I'm very much a fan of the Cobb. It does a terrific roast (pork is never better than in a Cobb), good stews and turns out the best pizza ever. Lately I have been experimenting with bread. Still to get it right but I'm getting closer.
I can see the advantage of a Dreampot but it's not for me. For slow cooking, I use a Chinese Claypot casserole dish with one heat bead in the Cobb.
Works for me
Peter
-- Edited by The Phantom on Wednesday 5th of June 2013 10:52:23 PM
Why not have both ? You can put together a very cheap alternative for the Cobb yourself. Go to the search button, and type in [ or Google] Kelly Kampa Kooka. I posted about it here [under nother name] ages ago.
Still got at least one set-up , if I want to use it.
Can't remember if it's a cake and a loaf of bread, or two cakes cooked on the Kooka. I think this is the lady who originated the idea.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Wednesday 5th of June 2013 11:32:04 PM
this is our very first post and we're really excited about using the Grey Nomads forum etc. the amount of info is staggering.
Anyhow, the main reason for this post is to get some up to date opinions on whether to buy a Cobb or Dream Pot. Which one is more versatile? After reading up on them they both seem to do similar things, but in past posts on another forum, folk have said they own both the Cobb and the Dream Pot because they actually cook differently. We don't want both.
The Cobb cooker is far more versatile than Dreampot, the Dreampot you heat your food up to cooking temperature then leave it for the day while it continues to cook with the initial heating, the Cobb Cooker uses heat beads so you can bake , barbecue, fry, boil do just about any type of cooking you may wish. Cheers David
I am getting the Thermos Shuttle, similar to the Dreampot. With the Shuttle I have bought the case, the chopping board/base, bread tin, pudding tin, and veggie steamer, that all go with the Shuttle...oh and plus the cook book. I can't wait to use it.
I had already looked on the websites for each cooker and they seemed very similar. What I wanted was honest opinions of folk who have one or the other rather than depending on the marketing of the websites.
They are both very different methods of cooking Mjl. I had a Cobb, but sold it to a friend, as I'll probably have more use for the Dreampot. and I don't need to buy Heatbeads for it.
I think, if you have read online all the info about the dreampot you would already know there are a lot of things you can cook with it from casseroles to bread and cakes and even roasts. Since we have gotten home from our 2 year long trip away every time I buy a silverside I still always drag the dreampot out because i've found it cooks it better than the saucepan method on our house stove.
Also, as it has two saucepans alreadyincluded you can cut down on other saucepans so less clutter in your caravan cupboards.
The dreampot, minus the saucepans can also be used as a great insulated eskie to keep hot or cold drinks and food for your day trips seeing the sites when you are stopped at a town.
Cheers
Jon
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Home is where we hang our hats - Home now in Yamba NSW
We put our dreampot on in the van before we leave a site, and our dinner was ready when we arrived at our next site. I don't think a Cobb cooker can do this.
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DUNMOWIN is no longer on the road and still DUNMOWIN!
Welcome to the site mjl - I have a Cobb - had it for years - and I have cooked some amazing meals with it - as someone else said, you will never eat roast pork any other way again - but I do all sorts of things - chicken fillets, casseroles, soups, cake, bread, - whatever an oven can do, the Cobb can do. I feel that having to get your meal ready before you leave a camp would be a bit of a nuisance, we tend to pack up and leave quite quickly, and don't really plan our meals too far ahead.
The one that Sheba posted is not really like a Cobb - the Cobb is an enclosed unit, the the Kelly Kampa is similar - though it is not an enclosed unit - and in cold or windy weather could be a bit of a pain - losing heat etc.
An added bonus with the Cobb is, that you can use it as a heater when you have finished cooking - sit around it toasting your feet, and i can be used even on a total fire ban day, or in areas that don't allow open fires!
My opinion for what it is worth.
-- Edited by jules47 on Thursday 6th of June 2013 09:16:03 AM
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
We had both eventually sold the dream pot as we found the Cobb more useful to us even cook at home with it. but it is a matter of personal choice. good luck with whatever you choose. Regards Helena.
To me the convince of having your meal cooking slowly while your travelling or gone to look at the sights, or even out at happy hour makes the Shuttle/Dreampot surpass the Cobb. The cob you have to be there to check it etc.
Les uses heat beads in the webber at home, if we want to cook a roast and it's too hot inside to do it. The taste isn't too bad, though I prefer slow cooked meals without the beads.
To go to your next destination, set up the van, all you may want to do is just sit and relax....well with the Shuttle your meal is ready when you are. You don't have to set it up and cook anything. All you have to do is dish it out. This ticks all the boxes for me.
Welcome from us too Mjl. In the meantime, keep a look out for Aldi specials - we got our thermal pot from them and it only cost $79. At that price you could have a Cobb and a thermal pot!
By the way, I also have a set up like Sheba has posted and it works well - almost too hot. A friend was able to find a similar market item on the net for $12 and she enjoys baked potatoes on it.
-- Edited by neilnruth on Thursday 6th of June 2013 05:08:08 PM
Have to agree with Jules47, the Cobb ticks all the boxes for me. You don't have to be constantly attending to it, put your roast in and turn it about half way through and thats it, in fact, the less you lift the lid the better. Once the roast is cooked there's still enough heat left to cook a crumble or suchlike for afters. Perfect pizzas, and as for casseroles, once it's on you can give it a stir now and again, but you can basically relax with a book and a glass (or three) of your favourite tipple or drop a line in the river or whatever. When we're on the road we would never leave home without it. Cheers, Annie
