small group cooking

[shack]

Hi guys, I do a wee bit of camp cooking in a number of local schools and toying with either a woodgas stove or fire box, now I can't swallow the seventy quid for an xl fire box, so do I plumb for wg or small fb? For the last few years I managed with my kelly kettle and an open fire with a grill over the embers or nice skillet straight on.

Most of the cooking is the usual bread, sausages, maybe a stirfry that kind of thing, dep on school it's not always possible for an open fire so something compact and portable and minimal ground impact.

I work with small groups so never need to cook for more than 7 (6 plus me) which should best suit my needs, or is there something better?

Advice, ideas, experiences and 2 penneths all welcome.

 

[Man of Tanith]

have you considered making your own using an old jerry can or similar?
maybe a small portable bbq?

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

What about a fire pit n griddle.ive got a cheapo metal jobby one in back garden it's very light with folding legs on.youd bosh off 7/8 people with that no probs

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

Similar too this you coud do away with the mesh part.their dead light

 

[bopdude]

Or you could make your own albeit a bit larger than the woodgas ones, say from paint tins maybe ?

 

[crosslandkelly]

How about one of these.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Port...oler-Bag-/161234292607?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

 

[shack]

thanks all for your ideas and links, I guess my main concern is portability, lots of wood on the sites but not always space or allowance for a permanent feature (such as a fire pit) Im leaning more towards the flat pack firebox, but will the middle size (not micro or XL) be big enough for a cast iron 12" frying pan? or are there other recommended versions from other makers that have been tried and tested?

 

[Orchard]

I'm not sure how portable you want it, but i'm probably going to get an Ecozoom for base camp duties. It's too heavy to trek with, but it's an efficient biomass burner, and Iirc, exceeds 12inches in diameter

 

[shack]

I'll have to check that out, busy spec'ing some flatpack stainless BBQ's atm, thinking this might be a good way forward (poss not as robust but much wider base)

 

[Orchard]

I'll have to check that out, busy spec'ing some flatpack stainless BBQ's atm, thinking this might be a good way forward (poss not as robust but much wider base)

I'm on the pc now, so:

Dimensions

Stove: D-27.9cm H-31.8cm
Weight: 10kg

Features

Shipping Weight: 12kg
Refractory metal combustion chamber
Abrasion-resistant, lightweight ceramic insulation
Two internal grates to hold both wood and charcoal
Two hinged doors
6-pronged universal cast iron stove top
Stick support
Adjustable galvanized steel pot skirt
Painted sheet metal body with reinforced doors
Plastic and steel handle

http://www.ecozoom-uk.com/shop/versa-lite-rocket-stove/

 

[shack]

That's a nice bit of kit, more for a perm camp I think, I need to be as portable as possible.

 

[rik_uk3]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SunnGas-B...Festival-/160982427723?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

I got two of these from Wilkinsons. Fold up well, pack into a small carry case. I used them on a couple of family glamping trips mostly on charcoal but used wood one weekend when we forgot the charcoal. For what they cost buy one and try it out, at worse you have a dinky barbie for your back garden.

 

[kombi]

Ive been using an ecozoom versa (see link above) last summer and through winter. Its a great tool and loads of power. I can see it will last and last not like those crappy flat pack bbqs. Had a few and they just go rusty and die after a season.

The ecozoom is a bit pricey so if just google and why not have a stab at making one?

 

[petrochemicals]

a commercial cookin drum makes a lovely big woodgas stove even if it is non collapsable. An esbit barbecue or a yelloestone or gellert, portable and cheap.