My birthday is coming up soon.  At my time of life I find it is simpler to go and buy something I want rather than try to explain, in enough detail, to the family so they can purchase the right item.

In 3 weeks time my sons and I will be meeting up for a week of 4WD, fishing, camping and other boys stuff (full eskies hehe) on Fraser Island.

#1 son is bringing the meat; #2 son is bringing iron rations; I'm bringing the fruit and vegies and will be chief cook.  Given the weight of my cast iron camp ovens and some of the discussions on this site,  I spent a little time exploring the Internet.  I've ordered a spun-steel Bedourie, bush wok and a spun steel Aussie camp oven.

Now I don't want to start a religious war here, and I can see from previous posts I'm not Robinson Crusoe when it comes to using something other than CI.  But the three items above cost me $170.47 including postage - have I spent my money wisely?

One of our activities on Fraser is a canoeing trip on Lake Mackenzie,  I'm told it's a bit of a hike from the car park to the lake.  I have a very solid fibreglass canoe that will take two of us to carry to the lake - it may be a lake too far ...  While I was at BCF today I noticed a one-man canoe for $299.00.  Should I have indulged myself?  Of course SWMBO would probably have had my guts for garters if I rocked up with another (3rd) canoe.  As it happened I left it and was saved from a fate worse than death when I mentioned my conundrum to the Minister - *phew* close call ...  ::)  On the other hand I could sell my other canoes couldn't I?

Baldrum wrote on Feb 27^th, 2009 at 11:37pm:

have I spent my money wisely?

I am a recent convert to using spun steel as I have given up taking the CI due to weight issues too.  I like both, and the only thing I would say about the spun steel, is that I have had to learn to control the heat a little more delicately.   A bit of practice before you go might save a "crispy" meal...

I have now turned out some great stuff (and the occasional overly sunburnt stuff) during the trial and error stage.

I do a bit of camping on Bribie Island (Eastern beach side camp area) and ALL ash producing fires are prohibited there.  I have a Camp Oven Mate to use...  Gotta say, that is a brilliant thing to use..

I would love to hear how the Bush Wok goes.....


Baldrum wrote on Feb 27^th, 2009 at 11:37pm:

Lake Mackenzie,I'm told it's a bit of a hike from the car park to the lake

Last time I was there, it was a bit of a walk (my recollection is that it was about 250-300 metres), but the path would allow for you to drag the canoe in a lot of parts.  There used to be another access point to to the northern side of the lake that was closer to a track.  Perhaps a call to the rangers would give you current info.

For nearly the first 20 years of my camp oven cooking the only oven I ever used was a Bedourie and one of the original prototype Aussie Camp Ovens.  Cooked everything in it so yep, they are pretty good.

The only thing I have changed since using cast iron is that I now cook a lot directly in the cast iron whereas in the spun steel I used pans and dishes.

Where are you camping on Fraser???  There are not many places you can have a fire up there now so be aware of that and check it out before you go.


Derek

Thanks Rastas & Derek for your advice.

After last year's "wilderness" camping experience, we are heading for Cathedral Beach.  From what I've read and with input from TBF we'll really be roughing it.  Hot showers, powered sites, camp kitchen, flushing toilets, BBQ - crikey my missus might be tempted to join us (next time).

Now then, seriously, I've read elsewhere on this website, that the spun steel camp ovens need to be seasoned.  Given that we use unseasoned stainless steel pots and pans at home, why does spun steel need this treatment?

Baldrum
I have had my Steel CO for many years and I find it ideal to carry in the boat or canoe, light and easy to handle when weight is a factor.
Seasoning gives the CO a non stick factor to a certain degree and  will season up with use, still one of my favorite ovens and also doubles as a fry pan.
Muzz

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