Pre cooking

[Wiener]

Do you guys pre-cook the food that you take out on the ice?

I'm just getting started with food on the ice (other than a sandwich) and I am wondering how much prep work you do before hitting the ice.


Thanks,


Wiener

[DoubleDropTine]

Its easy to pack up potatoes with butter and bbq them on ice,it smells so good, do the same with perch.

[Ice Dog 67]

About the only thing I pre-cook are brats.  And those are usually beer boiled with onions and spices.

[Wiener]

How do you guys actually cook on the ice?

I was going to use my Mr. Heater to warm up some food, but now I'm thinking of buying a Coleman Propane grill.

That would allow me to actually cook on the ice.


Thanks,

Wiener

[Ice Dog 67]

That's exactly what I use Wiener.  If you don't mind the extra space that it takes up it really is a light weight option to cook a full meal.  And if you have a permanent shack you can just leave it out there.  Garage sales, craigslist, and or ebay have them pretty cheap and if it breaks or is stolen you're not out that much.

[eyesonice]

Weiner, you wont regret a small propane grill. I have cooked burgers, brats, chicken and even breakfast on the ice with my propane grill. The only thing about precooking that is good is you can heat it up faster and not have to babysit the grill. Good luck

[Indiana_Lou]

Weiner, I use my Mr.Heater cooker/heater for both. I bring the "Progresso Classic" ready to eat soups. They have the snap-off lids and you don't need to add any water. Good hot soup to warm you up. Also if I bring a sandwich from home I wrap it in aluminum foil. Therefore I can heat it and melt the cheese etc. Don't like to take too much time from the fishing. I do enough cooking when I'm home, don't need to on the ice. One more thing . I did buy a single burner stove that comes in a small plastic case and it uses an eight ounce can of butane. It has an electronic ignition and is very light weight. It seems to burn hotter than the propane cookers too.    Lou

[BIGCREW]

I bring a 2 burner coleman stove and a table top gas grill also,they dont weigh much. and are worth having for me anyway

[Wiener]

Thanks for the help guys.

Hot meals out on the ice will make the tough days a little more bearable.


Wiener

[adkRoy]

I'll make venison stew of chili the night before and bring it out and heat it up on my little propane burner.

[captain54]

Pre cooked is the way to go,a lot faster,more fishing time,but sometimes it's fun cook on the ice,I cook things that don't take long.

[Trooper Bri]

Some times I'll precook or pre-ready ingredients. But yeah, it's fun to do the whole works on the ice if the weather isn't evil.
Bacon can get par-cooked. Saves some cooking time and fat dumping. Gotta save enough fat for eggs & hash though.
Sometimes I'll cut & bag veggies the night before or in the morning before departure. I'll do fajitas once in a while out of a skillet, and can cut everything up the night before.

Since the ocean is close to the ice here, I know a few guys that bring some bling on the ice. Chowders, fish cakes, filets, etc. All stuff that can be prepped at home and finished on site.

All I have is the standard issue green Coleman 2 burner stove. Dependable as the sun, and enough for my tastes. I don't go crazy usually.
I did modify the grate to allow it to sit a couple inches higher to be able to keep something warm without having to monitor it as much. Especially when using thinner cooking vessels. Thead and pics included.

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=86750.0

[yoslick]

Definately do the pre-cook, I do the Chilli's, Sloppy Joes, Taco meats, Bacon Sandwiches, Bratts etc......Put it all in tupperware/plastic bowls and remember the paper plates or foam bowls and your good to go.   2 burner colemans are a life saver besides being able to heat your shanty with it, also nice to make a pot of coffee or hot water for cocoa or cup a soups as well!


Slick

[rgfixit]

I can't help but wonder when y'all get the time to eat all this stuff.

I can barely wolf down a sandwich
RG

[DEADONDYLAN]

usually do chilli in quantity freeze it and take it out with one pot, one burner propane stove. grab hot fried egg and cheese sandwich on toast on the way out the door, cold sammy for lunch, heat chilli and eat before packing her up. That would be a pre dawn to post dark day. Working on my all weekend fishing set up so menus gonna change and probably stove too.

[rickl1968]

I like to pre cook my potatoes in the microwave, then fry them in the morning for breakfast.
 
I also like to make my finnish pancakes ( panakuku ) mixture in a two litre pop bottle and just pour them out into the pan. Makes a whole wack and there is allways someone comin to see what is smelling so good.

[bart]

I precook egg omelets with bacon and cheese. I reheat them on the Buddy Heater in a foil pan. Then place them in warmed up flat bread. Also add ketchup and black pepper that I scarfed from Micky D's. No mess and easy clean up.
I plan on doing a little more experimenting on other meals too.

[acrawfor]

If you want to get some funny looks you could always haul out a load of wood and a grill grate and cook over an open fire. Might make people not invade you space so much too 

[rickl1968]

There is nothing like precooking a few potatoes in the microwave, slicing them in half, adding a bay leaf and 1 minced piece of garlic. Wrap the potato and all in aluminium foil and throw them into the wood stove 15 min before the steaks come off the BBQ.  
Dont forget the sour cream, chives and bacon pieces.

[Curley]

I'll bring the Colman stove for coffee and heating stuff up. My brother is a Chef at the Mohegan Sun Casino and gets pissed when I try to cook. Last time we got together he made some Black Bean soup with cream fresh and spices. All pre cooked. The 2 Game Wardens who checked our licenses loved it too. I've eaten more crispy eggs than I care to mention. seems that's when the flags start popping.    Espresso with a splash of Sambuca can be made in a few minutes and it draws in the neighbors.

[icerod]

If I make fish chowder I will cook the veggies the night before.  I would recommend making the chowder the night before and re heat it on the ice. You don't want to burn it. But man it sure hits the spot on the ice.