Saturday, August 18, 2012

Gear Review: Coleman Camp Oven

Since we don't have any trips planned for August, I thought now would be a good time to post about one of my new favorite pieces of camping gear - our Coleman Camp Oven.  It was #1 on my list of items to purchase for the camper in the Spring, however we were lucky enough to receive one as a gift from Uncle Ken & Auntie Barb while we were camping together up at Tolland State Forest this past June - thanks again guys!



Purchased on Amazon.com for a mere $38.99 (with free Super Saver Shipping, of course!) this camp oven is a great buy.  Do a search for "camp ovens" on Amazon and you will see anything ranging from a $30 cast iron dutch oven to the more elaborate $300 propane stove/oven combos.  The reason this particular camp oven caught my eye was not only the low price, but also the rave reviews - 4.4 out of 5 stars from a total of 60 reviewers.  That's not half bad!

The oven measures 12x12x12, which means you can't get too crazy - you've got to keep it small and compact, and you'll need to invest in some 8x8 baking pans if you don't already have them.  Since there's nothing I hate more than washing dishes while camping, I picked up a few foil pans at Ocean State Job Lot for about 25 cents a piece and they were perfect - and more importantly, disposable.

The way it works is simple - place the oven on top of a 2 or 3 burner propane stove and voila - within minutes you're preheating and well on your way to enjoying baked goods at your campsite.  It's important to note that this is NOT recommended for use over the campfire - propane stove only!

Since I'm a sucker for a good breakfast casserole and they are so easy to throw together, I decided that would be the first dish I would try out in the camp oven.  I scrambled up some eggs and threw in some pre-cooked bacon, shredded potatoes, shredded cheese, onion and salt and pepper.  And I mixed them all right in the pan because, again - I just hate washing dishes while camping!

I set the oven on one stove burner and lit the flame to start heating it up.   It began heating quickly, but it became clear after about 15 minutes that the oven wasn't going to go above 200 degrees.  We lit a second burner and moved the oven over a bit so that it sat on both burners.  That did the trick.  After about 10 minutes we had it up to almost 300 degrees.

There are some potential issues with the oven - for instance, on a particularly cold or windy day, it can be difficult to maintain the temperature.  We definitely had a breeze going that morning and I think it contributed to our heating issues.  Reading through some of the Amazon reviews will give you tips and tricks on how to remedy this - some have said they wrapped the oven in foil to keep the heat in.  Another reviewer mentioned that they used automotive heat shielding.  This is certainly not a "set it and forget it" type oven - you have to watch the temp closely.  I recommend purchasing an oven thermometer and placing it inside to get a more accurate temperature reading.

Having said all that, after about 45 minutes I opened the oven door and found this lovely little pan of breakfast deliciousness:



And yes, it tasted as good as it looks.  There was no clean up involved, and one of the best things about this amazing little camping appliance - it folds flat for storage.  Hallelujah!

The Coleman Camp Oven is probably my most favorite new piece of camping equipment this year.  As long as you keep it compact, there is really no end to the baking possibilities - muffins, brownies, cookies, cinnamon rolls, casseroles, a mini lasagna - all while enjoying the great outdoors!  I highly recommend adding this to your list of camping gear.  Happy camp cooking!




25 comments:

  1. Oh how I remember washing dishes while camping! Not fun at all. Great review Corey!

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  2. You are so welcome for the oven! Uncle ken loves the one click purchase option on Amazon with his IPhone. We made brownies in ours that were delicious. And using it to keep pancakes and bacon warm while continuing to cook is great. Baked potatoes were quick and easy in the oven also. I bet we will enjoy it even more in October when it's chilly!!! Camp On!

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  3. Looks like a good item at a great price. I may get one for your trip next week. Thanks for the review!

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  4. So great to find your blog! I use to go camping growing up all the time and Coleman was the one and only thing I remember :)
    I just started a blog about CT "gems", aka great places to eat, travel and play at in CT.
    I'd love if you would follow me back!
    ctgems.wordpress.com

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  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  6. Corey,
    We got back from a week at Rocky Neck State Park yesterday. Just before we left our Camp Oven was delivered. Your review was right on. It is basic and it did a great job for us. We made 2 pans of brownies, 2 of corn bread, 4 of chocolate chip muffins, and a perfect 8 x 8 of toll house cookie. Every time was as good if we were baking at home. It was nice to have something other than pop tarts or cereal for breakfast and something other than s'mores for dessert.

    Thanks for the recommendation. I look forward to your next post.

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  7. Cool! Will have to check that out!! I have yet to get that fancy with our camping kitchen! Corey, please email me too mountainmamatales(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your Stonewear Designs winnings from last week! Thanks!! (sorry, I couldn't find a contact me on your blog!)

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  8. I agree with Sir sheamus, indeed your blogs are totally worth giving time and energy.

    Grateful I stumble upon this site. :)

    Davis
    ----
    "What I like about camping is you can get really dirty." Unknown http://campingcactus.com

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  9. Truly the best blog I never got such information before this thanks.

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  10. Yeah I am impressed a lot and it is a nice equipment one must carry while camping; I like the Coleman Camp Oven features.

    Michelle @ Best Backpacking Tents Guide

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  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  12. I just loved this Coleman Camp Oven that is a perfect item I must have to go on camping this summer, I loved your blog.
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  13. Reading this article made me hungry. I can't say that the food I eat when camping ever looks that good. I may have to buy one of those ovens! http://www.bissellshideaway.com/localattractions.html

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  15. Great in depth look at the Coleman Camp Oven - I gotta get one of these! Thanks...
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  17. One can heat the entire jar of food itself, before you even open it. Set it in the sun, place it in hot water bath, place on hot engine manifold, set over a single candle, place over an oil lamp..etc.

    Can pasta sauces, can pie filling, can skinless chicken thighs and drumsticks, can pulled pork in bbq sauce, meatballs, stews of all kinds, chunks of beef, potatoes, any high value food. Two cases of quart jars, kept in their original packing cartons, put in the trunk of your car, will supply two people for quite some time (24 days), and takes up the space of one suitcase. Just toss in a 20 pound bag of medium grain rice..and it IS a months worth of food. Now, just worry about water and how you cook the rice.

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  18. What a cool and useful little oven indeed! My imagination is running wild at the possibilities....
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  19. What a cool and useful little oven indeed! My imagination is running wild at the possibilities....
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  20. It was good experience of visiting your blog.
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  22. Hi everyone. We bought our camping oven a year ago and we love it. It's exactly like you say it's not a set it and forget it type of cooking. It's also my favorite piece of camping equipment. 😊

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