AUSTRALIA'S ORIGINAL AND BEST CAMP OVEN AND OUTDOOR COOKING CAMPING AND LIFESTYLE FORUM

Jul 11^th, 2008 at 2:46pm

TBF Offline
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Tried my first foray into beads after over 20 years of using coals from fires.

Kept it simple with fruit scones.
1/2 A batch in the CO and the other 1/2 in the electric oven.

The electric oven scones were sensational.
No problems with the recipe

The CO scones did not cook/rise Angry

Insufficient heat produced by the beads.

Lesson learnt:
Never use any old beads you have around the house.. (cheap leftovers)
Used a chimney to get them started..(thats not the problem}
Answer: Only use the good quality ones I saw at the COG.

Maybe I'll go to cooking with coals from a fire again.
Anybody want to buy a very slightly used chimney?

Na, I'll keep trying with the beads.
It's got to get better from here.

Aart

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Reply #1 - Jul 11^th, 2008 at 4:34pm

poddy dodger Offline
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Don't give up TBF, I use a starter chimney over a single LPG burner to get my beads going and as you've learned use only good quality heat beads, I learnt that the hard way. I buy Bunnings "Hot Shots" and keep them in a plastic box with lid to keep them from absorbing moisture.

If I'm roasting a big piece of meat, two hours plus, I use the LPG burner to crank the heat up towards the end to finish it off. With a stew or casserole it doesn't matter so much if the heat tapers off.

Did lamb necks with rosemary dumplings last night for six people, they say self praise is no recommendation but it was bewdiful, sigh.

pd

When I die I hope my missus doesn't sell my camp ovens for what I told her I paid for them. pd

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Reply #2 - Jul 11^th, 2008 at 5:44pm

OldSkool Offline
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The first time I used beads I got a perfect result

but the the next two time I killed the bottom beads with lack of oxygen and had to use gas to finish the job off. I'll get that problem fixed shortly.
Half the fun is the stuff ups, they're the ones everyone talks about usually with great roars of laughter, and at my expense. Angry

Keep trying

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Reply #3 - Jul 11^th, 2008 at 7:18pm

hotwelder Offline
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I,ve got a bag of beads in the shed that the bride bought for me about a month ago,havent opened them yet,but I bet when I have a go,I,ll bugger it up somehow,nothing surer.......... Grin

cheers George

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Reply #4 - Jul 11^th, 2008 at 7:40pm

LogFire Offline
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Keep at it TBF. I use "Heat Bead" brand from Barbques Galore or BigW. Main thing is to be sure they are well alight before taking them out of the chimney & plenty of ventilation under the CO.
LogFire

I have gone off to find myself. If I get back before I return,keep me here.

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Reply #5 - Jul 11^th, 2008 at 8:06pm

TBF Offline
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LogFire wrote on Jul 11^th, 2008 at 7:40pm:

Keep at it TBF. I use "Heat Bead" brand from Barbques Galore or BigW. Main thing is to be sure they are well alight before taking them out of the chimney & plenty of ventilation under the CO.
LogFire

Logfire
You hit the nail right on the head.
It is very hard to light an inferior quality charcoal bead.
Won't buy that sh@t again.
When I was watching the Heat Bead fanatics at the COG, you guys did it with ease.
Just like I feel with coals from a fire.
Different tools are just going to take a little longer to learn.

Thanks to you all for the encouragement.

Aart

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Reply #6 - Jul 11^th, 2008 at 8:13pm

LogFire Offline
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TBF.
With a bit of practice you too will be able to make a smiling apple pie.

I have gone off to find myself. If I get back before I return,keep me here.

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Reply #7 - Jul 11^th, 2008 at 8:30pm

TBF Offline
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LogFire wrote on Jul 11^th, 2008 at 8:13pm:

TBF.
With a bit of practice you too will be able to make a smiling apple pie.

Keith

I look forward to that day mate.
More importantly I want the patients to make such a smooth custard, without any trace of lumps in it.

Aart

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Reply #8 - Jul 11^th, 2008 at 10:06pm

Robbo Offline
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LogFire wrote on Jul 11^th, 2008 at 7:40pm:

Keep at it TBF. I use "Heat Bead" brand from Barbques Galore or BigW. Main thing is to be sure they are well alight before taking them out of the chimney & plenty of ventilation under the CO.
LogFire

Logfire has hit the nail on the head here. I've never had a real failure with beads, however have found you get what you pay for. The less expensive low quality ones arent necessarily cheaper when you generally end up using more beads to get the same temperature as a quality brand or you have to fire up a second batch when the first ones burn out too soon.
Like Logfire I prefer to use the Heat Bead brand, good heat and last well.

Robbo

May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven
half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

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Reply #9 - Jul 13^th, 2008 at 10:14am

LogFire Offline
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TBF
Important to have PATIENCE & continually stir the custard to avoid lumps & making PATIENTS out of the consumers. Grin

LogFire

I have gone off to find myself. If I get back before I return,keep me here.

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