Follow Us!
Archive for the ‘Cooking Stoves’ Category
“A sign of the Times” ?
The Best From Both Worlds!
Cooking frugally is not necessarily a sign of the times; however, using a grill is. More often than not, resorting to one is a deliberate choice and considered a popular/great-way to cook year-round:
Burgers: Form the patty gently, smashing the meat forces out the moisture (a no/no!).
- Sear burger on both sides, then move burger and cook with indirect heat until done;
- Use a meat thermometer to gauge when the meat is done. Ground beef should be cooked to have an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Chicken: Place pieces that need to cook longest on the grill first.
- Once browned, move to a cooler area of the grill for final cooking;
- Use the meat thermometer to determine when done;
- Chicken with bones should be cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees, while chicken without bones only to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Using a cooking grill and other camping cookware are ideal for both the campsite and backyard cooking activities. However, caution must be exercised to insure exhaust fumes/smoke are disposed of properly and does not unwantedly contaminate the area, personal clothing, or indoor furnishings.
Using a Grill!
Outdoor Cooking!
Whether it’s a camping trip or a 1-day outing in the park, if you are going to cook, it requires a certain amount of planning and preparation. Before you go, you should educate yourself on everything to do with outdoor cooking so your experience is both safe and positive.
Many parks and outdoor camping facilities provide grills for the public. This is ideal for those irregular campers who do not have one and don’t want the expense of a purchase. However, certain precautions must be taken. First thing you should do is make sure the grill is clean. , especially if you’re using a grill provided by the camping facility. Wipe down the grill with a formulated cleaner that’s safe for cooking. This will allow you to disinfect the grill and make sure there are no harmful chemicals or toxins being transferred to the food.
The next step is to prepare your camp grill for cooking:
- Temperature required will depend on the food being cooked;
- Preheat the grill so it provides even cooking of the food;
- Once grill has reached the desired heat, it’s time to place the food on the grill;
- Grilling does not take as-long-as many other forms of cooking because of the intense heat and it’s proximity to the food.
Creature Comforts in the Great Outdoors!
Wide Open Spaces!
Just because you’re out in the wilderness doesn’t mean you need to live like you’re stranded on a reality TV show. Roughing it can be fun and challenging but giving up all the comforts of home can be uniquely challenging and sometimes frustrating. This is especially the case if you’re camping with your family. Everyone’s needs must be met, regardless of your physical location. This doesn’t mean don’t take the family camping, it just means do it wisely.
Camping stoves bring one of the comforts of home right to your campsite. No matter where you go you can prepare a hot meal for yourself or for your family, friends and camping companions. They’re an excellent way to make camping a little more fun without any fuss. Lightweight, easy to handle and use, they’re perfect for enjoying the great outdoors without sacrificing a good hot meal.
Campfire Safety!
Be Safe!
Whether hiking, fishing, hunting, or camping; and you’re going to be out overnight, you’ll need a campfire. First thing to make sure is that there are no legal restrictions to building a fire. Few places allow it anymore, unless it’s a recognized state or national park where they have camping facilities.
You can forget about the “Survivor” TV show, building a fire doesn’t have to be a pain-taking process. Hopefully, you have brought the needed fire source and firewood. I would not plan on finding any firewood at the camp-site. You must next pick a spot for the fire, if one is not provided. Find an area away from dry grass, tree limbs, or other combustibles.
This fire containment area/fire-ring should have a boundary with rocks and be large enough to totally accommodate the fire and any secondary sparks. When building the fire, think small. To start, you need some tender: small sticks, dry leaves, newspaper, pine needles or anything that will catch fire. As the fire gets bigger, you can add chunks of wood. However, protect your camping tents and gear. Ensure the fire and sparks stay within the fire-ring. Be safe!
Single Burner Camping Stoves!
Chef's Delight!
With nostalgia, I remember the family camping trips when all mama had for cooking was three, single burner stoves. What she couldn’t do with those three stoves left little for the imagination.
My favorite meal was her spicy fried chicken, potatoes, gravy and the fresh asparagus that she would have me pick down by the creek. Every now and then, she would top it off with her panned pineapple upside-down cake and as dad said, “it was made too die for”.
Those days have long gone. But, even today, when out fishing the lake; at about dusk, I turned around to my grand-kids and said, “take a whiff, can you smell that spicy fried chicken mixed with the sweet smell of pineapple upside-down cake”? Their response was, “yea granddad, just like the last time”. Oh, what can’t be done with several single burner cooking /camping stoves ain’t do-able!
The Resident Authority!
Big Things in Small Packages!
The entire family knows that I spent many years in the military; so, by default, it seems that I’m the go-to person for all matters concerning the out-doors. Last week, I received one such call from a sibling whose young son was going out on a 2-day school trek and was looking for a light-weight/convenient way to heat water for dehydrated food and a hot drink.
I suggested two possibilities: 1. A small one burner stove, or 2: Obtaining a hand-full of heat tabs from the local Army/Navy surplus store. Because of weight and bulkiness, the later was selected. However, caution was given to use a well ventilated burning area, as-well-as a heating can/device that had numerous breathing holes in it.
The feed-back was that this, unlike cooking stoves , worked to perfection. It was small, light-weight (didn’t require a pack mule), and not only dependable enough to cook my nephew’s food but also the food for two other campers, whose stoves did not function properly, HOOAH!
Cooking Stoves
Portable Cooking!
When selecting a portable cooking stove, gone are the days that you have to bring a large, bulky and dangerous stove to the camp site. But, there are relevant factors that should be reviewed: 1. Camping activity; 2. Number of people to be serviced; 3. Type/availability of fuel.
All camping stoves must be used in-accordance-with the applicable owner’s manual and obvious safety constraints.
Most Commented