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Camping

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

Peachy, I think you need to tell us all about the Cobb.

153 replies

Slubberdegullion · 21/06/2009 19:51

I accidentally watched the promo video a few days ago. I think I probably need one now dagnamit.

So you need to give us the complete low down.

Did you get the full all singing all dancing set?

What fuel do you use?

Have you really cooked a whole chicken in it? was it a moist bird?

And jacket spuds?

How much can you shove in there?

is it a pita to clean?

How long does it stay hot for, so can you do your fish and then stick some bananas in foil in afterwards?

How high up on your list of essential camping kit is in now?

can you get them in different colours so I can get one to match my tent

Tell me us EVERYTHING.

please

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AitchTwoOh · 21/06/2009 21:10

we haven't bought a stove yet, just borrowed a butane thingiebob. i'm a bit scared of the campinggaz canister and the orangey pipe, it seems so heath robinson. should i start a thread on the pros and cons of butane vs gaz?

Slubberdegullion · 21/06/2009 21:13

I think you should aitch

I'm starting to wonder if spag bol and tinned chicken tikka is just not cutting the mustard wrt mn camp cook standards.

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FlappyTheBat · 21/06/2009 21:15

I plucked up the courage to use ours (camping gaz stove) for the first time recently - have always left it to dh to make the coffee in the morning.

I really would love a cobb but would have to take stove too for my coffee and bacon/egg/blackpudding for breakfast!

AitchTwoOh · 21/06/2009 21:17

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/camping/777409-camping-gaz-vs-butane-i-39-m-a-bit-frightened?rnd=1245615359488

wot, are my persistent attempts to hijack your thread annoying you?! apols, i am but a beginner.

Slubberdegullion · 21/06/2009 21:19

I would have to take both too Flappy. Camping wouldn't be camping without the refreshing whiff of gas.

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FlappyTheBat · 21/06/2009 21:24

makes camping a bit more exciting too, the camping version of russian roulette

you never know when it might go boom run out of gas!

Slubberdegullion · 21/06/2009 21:26

gawd, don't let Aitch see you said that

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FlappyTheBat · 21/06/2009 21:27

too late, have just posted something similar on her thread

AitchTwoOh · 21/06/2009 21:27
nannyL · 21/06/2009 21:40

yes... we used the sauce pan insert thingy and just did it slowly

i forgot we have had warm crossiants and pan au choc in it too (yummmmm!)

Slubberdegullion · 21/06/2009 21:42

om nom x 25

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AitchTwoOh · 21/06/2009 21:44

i wonder if the ukcampsite offer still stands? all your gubbins for £156?

Slubberdegullion · 21/06/2009 21:46

I hope so. It's a bobby.

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amazonianwoman · 21/06/2009 22:40

Get one, they are The Best.

Whole roast chicken - 1.5hrs-ish depending on size, I sprinkled oregano over bird and cobblestone, stuck some sliced garlic in it and just left it, no basting/turning, delicious & v moist Just pour water (or pref wine) into the moat.

Have only had it a couple of weeks but have also roasted veg in it, fish in foil, roast potatoes in the moat, sausages etc. Have used it as much at home as camping.

The cobblestones don't last as long as the briquette things, probably about 2.5hrs but they are literally hot enough to cook on 2 minutes after lighting, definitely enough time to do a roast then do some bananas in foil, then boil water in a kettle for coffee.

The UKCS code was still working about a month ago, although I got mine from the local Lakeland shop cos I needed it fast

MumHadEnough · 21/06/2009 23:23

I really wish I hadn't looked at these now!

northmetking · 22/06/2009 11:10

I have used my Cobb at home a few times as practice for when we go away in August, and it's fantastic.

I absolutely love it, although I've not yet worked out how to clean it efficiently. So far the cleaning is the only downside.

Last time I made some beer bread laced with sun-dried tomatoes, then cooked some chicken pieces which we had with a salad and the bread.
All fantastic, the bread came out brilliantly and is just flour and beer plus any other bits you want to chuck in, so it's easily made "in the

field".

I now want to try cakes or scones or something using the heat left after cooking the meal, but I'm concerned that the fat in the moat after

cooking, say, chicken, will flavour the cakes. I don't want herby chicken flavoured cakes for pudding!

Has anyone made sweet stuff on the Cobb after cooking a main meal, especially something like chicken?

amazonianwoman · 22/06/2009 11:51

Northmetking - do you have the recipe for beer bread?Sounds fab!

amazonianwoman · 22/06/2009 11:53

Have only done bananas stuffed with squares of chocolate wrapped in foil after cooking chicken, nothing as adventurous as cakes yet.

Slubberdegullion · 22/06/2009 12:09

Well I'm completely sold, and Peachy has yet to even appear yet to extol its virtues.

Now I only have two tiny problems to overcome

a) selling the idea to dh (although the roasted meats/beer bread combo is going to be worth MANY points)

b) where to fit it in the damned car.

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Slubberdegullion · 22/06/2009 12:18

amazon, how much are the cobblestone things? Do you get them from lakeland too?

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northmetking · 22/06/2009 13:06

Amazon, the beer bread recipe is as simple as this:

3-ish cups of bread
1 bottle of beer (room temperature)
pinch of salt

Either have it plain or chuck in some cheese/tomatoes/chives/olives/walnuts/whatever you fancy

I invested in some Stainless American measuring cups a couple of years ago, which means no more hassle converting American recipes. It's so easy, I can thoroughly recommend getting a set.

Anyway, all you do is measure out 3 cups of flour into a bowl, then chuck most of a bottle of beer. I used Corona just because we already had some. Leave a bit in the bottle in case you put in too much flour. Basically, when it feels like dough, it's the right consistency. I started with 3 cups of flour, and added maybe another 1/4 cup to get the right "feel".I was left with a mouthful of beer at the end, too.

Line a loaf tin with greaseproof paper, chuck it in a loaf tin, put it in the Cobb for about half an hour, and you have freshly made bread. No kneading, stretching, leaving to rise, any of that, just mix it up and chuck it in the Cobb.

First time I made it I rested the loaf tin on the firepit, and it burned a bit underneath although the rest of the loaf was fine. This time I put it higher up and it took slightly longer but came out perfectly.

Just one point, the batches I've made don't taste of beer, it's the yeast that acts as a raising agent.

And, I've only used Corona. I don't know if different beers give a different flavour, but I'm looking forward to experimenting.

northmetking · 22/06/2009 13:35

Oh and I've been using 6 heat beads.
My local Waitrose (Hertford) sells them for £5.99 for a 3kg bag.

Slubberdegullion · 22/06/2009 16:24

OI MRS

I can see you, you know

Come and share Cobb stories.

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Slubberdegullion · 22/06/2009 16:36
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ingles2 · 22/06/2009 16:41

God, I better not show dh this thread,...he'll be at the camping shop quick smart...
and yes...
Aitch and I would be very very grateful if you can point us in the direction of decent campsites in York/Harrogate