thinking of buying a cobb cooker

Its just a mini webber. We don't use fry pan as it takes too long to get the coals going. Much faster to fry on gas.

But its great as a cooker. We like to set up early and get a roast lamb and veges going. Just takes time though.

Theyare great,we use our to cook outside and then use it as a heater in the van went bush camping,works well.

G'day Chris

Like a lot of offroad and camping products these things have their supporters and detractors.

I've used one for a couple of years, mainly to do roasts. I bought it for two reasons. Firstly, I found myself with my family one cold, wet night on the GCR, and made the mistake of serving up a dinner composed mainly of baked beans and devon. Both cold. As a result, I received some frank and not very polite feedback about my cooking skills (or lack thereof), and how I'd better lift my game. This was not a happy experience. The Cobb allows cullinary dummies like myself to produce excellent meals - I particularly like the guide that comes with the Cobb.

The second reason I bought it is that I found it more practical for our type of travelling than a camp oven. It's lighter and easier to carry; it has a self contained heat source, and is not dependent upon finding a supply of relatively good quality wood; and I found it much easier to control the cooking process. Mates of mine still swear by their camp ovens, and will sometimes carry wood.

I use my Cobb exclusively to cook roasts, and do not have any of the accessories.

Good luck!

George

get one if ya love roasts. put it on early and kick back for 3 hrs with a few coldies till it's ready.

While I agree with Deserter that the Cobb may be just a "mini Weber"
it is so good I have not used the Weber since buying the Cobb.
Unless you are cooking for a mob of people, the Cobb will roast a joint of meat on the grill pan and the veggies in the moat area, all on 7 or 8 heatbeads. If I'm cooking for more I'll use the Camp Oven but will also use considerably more headbeads as well.

Yes, it takes some time to get the heatbeads burning (about 20 mins) but the results are well worth the effort.

I also use the frypan from time to time, but generally the grill gets the most workout.

The Cobb is also great for cooking dampers (using the frypan) and baking bread. (In a "bread tin" on top of the grill pan.)

Talking about baking bread, the "bread tin" is in quotes because I have recently discovered a new silicone bakeware container which is fantastic for baking bread, being slightly wider than the old cake tin I previously used.

Unless the frypan comes as a "package deal" at the camping show, I would suggest you buy the basic kit and add any extras you may deem necessary as you go.


Two tips for you Chris.

The Cobb is available in two different base styles.
The Cobb Pro has a enamelled metal mesh base which is a little cheaper than the Cobb Premium which has a stainless steel mesh base.

Whatever style you buy, one "after market" accessory you should get is a Cobb Bra from Klaus at Infront Camping
The Bra restricts the amount of airflow through the base, which can result in prolonged cooking time in windy conditions and can be "worn" inside or outside. I have mine placed permanently inside the base and although canvas, does not get overly hot.


Just one last thing.
3 hours sounds too long to me. The meat would have all the juices cooked out of it. Two hours and if the meat doesn't "bleed" when pricked, it's ready.

Bill.

We ended up buying one as well, thought it was a great idea. Mind you now that we have cut down on camping it is still proving useful since we're living in a shed waititn for the house to be built, so using a camping stove it means I can still do a roast should I desire.

I have however come across some people that make their own out of old gas bottles...

[url=http://users.picknowl.com.au/~darian/breadenstove/index.html]Breaden Camp Oven]/url]

Chris,

Just to give you an explanation about what some of us are on about, the previous version of the Cobb was a black plastic type base which was OK from a wind point of view, but several of us had suffered breakage of the base.

The newer version have solved this problem, but introduced another, as far as heat loss from the open mesh design.

Several solutions resolve this problem, from placing aluminium foil around the base, to Klaus's practical and "permanent" solution with his canvas "Cobb Bra".

There are several "users" of the Cobb on the forum who would be only too glad to pass on there experiences with the Cobb method of cooking. I don't think you would be disappointed as they are just as practical in use at home, as on the move.

Bill.

They are also the ant's pants for smoking fish with a handful of water soaked hickory chips added to the heatbeads.

Only about 5 heatbeads and takes about 25min.

I just have to work out the correct time to smoke ribs now - I have overdone them both times. Even a bit burnt the flavour was pretty good!

This is the link to the CobbBra supplier. These are great.

http://www.infrontcampinggear.com.au/category45_2.htm#2008

cheers

David