correct use of a camp oven

Thanks for that advice, I have a trivet but will look for a pot-glass or metal? Yep we feel really fortunate to be going although tentative about leaving family and friends.
Carreen

ok, thanks!

Thanks Margie,
Will try all that! Enjoy your trip-the planning is half the excitement.
Carreen

Coals sounds the way to go then, thanks

lol will do-thanks!
Carreen

Thanks Stu-I wish you were cooking for me!!!
Carreen

Ok that's interesting and I'll remember the detergent tip.
Thanks, Carreen

My mouth is watering-bring of the butter and golden syrup!
Love your slogan if that's what you call it-gave me a giggle and oh so true for lots of us
Carreen

If you put a pot inside the camp oven you are defeating the purpose of the oven.
You may as well just put the pot on the coals.

It actually works well sandman. Been doing it that way for about 15 years. Best thing is for when we want to use the oven again just after tea for cakes and dampers....another pot goes straight in and away she goes. Heat control is near on perfect.

Coals away from the fire top and bottom is standard fare.

No need to clean camp oven....just reoil.

Quote: "As for cleaning the oven.......Na!
Once the oven has been seasoned and developed a black looking coating inside the oven, you will have a non-stick surface and should never touch the oven with soap and scourer.
Just a quick wipe out is all that is generally required. If you have a "messy" oven, just whack some water in it and place on the coals to heat up. After tipping the water out and wiping down with paper, a smear of cooking oil all over the oven will keep it from rusting and ready for the next session."

The dark solid patina the oven develops after seasoning and plenty of use (without cleaning with soap and water) is as good as or even better than non-stick surfaces

And now for something completely different [Part 2]

I have regularly used my old camp oven for nearly 30 years to cook roasts, stews, dampers, soups, etc. And it has been heat by all the usual methods:- campfire coals, gas and at home on the potbelly stove; but 20 years ago I made a solar oven, that now is used for at least 50% of camp oven cookery because it cooks gently and the WA fire bans during the summer and autumn means that "cooking coals" are unavailable for five months of the camping year.

The solar oven is basically an insulated wooden box with a black, sheet-metal inner box [heat collector] that the camp oven sits in and a hinged, double glazed door/window that is aimed towards the sun. A couple of reflector flaps direct extra energy into it. The closed oven traps the sun's radiant energy and gradually heats up the contents of the box.

The solar oven is sat on the ground [preferably out of the wind and definitely out of shadows] and turned to keep it facing into the sun every hour or so.
There is no fear of burning the food as the temperature never gets above 300ºF [115ºC], even on the hottest, sunniest summer's day.

So if you want long, slow and safe cooking from your camp oven, this is a good method, especially if you are camped up in one location for a few days and have time to sit , relax and enjoy the serenity.
The evening meals are started a lot earlier than if you are cooking with coals/fire/gas. Roasts are put on by noon, stews, curries and casseroles by mid morning. This will give delicious "melt in the mouth meat" that is very tender and no chance of the dreaded charcoal!

The disadvantages are the same as solar panels: doesn't work at night and cloudy days, but this is Australia: "A Sun-Burnt Country" with more than enough "cooking" days to go around!

Cheers
'Adding more to the pot'
Welldone

PS...It's cooks so gently that it takes 2 hours to boil a kettle!

Oops!
300ºF = 150ºC not 115ºC
Apologies
Welldone

PS...NOTE TO SELF...I must look up conversion tables before relying on dodgy mental mathematics!!

sounds ingenious what a clever idea!
Carreen

Hi Carreen & all those of you involved in this discussion.
From past experience, I' learned to carry some quick instant meals for when things turn ugly. I Know that they're expensive but these are a company who make meals in a plastic container.
If all else fails we boil them in water, they're very well sealed & don't need refrigeration . No, not the camping store packets but even they can save a divorce.
\They're called H---=-l meals & are around $ 5.00. When it comes near to our hols we grab some when they're on special in the supermarkets. Also we take the packet rices & macaroni already to be mixed with water.
O.K., so, sometimes I cheat!!! They also come in handy if you come across some one in trouble & out of food.
On one occasion, whilst crossing the Anne Beadell we swapped water for food this way.
They couldn't carry all the water provided to them but their food drop didn't happen .It worked out really well. We didn't expect anything in return.
Then there is the no fire occasions which we carry a gas cylinder with a large element which attaches to the top.
You'll want some nights free from cooking big time, if you were home you'd get takeaway .There are fold up type ovens you can put on these burners or gas stoves for camping. for when you can't have a fire. You can cook jaffles on them on low heat too,These portable gas stoves are great Just cos you're camping doesn't mean you have to always cook in the camp oven.
Have fun & above all,have a safe journey. You'll meet heaps more potential friends.
Take care keep safe & do it while you can!
Bye for now, Ma.

Wow, such a lot of great ideas and advice, thanks everyone
Carreen

Hi Carreen,
Thanks for that.
We both have cancer & are ever so glad that we started doing our trips early.
Because of this we came across your post fairly late & am not sure if you're in a tent or van.
We go in a tent & have learned by our mistakes, so my advise to you has been based on that.
Just do it whilst you can.
I used to be a Nurse & saw too often the result of waiting till you retire.
If you are in a tent, be sure to take a tarp to cover your fire area & this will save you!, your like of camping & your marriage! if it's raining heavily.
We can not afford a van & all of us make mistakes,& learn from them. Oh dear, when you're wet ,cold & hungry, divorce comes very close to the best of friends.
Be prepared!! for the unexpected. We got flooded & the fire wood got wet. & the ranger had told us that it wasn't going to rain when we started our treck in the a.m.
We had to swim back to camp & it was freezing. Luckily we had some Port wine!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy your adventure & be prepared for wet weather & the unforseen problem.
Sit down with a cup of whatever & think out your predicament before you act if something does not go to plan. Enjoy, We wish you well.
Take care, safe travels.
Bye for now. Ma.

Hi Ma, Thanks for the advice, so sorry to hear of your health problems but glad to hear you are out and about having adventures. My dad waited until he retired and then it was too late for him. We are both nearly 50 and this trip is largely to look at what is out there and what other things we can do work wise especially hubby who wants a change from manual labour jobs. We go with open minds, open hearts and if anything is an indication as per our preparation where things keep breaking eg. air conditioning, seals, universal joints and camper trailer poles- an open wallet lol
Take care Carreen

Hi Carreen,
Hoping this finds you well.
Sorry I'm late with my reply but I've been in hospital.

Canned Tuna, definitely!!! You can also get canned chicken breast.
Even mix it with rices as well as the potatoes. Tinned ham also very good for creating adventuring meal with adventure.

On our last trip we were prepared for the expected but as said early back, be prepared as well as you can be for the unexpected.....eg. Diesel solenoid breakage.
Needed glue that could hold with diesel fuel & a few different size bits of hose.
Very lucky it could be fixed.

Tins are heavy but they have fluid which is handy for many situations Eg. Tinned Pineapple. Eat the pieces & water down the juice to drink.

You'll meat some lovely people & not so lovely ones. Some think they can rip you off because you're tourists. It happened to us........ Get three opinions & really think it through. Also remember, not to i nsist it be done fast because you're on holiday. Send me a member message if you want to know. We had our long service, once in a lifetime trip ruined because we were tourists at an out of the way place.
Have a great trip . There's a good site on Farm & house sitting.
Take care, safe travels, Bye for now Ma.

Thanks Margie,
The deb potato reminds me of camping with my parents when I was a tacker!
Carreen