Cooking in the woodburner

[Zebra]

I don't have a cooker, and have discovered that a pan will simmer nicely if I open the doors of the woodburner and sit it in there on a log. Is this bad for my flue?

 

[Sonyaclegg]

I'm not sure what the extra moisture will do but as it won't contain any nasties that could deposit, what harm can come of it. Have you tried baking potatoes in foil? Infact, anything in foil? Baked bananas and chocolate. Yum!

 

[worms]

Can't see much harm in it, except if you allow a lot of oily residue to build up in the flue from frying. It should be good for doing pizza! Can you boil a pan or kettle on the top?

 

[Lime]

The major problem is that you will lose a lot of heat up the chimney, dirty the pan and possibly burn the pan handle.

 

[worms]

Looking at the pics of your stove on other threads, i see it does have a flat top - albeit a long way above the actual flames. Does this not get hot enough to put a pan on? Our stove is much smaller and the top gets hot enough to boil a kettle, roast a tray of chestnuts or keep a coffee pot going but it depends on the fuel and the stage of the fire.

I think if you can't do the saucepan stuff on the top, I would let the fire die to the hot ember stage and cook in suitable casserole dishes or on roasting trays in the stove with the door shut.

I'd also make sure the CO2 monitor was working if you are cooking with the door open.

 

[Seanie_230]

Why not grab a small camping stove, we used one of these when we moved in and had no cooker.

 

[robgil]

I used one of those , also a little two hob electric table top cooker with oven.
Not great but better than pot noodles.

 

[angrybird]

i'm with worms.We have a lot of power cuts so I often cook on the top of my wood burner,I use my heavy base le creuset pans to make casseroles etc but I wouldn't fry anything (because of the smell and spattles of oil) great for boiling the kettle and keeping the coffee pot warm

 

[88v8]

Yes, things wrapped in foil. There will be some cremation incidents during the learning curve.....
One of our stoves heats water very well in kettles on the top, the other doesn't at all. Different levels of insulation I assume. Have to try it with yours.

Another option
http://www.wisebread.com/cooking-great-meals-with-your-car-engine-the-heat-is-on

Ivor

 

[skier-hughes]

We bought a portable induction hob and a combination oven/grill/microwave - did us for 4 years

 

[worms]

Yes, things wrapped in foil. There will be some cremation incidents during the learning curve.....

Fewer cremations if you do the foil thing in the ash pan.

 

[LadyArowana]

I don't have a cooker

Oh well, in that case http://www.takeawaydeliveries.co.uk/st-albans/a-z/ sorted :lol:

 

[Penners]

We bought a portable induction hob and a combination oven/grill/microwave - did us for 4 years

Except during power cuts, presumably.

Our woodburner also has a flat top, plus a disc of slightly thinner iron which is for cooking on. It's very effective.

I don't see cooking inside the stove as raising too many technical problems. Culinary problems are another matter, however. I think you might find it difficult to avoid curdling the Bearnaise sauce.

 

[DJH]

An asbestos, or whatever they call it now a days, mat on the top of the stove with a cast iron pot cooking a casserole or stew.............yum yum and you can smell it all day

Doug

 

[Penners]

Weren't those asbestos discs intended for use over naked gas flames? I don't see any need for one on top of a woodburner.

But here's me, dishing out cooking advice! You might as well take brain surgery advice from a cobbler!

 

[DJH]

Two reasons for the mat Penners, one to stop the pot marking/scratching the stove and the other for slow cooking. Mrs DJH is pulling that 'what does he know about cooking' face. :roll:
I'm sure these mats were included with Agas when I fitted them......

Doug

 

[Penners]

Mrs DJH is pulling that 'what does he know about cooking' face.

And she does so with complete justification, Doug. Last time I tried to boil an egg I burned the water. :roll:

 

[Zebra]

I have to admit, rather foolishly perhaps, that I've not tried cooking on top but it's definately not as hot. I'm putting a pan on now to try it. I'm amazed, Angrybird, that you manage so much on yours.
I do have a camping stove, but the gas cannisters cost money and I need them for camping whereas the fire is going anyway.
Ha ha, Lady A I'm sure your solution is a clever one, but the local takeaways don't do side orders of haynets, so I have to make do!
And let me just add, my culinary skills are no better than Penners would have us believe his are. I'm talking about macaroni cheese, not duck a l'orange!

 

[Zebra]

Cooked a pot of carrots on the top but it took from halfway through Front Row, all of Tales of the City and half of Any Questions. Well, OK, suppose I can't be too impatient for carrots then.....

 

[Penners]

my culinary skills are no better than Penners would have us believe his are. I'm talking about macaroni cheese, not duck a l'orange!

Macaroni cheese?! That's haute cuisine!

I'm a three-year intensive cookery course away from macaroni cheese.