Is Cook Partner the best? Money vs. Quality

[xcmountain80]

Umm grill pan? This is what I plan on using when grilling steaks or a cast iron pan (they taste so much better in cast iron). The 18" like I have will accommodate a grill pan easily and be useful when wanting to cook bacon, steaks, and such. Flip it over and make pancakes, eggs, and whatever else you may want.

A

I sent an email to partner and this is what I got:



----- Original Message -----
To: camp@partnersteel.com
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 1:44 PM
Subject: Grill question


Hi,

I need a heavy duty grill for cooking steaks thats built like your stoves. Do you have any sugestions?

Thanks

Reply:
Sorry, we've looked into this problem, and decided that we shouldn't do that - too great a cost.



Any sugestions here?

 

[TangoBlue]

Way to go Aaron!

OBTW Cook Partner also makes 3 sizes of adonized griddles that go nicely with the stove - equally overbuilt for a lifetime of service, or like you suggested any grilling pan will do.

 

[xcmountain80]

Wow those are overbuilt! Yep they could work too!

A

 

[lostworldexpedition]

We have been on the road since July of last year and over 17,500 miles... IMHO there is no substitute for our Partner Steel stove. It is quite possibly one of the few things we have that we cannot do without. I think that if you like to cook, it is THE choice. I sometimes cook for large groups of folks (other travelers) and this stove puts out as much heat as you need. My only complaint is that it is kind of hard to simmer, I wish I would have purchased a flame diffuser before leaving the U.S.

I think it all boils down to what you need... space requirements, durability, fuel consumption, fuel type, etc... We tested a Brunton (model name escapes me) and it was not quite there for us (flimsy) and poorly design fuel port, it would be great for outings on weekends or a week here and there, but everyday use for a year and a half= no way. We also tested a Camp Chef and I loved it, but it was way to big for our needs.

Sorry for the verbose reply... I really like this stove!

6 months and coffee is still the best thing to wake up with

 

[lostworldexpedition]

...Ahh blackened Whole snapper and Hogfish,

A

Tonight was Moroccan Pork in the black iron deep skillet with cous cous.
Aaron

Aaron, do you have some posts in the Overland Chef section? That looks like quite the talent for cooking you got. I would like to see more of your cooking and maybe some recipes, please:drool:

 

[spressomon]

I sent an email to partner and this is what I got:



----- Original Message -----
To: camp@partnersteel.com
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 1:44 PM
Subject: Grill question


Hi,

I need a heavy duty grill for cooking steaks thats built like your stoves. Do you have any sugestions?

Thanks

Reply:
Sorry, we've looked into this problem, and decided that we shouldn't do that - too great a cost.



Any sugestions here?

I've used all kinds of grills and griddles for meat and other edibles when camping including the Partner's. However I bought one of these this past summer and it truly is my favorite. Easy to clean (the Partner isn't), puts a great sear on whatever you're cooking, double duty for hash, scrambled eggs, etc in the morning no problemo and the toughest non-stick I've used to date. I keep it in a zippered neoprene laptop case to protect it in route. Its my current favorite 'system' for grilling and judging from the past 6-months I've concluded my quest for the perfect and compact system (I use it atop a Snow Peak big burner) when grilling over coals isn't practical or convenient.

Calphalon Unison 12" grill pan: http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=15364

And the 12" wok lid I carry works great as needed with the grill pan...

 

[Photog]

I've used all kinds of grills and griddles for meat and other edibles when camping including the Partner's. However I bought one of these this past summer and it truly is my favorite. Easy to clean (the Partner isn't), puts a great sear on whatever you're cooking, double duty for hash, scrambled eggs, etc in the morning no problemo and the toughest non-stick I've used to date. I keep it in a zippered neoprene laptop case to protect it in route. Its my current favorite 'system' for grilling and judging from the past 6-months I've concluded my quest for the perfect and compact system (I use it atop a Snow Peak big burner) when grilling over coals isn't practical or convenient.

Calphalon Unison 12" grill pan: http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=15364

And the 12" wok lid I carry works great as needed with the grill pan...

We just picked up one of those at Target (Grill Pan). It is a great pan/grill. Just no wood smoke for flavor.

 

[xcmountain80]

While this has likely been covered at least a few times, I’ll ask again anyway. I have a trailer now and while my mini stove or backpacking stoves would likely suffice I would like a bigger more dedicated trailer stove and leave the mini’s to outings and non trailer camping activities. We know partner makes the best stove but it comes at a literal price. The old standby is Coleman most likely hands down. My question is should I spend the coin on the Partner or just get a Coleman and save the coin. I do plan on splurging and getting a fancy fiberglass tank (still not sure how to secure it to the trailer) http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=198440F&WT.mc_id=gb1
There is almost a $200 difference between the Coleman and the Partner which could obviously be spent elsewhere, just a thought.

A

As the OP I felt it was time to let the Expo community know that I found the Cook Partner to be worthwhile for my application and use. I opted for the CP after some deliberation and was certain of my purchase after reading a few reviews here and there. I like tough things, and should have been a product tester. In the few weeks I've had the CP it is certainty tough. It reminds me of a Tough Book laptop or pelican case in strength. I Purchased a fiberglass LP tank from Lite Cylinder after seeing the you-tube video and reading reviews from the off-road community and marine folks. I feel these items are a good investment into my camp trailer.


Aaron

 

[TangoBlue]

Not trying to stray too far off topic but Aaron, I've been thinking about the fiberglass tanks. I've seen the videos and read the brochures. I've got a steel 20 lb cylinder but not anxious to lug or secure that potential missle in the bed.

What's your experience so far and what size did you get?

 

[xcmountain80]

I purchased the 10lb tank from compost2006 on eBay. I like it fr looks and weight, I figured just because I have a trailer doesn't mean everything can be heavy. I've cooked a weeks worths of dnners and so far no noticable drop in fuel. Dnt forget you get visual confirmation f your fuel level (huge plus in my book). But overall I like it like a new toy. Need to come up with a few mounting solutions for the trailer nose.

Aaron

 

[Corey]

Thanks Aaron.
I will be deciding over the next month to go with the 18" two burner with windscreen Partner, or the CampChef Denali.

 

[davidv]

I've used a basic Coleman with success for years, but now that I camp with and need to cook for my family of 4 it has proven inadequate. I purchased a Brunton Wind River this summer and it is an awesome piece of equipment. It has a built in cutting board under the lid that stores cooking tools, lighters, knives etc. so when you open the stove up you have your basic cook kit ready to roll. It is listed on the Brunton web site for $631 but if you watch Amazon you will frequently see it for half that price, making comparable to the Cook Partner and a good alternative.

 

[Corey]

Fist I have seen that one.
http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=400
http://www.amazon.com/Brunton-Wind-River-Range-Stove/dp/B002LBHO1Y

I just got the Camp Chef Denali yesterday.
I will try it this season and see how it holds up.
It it lets me down, I will get the Cook Partner in the 18" size.

 

[bump]

My wish list...

My problem with all these stoves is the little round burners. I use a griddle alot and I really like / want a proper burner for a griddle. I have three little Coleman exponent 550B for small stuff. I got that idea off another guy on here.

And I use a nice stainless grill I got at Lowes when I returned a bunch of leftover stuff from a room remodel. Here it is: http://www.comparebarbequegrills.com/portable_grills/bbq_grillware_grill.php

It has a big "U" shaped burner. The griddle loves that. And I use this on top of it for the griddle: http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?PID=142684&w=PQ+JDyOLrQE=

Plus I can use it for a BBQ grill where I can't use firewood.

We use the setup at the beach every weekend too.

Still, I'd really like more of an all in one unit.

 

[CSG]

Those Partners sure look nice but they would be totally wasted on me. I do two things with my stove - heat water and cook eggs and bacon. More often than not I use a small butane restaurant burner which is dandy for my needs, inexpensive, and reliable (so far). I also have a Coleman 2 burner propane job but have almost never used it as it takes up too much room.