Dishes cooked in a cauldron are especially tasty. The whole secret is that during cooking, the cauldron heats up not only the bottom, like in pans, but the entire surface. Here you can cook various dishes of Uzbek, Caucasian, Tatar national cuisine, as well as various dishes with "smoke", boil water, cook soups or simply stew meat or vegetables. But in order for any dish to turn out tasty, it should be prepared correctly. And for this, the cauldron needs a special oven.
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Before talking about stoves, you should understand the dishes and their features. Today, many people mistakenly call various pots or pans with thick walls cauldrons. The main distinguishing feature of the cauldron is a rounded bottom, which is specially designed for cooking on an open fire. Thanks to this shape of the bottom, the walls are evenly heated, when products with a flat bottom are heated only from below. Also, due to the fact that the cauldrons have rather thick walls, the food during cooking will not burn and stick to the dishes.
Today there are many different manufacturers of cauldrons. Many improve their models with a non-stick coating, but despite this, the cast-iron version of the product, which has thick walls, remains the most popular and sought-after type of cauldron. You can read more about the best cauldrons here.
So, so that the result of cooking in a cauldron does not bring disappointment, you should think about the right hearth. If the cauldron is rarely used, then you can use an ordinary tripod, and make a fire under it. But for big fans of Asian cuisine, this option may not be suitable. After all, for frequent use it is better to purchase a special oven. So you can significantly save on fuel, spend less time and effort on making fire. After all, here not only the fire will be protected from the wind by the walls, but also the cauldron itself. When cooking food on a special stove, the walls will warm up faster, this will reduce the cooking time, and the finished dish will not cool for a long time.
There are several variations of ovens for a cauldron, it all depends on what, where and how often it is planned to cook. But each of these options connects the presence of a recess where the bowler itself is placed.Thanks to this design, heat will be distributed evenly over the entire surface of the dish.
According to their design, furnaces are stationary and mobile. The first option can be installed in the courtyard of a country house or cottage. But stationary models are of several types. The most popular and reliable option is considered to be brick. Making it is quite simple, and even a person who is unfamiliar with brickwork can handle it. There is no one specific option for masonry, everyone, building such a stove, strives to ensure that the heat reaches the pot as quickly as possible, and the heat is evenly distributed.
Clay stoves are also popular. To do this, a small hole is dug in the ground, where a cauldron is installed. After that, the free space is filled with clay and small stones. When all clay manipulations are completed, holes should be dug for fuel and smoke. The oven is now ready for use. It is worth noting that such devices are not very convenient when cooking, and besides, they do not differ in durability.
Metal stationary structures are very popular. The quality of cooking here will depend on the metal and its thickness. As a rule, manufacturers use steel or cast iron. High-quality steel ovens must have a wall thickness of at least 3 mm, otherwise the metal will quickly burn out and will not retain the heat needed for cooking. Cast iron models are much more expensive than steel ones, have thicker walls and a solid appearance. Thanks to this, they retain heat better and distribute it evenly.
For cooking in nature, mobile versions of stoves are used. They are made from metal. Since the stove should be easy to transport, cast iron is not used here.Such models are made of steel, the wall thickness here is 2 mm. Since they will be used from time to time, the metal will not burn out quickly, and the product will serve faithfully for more than one year.
Furnaces are also classified by the presence of a pipe. It can be both stationary and mobile options. Structures with a pipe will help increase heat draft. Pipes can be removable or be a stationary chimney. The first option is used mostly for mobile models. A stationary chimney is attached to the hearth and, as a rule, has a damper to control the draft force.
In addition, the designs differ in their dimensions. A large cauldron will require a large oven. For this reason, portable options can accommodate a cauldron of no more than 25 liters. Stationary options are usually made in large sizes, but in the future, replaceable rings can be installed there, which will allow you to install dishes of different sizes in the future. So the stationary oven becomes a universal fixture.
Before starting work, you should create a drawing of the future furnace. Here you need to decide on the size of the dishes used, display the location of the necessary holes, do not forget about the handles and additional accessories that will be needed in the future.
When the drawing is ready, you should take care of the necessary materials and tools. From the materials you will need a pipe with thick walls, a chimney pipe, a metal plate to create the bottom, corners for handles, legs and additional elements. Of the tools you will need a drill with various drills, a grinder, a welding machine, a hammer and a level. Also, do not forget about the means of protection during work.
When everything is ready, you can start assembling the structure. In this case, you should not deviate from the drawing. Also, the initial assembly is done first. Here is a check of the holes made in the pipe and their compliance. If everything goes well, then assembly is in progress by welding. At the same time, keep in mind that the ignition hole should be 10-15 cm above the bottom. The chimney hole should be 10 cm below the upper base and at the same time it should be the same diameter as the chimney. When installing the legs, do not forget about the stability of the structure, and their height and number depends on the desire of the master.
When the assembly is completed, a test run should be carried out. In this way, errors can be identified and corrected. After that, it is recommended to cover the structure with refractory varnish or special paint.
Before you start choosing a stove, decide how often and what you will cook. If the buyer is a big fan of pilaf, shurpa and other oriental dishes, then experts recommend getting a capital stone oven. It will serve faithfully for many years even with frequent use. But for its construction will require the presence of its own territory. Those. it will be necessary to install on the territory of a summer cottage or a private house. Also, do not forget that for its construction it will be necessary not a small area. But in this case, you should pay attention to metal products. If the choice fell on a steel model, then a lot depends on the wall thickness. For frequent use, special, more durable options are available.It will also be very useful if the design is supplemented with a barbecue and rings, this will allow the use of dishes of different sizes.
Mobile options come with lightweight walls, but if they are used occasionally, the service life will be very long. Therefore, when choosing, consider the weight of the product, the collapsible design. So it will be possible to facilitate the transportation of the product, and during storage it will not take up much space.
Also consider the presence of legs. This criteria applies to mobile and stationary products. If the hearth is above ground level, then it will be possible to heat the stove faster, and it will retain heat longer. Also, if the hearth is on the same level with the ground, it will be very inconvenient to bend low.
Such a model from the Balezinsky foundry and mechanical plant is a cast-iron furnace. Cast iron grade SCH15-32 is used for its production.
"PCh-2 (B)" does not require additional cladding, so it can be moved from one place to another, which gives a certain mobility to the product. The manufacturer also provided two burners here, but besides this, “PCH-2 (B)” is also suitable for heating a room up to 150 cubic meters. It is worth noting that during the smoldering process, heat will remain here for up to 8 hours, which greatly facilitates the operation process. The walls of this model are ribbed, this increases heat transfer. They are also decorated with artistic casting, so "PCh-2 (B)" is not just a potbelly stove, but will become an adornment of any site.
The size of "PCH-2 (B)" is 56 * 35 * 54, while its weight is almost 84 kg. There is a ledge under the chimney, its diameter is 10 cm.the manufacturer also provided a built-in blower regulator.
The average cost is 15,000 rubles.
Such a model from the Namangan DAVR Metall company is a set of a 12-liter pot and a furnace with a pipe. The cauldron has a volume of 12 liters. The kit is designed for outdoor use. A feature of this model is a removable tube and legs, which facilitates the transportation of the product in the car. And in order to carry the device from place to place, the manufacturer provided two handles on the stove.
The cauldron is made of cast iron. At the request of the buyer, you can choose a model with a round or flat bottom. The thickness of its walls is 8 mm, and there are handles along the edges.
The furnace is made of steel and has a collapsible design. The wall thickness is 2 mm. It is also covered with thermal paint. During operation, all smoke will go out into the pipe, which has a damper. With the help of a damper, you can control the level of fire in the hearth. During operation, the pot will be securely fixed in the hole, which will prevent it from accidentally falling or tipping over. The design of the product is made in such a way that when cooking you do not have to constantly bend down, which is very convenient.
The average cost is 6400 rubles.
This product is an oven-cauldron from the Feringer company. It is suitable for both outdoor use and indoors with good ventilation.
The furnace of this model is made of high-quality stainless steel. The outer casing during operation will not get very hot, this will extend the life of the product and prevent it from rusting. The door is designed in such a way that it is convenient to open it, and when closed, reliability will be ensured. Also in the door, the manufacturer installed a system that regulates blowing. And due to the fact that this part is located in the upper part of the door, there will be upper combustion. And it will be economical to consume fuel during operation. To control the combustion process, there is a special glass on the door. Chimney "Samarkand" is made of stainless steel. Its size is one meter. Initially, it will have a shiny finish, but after operation it will darken and will look harmonious with the stove. In addition, the set will include a BBQ set and a hot smoking set.
The average cost is 16,000 rubles.
Such a model from an Uzbek manufacturer includes a stove with a chimney and a cauldron with a volume of 12 liters. The cast iron pot comes with an aluminum lid.
"Berel 400K" is made of steel, the wall thickness is 3 mm. To extend the life of the product, the manufacturer installed a cast-iron grate.The draft at Berel 400K is regulated by a damper and an ash drawer. The chimney and legs have a removable design, thanks to which the product is easy to transport in the car. In addition to the cauldron, you can install a cast-iron brazier or grate, as well as a cast-iron stove here. You can also add options such as a holder for a lid, an adapter for a pot with a volume of 8 liters.
The diameter of the furnace is 40 cm, and the chimney is 11 cm. The weight of Berel 400K is 37.6 kg.
The average cost is 15,000 rubles.
This product from the "Kukmor Metalware Plant" is suitable for pots made of aluminum or cast iron with a volume of 10-12 liters.
The case of "Kukmara uchag" is made of steel, the wall thickness is 2 mm. Top of the product is covered with thermal paint to extend the service life. With the help of the door, you can control the combustion process, as well as completely extinguish the flame. There are 4 removable legs and 2 carrying handles. The compact size of Kukmara uchag makes it easy to transport and store.
The height of "Kukmara uchag" is 64 cm, and the diameter is 37.4 cm.
The average cost is 3000 rubles.
This model is new for 2022. "Kaiser 12T" has a convenient damper to control the traction force, its height will not cause inconvenience in the cooking process, and a high chimney will not allow clothes to be saturated with smoke.There is also a removable tongue, thanks to which the fuel will not be on the ground. The design has a flame cutter, with its help there will be a greater contact of the pot with the flame. There is a circular blower, it provides a good combustion process, since air will flow from all sides. There are hinges on the doors that allow it to be fixed both in the open and in the closed position. The diameter of the "Kaiser 12T" allows the use of pots with a volume of 12 liters, as well as 16-17 liters.
The design of the "Kaiser 12T" is made of steel 3 mm thick. The legs have a collapsible design, and when fastened, they will create a reliable support and not go deep into the ground.
The average cost is 5500 rubles.
"Berel-360" is a steel product suitable for cauldrons with a volume of 8 liters. The wall thickness is 3 mm. "Berel-360" has a thermal paint coating that can withstand heating up to +700 degrees. There is an ash box and a blower, thanks to this, during operation it will be not only clean, but also safe. The manufacturer has provided a remote fuel channel, now you can easily use long firewood for burning. The Berel-360 firebox has an inclined door that will close on its own. It is also possible to outweigh the door, thereby changing the opening side for greater comfort. On the bottom of "Berel-360" there are additional stiffening ribs, which will prevent the product from deforming during operation.In order not to smell of smoke during the cooking process, there is a collapsible chimney, its height is almost 2 meters.
The diameter of the furnace is 36 cm, and the weight is 24.7 kg.
The average cost is 11,000 rubles.
This model is made of sheet steel. Its thickness is 3 mm. "Kazanka-370" can be used not only as a stove for a cauldron, but also as an outdoor hearth. Although this model has a simple design, it is very convenient and reliable in operation.
The size of "Kazanka-370" is 37 * 52 cm. And the weight is 13.9 kg. Suitable for cauldrons with a volume of 8 and 12 liters.
The average cost is 3000 rubles.
Food cooked outdoors is much tastier. In addition, in nature, everyone has an excellent appetite. Therefore, do not save on such a useful product. Get quality models that have a good wall thickness. This is one of the important criteria on which the life of the furnace will depend. But do not forget the rules for caring for the product. It is necessary to clean the soot from the inside, punch and clean the soot from the chimney and remove the ash in a timely manner.