Dishes cooked in a cauldron are especially tasty. The whole secret is that during cooking of a cauldron, not only the bottom heats up, like in pots, 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 delicious, it should be cooked correctly. And for this the cauldron needs a special oven.
Content
Before talking about stoves, you should understand the dishes and their features. Today, many people mistakenly call various pots or pans with thick walls as cauldrons. The main distinguishing feature of the cauldron is the rounded bottom, which is specially designed for cooking over 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 the bottom. Also, due to the fact that cauldrons have rather thick walls, food during cooking will not burn and stick to the dishes.
Today there are many different manufacturers of cauldrons. Many are improving their models with a non-stick coating, but, despite this, the most popular and demanded type of cauldron is the cast-iron version of the product, which has thick walls. 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 lovers of Asian cuisine, this option may not work. Indeed, for frequent use, it is better to purchase a special oven. This way you can significantly save on fuel, spend less time and effort on starting a fire. After all, here not only the fire will be protected from the wind by the walls, but the cauldron itself. When preparing food on a special stove, the walls will warm up faster, this will shorten the cooking time, and the finished dish will not cool down for a long time.
There are several variations of cauldron ovens, it all depends on what, where and how often you plan to cook. But each of these options connects the presence of a recess where the pot itself is placed. Thanks to this design, heat will be distributed evenly over the entire surface of the cookware.
By their design, the furnaces are stationary and mobile. The first option can be installed in the courtyard of a country house or summer cottage. But stationary models are of several types. The most popular and reliable is the brick option.It is quite simple to make it, and even a person unfamiliar with brickwork can handle it. There is no one specific option for masonry, everyone, when building such a furnace, strives to ensure that the heat reaches the pot as quickly as possible, and the heat is evenly distributed.
Clay ovens are also popular. For this, a small hole is dug in the ground, where the cauldron is installed. Then the free space is filled with clay and small stones. When all clay manipulations are completed, holes for fuel and smoke should be dug. The oven is now ready for use. It should be noted 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. Typically, manufacturers use steel or cast iron. High-quality steel stoves must have a wall thickness of at least 3 mm, otherwise the metal will quickly burn out and will not retain the heat necessary for cooking. Cast iron models are much more expensive than steel ones, have thicker walls and a solid appearance. Thanks to this, they better retain heat and distribute it evenly.
For outdoor cooking, mobile stoves are used. They are made of 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.
Also, furnaces are classified by the presence of a pipe. It can be both stationary and mobile. Constructions that have a pipe will help increase heat traction. The pipes can be removable or can be a stationary chimney. The first option is used mostly by mobile models. The stationary chimney is fastened to the hearth and, as a rule, has a damper to control the draft force.
In addition, the designs differ in their dimensions. For a cauldron of large volume, a large oven is required. For this reason, portable versions can accommodate a cauldron of no more than 25 liters. Stationary versions are usually made in large sizes, but in the future it is possible to install replaceable rings there, which will allow in the future to install dishes of different sizes. This makes the stationary oven a versatile device.
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 required holes, do not forget about the handles and additional devices that will be needed in the future.
When the drawing is ready, you should take care of the necessary materials and tools. Of 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. From the tools you will need a drill with various drills, a grinder, a welding machine, a hammer and a level. Also, one should not forget about protective equipment during work.
When everything is ready, you can start assembling the structure. In this case, one should not deviate from the drawing. The initial assembly is also done first. Here is the verification of the holes made in the pipe and their compliance. If everything goes well, then the assembly is carried out 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 top 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 complete, you should carry out a test heating. So you can identify flaws and fix them. After that, it is recommended to cover the structure with fireproof 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 its construction will require its own territory. Those. will need to be installed on the territory of a summer cottage or a private house. Also, do not forget that not a small area will be needed for its construction. 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 thickness of the walls. For frequent use, there are special, more durable options. 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 volumes.
Mobile options come with lightweight walls, but if you use them from time to time, then the service life will be very long. Therefore, when choosing, take into account the weight of the product, a collapsible design. This will facilitate the transportation of the product, and it will not take up much space during storage.
Also consider the presence of legs. This criterion applies to mobile and stationary products. If the hearth is located 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. For its production, cast iron grade SCh15-32 is used.
"PCh-2 (B)" does not require additional cladding, so it can be transferred from one place to another, which gives a certain mobility to the product. Also, the manufacturer has provided for two burners here, but besides this "PCh-2 (B)" is also suitable for heating a room with a volume of 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, which increases heat transfer. They are also decorated with artistic casting, therefore "PCh-2 (B)" is not just a potbelly stove, but will decorate any area.
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 makes it easier to transport the product in the car. And in order to carry the device from place to place, the manufacturer has provided two handles on the oven.
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 stove is made of steel and has a collapsible design. The wall thickness is 2 mm. It is also covered with thermal paint. All smoke during operation will go out into the pipe, which has a damper. Using a damper, you can control the level of fire in the hearth. During operation, the kettle will be securely fixed in the hole, which will not allow it to accidentally fall or topple over. The design of the product is made in such a way that you don't have to bend down constantly while cooking, which is very convenient.
The average cost is 6,400 rubles.
This product is a cauldron oven from the Feringer company. It is suitable both for outdoor use and indoors where good ventilation is provided.
The firebox of this model is made of high quality stainless steel. The outer casing will not get very hot during operation, this will extend the life of the product and prevent it from rusting. The door is made in such a way that it is convenient to open it, and when closed, reliability will be ensured. Also in the door, the manufacturer has installed a system that regulates the blowing. And due to the fact that this part is located in the upper part of the door, the upper combustion will go on. And this will economically consume fuel during operation. To control the combustion process, there is a special glass on the door. The Samarkand chimney is made of stainless steel. Its size is one meter. Initially, it will have a shiny coating, but after use it will darken and will look harmonious with the oven. In addition, the set will include a barbecue 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, wall thickness is 3 mm. To extend the service life of the product, the manufacturer installed a cast iron grate. Traction at the "Berel 400K" is regulated by a damper and an ash box. The chimney and legs are removable, making it easy to transport the product in the car. In addition to the cauldron, you can install a cast-iron barbecue or grate here, as well as a cast-iron stove. You can also add options such as a lid holder, an adapter for an 8 liter pot.
The diameter of the stove is 40 cm, and the diameter of 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 "Kukmorsk Metalware Plant" is suitable for pots made of aluminum or cast iron with a volume of 10-12 liters.
The body of "Kukmara uchag" is made of steel, wall thickness is 2 mm. The top of the product is covered with thermal paint to extend its 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 the 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 2024. "Kaiser 12T" has a convenient damper to control the traction force, its height will not cause any inconvenience in the cooking process, and the high chimney will not allow the clothes to be saturated with smoke. There is also a removable tongue, thanks to which the fuel does not end up on the ground. The design has a flame cutter, with its help there will be more contact between the pot and the flame. There is a circular blowing, it provides a good combustion process, since air will come from all sides. The doors have hinges that allow it to be fixed both in the open and in the closed position. The diameter of "Kaiser 12T" allows the use of pots with a volume of 12 liters, as well as 16-17 liters.
The Kaiser 12T structure is made of steel 3 mm thick.The legs have a collapsible design, and when fastened, they will create a reliable support and will not go deep into the ground.
The average cost is 5500 rubles.
"Berel-360" is a steel product suitable for cauldrons with volumes of 8 liters. The wall thickness is 3 mm. "Berel-360" has a thermal paint coating, which can withstand heating up to +700 degrees. There is an ash box and a blower, thanks to which it will be not only clean, but also safe during operation. The manufacturer has provided a remote fuel channel, now you can easily use long firewood for the fire. 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 more comfort. On the bottom of "Berel-360" there are additional stiffeners, which will not allow the product to deform during operation. In order not to smell of smoke during cooking, there is a collapsible chimney, its height is almost 2 meters.
The oven diameter 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 a street 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 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, you should not save on such a useful product. Buy quality models that have 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 carbon from the inside, punch and clean the soot from the chimney and remove the ash in a timely manner.