- Joined
- Dec 11, 2006
- Messages
- 1,659
Perhaps it is because I like cooking so much. Or perhaps it is because I like fire : ) But, it seems like I am always playing with every type of cookware out there, whether it was intended for outdoors or not. Everything from from woks to carbon stuff, cast iron, dutch ovens, Potjies, to the latest and greatest non-stick and titanium.
My newest recent find follows my theme of playing with a couple of the zebra billy pots that I have.
The Zebras come with a stainless steel insert. I have played around with it as a little skillet and for baking.
It works pretty good, and of course stainless is good for pretty hard use (not worrying about coatings, getting dirty, etc). Maybe not the best thing for a gourmet chef, but good enough for fire cooking : )
The one thing I was never really pumped about with the inserts is the little ridge on the bottom. It is a small thing, and hasnt led to any issues for me. But it seems for a skillet and baking pan, I would prefer it to be flat.
The same guy I got my billys from, also sells a very small carbon steel skillet. Ironically, it ends up being the EXACT same size as the insert in the 16cm billy. I can replace it totally, stack with it, or be used alone with the original lid.
Here they are nested.
Here it is in place in the billy.
Finally, with the original lid.
Now, I realize that a carbon steel is not about to make the list of cookware for an ultra light backpacker, or even backpacking at all. I know I wouldnt take it. But, I have to tell you, I spend a lot of time in the woods with my kids, and we do a lot of cooking there. We are not traveling a great amount of miles, or doing anything crazy. In those situtations, I appreciate the simplicity and durability of something like this.
I have some pretty high tech and light cookware. While I have do doubts it can handle it, I am always fearful of sticking on a fire. A lot of the fancy stuff is non stick too. I must just be clumsy or something because I have messed up every non-stick coating on the face of the earth! : ) They keep claiming how tough the stuff is and new technology this and that. Every few years I get sucked into and end up with the same result.
Since I take the kiddies out and lord knows have to bring enough stuff with me, I know I will like this. I dont have to worry about a plastic utensil or cleaning it. My other carbon steel cookware has seasoned up much like non stick, yet if it doesnt come clean, a little sand with do the trick. If I get out of control and manage to really mess them up, I can always re-season them. The are never really ruined.
I have played with this new baby skillet on the stove top, and decided yesterday would be its maiden attempt on the fire. I didnt really need to cook anything, so I decided on making a small amount of homefries.
I started up the dakota pit (one of 3 firepits at my place : )
I cut up a bunch of green sticks. I have a grill great that fits this hole, but I didnt want to cheat this time : )
I actually had to cut up a bunch of these because I was cooking for awhile, and they dont last forever, even though they are green : )
I used the lid a little bit.
Finally, they are done.
Not much of a cooking challenge, but it was fun. I am looking forward to using this little bugger some more and thought a few of you might like to see it.
B
My newest recent find follows my theme of playing with a couple of the zebra billy pots that I have.
The Zebras come with a stainless steel insert. I have played around with it as a little skillet and for baking.
It works pretty good, and of course stainless is good for pretty hard use (not worrying about coatings, getting dirty, etc). Maybe not the best thing for a gourmet chef, but good enough for fire cooking : )
The one thing I was never really pumped about with the inserts is the little ridge on the bottom. It is a small thing, and hasnt led to any issues for me. But it seems for a skillet and baking pan, I would prefer it to be flat.
The same guy I got my billys from, also sells a very small carbon steel skillet. Ironically, it ends up being the EXACT same size as the insert in the 16cm billy. I can replace it totally, stack with it, or be used alone with the original lid.
Here they are nested.
Here it is in place in the billy.
Finally, with the original lid.
Now, I realize that a carbon steel is not about to make the list of cookware for an ultra light backpacker, or even backpacking at all. I know I wouldnt take it. But, I have to tell you, I spend a lot of time in the woods with my kids, and we do a lot of cooking there. We are not traveling a great amount of miles, or doing anything crazy. In those situtations, I appreciate the simplicity and durability of something like this.
I have some pretty high tech and light cookware. While I have do doubts it can handle it, I am always fearful of sticking on a fire. A lot of the fancy stuff is non stick too. I must just be clumsy or something because I have messed up every non-stick coating on the face of the earth! : ) They keep claiming how tough the stuff is and new technology this and that. Every few years I get sucked into and end up with the same result.
Since I take the kiddies out and lord knows have to bring enough stuff with me, I know I will like this. I dont have to worry about a plastic utensil or cleaning it. My other carbon steel cookware has seasoned up much like non stick, yet if it doesnt come clean, a little sand with do the trick. If I get out of control and manage to really mess them up, I can always re-season them. The are never really ruined.
I have played with this new baby skillet on the stove top, and decided yesterday would be its maiden attempt on the fire. I didnt really need to cook anything, so I decided on making a small amount of homefries.
I started up the dakota pit (one of 3 firepits at my place : )
I cut up a bunch of green sticks. I have a grill great that fits this hole, but I didnt want to cheat this time : )
I actually had to cut up a bunch of these because I was cooking for awhile, and they dont last forever, even though they are green : )
I used the lid a little bit.
Finally, they are done.
Not much of a cooking challenge, but it was fun. I am looking forward to using this little bugger some more and thought a few of you might like to see it.
B
.)
