New Australian Cast Iron Camp Ovens

[Derek_Bullock]

Hi

I am currently in consultation with an Australian Foundry with the view to having some cast iron camp ovens made. The standard size I am looking at would be around 12 inch wide by 6 inch deep. The lid will most likely have BULLOCK and AUSTRALIA cast into it. To my knowledge there is no-one else making cast iron ovens in Australia.

Should this size prove worthwhile I may later consider a 15 inch model.

They will be individually cast and not mass produced like the current Chinese models you find at your local store and only be available through the internet on my website or eBay. I expect these to become a collectors item.

I am wondering, if I go ahead with this project what sort of interest there might be out there.

I would be interested in your thoughts.


Derek

[2iar]

Hi Derek,

Welcome to the site. Alway nice to have new members on-board



I guess I'd really be asking what advantage would they offer over the "mass-produced Chinese" models, and what about them would make them become a collector's item.

Not disrespecting your suggestion - these are just questions I'd be asking myself before embarking on a venture of this type...and you dd ask, after all.

good luck,
Mike

[Derek_Bullock]

Hi

At this time I am not sure about actual costs. There will be significant costs in developing the pattern to start with.

You can pick up an unbranded Chinese camp oven for between $20 and $30. You can also get a 12 inch Furphy camp oven that is also made in China for around $120. To my knowledge Furphy were the last ones to manufacture in Australia but now get them made in overseas.

To me there is a lot of history surrounding Australian Camp Oven Cooking and we need to do as much as possible to maintain it.

There is something about "Australian Made" as well that a lot of people have forgotten about.


Derek

[mackmauler]

A good place to start would be to take the fire bans away from fraser Derek so I can fuel one of these mothers and while ya at it bring back chainsaws and fires in any national park, im real keen just cant use the bloody things.

[2iar]

Hi

At this time I am not sure about actual costs. There will be significant costs in developing the pattern to start with.

You can pick up an unbranded Chinese camp oven for between $20 and $30. You can also get a 12 inch Furphy camp oven that is also made in China for around $120. To my knowledge Furphy were the last ones to manufacture in Australia but now get them made in overseas.

To me there is a lot of history surrounding Australian Camp Oven Cooking and we need to do as much as possible to maintain it.

There is something about "Australian Made" as well that a lot of people have forgotten about.


Derek

Hi Derek,

You'll notice I didn't mention costs, just queried what the advantages (if any) would be, and what makes you believe they would become collector's items (which I imagine is a *VERY* limited market).

However, since you brought it up - it's an interesting point. Speaking personally, I've had a camp oven for about 8 years that's served me well. Most probably it's been mass produced, and most probably in China. I've never looked that closely.

I've found it to be pretty much indestructable, and if I look after it, I reckon it'll be good indefinitely. For an investment of $20-odd bucks, it's probably the best value I'll ever get from most of the more "consumable" (and often Australian-made) camping gear I've bought.

So if, in the unlikely event I ever need to replace, what benefits would spending 600% of the previous investment bring? I'm genuinely curious.

In an ideal world, I'd be hoping it would be more than an "Australian-Made" stamp. It's hardly the consumers' fault that the product costs more to manufacture here, and I don't see why they should foot the bill for such a gross disparity. Maybe a little more, but for pretty much the same product, 6 x the cost would be taking the piss.

All just my personal opinion of course.

Good luck,
Mike

[Derek_Bullock]

No problem Mike. I have cheap chinese ones myself. I do think however that Australian camp ovens are going to soon be a thing of the past and any Aussie made oven will end up being a collectors item.

By the way, thanks for the welcome but I am not a new member. Was a founding member of this site. Just renewed my membership.


Derek

[2iar]

By the way, thanks for the welcome but I am not a new member. Was a founding member of this site. Just renewed my membership.

Yeah I knew that - that's what all the smileys were for

Good luck,
Mike

[jimbamb]

Derek,
See i wan't far off askin 150 for my 14" ORIGINAL was i???? I see a chinese furfy for 154 buks the other day..

PS> its still for sale if ya want it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bruce4x4]

Why did you won't to 'renew' your membership ????

[Derek_Bullock]

Why did you won't to 'renew' your membership ????

I am simply rtying to guage interest in Australian camp ovens and camp oven cooking.


Derek

[DaveSue_Fishos_Two]

Good luck with the project Derek. Sue and I are still to try ours yet but hopefully sometime during the Christmas school hols we'll give it a run.

Cheers
Dave

[Fishinmishin]

Hello Derek. Am I allowed back on your site as I didn't do anything wrong. I bought one of these camp ovens years ago and all I know how to cook in it is cans of spag and baked beans. You know I don't like pumkin muffins but when looking around the site before there was some good ideas, but I was booted before I got a chance to print any. I understand if not but can you please post at least one recepie of something meaty I can cook in my oven.
Cheers, Jay

[Derek_Bullock]

Everyone is welcome. You may have to register again as the settings were changed.


Derek

[Derek_Bullock]

I am going to register the new name for the camp ovens and then go into production.

Will keep everyone posted.


Derek

[tibbs]

I love cooking in the Camp Oven, If you can come up with a design that doesn't get sand and ash in when you take off the Lid, that would be Awsome.