Tembo Tusk Skottle Review After Nearly a Decade of Using It

Introduction

When it comes to camping gear, there are a lot of products that look great on paper but don’t hold up once they see real use. After a few trips they get replaced, upgraded, or forgotten in the garage.

The Tembo Tusk Skottle, however, is one of those rare pieces of gear that tends to stick around for years. This is because a combination of its build quality, usability, and functionality.

After nearly a decade of cooking on my Skottle during camping trips, trail runs, and overland adventures, it has become one of the most reliable and enjoyable pieces of camp equipment I own. So much so that I won't go on an adventure without it. What started as an interesting alternative to a traditional camp stove and Jet Boil quickly became the centerpiece of my camp kitchen.

In this review, I’ll walk through my real-world experience using the Tembo Tusk Skottle over the years covering everything from durability and cooking performance to setup, portability, and whether it’s actually worth the investment.

If you’re considering adding one to your camping setup, this long-term unbiased review should help you decide if the Skottle is right for you.

What Is the Tembo Tusk Skottle?

The Tembo Tusk Skottle is a portable camp cooking system built around a large, disc-shaped cooking surface on three adjustable legs and powered by a propane burner.

The cooking surface resembles a shallow wok or oversized griddle. Because of its design, heat spreads perfectly across the cooking surface, allowing you to cook multiple ingredients at once. The size of it also allows you to cook multiple ingredients without mixing them if desired.

The Skottle’s concept is inspired by a South African cooking method that uses a metal disc called a “skottel” to cook food over an open flame. Tembo Tusk adapted this traditional style into a portable system specifically designed for camping and overlanding.

The result is a cooking setup that feels simple but incredibly versatile. We cannot forget about the numerous accessories that work with the Tembo Tusk Skottle that make the experience that much better.

First Impressions and Early Use

The first time I used the Skottle (nearly 10 years ago and a few generations removed from today's version of the Skottle) was on a camping trip where we planned to cook breakfast for several people including my wife and friends.

Up until that point, our typical setup involved a standard camp stove, a couple pans, and the usual juggling act of trying to cook eggs, bacon, and potatoes on two small burners. Of course, that juggling act meant two people at a time got warm food over the course of like 30 minutes. Not ideal.

The Skottle changed that instantly.

With its large cooking surface, we were able to cook everything at once—meat and garlic on one side, tortillas on the other, and green onions in the middle. Instead of rotating pans or waiting for space on the burner, the entire breakfast cooked together.

The first time using the Skottle was a positive experience, but I will have to say we burned some of the potatoes and bacon as we had the heat up too high and did not properly preheat the Skottle. Each time we used it things tasted better and better.

It didn’t take long to realize that the Skottle wasn’t just a novelty piece of gear. It genuinely made cooking at camp easier.

Cooking Performance After Years of Use

Over the years, the Skottle has handled just about every type of meal imaginable.

Some of the most common meals I have cooked on it include:

• Breakfast scrambles
• Bacon and eggs
• Smash burgers
• Stir fry
• Fajitas
• Fried rice
• Tacos
• Vegetables and steak

The cooking surface distributes heat well, which makes it easy to cook multiple ingredients simultaneously. I have found that the middle (above the burner) tends to get hotter than the edges, but that hasn't caused me any issues and is more so something to be aware of. This makes it easy to keep finished food warm while continuing to cook other ingredients.

After years of use, the cooking surface has developed a natural seasoning layer similar to my cast iron cookware, which improves non-stick performance over time. Make sure you maintain the seasoning and never wash your Skottle with heavy soap.

Durability and Build Quality

One of the most impressive things about the Tembo Tusk Skottle is how well it holds up over time. Ours forsure hasn't been babied and wrapped with bubble wrap between each use.

Camping gear gets thrown into trucks, exposed to dirt and weather, and used in environments that are far from ideal. Despite that, the our Skottle has remained remarkably durable.

The cooking surface is thick enough to resist warping, and the legs and burner components have held up well through years of travel. We did have to purchase a new carry case separately which didn't come as a surprise. If you use the thing as much as we do a simple investment in a new cover is not a big deal over a ten year period.

Aside from occasional cleaning and re-seasoning, maintenance has been minimal. The simplicity of the design plays a big role here given that there are very few parts that can actually fail. If something does end up failing the guys at Tembo Tusk have always been happy to help and provide a replacement part/advice.

After nearly a decade of use, the Skottle still performs just as well as it did during the first few trips.

Ease of Setup at Camp

One of the biggest advantages of the Skottle is how quickly it can be set up. Gone are the days of taking out a burner, pots, pans, lids, propane, etc only to be left with cleaning each of those items with the water you might not have excess of.

Most of the time, the setup process looks like this:

1. Remove everything from the bags
2. Attach the legs to the cooking disc
3. Connect the burner
4. Attach a propane bottle
5. Add any accessories such as a windscreen
6. Preheat the cooking surface

Within just a few minutes, the Skottle is ready to start cooking.

Compared to setting up a more complicated camp kitchen with multiple burners and cookware, the Skottle keeps things simple.

This is especially appreciated after a long day of driving trails or hiking.

Portability and Storage

Despite its large cooking surface, the Skottle actually packs down fairly well.

The legs detach and the entire system typically fits inside a carry bag (separate bag for Skottle and legs) designed for storage and transport.

When packed, the Skottle can easily fit inside:

• Truck bed storage drawers
• Roof rack cargo boxes
• Vehicle cargo areas
• Under your child's car seat

Because everything stores together, it’s easy to grab and load for a camping trip.

While it’s not the smallest cooking system available, the convenience and cooking capability more than make up for the extra space it occupies.

What I Like Most About the Skottle

After nearly a decade of use, several things continue to stand out.

One-Pan Cooking

Cooking everything on a single surface makes meal prep  and cleanup far easier than juggling multiple pans.

This is especially helpful when cooking for groups. It also is helpful that the Skottle is large and can handle service food to 6+ people at a time.

Social Camp Cooking

The Skottle naturally becomes a gathering point at camp. It is like it has this weird campfire effect.

Instead of someone standing over a stove alone, people tend to gather around while food cooks. Maybe it is because of the samples I end up giving out.

Simple Design

There are no complicated parts or electronics that like to go missing. The Skottle works because it keeps things simple.

Versatility

Few camp cooking systems allow you to cook such a wide variety of meals while feeding the whole group at the same time.

From breakfast to dessert the Skottle handles it all.

Downsides of the Tembo Tusk Skottle

No piece of gear is perfect, and the Skottle does have a few limitations. Nothing that outweighs the benefits and enjoyment the Skottle provides.

Not the Most Compact Cooking System

If space is extremely limited, a small backpacking stove will pack smaller than the Skottle.

However, most vehicle-based campers won’t find the size to be an issue at all. We have carried ours in the bed of our truck and also in the back seat without issue. Not to mention a backpacking stove cannot do nearly as much as a Skottle can.

Learning Curve

The Skottle cooks differently than traditional pans. It may take a few meals to get comfortable managing heat and cooking zones. Let's just say you would have liked our breakfast better maybe on the third trip. Beware...your friend got a new Skottle and wants you to join him? Maybe join him next month once he has mastered his Skottle.

Wind Sensitivity

In very windy environments, heat output can be affected unless you use a wind guard. Of course, in extreme wind events even the wind guard won't provide the cover your flame needs. In these instances we usually make sure to position our Skottle say behind the car to prevent direct wind.

That said, these are relatively minor issues compared to the benefits.

Who the Skottle Is Best For

After years of use, it’s clear that the Skottle works best for certain types of campers.

Overlanders

People who spend extended time traveling and camping out of their vehicles will appreciate the Skottle’s versatility and durability.

Campers Who Enjoy Cooking

If you enjoy preparing full meals outdoors rather than simple camp food or freeze dried meals, the Skottle makes the process much easier.

Group Camping

The Skottle excels when cooking for multiple people.

Skottle vs Traditional Camp Stoves

A common question is how the Skottle compares to traditional camp stoves.

Traditional camp stoves are excellent for boiling water or cooking quick meals in pots and pans.

However, the Skottle offers several advantages:

• Larger cooking surface
• Ability to cook multiple ingredients simultaneously
• Easier group cooking
• More interactive cooking experience

For many campers, the two systems actually complement each other. For example, we carry a Jet Boil to heat up water or make coffee. The Skottle takes care of all the food.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Skottle

After years of using the Skottle, a few tips make a big difference.

Season the cooking surface regularly.
This improves non-stick performance.

Preheat before cooking.
A hot cooking surface prevents sticking.

Bring cooking oil.
Oil helps maintain seasoning and improves flavor.

Prep ingredients before leaving home.
This saves time when cooking at camp.

Is the Tembo Tusk Skottle Worth It?

After nearly a decade of using the Skottle, the answer is a clear yes.

The combination of durability, versatility, and ease of use makes it one of the most enjoyable camp cooking systems available.

Instead of struggling with small camp stoves and limited cooking space, the Skottle allows you to prepare real meals outdoors with minimal effort.

It’s the kind of gear that quickly becomes a permanent part of your camping setup and has found a spot in our rig every time for the last ten years.

Final Thoughts

Some camping gear gets used once or twice before being replaced. Or if it is like some of our gear relics it is still in the garage collecting dust. Other gear becomes a trusted companion on countless adventures.

The Tembo Tusk Skottle firmly falls into the second category.

After years of cooking breakfast at remote trailheads, preparing dinners at campsites, and feeding groups of hungry campers, it has proven itself to be one of the most reliable and enjoyable pieces of camp cooking gear available.

If you enjoy cooking outdoors and want a system that is simple, durable, and incredibly versatile, the Skottle is absolutely worth considering.

Once you start using it, it’s easy to understand why so many campers and overlanders swear by it.