COOKS IT ALL
FIREDISC PORTABLE COOKER
Igrew up understanding that there’s the right tool for the right job, and to tackle any job with the wrong tool was just asking for trouble. When we talk about tools, most people think of screwdrivers, box wrenches, power drills and the like. They’re not wrong, as those most certainly are tools. But for the culinary minded, the term tools also include stoves, knives, mixing bowls and anything else you might use to cook with for that matter.
As you are probably well aware, outdoor cooking is an art unto itself. The act of cooking in a non-controlled environment presents many challenges that cooking in the kitchen does require you to contend with. Weather is the main factor followed by the availability of cooking tools such as a stove, fuel to power your stove’s heat, the list goes on. Let’s focus on stoves for the moment.
On a recent trip I took, I was tasked with cooking for a group of four. I brought along one of my trusty double burner compact camp stoves and everything went well for a while. All was fine and dandy until another group of friends decided to crash our little cookout and brought along six more hungry mouths. That little stove of mine wasn’t cutting it any longer.
For those times, a FireDisc would have certainly been the right tool for the right job. FireDisc is a portable propane-powered cooker that breaks down into three pieces for ease of transport and storage. It isn’t a small stove by any stretch of the imagination, so if you’re looking to throw a stove into your backpack and climb to the peak of K2, this is not the answer. While it is not compact, it is portable. What it is great for are outdoor cookouts where you need to prepare either generous amounts of food or a wide variety of food, or both. At the heart of the FireDisc is a 22-inch diameter cooking surface that allows for three separate zones of cooking surface temperatures. When turned on, the propane-powered heat emanates from the center, making the center the hottest area of the cook surface. The heat then dissipates towards the outer rim, which is how the disc provides varying levels of cooking temperatures. The disc’s surface is quite porous, which creates a seasoning affect like that of an iron skillet. Just like your favorite seasoned pan, the more you cook on it, the better flavor you get from the FireDisc.
When you combine the FireDisc’s generous cooking area with three separate temperature zones, what you get is the capability of cooking different foods at the same time. Sear some steaks in the center while you roast some potatoes on the side, the disc can cook it all.
When we cooked with the FireDisc, we were impressed with how quickly it heated up. Getting a feel for where the temperature zones are does take some getting used to, however. We imagine with more time behind the grill, we’d be able to get the hang of it. If you’re looking for a more even heat throughout the entire disc, such as for simmering chili or a stew, we suggest plenty of stirring as the surface of the disc is inherently unevenly heated. This was not an issue for us, however. For fuel, it takes both the compact one-pound propane tank as well as five-pound tanks.
Setup took us a minute, if that. It's a simple process of nesting the two leg units together then setting the FireDisc on top and screwing in the propane regulator and tank. When cooking on uneven ground, the cooker’s
adjustable stand allows it to be set up even.
The FireDisc we tried stands 36 inches in height, which is perfect for upright cooking while standing. An even more compact version of the unit is available that stands 24 inches tall. With portability in mind, it is designed to fold up and lay flat, so that it can be slid into the back of your vehicle’s cargo area without any protrusions such as screws, nuts or bolts to worry about. To clean FireDisc, wash it off with water and wipe it with oil. No soap is needed.
For those times when you’ve got many mouths to feed or if you want the luxury of cooking more than one dish at a time, the FireDisc promises to be able to cook it all. The company’s website is filled with delectable recipes that can help you get the most out of your FireDisc cooker. Check them out at: firedisccookers.com/recipes.