shot Beads I have been using are recommended by Cobb they do seem to be much larger in size than Heat Beads so can't fit as many in the basket so it may be better to use Heat Beads, just trial and error, will practice more at home before we finally get away.
Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice.
Cheers
David

jules47 · The Happy Helper

brickies wrote:
I had looked at buy a Cobb 1 year ago seen it at BCF now you could buy the cobb there but they didn't sell the beads and the chap couldn't tell me were I could buy the Beads so I went cold on the Idea

Heat Beads - from Woolworths, as well as the fire lighters. Sometimes at the camping shows they have show specials, where you get some extras for your money - so if looking to buy one head to the next camping show.

Wouldn't be without ours!

Helena · Guru

We use the Cobb cooker all the time even at home the chicken just falls off the bones we use the heat beads and a firelighter to start the fire up have cooked a chicken and a loaf of bread and also a cake on just 8 heat beads. Good luck with it as far as we are concerned it is well worth it. Helena.

Boothie · Senior Member

I have always used 8 heat beads, good brand name, although, of late, I wait until the Cobb Stone(single one that fits where the heat beads go) comes on sale and buy them up, use the roasting rack, filling the moat with a liquid(red or white wine etc) and herbs and spices, if I am not using the moat to cook in. If inclineded, soak a couple of hickory chips in water or even rosemary sprigs and put them on the stone to provde a gentle smoke effect.

For moist cooking, fluid in the moat is important. Timing is left to judgement.

Cheeras and bon apetit

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

Cooked chicken pieces tonight and all went well, I just have to get use to the time it takes to to cook, but the chicken was much moister and flavoursome, than when cooked in the turbo oven.
Cheers
David

Pinto · Veteran Member

Hi we have a cobb and love it, I used it first without the roasting rack and with 10 heat beads! Perfect. Then I read about the rack, used that and 2 hrs later everything was not cooked through...:( tried the stones instead and they seemed to burn out to quickly. So back to putting all on the original plate with the heat beads!! This works best for me.... Pork roast with the crackling Yum and put vegs in after about 30min... Love my Cobb!!.. Trial and error . Well worth it though Cheers, Harry and Ange

Janno · Veteran Member

Just returned from a two week camping trip with the family at Thurra River in Victoria. My daughter and I both have Cobbs and we used them every day. We had roast lamb with pumpkin and potatos, roast pork, chicken curry, spaghetti bolognaise, self saucing puddings as well as a variety of cakes. Everything cooked beautifully. Wouldn't be without my Cobb.

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

Thank you everyone

I think I am getting the hang of cooking on the Cobb, just too impatient at first, have been doing most of the cooking on a Turbo oven, till I bought the Cobb, just have to give myself more time.

Cooked a lamb roast tonight and it came out perfectly and as there was still plenty of heat in the beads put on a couple of kilo's of chicken drum sticks and they came out very juicy, now have plenty of cold meat for all the long weekend.

I used a roasting rack for my first cooking attempt as I thought that there would be too much heat in the plate, but that is not the case and nothing gets burnt, even when it is sitting directly on the plate, it just cooks beautifully.

But how do you clean up afterwards when you only have a small van sink, so far all my cooking efforts have been at home so there is plenty of hot water and a large sink to clean up.

Cheers

David

Kingsthorpedavid · Senior Member

Try the Cobb Cobblestone, gives plenty of heat for about 2.5 hours.

See:

http://www.cobb.com.au/cobble_stones.html

I use Heat Beads only and at least 8 or 9.

While I am here - this is a good deal on ebay:

COBB PREMIER CAMPING COOKER PORTABLE BBQ OVEN w FREE CARRY BAG $199 + $1 postage!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/COBB-PREMIER-CAMPING-COOKER-PORTABLE-BBQ-OVEN-w-FREE-CARRY-BAG-OUTDOOR-CAMP-/300855195740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item460c5df85c

-- Edited by Kingsthorpedavid on Friday 1st of February 2013 04:42:23 PM

-- Edited by Kingsthorpedavid on Friday 1st of February 2013 04:57:21 PM

-- Edited by Kingsthorpedavid on Friday 1st of February 2013 05:10:37 PM

Boothie · Senior Member

Roving-Dutchy wrote:
But how do you clean up afterwards when you only have a small van sink, so far all my cooking efforts have been at home so there is plenty of hot water and a large sink to clean up.

Use the camp kitchen and also if you intend to bush camp, a big basin that you can stand in whilst taking a bush bath is the perfect washing thing for a Cobb. Just do not use the same water!

jetj · Guru

I have a big question, do you put the firelighters in the stainless area underneath the basket that holds the heat beads or in it???

I put them in the basket the first time and the beads wouldn't light, so tried under it and they lit ok.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hi Jetj - under the basket -firelighters in the basket.

jetj · Guru

Thanks Jules,

I thought so but wasn't sure. The cooker cooks well.

Old salt · Member

Recently picked up a Cobb Cooker on gumtree for $20. We liked the idea of this years ago at a caravan show it pretty expensive.

It came with a lot of accessories.

It is the best thing I have bought for years. If you had one cooking appliance to take away in the caravan this is it.

We were away for a while. Cooked stews,roast chicken, pizza, steaks, curries, toast etc the list goes on.

Great caravan item.

It only uses about 8 or 9 heat beads for a roast. Amazing.

So keep an eye out for a bargain buy.

Old Salt

Bryan · Guru

Pinto wrote:
Hi we have a cobb and love it, I used it first without the roasting rack and with 10 heat beads! Perfect. Then I read about the rack, used that and 2 hrs later everything was not cooked through...:( tried the stones instead and they seemed to burn out to quickly. So back to putting all on the original plate with the heat beads!! This works best for me.... Pork roast with the crackling Yum and put vegs in after about 30min... Love my Cobb!!.. Trial and error . Well worth it though Cheers, Harry and Ange

I can't seem to get the pork crackling to crackle, apart from that I love my Cobb.