CanCooker Makes Food Fast

CanCooker Makes Food Fast FARM HOME Food 34-1-33 If you want to feed a crowd fast, Seth McGinn's CanCooker is the way to go. Load up the 16-in. high, 10-in. dia. pot with vegetables and meat, add 12 oz. of liquid, and you'll have food for 20 an hour later. "It's like a crock pot on steroids or convection cooking with steam," says Sonja McGinn. "The meat comes out tender, and the vegetables aren't over cooked. Carrots taste like carrots, and cabbage tastes like cabbage." The CanCooker and the cooking method are patterned after the old ranch practice of cooking up a big meal on the range in a milk can. The McGinns have substituted high quality aluminum for the milk can. The 1060 grade aluminum has the highest heat transfer rate next to copper. Weighing only four lbs., the CanCooker has caught on fast since the McGinns started selling their patented cooker in June. "We've sold more than 5,000 units," says Sonja. "We sold more than 250 in three days at Husker Harvest Days." The McGinns are handling all procurement and marketing themselves, with Seth on the road to hunting and fishing, consumer and farm shows every weekend. As a result, Seth's sampler CanCooker gets a lot of use. "He has used it for demonstrations about 300 times, and it still looks brand new," says Sonja. "If you spray the inside with cooking spray before you cook, the CanCooker is easy to clean. Even if a little food does stick, just add water and soap, reheat and it will wash away easily." The CanCooker consists of the pot and a cover with two latches. A steam valve prevents pressure buildup while maintaining adequate cooking steam inside. Virtually any heat source can be used from propane burners to campfires and charcoal grills to the stovetop. Sonja says the secret is a moderate heat. Within 20 min. steam develops, and after another 40 to 50 min., the food is done. "People like it because the food is healthy for you," she says. "You don't use any oil, just steam. You can use any liquid from water to beer to fruit juice. Hunters tell us they like to use orange juice with venison and gamey meats." The company website includes a number of recipes developed by Sonja, Seth and others. "My father makes a steamed chocolate cake with his. I wasn't sure till I tasted it. Now we offer samples of it when we are at shows." While the unit is designed to feed crowds, Sonja emphasizes it works even faster with smaller amounts. Her parents use theirs cooking for two on a weekly basis. Suggested retail price is $99 though in-store prices may vary. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, CanCooker, Inc., 925 W 6th St., Fremont, Neb. 68025 (ph 402 964-2172; toll free 877 844-2772; info@cancooker.com; www.cancooker.com).

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