Updated: July 2025
Picture this: you’re at your favorite campsite on a crisp morning, the coffee’s brewing, and you’re about to fire up your skottle for some perfectly cooked bacon and eggs. Then that inevitable camping conversation starts: “Which skottle brand is actually better?”
If you’ve been caught in the middle of the great Tembo Tusk vs Oris debate, you’re not alone. These two brands dominate the portable outdoor cooking scene, each with passionate advocates who swear by their choice.
The good news? We’ve done the research, tested the gear, and talked to countless outdoor enthusiasts to bring you this comprehensive comparison. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which skottle matches your outdoor cooking style.
The key differences: Tembo Tusk features an 18-inch carbon steel cooking surface with faster heating and superior portability, while Oris uses 17-inch cast iron with exceptional heat retention and multi-purpose functionality. Tembo Tusk excels in quick setup and lightweight transport, while Oris offers unmatched stability and versatility with its removable cooking disk design.
Both brands deliver exceptional outdoor cooking experiences, but the “winner” depends entirely on your specific needs, cooking style, and camping preferences.
Let’s dive deep into the construction differences, cooking performance, and real-world usability to help you make an informed decision.
But first, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what makes these outdoor cooking systems so special.
What Makes Skottles the Ultimate Outdoor Cooking Tool?
A skottle is essentially a portable wok-style cooking system that combines a large, shallow cooking surface with a high-output gas burner and sturdy tripod stand.
The concept originated in South Africa in the early 1900s when resourceful farmers repurposed disc harrows (circular farming implements) into outdoor cooking surfaces. These early “skottels” (the original South African term) were placed directly over open coals for communal cooking.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the design evolved to include dedicated gas burners and portable stands, making them perfect for camping, overlanding, and outdoor adventures. The portability and versatility made them incredibly popular throughout South Africa and eventually spread worldwide through the overlanding community.
Today’s skottles maintain that practical simplicity while offering restaurant-quality cooking performance in a completely portable package. You can sear steaks at high heat, stir-fry vegetables, cook breakfast for a crowd, simmer stews, or even bake with the right accessories.
Two brands have risen to dominate the North American market:
- Tembo Tusk – An American family-owned company founded in 2010, focused on rugged durability and expedition-grade reliability
- Oris – An American manufacturer specializing in versatile, multi-purpose skottle systems with modular designs
What Separates Good Skottles From Great Ones?
The most compelling features of any skottle are portability, versatility, and cooking performance. But not all skottles deliver equally on these promises.
A good skottle will heat evenly, pack up reasonably, and include essential components for outdoor cooking. You should be able to cook a variety of foods with consistent results and minimal frustration.
A great skottle takes this further with superior build quality, thoughtful design details, and long-term durability. It becomes an essential part of your outdoor cooking arsenal that you’ll rely on for years without significant maintenance issues.
Here’s where personal preference matters: Some outdoor cooks prefer integrated designs that stay assembled for quick setup, while others prioritize modular systems that pack smaller and offer more cooking versatility.
The most important factors are whether the skottle meets your specific needs: Can you cook the right amount of food for your group? Does it heat up quickly enough for your patience level? Is it portable enough for your adventure style?
Manufacturing quality ultimately determines longevity. How long will it last before showing rust, burner problems, or structural issues? Does it maintain performance after dozens of camping trips in various weather conditions?
If you can answer “yes” to cooking enough food, quickly enough, with enjoyable results, then you’ve found your perfect skottle match.
Tembo Tusk vs Oris: Detailed Feature Comparison
For this comparison, we’re analyzing the Tembo Tusk Adjustable Leg Skottle Grill Kit against the Oris Cooking System Skottle Kit – the flagship models from each brand that represent their core philosophies.
We’ll examine build quality, cooking performance, ease of use, maintenance requirements, and overall value to give you a complete picture of how these systems perform in real-world conditions.
Build Quality and Construction Materials
Construction quality directly impacts safety and longevity. Since you’re dealing with high-heat cooking and potentially challenging outdoor conditions, subpar construction can lead to safety issues and premature failure.
Both skottles consist of a tripod frame, gas burner, cooking disk, and various accessories. Here’s how they compare in critical areas:
Tripod Frame Construction
Tembo Tusk:
- Stainless steel legs with 1-inch diameter tubing
- Adjustable height: 20, 29, and 36 inches via telescoping design
- Detachable legs for compact storage and transport
- Total weight: Approximately 18 pounds
- Load capacity: Up to 75 pounds
Oris:
- Stainless steel legs with 1.25-inch diameter tubing
- Fixed height: 32 inches (optimal for most users)
- Integrated design with steel clips for component security
- Total weight: Approximately 35 pounds
- Load capacity: Up to 150 pounds
Cooking Surface Specifications
Tembo Tusk:
- 18-inch carbon steel cooking disk (3mm thickness)
- Slightly concave shape for natural oil pooling and flavor concentration
- Secured with three stainless steel thumb screws
- Pre-seasoned factory finish ready for immediate use
Oris:
- 17-inch cast iron cooking disk (5mm thickness)
- Flatter surface profile for even oil distribution
- Removable design with steel clips for versatility
- Pre-seasoned factory finish ready for immediate use
Burner Systems
Tembo Tusk:
- Kovea Scout 10,000 BTU burner (upgraded from original Coleman)
- Stainless steel burner bracket with secure mounting
- Optional windscreen available for challenging conditions
- Piezo ignition for reliable lighting
Oris:
- 10,000 BTU single burner with brass orifice
- Stainless steel burner bracket with integrated clips
- Clip system prevents burner displacement during transport
- Manual ignition (lighter required)
Cooking Performance: Carbon Steel vs Cast Iron
The cooking surface material fundamentally changes how your skottle performs. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right system for your cooking style:
Tembo Tusk Carbon Steel Performance
Carbon steel heats up rapidly from the center outward, typically reaching cooking temperature within 3-5 minutes. However, the thinner material loses heat quicker when you add cold food, requiring brief recovery time.
Heat distribution: The center runs hottest (around 550°F), with slightly cooler edges (around 400°F). This creates natural cooking zones – perfect for searing proteins in the center while keeping vegetables warm on the edges.
The concave design allows juices and oils to pool in the center, creating more flavorful cooking as ingredients cook in their own rendered fats and develop deeper flavors.
Oris Cast Iron Performance
Cast iron takes longer to heat initially (7-10 minutes to reach cooking temperature) but retains heat exceptionally well. Once hot, it maintains temperature even when you add large quantities of cold ingredients.
Heat distribution: The thicker cast iron provides more even temperatures across the entire cooking surface (typically within 50°F variation), reducing hot spots and ensuring consistent cooking results.
The flatter profile ensures even oil distribution and consistent browning across the entire surface, making it ideal for large batches and even cooking.
Carbon Steel vs Cast Iron: The Technical Differences
Both materials are iron-carbon alloys, but their properties create distinctly different cooking experiences:
Cast iron requires thicker construction due to its brittleness, making it heavier but more heat-stable. Carbon steel can be thinner and lighter while maintaining strength, but it’s more expensive to manufacture and requires more precise heat control.
For outdoor cooking: Carbon steel heats and cools faster (ideal for quick meals and responsive temperature control), while cast iron holds heat longer (better for slow cooking, large batches, and maintaining temperature in cold weather).
User Experience and Convenience Features
Real-world usability often matters more than specifications. Here’s how each skottle performs in actual camping and outdoor cooking situations:
Setup and Portability
Tembo Tusk Advantages:
- Lighter weight (18 lbs vs 35 lbs) for easier transport to remote locations
- Detachable legs pack into smaller spaces (fits in most vehicle storage areas)
- Adjustable height accommodates different users and cooking preferences
- Included carry bag for organized storage and protection
- Optional plastic stand attaches directly to gas bottles for ultra-portable setup
Oris Advantages:
- Heavier construction provides rock-solid stability in windy conditions
- Steel clips secure all components during transport (no loose parts)
- Integrated design means fewer components to lose or forget
- Optimal 32-inch height comfortable for most users without adjustment
- Superior load capacity handles heavy pots and multiple items simultaneously
Cooking Versatility
Tembo Tusk Features:
- Concave design creates natural cooking zones for different heat levels
- Larger 18-inch surface provides 20% more cooking space than Oris
- Windscreen accessory available for challenging windy conditions
- Optimized specifically for skottle cooking with thoughtful design details
Oris Features:
- Removable cooking disk allows use with other cookware (pots, pans, Dutch ovens, kettles)
- Flatter surface works exceptionally well for even browning and searing
- Multi-purpose design functions as both skottle and general outdoor cooking stand
- Accommodates various gas bottle sizes with universal connection
Lid and Accessories
Tembo Tusk:
- 13-inch lid available separately ($95)
- Leaves significant uncovered area around edges (may require foil for full coverage)
- Windscreen helps maintain consistent heat in breezy conditions
- Spatula set specifically designed for carbon steel surface
Oris:
- 15-inch lid available separately ($85)
- Covers approximately 85% of cooking surface efficiently
