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

May 22^nd, 2011 at 8:50am

Willo Offline
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I struggle to get my heat beads going most of the time. Some light and others refuse to burn almost. I've followed the instructions and crossed my fingers and even prayed to the CO gods! Wink

I've used the self starters and the normal ones, self starters have a better strike rate , as you would expect.

I don't yet have a bead chimmney yet, working on that. Do they make that much of a difference?

Any tips folks?

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Reply #1 - May 22^nd, 2011 at 9:46am

Michaelb Offline
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Willo the chimney will make a huge difference, but more importantly, the brand of heat beads and brand of fire lights, for the carcole only use HeatBeads or hot shots, I like the "LIght House "fire lights never had a failure.

Don't waste a day, not while your breathing.

Michaelb (A Mexican)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWCVbBkd0j0

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Reply #2 - May 23^rd, 2011 at 2:53pm

Lady_Joanella Offline
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Willo it is worth reading the info on the first page of this website. It gives a good visual in the area "charcoal as heat" on the right hand side where you find the Camp Oven Chat Board.
I havent got a chimney, but can see they are a big help to those that have them.

Good advice from Micheal re heatbead choice. The cheapies never end up being cheaper in the long run (from experience Roll Eyes

).

a trivett helps the airflow. I have used the trivett in an old frying pan on our bbq. with the frying pan on the bbq nothing is heat damaged under the frying pan and the frying pan holds the ash so it doesnt go everywhere. of course if you can get an old electric frypan to put the trivett in then that is even better. On the bbq brings it to a height convenient for me.

LJW

"Friends make the best Collectables."

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Reply #3 - May 23^rd, 2011 at 6:23pm

poddy dodger Offline
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IMHO a chimney is a must, even an old fruit tin with holes on the base and sides will do the trick and as others have said don't buy the cheap heatbeads, they ain't cheap in the long run.
I light my beads up on a gas ring and wait until they are all gray, about 20 minutes, too easy.
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 #4 - May 24^th, 2011 at 10:36am

Lady_Joanella Offline
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Fruit tin with holes side and bottom - now where to find a tin large enough. Just a family of two here now. Guess it would be best to put it on a trivett tho so that the air circulates under. We dont always have gas outside to try your method but sounds good idea pd.

LJW

"Friends make the best Collectables."

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Reply #5 - May 24^th, 2011 at 11:08am

Carolyn™ Offline
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I would agree with the others pay more and you get better results I only use heat bead brand. I can't always get there firestarter but I never buy cheap ones.

Try putting about 4 firestarters under a trivet and the heat beads piled on top. If you have a catering size tin open on both ends you could shelter it with that. Punch some holes in it if your able to

I take the easy way out and use a heat bead chimney or put the starters on the floor of my volcano and the beads on the rack. All use the same principals of air flow but not winds.

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Reply #6 - May 26^th, 2011 at 6:32pm

Willo Offline
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Thanks guys, I've been only using Heat Bead brand beads and thats what has been frustrating me.

Will look for tin and like the idea of using gas ring to blast the little critters! Wink

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Reply #7 - Jun 12^th, 2011 at 2:55pm

astroboy Offline
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Check these out willo they look the goods.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BBQ-Charcoal-Chimney-Starter-Heat-Beads-Weber-Kettle-...

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Reply #8 - Jun 12^th, 2011 at 3:54pm

poddy dodger Offline
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Nicest one I've seen Astro, I haven't got much on at present and it just so happens I have an old gas bottle roughly that size mmmmm.

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 #9 - Jun 13^th, 2011 at 4:07pm

Banjo Offline
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I'm only a newbie, and for the small damper i made (stuffed up) last night i used a piece of chicken wire with the beads wrapped in it. Did'nt take long for them to light up because i put them on top of a fire i already had going in the barbie.
It was the first time i have used beads for a co, but it wont be the last. I used the hot shots.
Dont ask about the damper, it was a comedy of errors from the start. (wrong flour and too much heat for the 8 inch oven that i used) Still tasted good, but thick crust with a small burnt patch on top, and a bit doughy inside.
"Practice makes perfect"

Good luck Jez

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