Thermal Cooker - Page 2

ThermalCookr · 02-28-2009, 03:15 PM

The ST-60B thermal cooker is OK but compared to the THERMOS brand cookers the performance doesn't measure up.

The THERMOS brand thermal cookers all use a vacuum insulated outer pot which will keep things hot (above 140 degrees) for about 12 hours.

In my testing of thermal cooker performance I would bring an inner pot full of water to a boil and then place it in the outer pot. The Thermos thermal cookers would keep the water above 140 degrees when I measured it 12 hours later. The ST-60B and other thermal cookers that used a foam insulated outer pot would only keep the water around 80 degrees after 12 hours. I've tested a number of brands and models and the Thermos models with the bail handles are the best made and best performing thermal cookers available. Note that the 140 degree temperature mark is important because it's the level at which bacteria starts to grow. Food kept 140 degrees or above will not be as likely to get you sick.

The inner pots of the ST-60B are made of very thin metal compared to the Thermos cookers so you can scorch food much easier as you bring it up to boiling temperatures. The Thermos inner pots are made of nice heavy stainless steel and have a clad bottom which makes them great to use for any recipe.

I bought my Nissan/Thermos thermal cooker years ago when Thermos still sold them in the US market but it's hard to find them at all unless you shop outside the country.

I'm not a Thermos dealer but I do love my thermal cookers and started the thermalcooker.wordpress.com blog to collect the info about them. As people have asked me where I got mine I've collected a few sources on where they can be purchased, send me a PM and I'll give you the details.

soldiermedic · 02-28-2009, 04:27 PM

ummmm...strange things are afoot on the AIRforums today.

BeBop · 02-28-2009, 06:25 PM

I recently ordered the 1.5L Shuttle Chef unit through Forum Appliances up in Vancouver, BC (as a test, based on the initial posting) and am thoroughly satisfied with it and the personal service I received. I will be ordering the 3+3 shortly. Best of all, I purchased a 1700w induction cook-plate locally, and the Shuttle Chef work wonderfully with it. I can conserve my propane now, when in full hook-up, and the Shuttle Chefs will probably pay for themselves in short order during these winter months. A hearty warm meal right after arrival and set up is priceless. The Shuttle Chef's value is really in it ability to cook a meal while you are in transit or away from your trailer.

Definitely worth a try.

fr8tshaker · 03-04-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwightdi

Here is a link to a "thermal cooker" at a lower price that still looks nice. It is about $60 for a 5 quart stainless inner and outer pot. SPT ST-60B - Thermal Cooker

The customer reviews rate it highly.

The less expensive thermal cookers are foam insulated and do not retain the heat well. Alot of users of the cheaper pots have found that they often have to reheat the inner pot after about 4 hrs and replace it in the inner pot.

The quality of the inner pot itself is also inferior. They will have hot spots and uneven heating.

Another oversight that purchasers make is not choosing a correct size for their needs.

Picture a 2 L bottle of soda. The 4.5 L cooker is approx. 2 and 1/4 times this amount. A 5L cooker is 2 and 1/2 times this amount. This size would work well for a family of 4 or more but is alot of food for 2 people. We prefer not eating the same thing for several meals.

The cookers must be about 80% full to retain the heat effectively.

Here are the reasons I chose the Shuttle Chef 3&3 with the optional 6 L inner pot:

1.) The outer pot is high quality enameled steel with a vacuum seal. This retains the temperature more effectively.

2.) The heavy gauge stainless steel inner pots with aluminum core bottom. This type of pot heats evenly, and will not warp like cheaper made ss pots. These well made pots function well as everyday pots and can also be used as a double boiler. The 3l pots are the perfect size for us, so I could eliminate other pots that I had and just keep these in the AS.

3.) The 3&3 allows me to cook 2 items separately (i.e.- I can bake a cake in one pot and a main dish in the other). I can also cook in one pot. All I do is put boiling water in one pot and put my food in the second pot. I can fill the 3 L pot with food or only cook 1/2 a 3 L pot of food using this method and still retain the thermal mass effectively.

4.) The optional 6 L pot allows me to cook larger amounts when needed.

www.thermalcookware.com now offers inserts for the 4.5 and 6L pot that will enable the user t cook 2 dishes separately or a steam insert enabling the user to steam veggies etc. separately from the main meal. Either the 4.5 l or the 6l along with the inserts would make the cooker as versatile as the 3&3 for less $$$. These accessories were not available when I purchased mine.

I do have the farmers bread tin, the heavy duty pudding/cake tin, and carrying bag.

The cake tin has a latched lid with D ring handles on top. This enables me not to have to use foil on the pan and the D rings enable me to easily place the pan in the cooker and to easily remove it.

The farmers bread pan is the perfect size for 2 people for breads, meatloaf, etc. and is of excellent quality.

The carrying bag is nylon with heavy padding for isulation. This protects my cooker from dings and scratches. It also improves the heat retention qualities of the cooker. It can also be used as a cooler.

I do like multi-purpose items for the AS.

I have been very pleased with mine. When I have had the chance to make a comparision ofthe Shuttle Chef with someone else's cheaper brand the difference in construction, quality, and performance is obvious.

I hope other's find my post on my experience useful. This is a great item for RVing IMHO.

'shaker

fr8tshaker · 03-04-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeBop

I recently ordered the 1.5L Shuttle Chef unit through Forum Appliances up in Vancouver, BC (as a test, based on the initial posting) and am thoroughly satisfied with it and the personal service I received. I will be ordering the 3+3 shortly. Best of all, I purchased a 1700w induction cook-plate locally, and the Shuttle Chef work wonderfully with it. I can conserve my propane now, when in full hook-up, and the Shuttle Chefs will probably pay for themselves in short order during these winter months. A hearty warm meal right after arrival and set up is priceless. The Shuttle Chef's value is really in it ability to cook a meal while you are in transit or away from your trailer.

Definitely worth a try.

I am happy my post was helpful. I also have the Shuttle Chef 1.5L. We use it when we want to take chili, soup , etc with us when we are biking. It is the perfect size for us when we are going to have a salad or sandwich along with the soup. Its small size makes it very portable.

We really enjoy ours.

BTW- the 1.5 l pot makes a terrific asparagus cooker.

'shaker

BeBop · 03-04-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr8tshaker

BTW- the 1.5 l pot makes a terrific asparagus cooker.

'shaker

Now that you mention that, you are absolutely right... perfect dimensions! Do you poach or steam?

BTW I ordered the 3+3 with the free 6 from Forum.

AirsDream · 03-04-2009, 09:21 PM

F.Y.I. - the Nissan Thermos thermal cookers are available in the U.S. ... Amazon sells them. But I noted that Amazon says that they ship from MV Trading ... I ordered one from them, at www.mvtradingonline.com it appears that they are the U.S. importer that Amazon buys from. Bon appetit!

ArtStream · 03-04-2009, 10:59 PM

What size and model would be good for a single guy?

doorgunner · 03-05-2009, 12:30 AM

size 2- maybe a 1980's model?

NevadaGeo · 03-05-2009, 12:40 AM

D.G., ya beat me to it.

NevadaGeo · 03-05-2009, 12:41 AM

I think he likes the Italian models, too

fr8tshaker · 03-06-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtStream

What size and model would be good for a single guy?

Michael,

Either the 1.5 l or the 4.5 with the insert that www.thermalcookware offers.

Amazon, Forum Appliances, etc do not offer the inserts or any other accessories for the cookers. The only seller that does is www.thermalcookware.com that I am aware of. The accessories will make anyone's cooker much more versatile.

The 1.5 l is great for soups, stews, chili and the like. It has a tall narrow shape liike a quart mason jar. You would not be able to brown a chicken breast for example.

The 4.5 with the inserts is would enable you to place boiling water in the bottom of the larger inner pot, then brown your meat, etc in the smaller insert and place it on top of the larger inner pot. As I stated in an earlier post, the cooker must be at least 80% full to retain the thermal mass effectively.These accessories would enable you to cook whole pieces of meat, a small corned beef, small roast, etc in the smaller inner insert. This woul keep you from eating the same dish for the next 3 days or so. Of course you could cook a smaller amount of beans, soups stew, etc by putting boiling water in the large inner pot and your meal in the smaller insert pot also.With the pudding tin you could bake a cake or quick bread such as cornbread, in the large inner pot and cook another dish in the smaller insert on top simultaneously. When you have company, attend a potluck , etc you could use the full 4.5 litre capacity.

So, depending on what you want to cook either the 1.5 l or the 4.5 with the inserts. IMHO, I think you would gain more cooking abilities with the 4.5 plus the inserts.

Also, remember that when you are boondocking the boiling water that will be placed in the large inner pot will not be wasted. It can be used to wash dishes with after your meal.

I have found that the more I use it the more I like it. Also, the more I use it makes me realize that I can do alot more with it than I realized at the time of purchase.

Hope this helps. Michelle