tried cooking a roast using normal heat beads eg (not the easy lite ones). I filled my heat beads bbq starter 2 the brim and lit them using firelighters underneath as per instructions. After about 35 mins all briquettes were ashed over. I put 14 on top and 10 underneath using a trivet in an old frying pan so the co was not directly on the beads. after preheating the oven i put my roast in. After about an hour all the heat beads had lost all heat and some on the bottom had gone out completely had too finish cooking on the bbq. I did not have this trouble with the easy lite beads they burned quicker but seam 2 produce more heat. Not sure what i am doing wrong   :-/

This has been discussed before here Arrow.
Storage of your beads when not using is important. I use a sealed plastic tomato bucket to keep out any moisture.
As long as your using "Heat Bead" brand beads, it sounds like you are doing the right thing. The cheapies just don't last the distance.
I also generally light more than I need and leave some in the chimney and fill it up again to get another batch cranking in case of burnouts or to add more heat to the top to brown veges in later stages of cooking.
Don't give up, you'll work it out.

Robbo

One difference can be with the cheaper heat beads are that

they are smaller

and even though you add the same weight

they do not have the same heat and do not last as long

I only use the heatbeads brand have only used the easy lite ones before first time using the normal ones was really disaponted at heat output

I thought that I had lost my "heatbead mojo" a couple of weeks a go until I read this post.

I have been cooking over coals and flames lately, but
had a few to cater for, so went for the "Safety" of a choofer using heatbeads.

identical to what you have written arrow83. i used a fresh 4kg bag of "heatbeads" brand and was very surprised that I had to transfer the camp oven to my outdoor fire-place where  my veggies and apple pie and scones were cooking.

I have used heatbeads succesfully many times before, but this batch was a dud ????

.
Robbo wrote on Oct 15^th, 2010 at 2:32pm:

I also generally light more than I need and leave some in the chimney and fill it up again to get another batch cranking in case of burnouts or to add more heat to the top to brown veges in later stages of cooking. Don't give up, you'll work it out.

I think Robbo has covered some of what I was going to say with the above.
The more I use heat beads the more I wonder about them. 99 % of the time my results are good but on occassion I have had problems. Ive never noticed a difference in heat output between self lighting ones and the standard type. I have also wondered at times if humidity and or moisture play a part in how well and how long they burn, Ive had them go out well before things have cooked.......but usually only on the lid.....never the bottom. What made me think even more was something that happened the other day. I had a very damp bag of heat beads....been sitting on my verandah for a month...been raining here non stop for at least 3 weeks and was still pi88ing down. I wanted to cook silverside the PD way. My first thought was that the heat beads would definatly give me trouble...so I lit twice as many as normaly needed as back up. The wierd bit is.......those bloody heat beads never looked like going out.....the ones on the lid burnt down to the size of a green pea and were still going. Ive never had them burn that well. (I was so supprised I thought of taking a photo at the time ;D)
Sorry if Ive shot your moisture theory down Robbo and I would have said the same thing as you until a few days ago. Im still scratching my head.
If someone has the answers Im happy to listen.
SBB

Saltbush Bill wrote on Oct 15^th, 2010 at 9:14pm:

Sorry if Ive shot your moisture theory down Robbo

Yeah, buggered if I know Rory.
I've never had any dramas with heat beads except for the cheapo ones. I've never had them burn down as small as you're talking about though.......may have to start soaking them before using them. ;)

Robbo

This is an interesting subject.  Never have had a problem myself but know others have.

I have taken it up with Heat Beads and they are perplexed as well.

Heat Beads are committed to giving us a quality product and are interested in finding a solution.

Would really appreciate it if those who have a problem could contact Heat Beads and let them know.  You can do it on this page.  http://www.heatbeads.com.au/contact.html  Check out the right hand side.  They will arrange to collect the dead batch of Heat Beads and test them to find the problem.

Cheers


Derek

Derek if you can convince them to send me half a dozen free bags Ill conduct some tests  ;D
SBB

I  still have my bag of unused heatbeads Derek.

I will have another go with them tomorrow to see if I was dreaming.

will still have enough for analysis if same problem exists.

Rick........I think we musta got the same batch.......last few times we had ours go out...and not hot enough....meal no where near cooked.....and that was done in the choofer..unfortunately I chucked the packet out and stored them in a plastic bin.

and yes we had the basket at bottom full.just incase you were think'n I was scungy again :D :D :D :P

used the heatbeads again the other day and had better results. The weather was much warmer heatbeads burnt better. How much cooking time should i expect from them?  got a few pics of my first efforts

---

I realize Heat Beads sponsor Derek but after experiencing problems with them I've changed to Hot Shots from Bunnings, they are bigger and burn better and I reckon hotter.
Now someone is going to tell me they are made by Heat Beads....

pd

Rob, I have to admit to using nothing but Heat Beads for years now so can't comment on the newer ones on the market but guess there have been a lot of improvements over the years and most likely some good products out there these days.

Arrow83, this photo was taken after an hour of cooking.  Thats' an old Bedourie and the temp in the oven was still 180 degrees. The camp oven was in the shade on a warm day with no wind.  I have used them many times until they have burnt down to a pea size and reckon you should get an hour and a half in conditions described above.

Wind will make them burn down very quick and also create more heat in the process.

http://www.aussiecampovencook.com/Black%20Forest/Black8.JPG

It could be one of many things Derek, storage or varying quality but I 've had disappointing results with the genuine Heat Beads and a couple of the cheaper brands, I tried Hot Shots awhile back and think they are the best around, unlike Heat Beads they burn away to nothing, JMHO.
pd

finally getting back to posting after a short period of "Lurking" (too many forums) ::) ::)

I tried the heatbeads again 2 weekends ago. tried a batch of scones this time, but the heat still wasn't there.

not sure if I use enough beads, as I normally just fill my little wire basket (about 20) which normally generates enough heat for my stews/ chicken roasts.

the scones were edible after about 70 minutes this time.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b385/ricknank/campoven/DSC04053Large.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b385/ricknank/campoven/DSC04065Large.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b385/ricknank/campoven/DSC04071Large.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b385/ricknank/campoven/DSC04072Large.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b385/ricknank/campoven/DSC04069Large.jpg

tried another batch last weekend, but forgot about them 'till 2 hours later  :-[

the beads were still burning, but still not generating a lot of heat.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b385/ricknank/campoven/DSC04082Large.jpg

and my first ever batch oif scones was cooked over the coals a few weeks ago when my lamb roast was taking too long.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b385/ricknank/campoven/DSC03859Large.jpg

ps.. the pics are part of the reason for my name change  ;D ;D ;D

Rufzgutz.......where did you find that name Rick :D :D :D ;D

I must admit.....I havent used Heat beads lately...I've been using a gas ring and the COM.....bring on a COG meet :)

Dave

Quote:

Rufzgutz.......where did you find that name Rick Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy Grin

I wonder Dave???, I wonder ?? ;D ;D ;D

My style is not as dainty as some....but I love it  :D :D :D

ps... I have been eye-ing off gas-rings to fit into my choofer.

shouldn't be long 'till I get the grinder out for an access slot.

I am not an expert but I dont think you have the right ratio top and bottom of heat beads.  Your camp oven looks huge but that might just be the picture.

For a 12" oven I would suggest at least 6 beads on the bottom and 18 on the top.  I mostly start wth an outside ring of beads and then move some in at the last if the middle isnt browned enough.

That amount of beads gives approx 350C or 180F and most scones call for roughly 400F so maybe a couple more top and bottom if you dont get a good result.  Weather can make a dfference of course.

Hey Rick.....I think Keith has or is doing that.... ;D

Carolyn if your refering to Ricks....its 10" one...pic taken looking down at his choofer


Dave