Pie Irons? Brands? Where to buy? Recipes?

[labdogs42]

I want to get a pie iron/hobo pie maker thingy for camping and I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion of what brand to buy, what to avoid, etc. I remember them from when I was a kid, but I don't remember the details and I know my dad got rid of his years ago . So, any suggestions are appreciated. recipes would be great, too! Thanks!

 

[VACAMPER]

i believe bigdisneydaddy is the expert on this one

 

[BradyBz12]

I know Cabelas sells them.

Favorite recipe from my childhood....

Butter 2 slices of Wonder Bread on one side (must be squishy white bread)

Place in pie iron, butter side out

Add blob of cherry pie filling (or other fruit pie filling of your choice), close up and cook until GBD (golden brown and delicious)

Just don't forget the inside will be the equivalent to molten lava when you bite down!!

Other good fillings:

Cheese, cheese and more cheese

Peanut butter, jelly & Marshmallow Fluff - together (mmmm... gooey-est thing you'll ever eat - bring a drop cloth!)

 

[DisneyBishops]

What the heck is a pie iron? Is that something they use to make cow pies?

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I don't know about "expert" but I have made a few pies in my days.

Personally I like the round irons, I have bought them from a number of places such as hardware stores and Bass pro shops, look for the thick sturdy round ones. For some reason I don't like the square ones but I really couldnt tell you why

we use white bread (wonder)with Pam cooking spray most of the time, margarine is good and butter is the best but you have to be careful that it doesnt get too hot and burn. Always trim your crust after closing the iron and dont overfill or they will spit out (practice makes perfect)

These are some of the ones we have made:

Peanut butter and jelly
beef stew (use a can of hormel stew)
grilled cheese
ham and cheese
breakfast which includes and egg, ham and cheese (be sure to cook the egg thoroughly enough, this one takes some practice but the payoff is great)

pizza (use the canned pizza sauce with shredded cheese and whatever you like on a pizza.

any fruit pie filling will work, apple, blueberry etc etc


sometimes we will make entire meals just from the pie irons.

 

[BradyBz12]

breakfast which includes and egg, ham and cheese (be sure to cook the egg thoroughly enough, this one takes some practice but the payoff is great)

Ooh - this sounds right up DH's alley!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Ooh - this sounds right up DH's alley!

My oldest son (18) actually came up with the idea a few years ago and has since perfected it.

At the state parks we cook in the fire frequently. We make baked potatoes of course but we also will make beef or chicken seasoned and wrapped in foil.

You can also cook the pies over charcoal, using the grilles at FW. Its a little slower process but it does work.

I would also suggest a strong butter knife and a good heavy split cowhide, insulated glove when making pies. The glove for the obvious reason will protect from burns, especially helpful until you become more practiced. The knife is for popping the closing latch. The best way to close the pie maker is to swing the latch over near the handle and then slide it down to the pie iron head, this will get you a good clamp and then you can trim the bread with the same knife. Make sure and keep others away when you are doing this in case it slips, you will be pushing away from yourself so there isnt any danger to you. When opening the pie iron you can either slide the latch back towards the handle with the knife or if you lay the knife parallel with the rod and then pry the open end of the latch off of the rod, it will come right open.

Of course I am available to come to FW and teach these techniques. Please PM me and I will give you the address to send the $900 in fuel cards to along with my prepaid ressies number.

I am a "giver" just trying to make the world a nicer place one pie at a time.....