Dutch OVen Table

[tomhawk]

We just returned from a camping trip out west and I can confirm that an old electric skillet makes a terrific DO table. We used it for at least eight meals.
It was very easy to clean up afterwords. I can detect no damage to the aluminum surface from the bottom coals. I like the handle.
The plastic legs on the skillet raised the bottom off the supporting surface so it was possible to cook on a picnic table with no damage to the table.

We used an 8 inch DO and started coals in a compact Weber chimney. This chimney takes up less space and provides plenty of space for the needed coals. I have seen that there are collapsible chimneys for sale. I would be interested in those for even more space saving. Does anyone have an opinion about these devices?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[bobhenry-TNT]

I have a large spider skillet that will hold my dutch oven. ( or my rat tail skillet shown)
I can set it right on a wood surface without fear of scorching anything.

 

[gudmund-TNT]

I did get one of the Camp Maid 'collapsible' chimney's -have yet to use it but it does take up a "LOT" less storage room when travelling and looks very well made. Will be interesting to see how it holds up once the 'heat' is put to it?? May get to use this next week when I leave to meet up with the group for the last few days of our Idaho Crawl.....

 

[gudmund-TNT]

BobHenry's 'disabled' walker idea for the dutch oven work table is one 'Great' Idea!!!! and has worked just fine for me these last few years, but I was never able to find the used satellite dish seen here, BUT what has worked well for me instead is a Coleman 12in x 21in steel griddle in it's place (Amazon for about $20 - store close to $30) removed the side handles from it and than connected it the same way to the top of the walker handles shown here in the pictures - works great!!! Also have plywood boards cut to fit that I slide in from the side using the walker cross-braces for support (same as seen in photo here) = a nice portable end table for whatever you need it for. PS update on Camp Maid fire starter = worked good for getting the fire/brackets going, just not quit as big as the old one thus not holding as many brackets - but it is much more 'compact' for storing away for travel = I like it so far...……...think I will be keeping it...…

 

[tomhawk]

The web site for the folding campmaid charcoal starter states it can hold 45 briquettes. That seems to be plenty to give 450°F for a 14 inch DO.
Do you need more than that? If you are doing a large party I guess you might.

In this era of social isolation maybe we can make do with that many.

Thanks for replying.

Tom

 

[gudmund-TNT]

I wonder if they have made it a bit bigger now days - 45 seems like a lot for the size mine is. If I remember right I had around 30 in it = it was close to being full, but worked just fine - I use a 10 inch DO'deep' now (used to use a 12 which I don't have any longer.) I do own a 14 also but never used it yet. Guess, I will find out if it works (14) if and when I ever use it...…..

 

[gudmund-TNT]

FYI : just did a 'total' briquet capacity test with my CampMaid collapsible fire-starter. The 45 briquet total given by CampMaid for a capacity is good = and possible!! A total of 40 'briquets' puts it right at the 'level' edge, + 5 more puts it just slightly mounded above the edge (with 'maybe' room for 2/3 more "carefully" placed ones) What was the real 'shock' for me was what I paid 'less' than 2 years ago for it and what I see the $$ now on Amazon - paid $25 for mine - now I see $45...……………. money = here today, gone yesterday...……….. BUT the best thing about this item = it collapsed is so 'compact' and easy to store for travel with the DO...………..

 

[rjgimp]

I've been poking around here a few years now (lurked in the shadows for some time) and once in a while I still stumble upon an awesome old thread like this one. Thanks for the bump, slowcowboy.

Really, is there no end to the brilliance that oozes out of Bob Henry's cranium? A walker and a satellite dish? Are you kidding me?

Stunning. Just stunning...