On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, it is at the tenant farm with the cook, the tenant farmer and two guests eating. This takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Loucks’ farm, where 6 people sit down to eat…two farmers, the cook and invited guests from around the village. Each day there is a dinner served around the noon hour in one historic kitchen. Slip fresh coals underneath as needed for longer cooking times.Our two main historic kitchens at the village are Loucks’ summer kitchen, with an 1800’s cookstove and the tenant farmhouse with an open hearth. The oven will maintain temperature for 45-55 minutes. This homemade oven bakes using only 10-14 charcoal briquettes.Ĭontrol the temperature by using one coal for about every 35 degrees desired. This oven is a great inexpensive tool for cooking outdoors in an emergency. Never use indoors!! Charcoal produces large amounts of carbon monoxide. The coals need adequate oxygen to burn well. Do not use synthetic fabrics that burn at low temperatures. I probably will not put windows in again.Ī towel or small blanket placed over the top of the box will increase insulation. Notice that it is difficult to visualize the food through the window. This is a photo of the apple box reflector oven while baking. They would have been fine if I had slipped some new coals in there. The brownies never got quite done because the coals died out. When I took the lasagna out the coals were still hot, so I decided to bake brownies using the same coals. Our frozen lasagna turned out perfect! However, we encourage you to experiment because it takes a little time to figure it out. Avoid peaking … you lose a lot of heat when you lift the lid. Place the apple box reflector oven on top and allow to bake. Get creative and use what you have available. We increase the efficiency (and conserve fuel) by placing an inverted grill liner on top of the aluminum foil before adding coals to reduce heat conduction from the ground. Lit charcoals are placed on the aluminum foil. We use a modified portable grill, which is unnecessary but makes it very convenient and sturdy. You can place a standard metal cooling rack on cans filled with dirt or rocks to make them a little more stable at each corner. You will need a rack to place the food on so it sits a little above the hot coals. The tape is handy for quick repairs when the foil tears from use. Cover every bit of the box or it will burn. We used spray glue to help stick the aluminum foil to the cardboard and then sealed with aluminum foil tape. Notice the notches cut on the bottom of each side to allow for adequate oxygen flow to the charcoals. In this version, we constructed a window using an oven safe bag. A sturdier box could be made by placing the bottom inside the top – doubling the strength. Most grocery stores will give you an apple box free for the asking. NEVER, NEVER, use charcoal indoors as it produces deadly carbon monoxide! How to Make an Apple Box Charcoal Reflector Oven Materials NeededĪll you need to create this inexpensive charcoal reflector box oven is an apple box lid from a grocery store, heavy-duty aluminum foil, aluminum foil tape, spray adhesive (optional), a cooling rack or folding camp grill. The apple box oven is for outdoor use only! Charcoal is inexpensive and stores well indefinitely. It is an effective way to bake using charcoal. This simple homemade box oven is constructed using the lid to an apple box and bakes using only 10-14 charcoals.
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