Cooking, being in the outdoors, and attending sporting events are among my favorite pastimes. When I can do them all together, I am in heaven. While I enjoy cooking over a campfire, it’s not always practical—like in a stadium parking lot. The Coleman Signature Series Portable InstaStart Stove Oven is perfect for camping, hunting, tailgating or cookouts in the backyard.

The instructions for assembly and usage were straightforward and easy to follow. Initial assembly took less than fifteen minutes and required installing handles and wind guards with a Phillips-head screwdriver. You will also need a 16.4 oz. disposable propane cylinder and one AA battery (if the stove oven gets wet, the igniter may not spark. In this instance, long matches would be necessary to light the burners).

Once the stove oven was assembled, the most difficult task was getting the stove oven heat to the correct temperature. After I resolved this issue through trial and error, I was able to bake biscuits in the oven and fry eggs and sausage on the stove. The food turned out as well as if I had cooked it at home in the kitchen.

To prevent a cooking mishap, I recommend that you try the stove oven at home in your backyard using the same recipes you will be using on your camping, hunting, or tailgating excursion. That way you will be able to determine what, if any, adjustments to time, equipment or ingredients are needed.

Quality

Constructed of rugged steel and coated with a durable enamel finish, the Coleman InstaStart Stove Oven should resist erosion and provide years of reliable service.

The unit’s two 6,000 BTU burners, easily lit by the matchless igniter, cooked evenly and efficiently. While the oven proved difficult to set to the correct temperature, once adjusted appropriately, it too cooked evenly. Most notable about the oven is the fact that it can accommodate a 12” pizza.

The overall dimensions of the stove oven are 26.13”L x 19.13”W x 17.81H. The oven dimensions are 15"W x 5.5"H x 13.5"D. The unit weights 41 lbs. Carry handles on the sides provide ease of portability to and from your site.

Reliability

The burners and oven lit easily. As previously mentioned, the only issue with the stove oven was the fact that it was difficult to set the oven to the correct temperature. This is due to the fact that the temperature is not automatically regulated. You have to adjust the temperature with the control knob and then continuously monitor the baking process.

Price/Value

The Coleman Signature Series Portable InstaStart Stove Oven retails for $249.99. This price is comparable to similar competitors’ models. For outdoor foodies, this is an excellent value for the money.

Referability

I would absolutely recommend the stove oven to anyone who likes to cook outdoors. The two burners combined with the size of the oven make it ideal for family campouts, hunting trips, tailgating parties or backyard barbecues.

Images by Billie McDaniels