Choofers

[Frank & Brenda]

G'day all, I have found out that the cookers made out of gas bottles are called CHOOFERS, here's some photos of the one I made, got a 9kg (make sure it is COMPLETELY empty) fill with water first to make sure, drilled 9 holes in the bottom, made grill to fit about 25mm from bottom (for fire), cut hole for door (used lazer disk, much thinner), cut top off, make grill to fit top (for pots/pans etc) my grill also has 4 hooks on it and fits inside to hold S/S bucket, to warm water for washing or what ever, also holds bread tin and covers with an old wok lid over the top of the choofer to make oven for bread/roast etc,etc, I can also fit a camp oven in it, a small piece of fibro cement sheet fits under the bread tin to prevent burning at the bottom, also made a BBQ plate for it, welded 3 large bolts at the bottom in which the legs fit, using a centre punch, made a small indent in the legs and they screw on (saves the falling off when moving it), and welded a piece of chain at the back to act as a handle (I carry a welding glove for that), you'll see in pic1 and 3 that the door has an extention on the bottom left hand corner and there is a cut out coresponding on the choofer, that is to accomodate the gas ring in case of fire bans. We haven't yet used it on the road but have trialed it at home for a barbie, and to cook bread which was hand kneeded, and warmed water in the bucket after we finished the barbie, cant wait to get out there.

[Tech Tom]

That's a great idea Frank and Brenda. Nothing beats freshly baked bread. I wouldn't use it on the road though! Someone might run over it. What do you recommend for fuel if there isn't a fire ban?

Cheerio Tom

[Frank & Brenda]

G'day Tom, not use it on the road, har har Tom, we'll be carrying some heat bricket/beads but also use fire wood, as I said in aprevious thread (here's another, I think) we saw some of these on the road, er trip, and they use very little wood/fuel, I think that is due to the majority of the heat going up to the top, where as with a camp fire, a lot of heat is lost to the sides.

[Shaggy Dog]

F'n'B,
G,day.
Are you taking orders ?
I have given the odd thought to something like that as the NSB will verify but have not as yet come up with anything worthwhile.
Thats clever and sadly beyond my ability.
Take it easy.
SD

[Frank & Brenda]

G'day shaggy, sorry orders not taken, though I have thought of making a couple and see how selling them goes, the gas bottle checking depot close to us says I can have, out of date bottles for a couple of dollars, though they punch a hole in the side so I'll need 2 bottles for one choofer, but they are not copyright so just go by the photos and the description, go for it, give it a go.
A guy on another web site is writing a magazine article on them at the moment and has asked me to send him some photos to publish with the article, don't know which mag, but it should be interesting to see all the different ones out there, speaking of magazines, Brenda's and my profile is supposed to be in the next issue of C&M (113, June) due out in the next week or so, if you're interested.

[Shaggy Dog]

F'n'B,
How goes it.
I plan to follow up on your "Choofer".
The wedding planned for this weekend will produce a Son in Law who has the many and various skills associated with glueing metallic objects together.
I have encouraged this union as I have need of a welder in the family and the "Choofer" will be a good first project for him to ingratiate himself with his new Father in Law.
I will let him get back off his honeymoon of course, and give him a short grace period before dropping the manufacture of the "Choofer" on him.
I intend to purchase a copy of the Mag , once located,so he has the necessary information to assist him with the project. I need to be as helpful as I can.
Take it easy.
SD
Will keep an eye out for the June [email="C@M"]C@M[/email]

[D & G]

Loved the photos of your choofer, we have had one for some years which was a rough copy of my brothers, which was a copy of someone elses. Ours is made specificly for the camp oven. Has the grate in the bottom with vent holes & the top cut so the camp oven actually sits inside up to the collar on the oven. Have slits down from the opening allowing for a good draw, also allows heat to travel upward around the oven better. Have used it extensively, especially when doing the slow march to The Tip. Have seen some mighty fancy ones but ours does all we want.
Have found it extremelly handy when in place with fire restrictions as the fire is completely enclosed. Have always used easy light heat beads for fuel as saves burning some critters home.

[Frank & Brenda]

G'day D & G, if you look at picture 2 you'll see 4 hooks welded around the top lip, under the grill, these are for the camp oven to sit on and kep a gap, when I first made it and used thecamp oven they were not in place and didn't allow for good draw, now with the hooks there I get plenty of heat, as you say there are many fancy ones out there, but we have what we need.

[Rolex]

I made a simpler choofer, I purchased 2 large stainless steel pots with handles and lids from the $2 shop for $12, I drilled a hole in the center of both and put the bases together and attached them with a bolt & wing nut. one pot is the stand the other is the fire pit on whitch I used a grinder 3" above the base horizontally cut 3x3" groves then bent just above the grove inwards to allow air flow ( drill holes will work )this stops the smoke. I drilled lots of holes in one lid to boil the billy or cook on. the other lid is used to smother the flames and keep the ash under control when not in use & the wind blows. the pots are light & fit inside each other, they can be used for storage or rubbish, with a rubber washer over the bolt you can use it as a bucket or even a ice bucket for your wine on a hot day. when I build somthing I like it to have more than one use and bolt together to simplify the build.

[Frank & Brenda]

G'day Rolex, sounds good do you have any pictures? Every idea is good and some one might like to copy.