Backpacking oven

Abstract

A portable oven includes a pivotable lid having a circumferential lip for retaining fuel atop the cooking vessel. The oven also includes a pair of opposing legs that creates space underneath the cooking vessel for additional fuel. Thus, foodstuff inside the vessel is heated on at least two opposing sides, thereby ensuring even heat distribution. The portable oven is lightweight and without detachable parts, uses natural fuel such as wood, and therefore is particularly well suited for backpacking and other outdoor endeavors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cooking apparatus including:
 a. A substantially rectangular vessel;   b. A lid engaged with said vessel; and   c. Two opposing legs engaged with said vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said vessel includes 4 walls and a planar bottom surface. 
     
     
         3 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said 4 walls define an open top, said top having a greater area than said bottom. 
     
     
         4 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said lid includes a substantially planar platform and circumferential lip extending upward from said platform. 
     
     
         5 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said circumferential lip extends substantially perpendicularly upward from said platform. 
     
     
         6 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a closure permanently engaged with said vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said closure is releaseably engaged with said lid. 
     
     
         8 . A lightweight oven including:
 a. An substantially planar upper platform having a circumferential lip for retaining fuel;   b. An enclosed vessel for retaining foodstuff including four lateral walls and a planar bottom, said platform forming the uppermost boundary of said vessel; and   c. Exactly two opposing legs extending downwardly from said planar bottom.   
     
     
         9 . The lightweight oven of  claim 8  further including a closure having a hooked distal end, said distal end engageable with said lip. 
     
     
         10 . The lightweight oven of  claim 8  wherein said circumferential lip is approximately 0.75″ high. 
     
     
         11 . The lightweight oven of  claim 8  wherein said circumferential lip has a perimeter of approximately 15.0″. 
     
     
         12 . The lightweight oven of  claim 8  wherein said vessel is constructed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         13 . The lightweight oven of  claim 8  wherein said legs create a clearance of approximately 1″ between said planar bottom and a resting surface. 
     
     
         14 . A method of baking bread including the steps of:
 a. Inserting dough into a vessel having a substantially planar bottom;   b. Enclosing said vessel by lowering a pivotable lid;   c. Positioning fuel underneath said substantially planar bottom;   d. Positioning fuel atop said pivotable lid; and   e. Allowing ignited fuel to cook dough within said vessel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of positioning fuel underneath said substantially planar bottom includes the step of positioning fuel between two opposable legs extending downward from said substantially planar bottom. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further including the step of selecting fuel from the group consisting of charcoal briquettes, wood, leaves and paper. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of securing said pivotable lid with a closure.