stove thread

[robear]

I have been doing this for over 10 years and I estimate I have cooked over 3000 meals inside my van/camper. the majority of them with the door closed. I never hesitate to cook with the door and windows closed. Never had any problems. Bob<br>

<br><br>Thanks Bob, I feel better about it now.<br>btw - at k-mart the single burner is $9, and Wal-mart it's $24... I didn't think K-mart would be less.<br><br>

I often cook inside my standard van using a single or&nbsp; two burner propane stove, sometimes open the vent or a window a bit, but not always- depends where I am and the weather. Don't usually spend long cooking though- boil water, grill a ham'ncheese, ramen, boxed soup....stuff like that.<br>

<br><br>Thanks for your input too karl!<br>

 

[angeli]

Hey Robear,<br><br>Read the reviews on that item before you buy....<br>

 

[robear]

I had thought that I did... what did you read Angeli?<br>

 

[angeli]

The reviews I read said that the unit was received without the standing flaps and was in constant danger of falling over.&nbsp; I thought that might be something worth considering unless you already have something to make it stand up.<br><br>Not trying to be rude, just a friendly heads up.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[robear]

Thanks Angeli, the one I saw at Kmart had a large plastic base that the lp bottle fit into, but I'll open the box at the store before I buy it.<br><br>Thanks for your heads up <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>

 

[angeli]

Good idea, robear!&nbsp; Good luck with it.<br><br><img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[kappydell]

for longer cooking items (or for rehydrated dehydrated foods that take a long time)i have used the 'wonder-stove' idea. it will cook anything a slow cooker would, without power. Basically you heat your food (cut in pieces)for 5-10 min then insulate them in 3 inches or so of padding to hold the heat in. Come back in 4-6 hrs and it is cooked. also known as 'hay box' cooking. i like it because i can cook things that take a while but are cheap to buy. also if you bring pasta to a boil, cover pot, remove from heat, after about 30 min or so it cooks itself. saves fuel.

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

I have multipul ways to cook, none are electric. I have the handy dandy coleman two burner stove top, if I am able I will cook outdoors with either my rocket stove or firebox, and sometimes BOTH! I also have a solar cooker, which I love but only use it if I am going to be in one spot all day, like If I'm out fishing. My coleman stove makes my van way to hot sometimes, I will also cook on my engine when I can.&nbsp;(see link) I will also heat water on my dash board if it's hot enough out, and I have made soup on the dash as well. I have 4 aluminum cans with lids i use, *(side note: sadly you take the chance some say of increasing&nbsp;Alzheimers&nbsp;with the use of aluminum in your cooking..... not sure what to say but I can see my friend turning in his grave if I don't mention it.) I also have the coleman oven box, which works great when used with the rocket stove, and your using found fuel. For my small space I do have a fair amount of space devoted to cooking. Now I will say I am interested in a small portable propane oven made by colemen I think. it has an oven, and two sternos&nbsp;on top.... maybe for christmas, right now I need tiers before winter. chow for now!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/03...amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0375751408">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/03...amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0375751408<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></a>

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

oops, I lied! I do have a portable water heater that can plug into my thingamabobber on my dash looks like a cigerette light thingy but it's not. it's great for early morning coffee/tea or hot coco or cup of noodle thingy. haven't used it for a while, but in a pinch it's great. got it at a truck stop ( they have the neatest contraptions in those stores!)

 

[josephusminimus]

Great thread, well worth reading start to finish.<br /><br />Over the decades I've used a lot of different camping stoves and backpacking stoves, found most to be adequate some ways, less so in others.&nbsp; Here I've been using a 2-burner Coleman LP with a collapsing Coleman oven for oven cooking.&nbsp; Heat control on the oven leaves a lot to be desired, but if a person's willing to give up the easily collapsing feature it can be insulated on sides and top, which helps.<br /><br />But lately I've been doing a bit of experimenting cooking in a thermos, which I learned on one of the threads here, and which has convinced me I'll be doing it considerably for the remainder of my life.&nbsp; It's one of the more impressive cooking methods I've ever come across.<br /><br />The engine-top cooking someone mentioned earlier on the thread is also something I've used over the years, and I find satisfying because it uses waste heat from the engine, is trouble-free and doesn't involve cleanup afterward.&nbsp; On the road it's a tough act to follow.<br /><br />But for backpacking I never found anything to beat my old Primus, bought in the 1970s.&nbsp; I suppose if I were backpacking today I'd go to something gas instead of liquid fuel, however.

 

[wrcsixeight]

I've cooked thousands of meals in my Van. &nbsp;A single burner stove type that rests on the green propane bottle. &nbsp;I have a roof vent right above the stove. &nbsp;A few years ago I put some computer muffin fans to increase airflow, but went years with just the vent.<br /><br />I cook all the meals inside, sitting down in my third captain's chair with very few exceptions. &nbsp;<br /><br />

<br />+<br />

<br /><br />= strong good coffee in under 5 minutes.<br /><br />By the way, a proper sized cast Iron Skillet is truly one of the best Van dweller acquisitions. &nbsp;After cooking I just add a teaspoon of table salt and wipe it with a napkin. &nbsp;<br /><br />

<br /><br />After I bust up the &nbsp;fully cooked potato, I mix it in two eggs, scramble it into a frittata like thing, turn off the burner, lay two whole wheat tortillias over it. &nbsp;Then pull out the Sriracha and roll up one breakfast burrito, then the other.<br /><br />Delish. &nbsp;Simple.<br /><br />Not too unhealthy.<br /><br /><br />

 

[mad*sparrow]

This stove sounds so cool! cook dinner and charge your phone with wood. The only drawback that I can see is the cost and keeping it going for long cooking times. But the plus side is that whatever burns can be used.

http://shop.biolitestove.com/BioLite-CampStove_p_15.html

 

[joey]

I just found this,it is very similar the Ovenette discussed here on the first page. It's cast iron but I think it would be great for baking. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camp-Chef-14-Ultimate-Dutch-Oven/20468128

 

[angeli]

mad*sparrow<br /><br />This is a tad off-topic, <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />,&nbsp;but here's another electricity generating pot from my favorite survival guys. &nbsp;This one is a 2 Quart pot that can go on top of your own stove. &nbsp;I'd imagine if you had a kerosene heater/stove or a wood stove this would work great. &nbsp;Possibly a good alternative in winter, when your solar phone charger may not work as well.<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.stpaulmercantile.com/index.php?ref=Miles&amp;action=store&amp;item=PowerPotwRegCable">Power Pot</a></strong></span>

 

[joey]

My local Wal-mart has a bunch of stuff on clearance in camping. I bought an Ozark Trail 2 burner propane camp stove for $25,it was more than half off. My old stove was a Coleman dual fuel stove that was about 30 years old. I tried the new one last nite and it is so much nicer and cleaner. First time to use propane and I love it.

 

[RV-Kitty]

I have been doing this for over 10 years and I estimate I have cooked over 3000 meals inside my van/camper. the majority of them with the door closed. I never hesitate to cook with the door and windows closed. Never had any problems. Bob<br>

<br><br>I know I'm replying to an old post but wanted to add that when we cook (propane) with the windows closed in our RV and no exhaust fan on, the carbon monoxide detector goes off.&nbsp; <br><h3 class="r"><a class="l" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em>&nbsp;</em></a></h3>.&nbsp;

 

[RV-Kitty]

<img rel="lightbox" src="http://images.drillspot.com/pimages/1593/159315_300.jpg" class="bbc_img">This is the type we used to cook and make coffee on when we were tent campers.&nbsp; Other than this we used a small BBQ grill.&nbsp; Now we have an RV so cook on the 3 burner stove inside or use the same BBQ grill outdoors. If we have free electric at the CG, we use the GE electric 2 burner hotplate. We're frugal....&nbsp;

 

[RV-Kitty]

Hey all,<br><br><br>I would like to go with the burner for the <span id="post_message_1266946838">one pound green disposable propane canisters and think I can be careful, But in a 10ft cargo van would I have time to boil water before the co2 makes me sick?<br></span><span id="post_message_1266946838"><br></span>

<br><br>Make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector in your van.&nbsp; This gas can kill. It's toxic to both humans and animals.

 

[accrete]

I posted this over at the FiberglassRV forum and thought it was an appropriate re-post over here after reading through this informative thread.<br><br> <br> This is the stove we've used for some time:<br> <br> <img rel="lightbox" src="http://images.zesco.com/pimages/342/342-d-003.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br> <br> <strong>1 Burner Portable Gas Stove - Carrying Case included - 10,000 BTU's - Iwatani - ZA3-HP</strong> <br> <br> This high power stove is designed for reliable outdoor and indoor cooking. It is ideal for table-top cooking, patio parties, and camping because the stove is portable. With a screw-in brass burner, heavy duty pan support, automatic safety shut off device and plastic case for carrying and storage, this stove is easy to maintain, clean, and take wherever its desired!<br> <br> We pick up the butane canisters for about $2 each that get ~8 uses per canister for us.<br> <br> During the summer months we usually cook outdoors on a small folding aluminum table as i stated elsewhere.<br> <br> Here is the Heater/Stove combo we use as needed. <br> <br> <img rel="lightbox" src="http://www.boatersland.com/images/img/con5200.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br> <br> Only has ~5200 BTUs so it takes a while to boil water (~8 min a quart??) but it works and as noted before, put an ounce in the "SafeFlame" non pressurized canister and it will burn itself out in about 15 minutes or so. Nice to take the chill off in the evening if desired. We've even sat it on a small table next to the camp chairs for a outdoor heat source. Clean and simple.<br><br>Cheers,<br>Thom

 

[bk2valve]

Hi Thom, I just got the butane stove like you show in your post. I was using a propane burner but am switching to this as I have been watching Katie TwoKnives using hers for years and liking it a lot. I haven't found any butane yet but on Monday will be going through Albuquerque and I know of a good Asian restaurant supply/supermarket so should be able to find them there....<br><br>I am very interested in the Heatmate! I didn't know these existed...I will be watching for one...<br>Thanks for putting it up....<br>Bri