hi all not sure if this is in the right place but im sure i will be told but anyway does anyone know where i can pick up a cast iron pot cheap as possible and a billy can again as cheap as possible cheers all
cooking gear
- Thread starter haich
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Cheapest billy will be something homemade/cobbled together from a coffee tin or storage pot. Recently people have used ones from Morrison's, Ikea and Wilko I think.
If you mean a Dutch Oven type thing for the cast iron pot, try http://www.trekdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Dutch_Ovens.html
If you mean a Dutch Oven type thing for the cast iron pot, try http://www.trekdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Dutch_Ovens.html
No problem. Everyone has to start somewhere. I'd be wary of jumping in and spending lots of money though. Been there done that. Kit choice is very subjective. Make do for now and read a lot and try stuff out. We have a Dutch Oven and it's superb. The "we" is a group of 5-7 of us though - I wouldn't have thought they're for everyone. Sometimes you have to learn by trying I suppose though.
Try a coffee pot billy and see how you get on. Could be controversial, but I reckon billy cans are good for very little more than boiling water/rat packs. A wider/shallower pan is better for cooking. You can't fry in a billy for instance.
Try a coffee pot billy and see how you get on. Could be controversial, but I reckon billy cans are good for very little more than boiling water/rat packs. A wider/shallower pan is better for cooking. You can't fry in a billy for instance.
to be honest scanker got it right this time i have been camping for many years i grew up in australia and deciced to come back to my roots and there was never an issue in pitching camp and having a campfire but since being back here it was difficult to find a camp site which allow fires i say camp site as i now have a wife and 18month old daughter who like many women like the amenities that these have to offer but have since found sites now which allow fires im not going back to basics but just want what i was used to back in oz but for some reason the equipment was easier to find and buy there gone are the days off disappearing into the bush for a few days at the drop of a hat so hence im just trying to gather the basics cooking gear hotplate, dutch oven, billy and tripod tbh honest i was going to make my own tripod why i never thought off making a billy i dont know think it was because if i ever needed one in the past i just went to my local camop shop anyway thanks for the heads up and i shall give iy a go on weekend if i can get my hands on a large coffee tin by the way what did you use for a lid as most now come with a plastic lid sorry for the lenghty read and the life story aswell but just thought id give you some background cheers again
Interesting stuff. Some come with metal lids, if you find the right one. I'm talking more kitchen coffee storage rather than a tin of Nescafé. Have a look in a builder's merchants for fencing pins to make a tripod with. They're about ½" diameter and 3 or 4 feet long. Have a look at the bottom of this thread: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30745
Even though I am yet to buy from Ronnie Sunshines, I know that they are the best for either dutch ovens or the cowboy set from seeing too many people using the kit and saying that it performs brilliantly.
As far as I can remember, I have seen Bernie, Eds and PJMCBear using the cowboy sets and they all had nothing but praise for it. In fact, the Mushroom Lady may use one as well, not sure on that one though. I saw PJMCBears' set after he had cooked breakfast in the frying pan and it was a right old mess. He chucked some water in the pan, popped it over the fire and left it. A while later, the water was boiling and the filth of caramelised sugar from pork and apple sasuages had just lifted off. I'm thinking of getting a set myself for when the kids come out with me in Old Stinky!
The cowboy set is about 25 quid as I recall, enamelled steel so robust and easy to keep clean and you get four plates and cups and a billy can, coffee pot and frying pan. You can cook all sorts with that set up, and it looks pretty good too! Remember this post, Mister Ronnie, when I put my order in!
As far as I can remember, I have seen Bernie, Eds and PJMCBear using the cowboy sets and they all had nothing but praise for it. In fact, the Mushroom Lady may use one as well, not sure on that one though. I saw PJMCBears' set after he had cooked breakfast in the frying pan and it was a right old mess. He chucked some water in the pan, popped it over the fire and left it. A while later, the water was boiling and the filth of caramelised sugar from pork and apple sasuages had just lifted off. I'm thinking of getting a set myself for when the kids come out with me in Old Stinky!
The cowboy set is about 25 quid as I recall, enamelled steel so robust and easy to keep clean and you get four plates and cups and a billy can, coffee pot and frying pan. You can cook all sorts with that set up, and it looks pretty good too! Remember this post, Mister Ronnie, when I put my order in!
Don't forget the dutch oven Spam, done a blinding job on your sweet potatoes,rabbit that we saw none of and the venison fillets.Again Ronnie Sunshines.
Bernie
Bernie
You could do what Ray Mears did and get three long sticks arrange them in a tripod and then stick a tin can over them. He also punctured a hole in the can threaded some metal wire through and tied it to a toggle to keep it secured above the can. Then the other bit of wire was attached to his Billy. At least I think that's what he did.
Our Dutch Oven was from Ronnie Sunshines. I think it was only £25 when we bought it though. The one in the first link I posted looks the same and is cheaper.
I must be honest and say that that stupidly simple method impressed me. Whats the breaking strain on thicker guitar wire I wonder ?
thanks for the replies i like the sound of the cowboy kit yeah i seen RM do the tripod the other day on walkabout but i have a different idea ive come up with a way to make it small and compact but is a little weighty but to be honest it will be going in the car more often than not will see how it goes anyway might do pics once its done cheers again guys for the info its great
just been checking out that western cookset on ronniesunshines site is on order as soon as tent is sold thanks for the heads up on that one it looks like just the thing
