Fireless cooker made of a woollen blanket for steaming food. The principle of the fireless cooker or Norwegian pot is to place a stewpot in an insulating receptacle after boiling for slow cooking without using a heat source. This specific space-saving model is perfectly suited to nomadic life, especially in a van, but not only, and can be adapted to various sizes of stewpot or saucepan.
Fireless cooker made of a woollen blanket for steaming food. The principle of the fireless cooker or Norwegian pot is to place a stewpot in an insulating receptacle after boiling for slow cooking without using a heat source. This specific space-saving model is perfectly suited to nomadic life, especially in a van, but not only, and can be adapted to various sizes of stewpot or saucepan.
The fireless cooker is a steaming device that has been around for thousands of years. The principle is to place a pot in an insulated container after boiling for slow cooking without a heat source. In addition to saving energy, the other advantage is that the nutrients are preserved. The dishes are tasty because they are cooked slowly; we've tested and approved it extensively, particularly with lentil and soups.
Video overview
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Materials
• A blanket for a double bed (preferably wool)
• Fabric
• Sewing thread
• 2 Velcro strips, approx. 30 cm long
Tools
• A pair of scissors
• Needles
• Pins
• A sewing machine optionally
Step 1 - Preparing insulation
Fold the blanket into thirds and check that this is enough to enclose your stewpot.
Cut the blanket into three squares of equal size
With the rest, cut two squares the width of the stewpot
Sew these two small pieces in top of each other at the centre of one of the larger squares to make a double base for the stewpot
Overlay the three large squares on top of each other
Sew them together by hand around the edges
Step 2 - Making the cover
Cut the fabric to cover both sides of the blanket squares
Cut two Velcro strips about 30 cm long
Position the Velcro strips on the fabric, making sure that the two opposite sides overlap when you close the Norwegian pot on the stewpot.
Secure the Velcro strips to the fabric with pins
Sew them to the fabric
Fold the fabric in half, overlapping the edges
Sew two edges of the fabric together to make the cover
Slide the blankets squares into the cover
Stitch in the centre to keep the blankets in place inside the cover
Sew the last edge of the cover. You can also sew on a zip to make the cover easier to wash.
You can now use your Norwegian pot!
Step 3 - Using the fireless cooker
Start cooking on the heat using your most isolated pot
Place the lid on the pot and bring to the boil.
Further cook for a few minutes (depending on the recipe chosen, the pre-cooking time will vary).
Place your Norwegian pot wide open on a flat surface
Stop cooking and place the boiling stewpot in the centre of the Norwegian pot
Close the edges with the Velcro strips, taking care not to leave any gaps between the pot and the fabric.
Allow to stew inside the Norwegian pot for the minimum time required according to the recipe, usually double the normal cooking time.
Open the pot and check that it is cooked through and still hot.
All you have to do now is enjoy your tasty recipe.
Step 4 - Tips
A wool blanket will limit the number of layers you need to use for insulation, but you can use other insulating materials.
Velcro straps allow you to use different sizes of stewpot or saucepan. Make sure you make your Norwegian pot with the largest pot you're going to use.
We recommend that you recycle materials. You can find woollen blankets and cotton fabrics at recycling centres.
When cooking, it's best to choose a cast-iron or terracotta casserole, as the heat loses more slowly, but the most important thing is that the lid fits the pan properly so that it doesn't leak.
Tighten the Velcro straps as much as possible to prevent heat loss.
Make sure that there is enough water in the pot to simmer for several hours.
If you have left your dish to simmer for more than 2 hours, there is a risk that the temperature will have fallen below 60 degrees and that bacteria will have developed. It is therefore advisable to bring your dish to the boil before eating it.
You can use your Norwegian pot as a quilt over your duvet for extra warmth around the feet especially when it is still warm after having cooked!