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Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Cobb v Cadac

36 replies

presenthunter · 24/02/2011 10:08

Hi all. I have been on here for a while but have changed my name so my DH doesn't recognise me.

DH and I love camping and all things camping related. He also loves cooking.

For his birthday, I would like to combine these two things and get him either a Cobb or a Cadac, but I don't know which. He has expressed an interested in the Cadac before but has never really seen a Cobb in action so might prefer that if he had it.

Could those of you who have one or both let me know what you love about them and, maybe, where one wins out against the other? I do realise they are very different but I was thinking that if the Cobb had most of the features of the Cadac but was also an oven, it might be the better option. Just for background, we have one 16 month old DD but also sometimes go camping with family/friends so can be cooking for a few people at a time.

Oh, and if we did go for the Cobb would we need to keep shelling out for the special bricks or can you just use BBQ coals/wood?

Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
ThunderboltKid · 24/02/2011 10:33

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at poster's request

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 24/02/2011 10:35

ooh, fight, fight, fight

etc etc

Grin

(I have only had my Cobb a few months so can't help much I'm afraid, except to say that yes you can use normal BBQ briquettes on it.)

DuplicitousBitch · 24/02/2011 13:46

the benefit of the cadac is that it is gas. you can just pop it on and quickly grill something or even make some coffee. you can roast etc etc in the cadac.

the down side is that it is gas! you have to lug the canister round with you.

cobb sounds lovely for the real bbq experience but we have the cadac because we have the gas canister anyway in teh van and i love the convenience.

you can roast etc etc in the cadac.

Original poster
presenthunter · 24/02/2011 14:13

Thanks DuplicitousBitch

We carry a gas bottle around in our van too so that isn't too offputting and I agree about the speed advantage. Are the regulators fairly standard, do you know? We have a Campinggaz cooker which has a hose and regulator and I see the Cadac doesn't come with one automatically so it would be handy if we could use ours.

Interesting that you can roast in it too. Hmmm - I was leaning towards the Cobb but now I am starting to lean back Cadac's direction.

What to do, what to do....

OP posts:
DuplicitousBitch · 24/02/2011 14:16

you will probably need another regulator for the cadac. we use the spare gas canister so we can use gas in van as well. the roasting tin is extra and i haven't bothered investing but might this summer

DuplicitousBitch · 24/02/2011 14:17

[slaps seth hard in teh face to avoid non fight disappointment]

ChippyMinton · 24/02/2011 14:22

Cadac.

DuplicitousBitch · 24/02/2011 14:23

i know do you think she is ok? i thought she had some sort of cobb scanning algorithm for mn.

ChippyMinton · 24/02/2011 14:27

I think you win by default DB - gotta be in it to win it.

Original poster
presenthunter · 24/02/2011 14:36

You are both definitely winning! Where are the Cobb-supporters to confuse me again?

Mind you, I have managed to throw myself back into a frenzy of indecision as I have just discovered Cadacs come in two sizes - 37cm or 57cm. Am now tempted by the bigger one but can't decide if it is TOO big. Do you have the smaller or bigger version?

Thanks again

OP posts:
ChippyMinton · 24/02/2011 14:40

I suspect the argument comes down to caravanners vs campers. Convenience vs authenticity.

Original poster
presenthunter · 24/02/2011 14:49

That's probably why I am finding it so hard to decide. We have a campervan and a bell tent so do both really. DH has a kelly kettle which he loves but also the speed of gas is attractive...

Probably would like both really for different occasions but that is not really an option.

OP posts:
sethstarkaddersmackerel · 24/02/2011 14:53

ouch!

they're different animals really though aren't they - the Cobb has all the raw fiery animal passion of the solid fuel barbecue only unlike normal barbecues can cook more than just burnt sausages, whereas the Cadac is just a good portable gas cooker.
(note incendiary use of word 'just')

MisSalLaneous · 24/02/2011 15:34

Hah, joining seth for fight! Grin

We have a Cadac, which dh loves more than me anything, but I think Cobb looks brilliant too, so can't really care one way or another.

Completely different things though, so I think the question you have to ask yourself is whether you want slow food (so taking an hour or two to lovingly prepare dinner), or something quicker? Neither one better imo, just depends on what kind of camper you are.

Have to give it to dh though - Cadac fantastic for big breakfast fry-ups.

MisSalLaneous · 24/02/2011 15:44

Oh no, you know what, maybe I am talking rubbish - maybe you can actually make "quick" food on Cobb too. It's just that the thing I really like about them (in theory, haven't used) is that you can make cooked food, roast, chicken etc. Cadac we use to grill, mostly, but do vegetables in foil occasionally. Brilliant for stir-fries, my favourite.

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 24/02/2011 15:47

I'm certainly not planning to fire up the Cobb every time I want a cup of coffee - will take our usual one-ring burner as well.

DuplicitousBitch · 24/02/2011 15:59

we have the smaller one. any bigger would be irritation when packing and you might as well go and buy an enormous george foreman and get one of those moterhomes that have a small car in the boot.

MisSalLaneous · 24/02/2011 16:06

Hmm, space perhaps, but we've got the bigger Cadac and it's really good and very stable. We've got the Carry Chef Deluxe We've got an Audi A4, so whilst bigger boot, not gigantic really. Cobb will take less space though.

IF you do buy a Cadac, it is essential (imo) to buy the non-stick foil thing for the skottel. Makes cleaning it a breeze.

Original poster
presenthunter · 24/02/2011 16:41

Thanks for all your help - this is great. I now want both, Cobb for being authentic with the bell tent and Cadac for speedy cooking...

However, [quickly reminding self this is a present for DH and not me] I think DH might go for the Cadac having admired it from afar and having always been a bit jealous of friends with a Campinggaz party grill whilst at the same time trying but failing to look down on it for being too small. The Cadac should be perfect.

I might have to get myself a Cobb when I am next feeling flush (or ask for it for my birthday) and DH and I can have camp cook-offs (not that we're sad and competitive or anything)...

Will definitely get the non-stick thingy and probably the roast pan - thanks for the tips.

OP posts:
sethstarkaddersmackerel · 24/02/2011 16:47

intra-marital Cobb/Cadac camp cook-offs, now you're talking.

I am visualising it in a ring like at an agricultural show, with Cobbites on one side all wearing red and Cadacians the other side in blue, all waving flags.

Batteryhuman · 24/02/2011 17:02

Cobb everytime!

silverfrog · 24/02/2011 17:08

only have a cobb, so can't compare, but it is ace.

you can do all the roast/grilling/cake making stuff on it. and poaching, stir fries, you name it really.

absolutely love ours (and we're not really even campers - we go to a couple of festivals, and it means we can cook food for multiple allergic dds!)

we have used it at home several times too - way easier than a barbecue, all the bits go in the dishwasher - what's not to dislike?!

SlubberKongWubba · 24/02/2011 18:33

The Cobb signal went off at the zoo. I was POWERLESS to respond.

How civilised and dainty is this fight eh?

COBB! COBB! COBB!

tbh presenthunter there is no fight. They do similar things and different things and I'm of no help whatsoever really, just love an opportunity for a camping cookware brawl.

Depends on whether you like setting fire to things or prefer the on/off convienence of gas and also where you plan to use it. Cobbs are pretty portable.

Batteryhuman · 24/02/2011 19:01

Hoorah Slubber is here!

Cobb on a boat - check
Cobb on the beach - check
Cobb on the table and moved into the tent as a little wee radiator when the cooking is finished - check.

And it is lovely and silver not a horrid blue colour

SlubberKongWubba · 24/02/2011 19:37

Cobb on a barge whilst it descends in a lock
Cobb at Henley rowing regatta
Cobb at the top of Mount Snowdon
Cobb waiting outside the chapel at Sandringham for the Royal Family to come out and wave on Christmas day Morning.

My Cobb has done none of these things but they ARE perfectly possible.

Therein lies its beauty, the endless opportunities for where one can roast a chicken.