Thermal cookers: have you used one?

RAS

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Thanks Mojisola, they are limited as to what they can carry as the trip is 3 weeks and part of it is a trek so they will have to carry all their own gear as well as what they take for the villagers. I'll send her the link for the website though it will give her some ideas and she might be able to adapt them to what is available in the village there, Lyn xxx.

May also be worth experimenting in advance with making rocket stoves; for cooking with the kids as much as local people. Reduces the amount if fuel needed massively.

They can be brick, tin, stone or mud constructions.

PS, thinking of one of these cooking bags for a family member who usually has an AGA but that is put out for the summer and electric used.

caroc

This is the kind of thing I was trying to describe in my previous post. I know know its called a m u f f (spelled like this to avoid !!!!) or wrap around tea cosy. Google it and loads of pictures will come up. Some are like a bag with split sides and drawstring at the top and some have a drawstring at the bottom and a sort of elasticated circle at the top designed for the teapot lid knob, but also perfect for the saucepan lid handle

Honeythief

Thank you all so much for this thread. I found it so inspirational that I went off yesterday and bought some beanbag beans so I could make my own version of a Wonderbag. I didn't get it quite right so it doesn't close very well, so I have to block off the top with a cushion, but it still works well! No heat on the outside but the inside is still hot after many hours. I've already done dried beans and rice pudding in it. I'll put on some more dried beans overnight, and tomorrow I might get really adventurous and do a curry or something!

I've had a slow cooker for years, but even on low it does use electricity and present a slight risk of fire etc. if left unattended, the same as any electrical device. I love having an option that will work without being anywhere near a socket and only costs whatever a few minutes of fuel is worth.

I can see this bag coming on our next camping trip if there is room in the car, too. It's even feasible to empty out the insulation at home, take it to where we are holidaying, and buy more insulation locally, if I know space will be at a premium as we travel but proper food is definitely a requirement. Very exciting prospect indeed!

[Deleted User]

HONEYTHIEF the bag has a detached circular cushion for a lid, it just sits on top of the hot pot and the drawstring round the outside of the bag holds it in place when it is tightened up. Using an ordinary cushion should work just as well.

Honeythief

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

HONEYTHIEF the bag has a detached circular cushion for a lid, it just sits on top of the hot pot and the drawstring round the outside of the bag holds it in place when it is tightened up. Using an ordinary cushion should work just as well.

Thanks - yes, I realised that, but I used too thick a fabric (old tablecloth) and it won't pull as tight as it should because of that, so the drawstring barely pulls it in at all. Now I understand why the instructions say to use thin fabric. Not to worry, though - I sewed a nice fat round beanbag cushion to fill the gap. The cooker is now sitting beside me as I write. If I slip my hand under the "lid" it's nice and warm in there, which will be my beef chilli that was put in there about five hours ago. The delicious smell was driving me wild earlier! Not sure if that was coming from the cooker itself or just from our kitchen as a result of the initial boiling, but it lingered for ages. Tomorrow's lunch will be yum! :j

[Deleted User]

Sounds delicious, great invention these wonderbags aren't they?

Honeythief

I couldn't wait any longer. Chilli is now OUT of the bag, and some of it is in my tummy (just a taste, honest!) -- it was still steaming when I opened the lid. Tastes just as good as it smelled earlier, and without the cost of leaving it on the hob for ages. Those bags are fantastic.

moments_of_sanity

I have some very sad looking potatoes that have started to grow 'arms and legs' and will soon walk off by themselves so I am off to make some potato and leek soup in mine

moments_of_sanity

I popped into Lid!'s today as they had a very good offer on pork steaks and ended up buying a 1.2kg of unsmoked back bacon for £5.99. It recommended cooking on the hob in hot water for 70 mins once boiling so I have brought to the boil, simmered for 10 mins and will leave it in my thermal bag for 2.5 - 3 hours and then slice thinly when I take it out. That is a saving of 60 mins worth of gas for me this afternoon :j

Here is my beautiful money saving thermal bag in all her glory, happily cooking my bacon joint for me

https://www.flickr.com/photos/91707691@N04/13994587075/

[Deleted User]

Scotty dogs! lovely material MOS long may she cook for you, Lyn xxx