Sand Man (SA) replied:

Thanks for that Mal,

I think I'll just keep my Mark II (plastic base) the way it is until it cracks, or whatever.
Then I'll buy a SS base for it if I have to. (about $50)

Interesting comment about the extra beads. I would have trouble fitting more than 8 in the firebox at once anyway. I always use the Heat Beads® brand myself.

They are very good cookers though aren't they?

Member - Nutter (QLD) replied:

Gidday Mal, have had both types of Cobb, still have the stainless base one, most of the cooking we do is inside, originally bought the Cobb with camping in mind, does such a good roast we use it nearly every Sunday at home. Because we have used it mostly indoors didn't notice a big difference in cooking time between the two types, as you say good quality heat beads are a must, and when cooking a full leg of lamb normally start with 9 beads ,top up with 3-4 more beads after about 2 1/2 hours and add the veggie's about an hour before roast is ready , normally allow 4 hours all up, damn goooood tucker.

See ya
Guy

Member - Mick O (VIC) replied:

Mal,

I have just bought the Cobb myself and found that in a breeze, you do lose a lot of heat. I got onto "In Front" canvas in St Albans. They were making me a stack of stuff. Got Klaus to sew up a double thickness of canvas with velcro at the ends. This just wraps around the base of the cobb leaving the air space underneath. Problem solved and all for the price of $9.00 Doesn't get better than that./ Give them a ring. Cheers Mick

(link address http://www.infrontcampinggear.com.au/index.htm)

daisygirl replied:

We have had both the old black plastic base and the new stainless base and have had problems in the wind with the stainless base because of lack of protection. One day the roast was still raw after 2 hours and we reallised the heat beads hadnt burnt properly at all.

Fixed the problem at Moreton by putting the whole lot in the shower tent for a while!!