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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The Wenzel 1887 camp oven


Pictured above is a Wenzel 1887 camp oven.

1887 does not imply the year it was made. Actually I don't know what 1887 means.

Wenzel camp ovens are unique, in that they have a flat topped lid, but no legs.

That means they can be used with coals outdoors*, or indoors on the stove.

*Because it doesn't have legs, you need a trivet to put over coals.

It was not sold by itself, but as part of a cast iron set that included a skillet and reversible griddle.

Most 12 inch camp ovens are 6 quarts, so I immediately assumed this one would be.


I would have my 6 quart indoor pot, AND a real camp oven.

It was for sale on ebay. The seller claimed she measured it; It held 6 quarts of liquid, and was "about" 4 inches high.

But then I found a few online sources, indicating that it's 7 quarts. My heart sunk.

I hope this seller knew what she was talking about. If not, I'm stuck with another 7 quart pot.

At least I'll have a camp oven to use, instead of my rigged one.

But, if I had suspected it might be 7 quarts, I wouldn't have bid. With the cost of shipping, it's not worth returning.

I could have got a brand new Lodge camp oven for the same price.

So I'll have to find out when it gets here, if I was taken or not. Buyer beware!

***UPDATE: I received this pot today.

It's thick and robust, as a camp oven should be; The lid has a good seal.

I measured it; It's 12 inches across and 4 inches high, which was a good sign.

Then came the liquid test. 7 quarts caused the water line to swell over the top, about to overflow.

So, I'm not sure I'd call this a 7 quart pot-- more like 6 and a half.

I later decided to sell it and get a Lodge.

1 comment:

  1. i have 10.5 inch ci skillet by wenzel does anyone have a pic if you have one?

    ReplyDelete