Heat Beads

Submitted: Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 17:07

ThreadID: 24196 Views:9278 Replies:6 FollowUps:4

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Boo

Help!!

There must be some knack to getting heat beads to work. We have tried using a few fire lighters and piling the heat beads up but when the fire lighter burns out the heat beads are still not lit. We have tried using the easy lite heat beads but the same problem.

There must be something we are doing wrong, can anyone make a suggestion.

Thanks,

Kerrie

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Reply By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 17:14

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 17:14

Kerrie,

Pour Kero or Metho over them. Even better, soak them for a while if you have a suitable vessel; uses less spirit and gives them an even coating.

Cheers,

Jim.

AnswerID: 117545

Follow Up By: Old Gold - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:28

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:28

I use fire lighter's to get them going. you may think the are not burning but they are.sometimes it takes a while for them to get going. i usually leave them half hour or so when they have ashed over(turned a grey or brown color) depending on the beads they are redy to cook. if you are using a webber be sure the bottom vent is open completely and the vent on the lid is open during cooking

FollowupID: 372926

Reply By: Tessysdad - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:05

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:05

Hi Kerrie,
Firstly I will assume that you have some sort of grate underneath the headbeads. Get yourself a large "tin" can, 750 or 1250 gram Milo tin or similar. Remove the lid and take the bottom out of it so that you end up with a small piece of tube. Place it on topo of the grate, put your firelighters (2 or 3) on top of the grate inside your tube and then put the required amount of heat beads on top. Light it from underneath with a match. The tube acts like a chimney and comcentrates the heat on the heatbeads. That should do the trick.
Happy camping,
Mike and Jan.

AnswerID: 117553

Reply By: Waynepd (NSW) - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:11

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:11

Hi Kerrie,
I am by no means an expert, but i've found that using jiffy firelighters under about 8 heat beads works well. the secret i think is to make sure that the air can get under where the starters are, this gives good combustion. they do take time to catch but once they do they go for heaps......you can later add more as required

it takes about half an hour before the beads get to the point where you can cook on them. that is after they change colour.

good luck

AnswerID: 117555

Follow Up By: Boo - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:38

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:38

Thanks for everyones advice, I think maybe we were just too impatient. Went to the Sydney 4x4 show yesterday and bought ourselves a camp oven and accessories from Hillbilly. Decided to give it a go tonight and roast a dinner, its just as well we had a late lunch as I think we will be having a late dinner as well. The heat beads are now very hot and things are starting to cook, so alls well.

Thanks.

FollowupID: 372929

Follow Up By: flappa - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 12:24

Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 12:24

Stick with it.

I have one of the hillbilly camp ovens and have used heat beads a few times.

Works well , just have to get the hang of it.

Those spun steel hill billy Camp ovens are very good.

FollowupID: 372997

Reply By: Member - Peter R (QLD) - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:44

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 18:44

Next time you have sardines, keep the tin and pour a little metho into it.

Place under the grate holding the heat beads and your problem solved.

I use this method in the Cobb

Pedro

AnswerID: 117571

Follow Up By: Waynepd (NSW) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 12:48

Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 12:48

I bought a Cobb at the Sydney 4x4 show on Friday.
Did a Leg 'o Lamb last night for dinner, what great oven/stove, so easy to use. I wish I'd had one years ago.

FollowupID: 373000

Reply By: porl - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 11:50

Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 11:50

also try another brand of heat bead maybe. I bought a 10kg pack of cheapies last year and what a load of junk. Almost impossible to light then died in no time. Didn't even end up finishing them, chucked them in the bin and went for a name brand.

AnswerID: 117671

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 16:37

Monday, Jun 27, 2005 at 16:37

Boo,

I usually use the Easy lite Heat Beads and find they are OK when bag is first opened but over a period of time, they become harder to light. I have put this down to the absorption of moisture and usually find a bit of metho, or firelighters will do the trick. Patience is the key. You just can't rush things. Takes about one slow glass of red before the beads are ready to cook with.

Happy cooking mate!