What's in your van kitchen!

vanbrat · Dec 3, 2024

My issue with boxed is that I don't think I can get it cold enough while out and about, and we both like our milk very cold. Though I have been known to drink hot milk at bedtime to help me sleep, now that my lungs growl at me when I drink milk I don't do that anymore. I used to make hot cinnamon milk for the kidos sometimes and it was a great comfort and calming drink to have on cold nights/afternoons. I don't think almond milk does the same thing as real dairy milk, maybe if I put a sleeping pill in it. Maybe it can be frozen and used as an ice pack thing until I am ready to drink it...

maki2 · Dec 3, 2024

Oat milk would be even easy enough to make for a nomad. I do not mind it
as a dairy substitute.

Today I came across 6 jars of almond butter at a discount grocery place I shop in Quartzsite. They all went into my shopping cart. That is going to be a nice inexpensive protein with no refrigeration or cooking required! It is very unusual to find almond butter at an affordable price. Those jars will go into a dark, cool cabinet except for the one in use. I prefer not to have glass containers on board as it is heavy but will make an exception,

VanFan · Dec 3, 2024

twomountainlions said:
I want to try folding outdoor Coleman oven but not sure on heat efficiency compared to indoor rv oven, wouldnt want to be wasting tons of propane

Lots of people really like the Coleman, and it does have some advantages, but I recycled mine because I couldn't donate it with a clear conscience.

First, although compact, they are somewhat heavy. Second, there are several ways to injure yourself using one: failure to assemble it properly resulting in collapse, hot surfaces, and sharp edges (got me, and I am careful). Third, maintaining a stable temperature--especially in windy conditions, requires constant monitoring. I used an oven thermometer to help with that. Fourth, I question the safety of using one on a butane vs. propane stove, and I like having that option sometimes. Yes. I was able to actually bake in it, but what a hassle!

The Omnia? Not a fan, either. Too much hype, and too little cooking surface. Too pricey for what it is, IMO.

I have a stove top Westbend Ovenette and can bake anything that will fit in an 8" or smaller pan. It's super nice to pick up a small frozen lasagna or pot pie for dinner, or bake something "fancy" like a casserole or cinnamon rolls (LOL). Once the temperature stabilizes, it's no fuss. Although it doesn't fold flat like the Coleman, at 8-1/2" tall, you can store your cookware inside.

Some members of this forum helped me make the decision to purchase it, and I couldn't be happier with the choice. (The only issue I have is that steel components (inside) are beginning to oxidize somewhat.)

The downside? Hard to find. They were very popular wedding gifts in the late '40's until about 1960, when an electric version came out. Mine retailed for about $8 then!

Next best thing? I've gotten by with a set of pans, with one inverted for the top. Not great, but it can get the job done.

vanbrat · Dec 4, 2024

maki2 said:
Oat milk would be even easy enough to make for a nomad. I do not mind it
as a dairy substitute.

Today I came across 6 jars of almond butter at a discount grocery place I shop in Quartzsite. They all went into my shopping cart. That is going to be a nice inexpensive protein with no refrigeration or cooking required! It is very unusual to find almond butter at an affordable price. Those jars will go into a dark, cool cabinet except for the one in use. I prefer not to have glass containers on board as it is heavy but will make an exception,

I like almond butter too. I am allergic to peanuts too so now I eat lots of almond butter. It makes very good cookies instead of peanut butter and it is good with honey as a fruit dip. People who can't have peanut butter at parties are always glad to see it at pot lucks. If you got a good price on it good for you. Nothing beats a good almond butter and jam sandwich at any time of the day.

maki2 · Dec 4, 2024

Fortunately I am not allergic to peanuts. No major issues from it. But peanut butter increases my congestion. Even more than dairy typically does. So I quite buying peanut butter. Luckily I never come across anyone making chocolate peanut butter pie. That I could not resist

vanbrat · Dec 5, 2024

VanFan said:
Lots of people really like the Coleman, and it does have some advantages, but I recycled mine because I couldn't donate it with a clear conscience.

First, although compact, they are somewhat heavy. Second, there are several ways to injure yourself using one: failure to assemble it properly resulting in collapse, hot surfaces, and sharp edges (got me, and I am careful). Third, maintaining a stable temperature--especially in windy conditions, requires constant monitoring. I used an oven thermometer to help with that. Fourth, I question the safety of using one on a butane vs. propane stove, and I like having that option sometimes. Yes. I was able to actually bake in it, but what a hassle!

My family had to many problems with the camp stove when I was a kid and I have no desire to keep that family tradition going. Mom almost burned down the redwoods.

I need to find/figure out wind protection for my little induction burner and my other things. I want more than just a little wall around the burner, but not sure yet what I want. I have an awning and thought about hanging a curtain but that just seems too much so I will think on it. I might make a wall for the table I might find a way to hang curtains from a frame attached to the table I am thinking table stuff because it is where I do so much of my cooking, But I am not sure if that would just get in the way. Another puzzle to think about.

vanbrat · Dec 5, 2024

maki2 said:
Fortunately I am not allergic to peanuts. No major issues from it. But peanut butter increases my congestion. Even more than dairy typically does. So I quite buying peanut butter. Luckily I never come across anyone making chocolate peanut butter pie. That I could not resist

The center I am at right now makes really good almond butter cookies and I know they would be better with chocolate. They are even better than the peanut butter ones they used to make..... back when peanut butter was still easy to serve. I could get the recipe, but it is a giant-sized thing soooo...

Walt · Dec 5, 2024

vanbrat said:
I need to find/figure out wind protection for my little induction burner and my other things. I want more than just a little wall around the burner, but not sure yet what I want.

I have found that a covered hotpot is wonderful for quick heating and heat retention. I have a couple rated at 600w with a 250w setting. They work just as well inside the van as out on a picnic table or rock. My little 8lb EB3A can power them through a meal easily. I have a taller one for soups and such, and a lower one that is proving close enough to a frying

https://a.co/d/cIEsJ7M

twomountainlions · Dec 5, 2024

vanbrat said:
My family had to many problems with the camp stove when I was a kid and I have no desire to keep that family tradition going. Mom almost burned down the redwoods.

I need to find/figure out wind protection for my little induction burner and my other things. I want more than just a little wall around the burner, but not sure yet what I want. I have an awning and thought about hanging a curtain but that just seems too much so I will think on it. I might make a wall for the table I might find a way to hang curtains from a frame attached to the table I am thinking table stuff because it is where I do so much of my cooking, But I am not sure if that would just get in the way. Another puzzle to think about.

Camp stoves came a long way...I have 10 year old mini Primus backpacking one it never failed me. Even after some wild animal attacked it at night which caused it to bend, I just bent it back.
I did have a problem with random no name propane stove that went up in flames, thats why I got primus. But trying 2 burner Ozark trail one too now because it was really cheap on sale and its great so far, with 3 wind protection walls and no need to deal with electrical stuff my electrical setup is very minimal unless I run generator.
Old camp stoves required a lot of effort, priming and stuff...my backpacking primus one, I keep it attached to the top of green propane tank so its no effort to setup

twomountainlions · Dec 5, 2024

VanFan said:
Lots of people really like the Coleman, and it does have some advantages, but I recycled mine because I couldn't donate it with a clear conscience.

First, although compact, they are somewhat heavy. Second, there are several ways to injure yourself using one: failure to assemble it properly resulting in collapse, hot surfaces, and sharp edges (got me, and I am careful). Third, maintaining a stable temperature--especially in windy conditions, requires constant monitoring. I used an oven thermometer to help with that. Fourth, I question the safety of using one on a butane vs. propane stove, and I like having that option sometimes. Yes. I was able to actually bake in it, but what a hassle!

The Omnia? Not a fan, either. Too much hype, and too little cooking surface. Too pricey for what it is, IMO.

I have a stove top Westbend Ovenette and can bake anything that will fit in an 8" or smaller pan. It's super nice to pick up a small frozen lasagna or pot pie for dinner, or bake something "fancy" like a casserole or cinnamon rolls (LOL). Once the temperature stabilizes, it's no fuss. Although it doesn't fold flat like the Coleman, at 8-1/2" tall, you can store your cookware inside.

Some members of this forum helped me make the decision to purchase it, and I couldn't be happier with the choice. (The only issue I have is that steel components (inside) are beginning to oxidize somewhat.)

The downside? Hard to find. They were very popular wedding gifts in the late '40's until about 1960, when an electric version came out. Mine retailed for about $8 then!

Next best thing? I've gotten by with a set of pans, with one inverted for the top. Not great, but it can get the job done.

This Westbend ovenette sounds interesting, seems like possible to find on ebay for the same price as new Coleman folding one.
Coleman folding ovens now have built in thermometer.
I wonder if they are too thin, though, to the point of wasting a lot of energy
Not sure what you mean about using it with propane vs butane stove safety....I plan to use it outside on 2 burner ozark trail folding stove on non windy days (all my cooking uses propane anyway)

twomountainlions · Dec 5, 2024

vanbrat said:
My issue with boxed is that I don't think I can get it cold enough while out and about, and we both like our milk very cold. Though I have been known to drink hot milk at bedtime to help me sleep, now that my lungs growl at me when I drink milk I don't do that anymore. I used to make hot cinnamon milk for the kidos sometimes and it was a great comfort and calming drink to have on cold nights/afternoons. I don't think almond milk does the same thing as real dairy milk, maybe if I put a sleeping pill in it. Maybe it can be frozen and used as an ice pack thing until I am ready to drink it...

Yes if you precool it, it should be no more effort to keep cool than fresh milks. Not sure about freezing, if it can damage containers, but can just precool it to near freezing in the home freezer.

LargeMarge · Dec 5, 2024

vanbrat said:
... I am allergic to peanuts...

.
How about other legumes?
What kind of reaction do you get with kidney beans?
Soy beans?
Garbanzo?
Toe-foo?

vanbrat · Dec 5, 2024

LargeMarge said:
.
How about other legumes?
What kind of reaction do you get with kidney beans?
Soy beans?
Garbanzo?
Toe-foo?

Mild to soy and can't do toe foo.
Other beans are pretty much fine
Mostly the big bad ones for me are peanuts, cherries and weirdly cucumbers.
If asthma is really bad, I go off wheat too. I am very allergic to grass, and wheat is a grass so....... Most of the time it doesn't bother me.
I have cooked for other folks as well as myself wheat and such free. Had a couple kidos wheat free and a couple dairy free, one little guy was soy, wheat, oats, dairy, egg and garlic free, one broke out in huge rashes when anything had yellow dye/food coloring. There is yellow food coloring in sooooo many unexpected things! I insisted on family style meals so I learned to cook whatever we non restricted would eat in a form that the other kids could eat too. I looked at like a puzzle to figure out and we did. I experimented with different herbs to get around the garlic thing and learned to read ALL labels. We did fancy kid friendly "sprinkles" for the dairy free stuff with corn flakes powdered with parsley chives sage oregano and salt and pepper while the others had parmesan cheese and then all the kids started wanting the "sprinkles" on theirs too. We used olive oil in place of butter on potatoes and of course Sprinkles on them too. I made garlic free spaghetti, and we just skipped the mac and cheese. My stepdad preferred rice milk; I didn't really like it as much as almond though.
If you want a really rich creamy hot cocoa.... use hot almond milk.

LargeMarge · Dec 6, 2024

twomountainlions said:
.... I want to try folding outdoor Coleman oven but not sure on heat efficiency compared to indoor rv oven, wouldnt want to be wasting tons of propane

.
a)
A few years ago, the absurd push to eliminate gas ranges and ovens was based on cooking indoors with poor ventilation.
Apparently, unburnt hydrocarbons from petroleum-based fuels contaminate household air.
.
During warm weather, we cook outside on the porch.
During cold weather, we move our ancient Coleman two-burner propane camp-stove indoors.
For ventilation, we always open two windows on opposite walls.
.
Escaping heat carries odors and humidity.
.
.
b)
Eugene, Oregon.
We invest less than two fedbux for a gallon of propane.
Other than free fuel falling from the sky, this's a pretty cheap way to cook.
.
Although we never timed it, I doubt cooking meals for three adults would consume as much as twenty-five cents worth of propane... and probably much less.
.
Your 'tons of propane'?
Apparently, you cook different from us.
Much different.

VanFan · Dec 7, 2024

twomountainlions said:
This Westbend ovenette sounds interesting, seems like possible to find on ebay for the same price as new Coleman folding one.
Coleman folding ovens now have built in thermometer.
I wonder if they are too thin, though, to the point of wasting a lot of energy
Not sure what you mean about using it with propane vs butane stove safety....I plan to use it outside on 2 burner ozark trail folding stove on non windy days (all my cooking uses propane anyway)

If you look on Ebay, make sure it has all the parts. The heat exchanger and rack can be hard to source separately.

I did find the Coleman too thin to maintain heat well. Some people insulate them with welding blanket material.

With butane stoves, you need to avoid large pans or anything that overhangs the butane compartment to prevent overheating the can. If I recall correctly (50/50 chance!), the Coleman is a little too large. The Ovenette is fine.

On a two burner propane stove, once the temperature is stable in the Ovenette, I turn the burner down pretty low to maintain it.

twomountainlions · Dec 7, 2024

I make this thing from peanut butter but any other nut or sunflower butter can be used too, I add quick oats, chia seed, coconut flakes and vanilla extract, makes delicious crunchy stuff and it stores without refrigeration

twomountainlions · Dec 7, 2024

LargeMarge said:
.
a)
A few years ago, the absurd push to eliminate gas ranges and ovens was based on cooking indoors with poor ventilation.
Apparently, unburnt hydrocarbons from petroleum-based fuels contaminate household air.
.
During warm weather, we cook outside on the porch.
During cold weather, we move our ancient Coleman two-burner propane camp-stove indoors.
For ventilation, we always open two windows on opposite walls.
.
Escaping heat carries odors and humidity.
.
.
b)
Eugene, Oregon.
We invest less than two fedbux for a gallon of propane.
Other than free fuel falling from the sky, this's a pretty cheap way to cook.
.
Although we never timed it, I doubt cooking meals for three adults would consume as much as twenty-five cents worth of propane... and probably much less.
.
Your 'tons of propane'?
Apparently, you cook different from us.
Much different.

I use propane for decades, certainly know how to use it and how much I use.
I have no interest in indoor cooking or burning propane indoors and outside its always some wind reducing the flames.
I use green bottles that I refill from my 20 lb tank, I hate refilling propane or going to places to refill my onboard or my portable 20 tank, the propane filling place already nearly caused me one explosion.

So yes, I want outdoor baking solution that will not waste me a ton of propane. Sounds like Coleman oven has too thin walls, inefficient and I will not be using it

twomountainlions · Dec 7, 2024

VanFan said:
If you look on Ebay, make sure it has all the parts. The heat exchanger and rack can be hard to source separately.

I did find the Coleman too thin to maintain heat well. Some people insulate them with welding blanket material.

With butane stoves, you need to avoid large pans or anything that overhangs the butane compartment to prevent overheating the can. If I recall correctly (50/50 chance!), the Coleman is a little too large. The Ovenette is fine.

On a two burner propane stove, once the temperature is stable in the Ovenette, I turn the burner down pretty low to maintain it.

Thanks for commening on point, a rare thing here, that's exactly what I was trying to find out. Sounds like this Coleman oven isn't really energy efficient and I would be wasting too much propane. Not sure I want to use welding blanket, no space for extra junk now. I wonder how these round "ovenettes" compare to Coleman oven in terms of efficiency... Im open to trying one. I will stick to my indoor RV oven for now, which is well insulated, still a few months to decide before summer. I dont like to bake indoors it gets too hot even in winter. It takes me about 35 mins to bake medium/smallish size round bread in my RV oven, with flames on low, which is similar to regular household oven timing.

vanbrat · Dec 8, 2024

twomountainlions said:
I make this thing from peanut butter but any other nut or sunflower butter can be used too, I add quick oats, chia seed, coconut flakes and vanilla extract, makes delicious crunchy stuff and it stores without refrigeration

Sounds a bit like granola... Something I like to make too

eDJ_ · Dec 11, 2024

Presently I have a two burner propane cook top built on my kitchenette cabinet in my rig. I have a Coleman oven that folds up flat I could pack along if I wanted to do any baking. But the more I think about it........being on the road using the 2-2-2 travel method It may benefit me to just buy baked goods at discount bakeries and forego the baking all together.

I looked at a Camp Chef outdoor oven with two burner cook top once as the Magic Mart was getting ready to close and they had it marked down to $150.
If I owned an RV with a stove/oven combo I might consider pulling it out and setting in a Camp Chef. (which I could cook inside or outside with) as it is light in weight and portable. It may require modifying the area the stove is removed from but may also generate some more room for storage too.

But to each his own.....since we all have our own taste and preferences.

Camp Chef indoor/outdoor stove-oven

24 X 15 X 18 inches

What's in your van kitchen!

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