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Curry Chat => Lets Talk Curry => Topic started by: chriswg on May 10, 2011, 02:57 PM

Title: Which Tandoor?
Post by: chriswg on May 10, 2011, 02:57 PM
So it's my birthday in a week and my lovely wife suggested I combine the usual family money presents to buy a tandoor for the garden. What a fabulous idea I thought!

Having a look online I dont seem to be spoilt for choice. Spice of India and thetandoorclayoven.co.uk both have very similar looking options, presumably built in the same place but with different badges on.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Has anyone used either, and if so, were they any good? The videos didn't inspire confidence in how much heat they can generate. Can I use a gas ring instead of charcoal with it? I love the idea of having one, but at around ?300 its a big investment if it hardly gets used!
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: Malc. on May 10, 2011, 04:16 PM
Chris, if I were you, I would follow Mick's lead and see if you can hunt down a second hand commercial gas unit. With restaurants closing on a regular basis at the moment you may well strike lucky.

I can't say I have experienced the smaller units that you mention, but based on videos i've seen of them being used, I wouldn't buy one.  :-\
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: chriswg on May 10, 2011, 06:14 PM
There was a restaurant gas one on Ebay today that has now finished. I was tempted but it was massive. Something like 750x800x900. I dont have anywhere to put it, I need a curry shed!
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: Stephen Lindsay on May 10, 2011, 08:11 PM
why not buy a curry shed instead!!!!
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: Curry Barking Mad on May 10, 2011, 10:01 PM
Quote from: Stephen Lindsay on May 10, 2011, 08:11 PM
why not buy a curry shed instead!!!!

You know it makes sense...!
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: Malc. on May 10, 2011, 10:23 PM
Quote from: Curry Barking Mad on May 10, 2011, 10:01 PM
Quote from: Stephen Lindsay on May 10, 2011, 08:11 PM
why not buy a curry shed instead!!!!

You know it makes sense...!

What they say ^^^^^ ;)
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: chriswg on May 11, 2011, 02:54 PM
That would be nice but we don't really have the space.

What is it that make tandoors different? My main incentive for getting one it to cook killer naan breads. The chicken tikka / shiek kebabs taste just perfect on the BBQ already. Is it specifically clay that makes them taste better or would any stone do?

What Im thinking is getting a cheap clay tile, taking the middle tray out of the BBQ and putting the tile right by the flames for 20 mins. When it is super hot I can lift it up, slap a naan on the bottom of it, then lower it back down so the naan is facing the lava rocks. Is that radically different to a tandoor? I know their sides reach unthinkable temperatures but is the air inside them much hotter than 250 degrees?

I can see a trip to B and Q coming up soon!
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: Malc. on May 11, 2011, 03:03 PM
Chris, the Indian Garden Tandoor Oven operates at a temperature of roughly 430c !
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: chriswg on May 11, 2011, 04:09 PM
Yes, but do they measure an inside temperature or a wall temperature?
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: Malc. on May 11, 2011, 04:36 PM
I believe that is the internal operating temperature Chris.
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: Cory Ander on May 12, 2011, 03:31 AM
Quote from: chriswg on May 11, 2011, 02:54 PM
What is it that make tandoors different?

Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: mickdabass on May 12, 2011, 04:11 PM
Hi Chriswg

I have a spicesofindia Tandoor and Im having loads of fun with it.

One of the best things I have bought.

Its good because its portable so I can keep it inside when the weathers cold.
Im sure frost and porous clay are a bad combination.
Its a bit heavy (35 - 40 Kg) but its got some good heavy duty casters and a good zip up canvas cover.
Title: Re: Which Tandoor?
Post by: mickdabass on May 12, 2011, 04:13 PM
http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5351.0 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5351.0)