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Message board > Miscellaneous topics > The best way to heat up a pasty?

Message 16 of 16
Posted by member Rob on Sunday 14 February 2016

Hello Mike On my previous boat I had a single Origo 1500 alcohol stove, that I purchased secondhand for £50.00. It was a free standing model.You can screw it to a surface if you wish. I was at the time in an area requiring a boat safety certificate and all I needed was enough ventilation. In this case the canvas cabin to cockpit cover gaps and the vertical wood at the bulkhead gaps was deemed by the boat safety officer to have enough ventilation. So in other words no work was required. The Origo uses pressure free alcohol so is safer than gas as well. You do not need to use the most expensive Methalated Spirits. I manage to get the alcohol for about 50p per half pint. On my Hardy Navigator, I have 2-burner Origo stoves that are mounted on sliders above the sink, which I can slide back when not in use, to use the sink. I think the ebay second hand price is about £50.00 for the Origo 1500. Hope this helps. Rob

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Message 15 of 16
Posted by member rob mcinnes on Friday 12 February 2016

I see what you mean Mike. I suppose the other option is a food flask. But I don't know how good they are. Cheers Rob

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Message 14 of 16
Posted by member mike insall on Friday 12 February 2016

Thanks Rob, I'm really trying to avoid having to use any heating on the boat. In fact most of the time a flask of tea and a sandwich plus scotch egg are fine. I was trying to see what else was practical, but not having much luck as most things cost too much or involved a lot of hassle! The last thing I need is hot water or food flying around the cockpit! It was so warm on Thursday it was not a problem anyway!! Cheers, Mike

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Message 13 of 16
Posted by member rob mcinnes on Friday 12 February 2016

The 'Look what we found' (No affiliation!) range of meals are not bad and only take a few minutes to heat up on a gas ring. Very reasonable price and a shelf life of 1 year without the need for refrigeration. I find them ideal for the boat or in the Motorhome. The portions aren't huge but are adequate. They sell them in Tesco now. Or are you trying to avoid using the Gas ring altogether?

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Message 12 of 16
Posted by member Peter on Sunday 17 January 2016

Hi Mike, Hope you get on OK with your "Heat in the Can" meals. We tried them some years ago when sailing on the East Coast. We bought a selection of ready meals in the self heating cans from the Boat Show one year. I have to say that the Chilli Con Carnie was very good, the Chicken Curry was edible but the Beef Stew was disgusting, in fact, it looked and smelt just like dog food !!! I did wonder if someone had mixed up the labels !!!! Our Labrador enjoyed it though. Happy boating, Peter

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Message 11 of 16
Posted by member mike insall on Friday 15 January 2016

I have to do something to make people laugh during these winter months! Just wait until I've tried the self heating meal!! Mobi

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Message 10 of 16
Posted by member hardy editor on Friday 15 January 2016

Oh Mike, I am sorry to admit to the fact that on reading your post I burst out laughing - sorry mate, but you do write a very funny account of your 'experiments'. I have a very vivid image in my mind now of you huddled on your boat with a cup of tea and a cold pasty. This just will not do....we must apply our minds yet again in order to relieve you of this discomfort !! Keep safe out there. Marie

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Message 9 of 16
Posted by member Mike Insall on Friday 15 January 2016

Having given a lot of thought to the matter, I decided that in view of the fact that I may not actually be using the boat that often in the winter, going to a lot of expense would not be worth it. However!, I have bought one packet of self heating food from Cotswolds outdoor shop that cost £6 - to test it on behalf of all Hardy owners!! Watch this space for the result! I also, when in another outsoor shop, found an insulated mug with a cap on it. The salesman though it would keep a heated up chicken slice or whatever warm for a few hours, so as it was in the sale I bought it! I also bought said chicken slice and conducted a test! Having heated the slice I popped it in to the mug and left it in the kitchen for two hours! Sadly I have to report that it was a complete failure! The slice was stone cold and solid!! I think I'll have to stick to a cup of tea and a cold pasty!! Thanks to everyone for their help and ideas! MOBI

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Message 8 of 16
Posted by member Peter on Sunday 20 December 2015

Hi Mike, Have a look at this one. just about the right size and safe up to 260 Deg. C. 25 year guarantee !!!!! Just need a griddle to go inside. you need to be about 50 mm of the bottom to work well. https://www.procook.co.uk/product/procook-cast-iron-casserole-20cm-29l-round-graduated-burgundy?utm_source=GoogleShopping&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_campaign=MerchantFeed&gclid=CMznxci468kCFVCZGwodLqgEDw BR, Peter

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Message 7 of 16
Posted by member mike insall on Sunday 20 December 2015

UPDATE! The cast iron pot seems a good idea, but the real answer is the stand off griddle inside! I have looked at pots, but did not think of the griddle bit! Lots of pots etc on the internet! Thanks Peter. Mike

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Message 6 of 16
Posted by member mike insall on Sunday 20 December 2015

Thanks Peter, I'll look in to it! I have found some self heating meals, but they are six quid each and more than I need! I don't think I'll starve, but a warm snack with my tea would be nice! A very merry Christmas to you, and watch this space! Cheers, Mike

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Message 5 of 16
Posted by member Peter on Sunday 20 December 2015

Hi Mike, One easy way to make an oven is to go out and buy one of the small Emanuel coated heavy cast Iron cooking pots. There are some expensive ones but now you can buy some very good heavy duty cast ones which are lower cost. An 8 inch one won't break the bank and will fit nicely on the top burners of the cooker. Make sure you get one with a heavy duty lid. Then you need to get a small stand off griddle which will go in the bottom of the pan to keep your pasty off the bottom. You will find that this will make a great little oven and warm up all sorts of food stuff. You wont burn the pan. You could also look for a "Dutch Oven" which is a similar thing only in black cast iron. These tend to be bigger and may not fit on the gas ring. They do work well. Hope you have a Great Christmas and Happy New year and have some nice trips out over the coming Holiday. Regards, Peter

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Message 4 of 16
Posted by member mike insall on Friday 18 December 2015

Thanks for your comments everyone - I am in fact quite an accomplished cook, but I really don't want to spend too much time cooking while bobbing on the oggin! There are gas ovens, but they cost a bomb! Of course it does not have to be a pasty; one of those chicken slices thing would do, and they are slimmer! When I was in the army we once had some self heating tins of food to test, perhaps a similar thing is still available! Any more ideas welcome, watch this space for updates! But don't expect to see me on bakeoff anytime soon! Thanks again, Mike

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Message 3 of 16
Posted by member Sue on Friday 18 December 2015

Hi Chef Mike, See the forum, misc topics, small portable oven, 24-02-10 for the ideal solution. Unfortunately I don't think this exact thing is still available. Howver it may be worth going to a good caravan and camping shop to see if something similar is. It would be probably cheaper too than anything purchased at a chandlers. Try also googling skillet, camping skillet, camping ovens or similar to see what is out there. When I had a quick search I came across a variety of things that might suit the situation but you also need to take into account storage, price etc. I came a cross a gadget that lets you cook two sausages on a gas ring so you could vary the menu if you fancied that! Re the Force 4 toaster....If it is a wire and mesh thing: I tried that when we first started boating. It was ok for toast to say go with baked beans but I would think it would burn the pasties before they were heated through. Hope you don't starve to death in the meantime! Sue

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Message 2 of 16
Posted by member Rob on Thursday 17 December 2015

Hello Mike I hope you are enjoying your boating. The only way to heat up a pasty is either a gas oven or microwave oven. It is important to heat it up to a t least 75% Celcius or you may get a stomach upset. If you do not have either, it would be best to cook something on your stove. If you do not have cooking ability to either cook on the day, cook beforehand and chill it in the correct hygenic maner, then reheat it to at least 75% celcius. I would suggest either tinned food or fresh pre-cooked food from a supermarket designed to be reheated on a stove. I know the tinned food is not great but it is better than nothing. If you go to the large supermarkets, you should see the range there. With fresh food, it needs to be kept cold enough, idearly below 4% Celcius. So a cold box or fridge is needed.

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Message 1 of 16
Posted by member mike insall on Thursday 17 December 2015

Hi folks, Happy Christmas to you all. I try to sail all year round, but although I have a drinks flask, it would be nice to be able to heat up a pasty or something similar! Any ideas of a cheap way to do this, and has anyone got the gas heated toaster for sale at Force 4? Could I use that perhaps! I do have a flat stable gas stove but don't particularly want to heat up a pan to red hot! Thanks in great anticipation. Mike

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