Better 12V Stove
Recently we brought a new design 12v camping stove from Supercheap and this is how it went.
Back in 2006 in thread no 39429 I outlined how to make a better stove and we have used it sucessfully for the last 7 years but it was time to look for something new and we noted this item currently for $39.
12V stoves really are mostly for heating although we have even cooked scones etc when the wind was blowing in the right direction.
They really aren't for baking and except for ones modified as per my 2006 design, most struggle to get to 120c.
The new item is quite a different design and meant for heating pies/pasties etc by inserting them in from the side instead of the top.
This has the advantage of confining the heat and generating a higher temperature , with cleaning as the disadvantage.
The stove actually drew its rated current of 15 amps (at 12.6v) and generated 150c which basically meant that it cooks
well for what it is.
Most other items I tested don't deliver as much heating power.
As a practical
test we cooked 2 heat it the bag type pies that were thawed out and they were done in 25 minutes which is pretty good.
I was surprized to see that the pastry even browned up - so I might even give some scones ago - but I don't think I will take them to tomorrow mornings E.O. Vic Coffee club - although the last time I tried this the scones were found to be quite useful to chock a vans wheels.
This device is however of flimsy construction with a plastic door and plastic hinge that just feels like it is going to break.
I spent 1/2 an hour working on its cheap plastic hinges to try and make the door close easily.
Another great feature is that the 12v coord stacks away inside the unit - but the opening for the coord is to small so I spent another 1/2 hour shaving off the plastic entrance and now its a lot better.
Looking at the picture you may note that the switches say High On - the "High" & "On" don't go together.
The left rocker switch is for high/low power and the right switch means on/off.
On/Off has an LED indicator but there is none for high/low power.
Finally its rectangular construction means it packs away better than the earlier designs.
Also these stoves can be used on total fire ban days.
Apologies to those watching us wolf down hot apple strudel by the fire at the last Pyrennies gathering but these stoves are just to small to make enough to go around.