Thermal cookers: have you used one?

[Deleted User]

CHI MI back in the 70s when I was first married there was an alternative to the wonderbag which was very effective and worked in the same way and that was an insulated but separate base to stand the hot casserole pan on and it was then covered by what was in effect a very large padded and insulated tea cosy. If you have enough skill to use your sewing machine to sew a simple seam you could make one of these. Probably make the cosy part in 2 pieces and then hand stitch them together but it should work as well as a wonderbag if it fits your pan snugly, hope that helps, Lyn xxx.

I think they were known as Food Muffs if you're going to look for a pattern.

Memory_Girl

There is a lady on here with a tiny at-home sewing business - I know she makes them for people.

her name is Mooloo ....... runs off to find a linkie

her FB page is HERE

I hope she doesn't mind me sharing her link?

MG

Honeythief

Willowpop wrote: »

Did anyone buy the beanbag beans to go in theirs? I've looked on ebay and they seem to come in different volume sizes. Anyone know what size bag I'd need please?

Where I live it was cheaper to buy new beanbag beans than to find and recycle something similar. I bought a 100 litre bag of beans and there is at least half of it left after making a very spacious cooking bag and a massive "lid" (because I misjudged things and the original lid was too small).

Chi-me

Thanks for the ideas and link. I'm off to investigate and will report back. :j:j

Memory_Girl

Been at it again!!

Butternut Squash and White Bean Tagine ............ my house smells like a Morrocan Souk!!! So hungry for this tonight - my tummy is rumbling!




Full recipe and instructions over on the Approved Food Blog - cos they asked me to do one with the thermal cooking bag and this is what I was inspired to cook.

HERE

Now - just need to round up the kids and get them to the table :-)

[Deleted User]

I've just put in a google search for 'fireless cookery'and found the full text of The Fireless Cookbook by Margaret Mitchell full of information and recipes but more usefully cooking times for a thermal cooker. The website is archive.org/firelesscookbook00mitcrich/firelesscookbook00mitchrich_djvu.txt it came second on the list on the first google search page. Might be very useful if a little dated, Lyn xxx.

Memory_Girl

Woke up starving this morning - probably all the work I did in my garden yesterday.

So rustled up some "quick oats" in the Thermal Cooking Bag whilst I was getting the kids ready for school.

So brekkie solution today is !!!!!!! and Brown Sugar Quick Oats"



25 g porridge oats
Half a chopped banana
250 ml boiling water
Pinch of cinnamon
Large teaspoon brown sugar

Bring the water to a boil in your pot.

Stir in the oats, sugar, cinnamon and banana.

Return to the boil and tuck inside the Thermal Cooking Bag for 20 minutes.



Result is beautifully creamy oats that don't need any more milk - and a pot that cleans out with a swish under the tap. PERFECT!!

MG

moments_of_sanity

MG, I have a piece of roast beef that I got out for yesterday but it was far too hot to put the cooker on and is again today so any ideas on how I would cook it in my thermal cooker? What 'juice' would I use?

Memory_Girl

So sorry MoS - been chasing my tail all day so missed your post.

I would seal it all over and sit in on a bed of well cooked onions and some carrots and then fill the pot a third of the way up with water - up to the boil for 40 minutes (remember you need to get the meat hot as well as the pot)

Into the bag for 4 - 6 hours ... although longer wouldn't harm it.

The meat is very tender so I left mine in the fridge overnight so that I could cut it thinly .............. but it was still lovely and juicy.

MG

moments_of_sanity

MG - that's pretty much what I ended up doing with it

Should be ready about 7pm when DH gets home but the smell from it is amazing so I am wishing the next couple of hours of my life away!
:rotfl: