Pretzel Can Oven

[Reese]

Another Girl Scout cooking idea....I've never used this one, but sounds neat.

PRETZEL CAN OVEN
Take a 3 pound METAL pretzel / popcorn can (or potato chip) and lay it on it's side. Draw a line 1/3 the distance between the table and the top of the can on both sides of the can. This is where the oven rack will be. Punch (or drill) small holes about 1-1/2" apart down the line on each side. The holes need to be large enough for a metal coat hanger to fit through.
Take several wire coat hangers and straighten them out. Cut them so that you have enough straight pieces for the number of holes. You can get two wires out of each hanger. Put the wires in the holes on one side of the can and out the holes on the other side. This is your rack.

If you have the lid, cut the bottom 1/3 off and file the edge. Make sure the lid covers the area above the rack. This is your oven door. You can just make a door out of heavy duty aluminum foil if you don't have a lid.

Get a small pie pan or Jiffy Pop tin (I prefer the Jiffy pop because they have a handle) to use for your coals. Contour the pie plate to the bottom of the can.

To Use: lay the can on the ground and secure it with logs, rocks, etc to keep it from rolling. Light your coals in the pie plate OUTSIDE THE OVEN. (One briquette = 40 degrees F) After the coals are white, put them in the can and put the lid on. Preheat the oven, with the lid on, for a short time while you prepare your cake/muffins/pizza, etc. Cook your food for the amount of time called for in your recipe.
Use good charcoal and make sure you start out with full briquettes. If the weather is cold, you need to use more coals, cook food longer or really insulate the oven. Try not to open the door until the allotted time as much heat escapes that way.