Maintenance & Restoration

Gene Masse · 03-01-2014, 08:51 AM

Do any of you have a Coleman Camp Oven? It appears to get good reviews and is useful. Just wondering about opinions here.

Bob Miller · 03-01-2014, 10:20 AM

We have used ours on top of the stove as well as on camp fires. A bit of a pain to have to pack up afterwards, but it works great. Just remember the smell and taste of hot Cinnamon buns when it's cold out.... and it's worth every penny.

C&G in FL · 03-01-2014, 10:35 AM

They work but you may have to experiment for a while to "adapt" to its use.

Francesca Knowles · 03-01-2014, 11:36 AM

I've had one for years- works just as well atop a burner in my Trillium as it did on my portable campstove back in my tentcamping days.

Glenn Baglo · 03-01-2014, 11:56 AM

Every trip I have to weigh the convenience of bringing the Coleman Camp Oven along, given that it weighs seven pounds. I leave it at home more times than not, but then, I don't use it when I do drag it along.

I've put a cast iron fry pan, or even aluminum foil lasagna pan ( upside down ) on the grill of my Weber Q, turn to low and close the lid. Voila! An oven.

francene · 03-01-2014, 12:25 PM

Thumbs up on the Coleman Camp oven. You can bake brownies, cornbread, etc.
It's nice to have fresh baked breads when camping, I've found.
Try it out at home first to get a feel for it's operation.
I like it lots!

Fran

Francesca Knowles · 03-01-2014, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I've put a cast iron fry pan, or even aluminum foil lasagna pan ( upside down ) on the grill of my Weber Q, turn to low and close the lid.

Voila! An oven.

Yeah!

But one with lasagna all over the bottom of it....

blodn1 · 03-01-2014, 01:42 PM

Here's another option: Amazon.com: Portable Outdoor Oven Black: Sports & Outdoors

It looks pricey, but if you don't have a Coleman stove, they're about equal.

Glenn Baglo · 03-01-2014, 01:57 PM

I don't have a Coleman stove. I have used the oven on my single burner butane stove which gives me 325 to 350 F on low, or on my Weber Q which allowed me to keep the temp down to 225 F on low ( lid open of course ).

francene · 03-01-2014, 02:20 PM

The Camp Chef looks a lot more substantial than the Coleman oven. The reviews were mostly positive as well. Takes up much precious space in a little trailer, though.
The Coleman advantage would be that it folds down and stows away, plus it's much less pricey.

Harvey · 03-01-2014, 04:46 PM

Haven't used a Camp Chef but I have a Coleman 'free standing' propane oven. Coleman mfg'd this one for only a couple of years, several years ago. I bought one on clearance & it has been invaluable on camping trips. I carry it in the lower compartment of my Teardrop Galley & plan to take it along (whatever is required to do so) in our Scamp 13. Appears the Camp Chef is very similar & I'd expect performance to be similar also. I've baked biscuits, pies, cakes, cookies, & cornbread in mine. It appears the Camp Chef is insulated (my Coleman isn't) & thus temps may be easier to regulate in it. I've used the folding Coleman ovens & unless you stay with it & watch it every moment, results may be less than satisfactory... Here's pic of Sunday morning biscuits at one camp with our TD -

D Davis · 03-01-2014, 06:47 PM

I have used mine for years, once you get a hang of controlling the heat inside, it works great. HOWEVER; you have the same thing with a tall pot w/lid then drop three rocks in the bottom of pot, then slide a cake pan down inside of it. Your oven can now be put on the grill of an open fire. 25 minutes for a cake.

Gene Masse · 03-03-2014, 12:13 AM

Well I made the plunge. Bought the Coleman oven at Cabela's yesterday. We are remodeling our kitchen. I am cooking in the garage. I used it to cook some french frys tonight. I had the rack too low and burnt the bottom of them a little. Raised the rack and they came out perfect. I'm using a Coleman grill stove. It seams to heat better over the pot burner but it appears it will bake at lower temps over the grill. I needed about 400F to make the ovenable frys. I'm going to get more practice over the next few weeks.

Glenn Baglo · 03-03-2014, 12:19 AM

Try a pizza and let us know how it turns out.

Gene Masse · 03-03-2014, 12:50 AM

I will need to get one that is smaller than what i have in the freezer first. Will be trying more items in the coming days.

Glenn Baglo · 03-03-2014, 01:11 AM

I made pizza in the kitchen oven today so I was able to measure my favourite pizza shell. Unfortunately it is 11 1/2 inches and the oven is 10 ( to my recollection ). Might just have to cut it down a tiny bit.

francene · 03-03-2014, 10:46 AM

Sounds like you're getting the hang of it.
It's nice to have a 'second kitchen' when remodelling. We're planning to refinish the floor in the kitchen, and will move into the trailer for a few days when that's being done.
Enjoy your cooking experiements!

Fran

Wallo · 03-03-2014, 11:56 AM

I have a lot of cooking/camping things in the garage. But, if there is ever a disaster, I can pack in a hurry, get the heck out of Dodge, and be able to sustain myself for awhile.
But, I'd rather have them for camping.

Casita Greg · 03-03-2014, 12:59 PM

I've have had a Camp Chef propane oven/2 burner stove for several years and it is really good once you get to know the heat ranges. It does tend to run a bit on the hot side, but like any oven, you have to play with it a while to get comfortable with the heat settings. I keep an oven thermometer in front of the door window inside to see where the heat is at. It's all but impossible to tell how hot it is without a good thermometer. Still, I like this thing, even if it is a bit finicky, because I don't have a stove in the Casita like I used to have in my boat.