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

Reply #250 - Sep 28^th, 2009 at 10:35pm

mountain man Offline
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Gday every one first post just trying to get a couple of good camp ovens, just wondering whats the go with this st bloke snapping all the meters on ebay, are they really that good, or is he putting them away for that rainny day. should i just grab a couple of new billmans to cook good tucker in and be happy. thanks for any info. mountain man.

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Reply #251 - Sep 29^th, 2009 at 6:54am

Cactus Offline
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MM
If you can get a Billmans CO go for it. There are plenty of members on this site that have them, me included. There are Metters still to be had, I picked one up a 12" at a market day a few weeks back in perfect condition in side and out for $25.00 thats two I have got for less than $70.00. Just keep looking.
Muzz

Have Camp Oven will travel

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Reply #252 - Sep 29^th, 2009 at 3:41pm

Kingsthorpe David Offline
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You need to decide if you want a new one or a vintage one.
Having both, my preference is for new.
I have 2 new Billmans and several new Lodge pots from the USA.
The Lodge really have the best finish you can find.
Check eBay for castiron, camp ovens, Lodge etc.
Go to the US eBay for lots of Lodge!
I imported 3 Lodge from US eBay sellers and bought one from
Redback Trading here in Oz. Lodge direct are too expensive.
Useful sites:

www.squirrelstradingcompany.com

www.redbacktrading.com.au/index1.html

Billmans Foundry Pty Ltd
Langslow Street (PO Box 242)
Castlemaine 3450
Ph: 03 5472 4302
Fax: 03 5470 6933
website: www.billmansfoundry.com.au
email: info@billmansfoundry.com.au

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp;jsessionid...

Unfortunately you will not find camp ovens in the Billmans website, if you email Kerrie at info and ask for details she will email you some pictures and a price list.

KD

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Reply #253 - Sep 30^th, 2009 at 11:06am

Stump Jump Offline
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G'Day MM,

Metters cook no better and no worse than other good quality camp ovens, however with their fine castings and classical lines, they are in my opinion, one of the most beautiful camp ovens ever made and I love to cook with them.

If you are interested in a couple of Billmans, then I would certainly go for it, as they make a beautifully crafted oven and a fine cooking pot.

Having said that, I also own a 14" unbranded Asian pot (re photos below) which I paid $8 for nearly thirty years ago. I generally take it away to areas where I can't guarantee the security of my other pots. Over the years, it has proved itself to be a top cooking pot and equal in cooking ability to that of a Metters.

Hope this helps

9thMay09_001.jpg (35 KB | )

9thMay09_002.jpg (32 KB | )

9thMay09_004.jpg (34 KB | )

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Reply #254 - Sep 30^th, 2009 at 1:19pm

poddy dodger Offline
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Comes back to the old argument SJ, can you taste the difference between something cooked in cheap Taiwanese CI pot or an expensive antique pot ?
Like you I really like my Billmans ovens but my favourites from a collectors point of view are a couple of C C Hardings I have. I enjoy cooking in them because they are what they are.
I don't take my Metters ovens travelling with me, too easy to break being thin walled or have them wander off while I'm otherwise occupied.

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 #255 - Sep 30^th, 2009 at 1:56pm

Stump Jump Offline
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PD,
I enjoy taking my Metters away camping, because I like cooking with them. Also, I think using them tends to give them a purpose in life, which tends in my mind, to elevate them above a mere ornament/collectible status.
However having said that, I always ensure that they're well packed for camping, not only for the journey but also when not in use at the camp site. In addition, I only take them to areas where the risk of theft is no greater than if I left them at home.

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Reply #256 - Oct 1^st, 2009 at 2:47am

StevenM Offline
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Yep if I own it it gets used.

I cant understand the fact that this oven is too thin walled, worth too much, legs may break...so I use a cheapie when I hitt the road.

I know there are colectors an all, but ......

Hey I use a thousand dollar rod on my kayak....if it goes for a swim well thats life.

Cheers

Steven

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Reply #257 - Oct 1^st, 2009 at 6:57am

poddy dodger Offline
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A bit like owning a very valuable car and not taking it out on the road I suppose but as a collector I have enough pots to make a choice so I take the more robust ones with me on the road where they get a rough ride and use the very collectable ones at home.

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 #258 - Oct 1^st, 2009 at 8:00am

astroboy Offline
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StevenM wrote on Oct 1^st, 2009 at 2:47am:

I know there are colectors an all, but ......

Hey I use a thousand dollar rod on my kayak....if it goes for a swim well thats life.

I use expensive fishing gear as well but that has no historical significance whatsoever to me. It's not about dollar value, it's about historical value for me all of these cast iron pots have a story to tell. The camp ovens I collect and don't use are all about preserving a piece of history for my kids to appreciate one day when I'm long gone.
I have been brought up surrounded by collectors and they all say the same thing it's about holding onto something from their past to appreciate in the future.
Astro.

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Reply #259 - Oct 1^st, 2009 at 5:41pm

StevenM Offline
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astroboy wrote on Oct 1^st, 2009 at 8:00am:

[quote author=5C7B6A796A614239370F0 link=1239607945/256#256 date=1254329257]I know there are colectors an all, but ......

The camp ovens I collect and don't use are all about preserving a piece of history for my kids to appreciate one day when I'm long gone.

Astro.

Astro

I hope they dont flog them on ya to make a quick buck.

Cheers

Steven

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