Can you use the cooking fuel to just light and say, roast a hotdog or marshmellows? Is the fuel safe to use to cook food directly over the fire? If not, what do you recommend?
1090577
I am told by my mother (circa 1948) that the Sterno Fuel is "jellied alcohol" and when burned the gas given off is CO2 and H2O. I have never used the "direct flame" cooking method but I would think it would be OK. I use Sterno to boil water and heat foods in a small pan. lg
1088844
No it is not "intrinsically safe". Light this up in a grain elevator or coal mine and you'll have a marshmallow roast in no time at all.
535791
Any source of flame or spark will light the stove, since this model does not have the spark lighter attached as in some other models. I would use extreme caution if using a spark, however, since the gas would have to be turned on while being lit. A flare-up would be dangerous.
484852
You could hold a hot dog on a stick in the fire. You place the firewood on the rack inside. I wouldn't try to cook the on the top.
1495635
I have not had any problem with the food burning. Mine works perfectly, keeps the food warm but does not overheat.
1495637
I have used it for many parties and had no problem with food burning. I cooked the food in the pan so the pan was hot. Then, the tealight candles kept the food warm without burning it. Perfect for food with sauce. During the last party, I served beef in blankets. They dried up after a couple of hours but they were not burned.
748262
I've not used mine for either but suspect it would not be the best way to cook them. The fire is on one long burner and would only heat a narrow portion of the pot or coffee maker.
1799669
I put mine directly over flame...hasn't harmed it. I slip off the rubber handle and place it in the oven . Works well for me. I don't use metal utensils when cooking..Worry it will scratch when heated.
208961
I use mine primarily with an alcohol stove but I do not see any reason why you could not use it on the fire.
1875472
I personally wouldn't try to cook anything in it on a stove, oven, or open fire. I use it just for storing bacon grease. That is all it is intended to be used for.
1613055
I use the side fire box when I'm smoking anything. I use charcoal, charcoal and wood, or just wood. With the side firebox the food is in a different chamber then the heat source so burning is not big problem. One modification I would strongly recommend it to clamp a short piece of 3" flexible aluminum duct the smoke stack inside the the cooking chamber just long enough to come down to the cast iron grates. This forces the heat and smoke to travel all the way across the chamber at the grates level before exiting the smoker. I found that this gives a much more even temp. to the whole cooking area. You won't go wrong with the Char-Griller units. A plus for the side fire box is that it comes with it's own grill surface and can be used by it self when you just want to grill up a few hot dogs or burgers.
2112764
I used open fire (wood) in the backyard. Played with size of the fire and distance from it to the can to get it right. Using a grill would probably work, too, although it might get stained. You need a lot of heat, so a gas stove would not be enough, in my opinion, at least outside in any kind of wind. And I would never heat it up inside because of the smell. The plastic parts are pretty useless, they melt and break. The product itself is great. The quality of repair is excellent.
1437045
S'mores can be cooked over the flame, however we do not recommend cooking food directly on the surface of the fire pit.
1381130
It's just a thermometer on the stove . That is the use over say a Coleman propane stove . Never tried it over open fire .
1823472
Yes it can be used in a campfire or BBQ as I've used it on both as well as in the fireplace just because I thought it'd be fun to try to replicate recipes I'd seen done at Sturbridge Village; I assume that if you didn't have a grate to place it on then legs would be better because it would allow more air to circulate however as I live in California where there's alway seems to be a high fire danger I've never cooked anywhere but in a designated camp fire area where gratesare always part of the structure.
1472652
Dear Ryan :) It works best over a clean burning flame such as a backpacking stove/ burner but it can also be used of over a campfire using the correct precautions. Create an elevated platform from a flat stone or , if you have one, a small steel grill. Either way the object would be to position the Terra over a bed of coals or over a stone heated by the fire beneath it. Not over open flames which could render the handle too hot to use and "blacken" the outside which is not the best thing to do if you are packing it around. Know what I mean. The Terra is very durable but not indestructible. Any more questions, feel free to ask. Happy Trails to You...Steve Dear Ryan :) It works best over a clean burning flame such as a backpacking stove/ burner but it can also be used of over a campfire using the correct precautions. Create an elevated platform from a flat stone or , if you have one, a small steel grill. Either way the object would be to position the Terra over a bed of coals or over a stone heated by the fire beneath it. Not over open flames which could render the handle too hot to use and "blacken" the outside which is not the best thing to do if you are packing it around. Know what I mean. The Terra is very durable but not... » Read More Dear Ryan :) It works best over a clean burning flame such as a backpacking stove/ burner but it can also be used of over a campfire using the correct precautions. Create an elevated platform from a flat stone or , if you have one, a small steel grill. Either way the object would be to position the Terra over a bed of coals or over a stone heated by the fire beneath it. Not over open flames which could render the handle too hot to use and "blacken" the outside which is not the best thing to do if you are packing it around. Know what I mean. The Terra is very durable but not indestructible. Any more questions, feel free to ask. Happy Trails to You...Steve « Show Less
586573
Sorry I haven't responded sooner, but I'm on a hunting and fishing trip and this is the 1st time I've checked my e-mail in a week. Anyway to your question, the unit does put out smoke, you should only use it under your stove vent with the fan on 'high', you will find the it is well worth the effort.I'm pushing 70 and I have never cooked and smoked with such ease, the food is alway delicious. Good luck and Good cooking.John