Does anyone know of a good small oven that one can back bread etc. in? Maybe something that would go on top of a woodstove?

-- bob (bob@aa.net), February 20, 1999

Answers

Coleman makes a folding stove that will bake small loaves of bread - not too well insulated, but you can help that by wrapping it with heavy aluminum foil. Has a nice thermometer in the door. Most camping stores carry them. Another poster in a previous thread is using a second-hand convection oven, with the cord removed, as a stovetop oven. You'll need a separate thermometer to monitor the temperature, though.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), February 20, 1999.

Bob, The above mentioned Coleman folding camping oven is OK. I had some trouble with it getting/staying hot enough once when it was rather cold and windy, and tried insulating it with some cardboard (unwaxed) and aluminum foil. I was a little apprehensive about the cardboard, but I closely watched the temperature and didn't let it get over 360 degrees. When you add the cardboard, don't extend it all the way to the bottom on the sides and back. I didn't put any on the front (or bottom, of course) at all. I used the aluminum foil just to hold it in place as I didn't have anything else with me at the time. That little bit of added insulation lets you use less fuel especially in warmer weather.

-- Gerald R. Cox (grcox@internetwork.net), February 21, 1999.

Order Coleman ovens now, if interested. Like many other Y2K useful items, this is a fast seller, and is starting to have just a little bit more backorder time.....

Blessings...Mercy

-- Mercy (prepare@now.com), February 21, 1999.

Why fool around with a little camp sove when you can buy for around $350 a brand new non-electric propane cook stove with a big oven and broiler so you can still eat real meals. Ours is a Gibson...had to order it but came in three days. In our experience 2-100# bottles of propane take us a year...and we bake alot of bread. This has a standing pilot lite..suppose could only be a good idea for a house but if times get bad at least we can cook and eat good food. Real meals will keep your spirits up...Dinty Moore for days is a depressing thought......

-- MUTTI (windance @train.missouri.ORG), February 21, 1999.

A good alternate to Coleman is Fox Hill Corporation. They make stovetop ovens that work quite well. On the down side, they don't fold up, but are well made. They make a "Sportsman's oven & an Outfitter's oven." Go with the Outfitters oven, as it holds 2- 8"X8" pans. Fox Hill Corp. P.O. Box 259, Rozet WY 82727 Ph. 1-800-533-7883

-- trafficjam (roadconstruction@darntraffic.com), February 21, 1999.

See also the "Bakepacker" sold by Adventure Foods (adventurefoods.com), for about $16. It's a Canadian gizmo meant for backpackers, needs something like a roasting bag, but you can bake things on top of an open flame, barbecue, whatever. Ad Foods also has a great Bakepacker Cookbook, full of not only recipes for dried foods but also invaluable info about reconstitution of dried foods, nutritional composition (invaluable for diabetics), and other useful stuff. Recipes are easily converted to Dutch or conventional oven use. The Bakepacker may not be the complete answer but I have one as an alternative to the outdoors--you can also cook over Sterno, a regular stove or propane-powered hotplate.

By the way, Ad Foods' on-line catalogue has all sorts of great dried food. You'll like buying from them, very friendly folks and fast service (usually within ten days). You can buy any amount of a bulk food, from about half a pound on up, and it comes sealed in a reuseable ziplock bag. Ad Foods says their dried eggs are the best-tasting and I have to admit they're not bad at all! (I dont' work for these folks, no connection other than wanting good stuff for our stash.)

-- Hungry Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), February 21, 1999.

Kicked to top, useful for newbies

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), May 24, 1999.