Comments

Episode-1760- Mastering the Art of Thermal Cooking — 19 Comments

  1. Not sure the new format makes any positive difference. I still skip the history segment…

  2. LOVE the new format! I use to skip over all the ads then miss a lot of the history segment, which is my favorite part of the show. With the ads being shorter it makes it a lot easier to listen to knowing it will only be a few seconds.

    Question on the DIY thermal oven. Couldn’t you take an old usable cooler, soil/dirt and a blanket, fill the cooler with the soil then cover with a blanket for and added layer? I would think this would work great since people use to bury the pots in the dirt. Just wondering why more people don’t just do it that way?

    Loved the episode. Has me wanting to learn a lot more. Thank you!

    • Mostly convenience. The pre made cookers work well and are small just bigger than the pot itself. Portable, easy to store, etc.

      • Ah yeah, I suppose you are right. Well I myself prefer the cheap route, especially when trying something new. Plus, I think it would be a cool new skill to know how to DIY this. Thanks Jack.

    • Since air is the enemy in thermal cooking, using dirt under the pot inside of a cooler should work a bit more efficiently than a blanket only. Just make sure a blanket is ‘packed’ around the top of the hot pot of food placed on top of the dirt. I would use blankets only for times when I want the DIY cooker to be portable, it would not be quite as heavy. Thanks so much for listening!

  3. Thermal cooking is the hallmark of vintage Chambers Ranges. It can operate on propane for SHTF, if that’s your thing.
    I have one and love using the Retained Heat option. These old stoves are built like a tank (350 lbs worth) and were built to last.

  4. I have a Saratoga Jack cooker and love it. I think it’s worth the money. Only thing I don’t like about it is the connection of the handle to the container. Seems flimsy but then again it has never broke.

    A couple uses she didn’t mention that I use is to cook whole oat groats overnight. Definitely saves on energy. I also use it to make yogurt. It’s perfect at keeping the temp around 115 degrees overnight. In the morning I just pull out the pot and place in the fridge. Super easy to make a gallon and half of yogurt every week.

    • Thanks for your comments! I love making yogurt in the cooker.

      A couple of tips on the handle on the 7 L cooker. As a heads up, the handles can break. Since they are assembled as part of the manufacturing process, they can not be fixed. If broken the cooker still works fine, it is just less convenient to carry. I have gotten into a habit of setting the handle into it’s original position each time I set it down. Since I have started this habit I have not broken one. The 5.5 L Cooker actually comes with a different type of handle and does not have this problem. They also strap down to four wheelers and snowmobiles.

  5. I like the new format, it flows better.

    Thermal cooking was used during WWII in Britain to conserve fuel. They also used the same heat to cook 2 things. The thermal cooker she sells does both these things. Too bad she doesn’t know how to sell it better on her site. Just gives info. not why I want to buy it now.

    • Thanks for your comments and suggestions. You hit on the area of greatest struggle. I am not a web designer and work on improving my site as time allows.

      So what do you like to see when you get on a site? What would you suggest? I was at a show over the weekend and received several great suggestions on this subject. I am always open to more.

      Now to find time….:) Have a Super Day!