Why didn’t I do this sooner? Yesterday, for the first time, I moved the canning operation outside. It was amazing! It was perfect!
We got the Camp Chef 2 burner cooker. There’s a 14″ model and a 16″ model (based on the space on which you place your pots). I measured my biggest canner, the All American 30 quart, and knew it would fit fine on the 14″ size. We’ve had it since the middle of March but just set it up.
Camp Chef Cooker
Each burner is 30,000 BTU. The front burner on my stove is 17,000 BTU so I was a bit worried about the extra power but I’m able to turn the burner to “warm” and keep the pressure steady on the cooker. When I was bringing the water to a boil for water bath canning, I turned the burner up and in no time at all, the water was boiling!
Camp Chef Cooker
The cooker comes with wind “screens” for three sides and they totally block the wind so it doesn’t affect the flame. Everything was included with the cooker except the propane bottle. My biggest concern was whether it would be sturdy enough. I didn’t want to feel the slightest wobble or insecurity. There are sometimes 15 quart jars filled will food, along with water in the canner, and I didn’t want to have to think about whether that setup could topple over. I’m 100% happy with the stability. There isn’t even the slightest wobble or weak feeling to this stove.
Camp Chef Cooker
The little patio table is perfect for the jars once they come out of the canner.
When I have this big canner on the stove, because I’m short, I always feel like I’m having to “stretch” to get the jars out and still sometimes burn my arm on the side of the canner. I’ve often wished I had a lower place for doing the canning. This cooker is perfect! It’s a great height for reaching down to get the jars and it’s so much more comfortable and feels safer to me to take them out at this height.
Jars Ready to Store
Another plus . . no extra heat or humidity added inside the house. Using a wooden tray with tall sides, I carried 4 or 5 jars outside at a time, then took them out of the canner and placed them on the little patio table to cool. From there, they went into the boxes and were carried to the sewing room where the canned goods are stored.
One more plus . . how much better can it get?? I can stand inside and look out and see the pressure gauge! The picture is a bit blurry but I can easily read the gauge from inside.
Canner Outside
Last night Vince and I were talking about it and I told him that if they had a smaller model (less BTUs), I wouldn’t mind getting it and moving all the cooking operations outside! Heck, I could clean my stove in the house and not ever get it dirty again!
I can see this little cooker getting lots of use this summer. Thinking back on all the finagling I did in MO to try to figure out how to get a gas stove in the house, where we had no gas, and where the stove was in the middle of the house, this little camp stove would have worked perfectly and I never thought about doing that.
Sophie says
What a brilliant idea. I turned on the oven yesterday to roast some veggies and realized that summer weather is here and I probably won’t be doing any more for a while because it really heats up the house.
JudyL says
This time of year I keep my Nesco roaster on the front porch and except for the occasional bread baking, probably won’t turn the oven on again till Fall.
Ranch Wife says
That looks like the perfect solution to summer cooking and to my dilemma of not having a 6 burner stove! When I cook for a crew, I never have enough space on the stove. Problem solved – thanks to you.
Dottie N. says
Great idea!
Julie in WA says
I have to say this is such a great camp stove! A friend of mine brings hers to our yearly campout and it is a workhorse! She fires it up in the morning and uses a huge griddle to make pancakes, eggs, bacon…for everyone! Supper is quick and easy because it heats so quickly. It is a huge item to pack, but she has a large vehicle. I can’t say enough good about this outdoor stove!
JudyL says
I guess it depends on the meaning of “big”. 🙂 If you put it back in the box, it’s 34″ long, 15″ tall and a little over 7″ wide. It comes with a carrying case, which would make it a little smaller than putting it back in the box. I believe it weighs about 30 pounds.
Sharon in Michigan says
I always can outside. I wouldn’t do it any other way 🙂
Helen Koenig1 says
I have a friend who has canned outdoors for years and truly prefers doing that (although she uses an old wood “laundry” stove for hers)! My biggest concern has always been the mosquitoes and gnats which seem to LOVE me – and not wanting to can THEM in the process! LOL However, that being said – this is something that I am also considering!
JudyL says
Avon Skin So Soft!
Julie in Tucson, Arizona says
I also use Avon Skin So Soft on Wrigley after he gets his bath. It helps keep those flying critters away from the dog – and he doesn’t get fleas. We started this years ago after our dog was attacked by fleas.. Just lightly spray it on the dog after the shampoo is rinsed out, rub in, and rinse again! It really works!!!
Patti Tappel says
I should have told you that tip a long time ago. We do all ours on a 3 burner stove in the garage or we pull it out on the concrete in the driveway! We canned fish last week that way. Keeps the smell out of the house too.
JudyL says
I was talking to Vince about it this morning and he said we did talk about it in MO but didn’t have a covered place to do it and that’s why we never did it. I don’t even remember that conversation but maybe it’s because I wanted a gas stove and wasn’t thinking of anything else.
Angie says
What a great idea! Sure beats heating up the kitchen in the summer weather!
CJ says
I’m glad you’re happy with it! I love mine, not only is it great for canning but I do all my messy cooking out there! No more grease splatters to clean up in the kitchen. I have the larger 3 burner one, although I never use all three burners, the extra space comes in very handy.
Frankie says
We did this same thing last year and it was great! That burner is amazing and the height is just right. When we’re using the All American canner now, outside on that burner is our first choice.
Sherry says
Judy,
I love this ideal and the price is reasonable. I just have one question, my manual from my Presto Pressure Canner states to not use on outdoor LP gas burner or gas range over 12,000 BTU’s, yet my mom has done this, no problems.
Suggestions?
JudyL says
I would never suggest anything that is contrary to what is recommended by Presto but:
(1) I use my Presto canner fairly often on the big burner on my inside stove and it’s 17,000 BTUs.
(2) The Camp Chef outside stove has multiple settings. High is 30,000 BTUs; Medium is 20,000 BTUs and low is 10,000 BTUs. There’s also a “warm” setting that I’m guessing is about 5,000.
I love that I can bring the 30 quart All American canner up to pressure on high in about 10 minutes on the Camp Chef. On the 17,000 BTU burner in the house, it takes about 30 minutes to get it up to pressure. Once it reaches pressure, I reduce the heat and hold it at 10 psi or wherever it needs to be.
30,000 BTU is the maximum for the Camp Chef but you don’t have to use the maximum.
Susan says
Great idea to keep all that heat outside, and your porch is shaded, so that is nice, too.
Donna F says
I’m really surprised Vince hasn’t built you an outdoor kitchen. I know you would love that, I would!