The Cedar Journal

cedar strip canoe

Camp Cooking

The Cedar Journal December 1, 2020

This year we added some really cool equipment to our camping inventory. The Jetboil MiniMo that I wrote about on my last blog was one of only a few additions that has enhanced our camping experience. We also added a Yeti cooler, a GoalZero solar system, a solar interior USB lighting system and our beloved CADAC cooking system.

The Hubby using our CADAC camping cooking system this summer. Seen here baking croissant rolls on the pizza stone.

We purchased this small cooking system this Spring to add as our primary cooking system when we use our VW Caddy for camping.

Picture of the CADAC manual illustrating all the pieces.

It seemed like we could prepare about anything on it as it comes with a grill, stove, and flat surface plate for making things like pancakes. We also purchased the small pizza stone to expand our options.

Brand new pizza stone for the CADAC cooking system. I made a carry bag for safely transporting and protecting the pizza stone.

From reviewing my pictures for this blog, it would seem we only used the pizza stone on our camping trips. That is not entirely true, although we were always trying new ideas for our pizza stone, we used all the features available at some point this summer but I guess taking pictures of our pizza stone experiments was more exciting.

Cinnamon roll experiment. We found that maybe some parchment baking paper would protect the stone from the goo of cinnamon roll leaking onto the stone.

We used this grill many times this summer when we were stuck to our house routines. This made it a very special extra to our lock down experience. Since we don’t have a large area for an American size BBQ grill we still were able to enjoy the grill experience with the CADAC without the size of a large grill. The clean up was fast and easy also with the special drip pan that comes with this system.

On one of our canoe/camping trips we made flatbread. What a nice treat while camping!

After a summer of use it was easy to store for the winter in CADAC carry bag and only takes up a small amount of room in one of our storage closets, where it will wait for our next season of camping.

The CADAC grilled a nice chicken breast this summer on this camping trip to Limburg.

What we like about the CADAC cooking system:

Easy to clean.
Compact system with a handy carry bag making it easy to keep everything together and to transport.
Small size making it perfect for two people.
Price was reasonable to other camping grills of the same size.

What we don’t like about the CADAC cooking system:

That the system doesn’t have something to place the hot accessories on after use. If we used the grill and wanted to switch to the stove option the grill would be very hot. Putting it on the grass burns the grass and I am sure is not the best for the grill over a long period of time.
The propane tank and the stove combo is not practical for canoe trips. Perfect for camping at a campground but not for taking on a canoe trip.
All the options available can cause planning issues, making it hard to decide what option you want to use on a trip. (Maybe that is not a CADAC issue but our issue. LOL).
Lack of a wind screen makes it challenging in some locations to maintain a constant even flame.

Wind can be a challenge with any outdoor cooking system. Here I tried to limit the wind with a small windscreen (and my body).

We recommend the CADAC cooking system for car camping, tent camping, and backyard grilling. As this system comes in several sizes it also makes it easy to determine a good size for your camping needs.

cedar strip canoe

Jetboil MiniMo review

The Cedar Journal November 23, 2020

Back in the Spring (April 2020) I ordered a new backpacking stove. I really didn’t need to add to my collection of small camping stoves, I own between 5 to 8 of these small wonders. Why would I need another one? What great marketing ploy made me want this stove?

I liked the look of the MiniMo. Self contained stove camping system that could heat water to boiling point in under three minutes! I read the reviews, it clicked all the core “must have’s” in a hiking/solo camping stove.

I tried at first (this was April 2020) to order one direct from the manufacture and have it sent to The Netherlands. That was not an option due to EU rules, regulations, and industry legal documents. Instead, I ordered one and had it sent to my son in St Louis to test out and to store until I could make it back to the states. Not knowing then, that it could be 2021 before I returned to any outdoor activity or visit to the USA.

I later found in mid-May that the Jetboil MiniMo was available here in The Netherlands through (online only) Bever outdoor store. I could even have the gas canister sent via the mail (you would never see that in the USA!). I ordered and received it in the mail the next day.

The MiniMo broken down, it included a measuring cup, cooking cup with handles and cozy, stove with automatic lighter, stove pan plate for attaching to stove to accommodate larger cooking pans, lid and canister stand.

Yes, the price is correct. This is not a cheap stove!

I couldn’t wait to use this stove and see if it lived up to the reviews. I went to the backyard and tested it out.

Backyard test of the MiniMo

I decided that one of my rice camping dishes would be a good first challenge for the MiniMo.

Bright blue intensely focused flame heats water to boiling in about 2.5 minutes.

My camping rice dish.

I liked that the MiniMo has a wide opening for making a one pot camping dish. The handles on the side of the MiniMo make it easy to steady the pan while stirring, a struggle with most small camping stoves. The intensely focused heat of the flame did make it a challenge cooking without burning at first. All camping stoves, I have found, have “hot” spots and the MiniMo can easily burn food if you are distracted. Although the flame is easier to regulate to simmer than any other camping stove I have used.

What I like, was the MiniMo was extremely easy to clean. I washed it the first time in the kitchen sink. This summer I made several meals while camping, cleanup was so simple by just adding a little water, dish soap, short heating over the flame, rinse, dry and done! Just what I would like if I was out on a long hike with limited water and time.

A hot spot from my rice dish. How easy is the clean up?

I recently used my MiniMo to heat water for coffee at my volunteer job.

Using the MiniMo this summer in combo with our other camping stove.

Using the MiniMo for cooking lunch on our canoe paddle trip this summer.

Dislikes:

I think the lid could use a redesign. I have steam burned my hands several times in trying to life the lid. Solution is a good multitool to lift the lid.
The MiniMo is larger and bulkier than my other backpacking stoves. The bulky nature takes up a large amount room in my backpack.
The lock system for attaching the pot to the burner is difficult to release when cooking is complete. Watch for burns to hands or spills of contents when this happens.
Weight of the MiniMo is heavier than my other backpack stoves, making this not my first choice for longer pack trips.
Price, for less than half what the MiniMo stove costs, smaller backpack stoves will offer the same capabilities.

Likes:

Heats water to boiling point fast! This was a great selling point for me as being able to stop while hiking and get a hot drink in under three minutes us a real moral booster on a cold rainy hiking day.
Can be used as a pot for cooking or as a cup for hot drinks. This is a multi purpose camping cooking system.
Simple and easy clean up.
The handles and cozy make it easy to handle when hot.
Perfect for canoe camping reducing amount of equipment needed for preparing a meal.
Has removable cozy that you can replace or purchase extras in another color or design to fit your hiking moods. I liked this idea of adding color or individual branding to your activity, sadly they didn’t offer any canoe designs and in Europe I was only able to purchase the black cozy.

Recommendations: I would recommend this stove for day trips, canoe paddle trips or car camping. It is efficient in fuel consumption. Has a fast heating time and is easy cleanup.

Flowers

The Cedar Journal November 19, 2020

I wrote last week that it was difficult to believe that it was November with flowers still blooming. A week later and I still feel the same as last week as I captured these images this morning.