Tip for Campers!

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Hey Russ - love your tip re putting soap in a stocking. I'm always dropping soap in the dirt! Love it

BillyS - mate you cannot beat a roast in the camp oven. Make sure you "cure" it before you use it first time. You have to heat it up to get all the gunk off it before you cook in it. Then just keep it oiled up between uses to avoid rust. Don't wash them in soap/water - just wipe down with a cloth and oil them with a non-animal oil such as canola oil which won't go off.

Cammo , we have even done bread in the camp oven . The brown packet "LAUCKE" bread mix , with dried fruit kneaded in ...MMmmm apricots . It turns out a heavy bread , really nice with beer late at night while talking nonsense round the fire :lol:

And yes you are absolutely correct , the camp ovens come covered in a Wax coating , it doesnt taste nice . We put the oven in the embers on both sides + lid , this burns the gunk of it , then give it a clean in the river murray with a scouring pad , then rub the oil in .

Makes me feel like making some apricot bread RIGHT NOW

[Damien Parker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Damien Parker]

This months edition of 4WD Action has a great feature on camp ovens and the seasoning of them.

[hodgy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hodgy]

LES, Cryovac machines are awesome. Have been using one for about three years on extended fishing trips. It really keeps the fillets in good shape for freezing flat, and they last so much longer when you get home (no freezer burn). Some tips.
1. If you lay a chopping board under the cryovac bag so the bag lines up flat with the sealing strip when you are sealing it, it seals better/easier.
2. Half freeze your curries and wetter type dishes before sealing with the cryovac so that the machine doesn't suck moisture into it. You can then freeze them flat for easy packing and cooking as per Embi's instructions.
3. With the included cutting machine (Sunbeam model), you can make bags as big/small as you like (30cm standard width). The cutting machine gives clean ends for sealing, and you can seal even the largest of catches (eg. 11KG black jew fillets).

LAST TRIP TO THE NW CAPE.

[MTpockets Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MTpockets]

embi and hodgy.....

Could you suggest a cryovac machine brand? Is there one better than the rest?
cheers
Les

[hodgy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hodgy]

Les, I can only comment on mine, being distributed by Sunbeam and sold in Myer and Retravision (I'm sure elsewhere as well). It is a "Foodsaver Compact II-Vac550", cost just over $200. The 6 metre rolls to make the bags are quiet expenisve (twin pack about $30), but are re-usable (I never seem to). I use it at home quiet often to freeze bulk rib fillets etc. as well. There wasn't a great choice of brands around when I purchased mine, but I know now a mate has bought a semi-professional one (butcher quality, he catches more fish than me) for over $2000.

[andrewh Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andrewh]

Les,
I have the Sunbeam as well and it works very nicely. Its easy getting the rolls for it too as it's sold quite widely.

[AJ Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AJ]

I find welding gloves are great for playing with hot camp ovens and billy's, but not many people just have a pair lying around.

The only other camping tip that I know that hasn't been mentioned yet is one that is passed down to every man from his Dad, never p!$$ into the wind :P

[MUMSRIG Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MUMSRIG]

The only other camping tip that I know that hasn't been mentioned yet is one that is passed down to every man from his Dad, never p!$$ into the wind :P

Or onto an electric fence! :shock:

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

[MUMSRIG Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MUMSRIG]

Where do you find all of those useless pictures Chippy :lol:

[AJ Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AJ]

The only other camping tip that I know that hasn't been mentioned yet is one that is passed down to every man from his Dad, never p!$$ into the wind :P

Or onto an electric fence! :shock:

I've actually had an email go around work with a graphic photo or two why you shouldn't p!$$ on electric fences. Think flaming hot bbq, placing a sausage on there and then walking away. Come back three hours later and that's what it looked like. It bought tears to my eyes...

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

Think flaming hot bbq, placing a sausage on there and then walking away. Come back three hours later and that's what it looked like. It bought tears to my eyes...

Holy smoke!!

This is one mental image I did not need... :shock:

[Mrs Fishnut Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mrs Fishnut]

I get a little obsessed about finding the pefect spot to pitch the tent and take into account all sorts of factors like sun/shade, wind, proximity to camp fire, privacy etc, including the all important view from our tent. Then I spend time clearing the patch underneath the tent making sure we don't have sticks and rocks poking out but I always forget to ensure the ground is totally flat and get annoyed at myself when I hop into bed at night and find we have a slight lean or tilt in one direction....... :evil:

So my advice (to myself mostly!) is pitch the tent and then have a quick trial laydown before actually hammering the pegs in!!

Russ = the old soap in a stocking trick is something I have always done at home, usually on the outside tap in the backyard, but have never thought to apply to camping and like so many others I am always dropping the soap in the dirt!

[mjforder Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mjforder]

My 2cents (incl GST).....check for ant nests before pitching tent/swag. Helps if sober.

[dustie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dustie]

I put a plastic tarp over the tent to avoid the dew coming thru the tent/canvas roof, also stops the crap eating into the canvas.