Coleman Camp Oven

[curryp]

Has anyone used the new coleman InstaStart camp oven that operates off propane? It is not the collapsible one that is put on top of a burner, but the newer style one that looks like a toaster oven and runs off a one lb. propane tank. http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=9927-A50&categoryid=2210

I would like to get a camp oven. I have read that the Coleman collapsible oven is not real efficient. The Fox Hill has received good reviews and takes 8x8x2 pans for $69.95 plus $12.99 in shipping from PUX Trading Post. The Fox Hill doesn't seem to be sold by many vendors. The Coleman InstaStart holds a 13 x 9 pan and I could buy it locally so wouldn't have shipping costs.

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

[curryp]

Must be this is too new for reviews??

[sewserious]

Can't help you with the insta-start oven, but I like my fold-up one just fine.  Takes a little getting used to, but I think it works well.  I have made every from lasagna to biscuits and cookies in it without any problems.  You just have to learn how to use it efficently and effectively.

[tlhdoc]

Hersheygirl has one and likes it.

[curryp]

I ended purchasing an Instastart oven and used it for the first time last night at camp. I made a taco casserole that had to be baked at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

The oven lit right up with no problem and came to temperature quite quickly. The casserole baked wonderfully and was tasty. The only thing that was tricky was controlling the temperature. There is no dial that is specific for a certain temperature. Obtaining  a desired temp requires one to adjust the dial/flame periodically. I am sure with more experience it will get easier to adjust the temperature to the desired setting.

I am glad I got this oven instead of the Fox Hill oven. For one the Coleman holds a 13x9 pan while the Fox Hill can only accommodate a 8x8 pan. It also works off a 1 lb. propane tank so no need to use a burner like with the Fox Hill model. The price was $90 at a Coleman outlet store and the Fox Hill isn't much less after shipping. Having bought the Coleman from a store, it will be easier to deal with than the mail if I have any problems. As far as I know the Fox Hill is only available via internet/mail. The Coleman is quite a bit bigger than the Fox Hill to store but that isn't a problem for me - plenty of room in the PUP.

So overall I am pleased with my purchase and would recommend the Instastart Coleman Oven.

[CajunCamper]

Can't help you with the insta-start oven, but I like my fold-up one just fine.  Takes a little getting used to, but I think it works well.  I have made every from lasagna to biscuits and cookies in it without any problems.  You just have to learn how to use it efficently and effectively.

I'm with you sewserious our Coleman fold up model works great. We use it in the morning to bake bisquits and in the evening to bake a variety of treats. It's colapsable (sp) so it doesn't take up much space.

[Mike Up]

I've been thinking of the same. I have a large convection table top oven I'm using here:
 

 
It does draw a few amps so I thought there may be a better alternative using propane.
 
I passed on the Brinkmann propane camp oven because it has very small shelves (2), can't be used inside, and is $100.
 
The Coleman has a large shelf (1) so it can accomidate bigger food items, but the size of the oven itself is so large, it wouldn't fit in any cabinets like my Euro Por oven and it can't be used inside either.
 
That's the main tick, it can't be used inside. The folding ovens could because they sit on your inside range.
 
The question, is the fox hill oven the same size as the Coleman or which is bigger?
 
I'll likely be getting one in the next 2 weeks so I've been trying to decide.
 
Thanks and have a good one.

[flyfisherman]

My knowledge or experience with the Insta-Start or Fox Hill ovens hovers somewhere around zero ... I probably would'nt know one if I fell over it!

But have had some doings with the old Coleman fold-up oven and (my favorite) the Lodge dutch (camp) oven. But I did want to run my cyber mouth a tad on the old timey Coleman fold-up oven. With that particular oven I found out that the PU interior stove just could'nt cut the mustard heating it up to speed; maybe it could get it heated to 200 degrees (after awhile!). But let me tell ya, put that folding oven over my old standby Coleman outside camp stove and I'll have that oven up to 450 degrees in short order! So, I found out, the efficiency of that folding Coleman oven depends a great deal on the stove that's doing the heating.



Fly

[vjm1639]

I had the Coleman fold up for years and loved it...however, once BH bought me the double fox hill for my birthday one year that was the last I used the Coleman. It was much better at temperature regulating.  It still gets used outside on our Coleman stove even though we have an oven in the new hybrid if we want.   I love the Fox Hill and think it's worth every penny especially if you dry camp much or just enjoy cooking outside.  I never got into the dutch oven cooking because there is just two of us and I had a difficult time with the dutch oven holding too much.   I have a 12 inch lodge dutch oven I bought and used one time............

[curryp]

The Coleman Camp Oven is big, but that is why it holds a 13x9 pan which is the main reason I got it over the foldable ovens. I don't cook inside the camper as where most of our camping is done there are black bears. Any food odors inside the camper is an invitation for a bear. A guy I know had the canvas of his PUP all ripped by a bear who wanted a box of donuts that were on a table. I don't even store dry food in the camper.

Anyway, just like if you when you were using your stove top in the camper, you would need to provide ventilation for the oven. Unzip a couple of windows in the corner and expose some of the screen on the door of the camper and you could use the Coleman oven indoors.

When we packed up I stored mine on the floor of the camper under the kitchen table as it was too big to fit under the benches. While we were camping it was in my make shift outdoor kitchen I had set-up.

[Mike Up]

I did just get the Coleman folding oven. With the home stove, it heated up very quickly and had a temp of 300 degree with the burner turned up 5/10.
 
The campers inside stove burners are 6500 btu so I don't think I'll have any problem. I also have an outside range but it's so big, I'm going to stop using it for the camp stove. It's burners are also 6500 btu. The inside stove is a 2 burner and outside stove is a 3 burner. They're Vitco brand and Vitco uses the higher output burners, being 6500 BTU instead of the lower output on others stoves, being 5200 btu. The Brinkmann camp stove burners are 10,000 btu each. This is what I'm going to use from now on outside. It's small, can be placed anywhere, and I don't have to be hooked to the short propane hose.
 
Have a good one.

[maromeo]

I bought the Coleman Insta Start Oven last year on clearance. The only draw back is it doesn't broil. It does do a great job at baking and you can use a  13 X 9 pan. I take it everytime we go dry camping. The temp is pretty easy to regulate.

Mary Romeo

[curryp]

The latest issue of Camping Life has a review of the Coleman Instastart Oven and gives it a good rating. The only recommendation is the window on the door be a little larger so the flame can be visible without opening the door. I agree with the recommendation as I did have to open the door when controlling the dial to be check the flame.