The original Volcano stove and the collapsible Volcano II are highly efficient portable stoves. They're intended for hunting, camping, fishing, RV use and similar outdoor activities, but can also be useful during power outages or other emergencies. The Volcano II collapses to a flat drum-shaped cylinder only 5 inches high, making it especially convenient. It will cook full meals in a 12-inch Dutch oven, or can be used as a simple grill for cooking hamburgers and similar foods.
Design
The Volcano grill is designed as a high-efficiency burner for wood or charcoal, and can be ordered with an optional propane burner, as well. The design is an expanded version of the chimney-type barbecue starter, drawing air in through vents at the bottom and channeling it across the coals. The combustion chamber narrows at the top, concentrating heat on the cooking surface. The Volcano II, now simply called the Volcano Collapsible, shares the original version's double-wall construction. This keeps the outer surfaces relatively cool, even during high-temperature cooking.
Setting Up
To expand the collapsible grill, just lift up on the handle. It slides open and locks into cooking position. Place the lower rack into the cooker and fill it with one to two dozen pieces of natural or briquette charcoal. Light the charcoal and wait for the bed of coals to form. Lower the heat diffuser into the stove, over the coals. The diffuser ensures even heat at the grill, and also helps prevent flareups when fat drips from the burgers. If you are using a propane-fueled Volcano, insert the burner and place the diffuser over it, then light it.
Grilling
Spray the cooking grill with oil and place it on top of the stove. Adjust the vents at the bottom of the Volcano to contol the airflow, which increases or decreases the heat. When the temperature is stabilized at approximately 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, place your hamburger patties on the grill. A standard quarter-pound patty will need approximately five minutes on each side to reach a safe internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If your burgers scorch before they're done on the inside, close the air vents lightly to reduce the grilling temperature.
Cleanup
Remove the burgers from the grill and allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving. If you're cooking over gas, turn the gas off and shut the valve from the tank. If you've used coals or hardwood, let them burn out while you eat your hamburgers. When the coals have burned out and the Volcano is cool enough to handle, dump the coals into a heatproof bucket or a container of water. Scrub the grills and the heat diffuser plate, and wipe out the inside of the stove with a clean cloth. Oil it lightly and store for the next use.
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