Where do you cook your meals?

[skyl4rk]

How do you keep folding tables from blowing away?

 

[compassrose]

I have found it's too windy to cook outside on the grill in NM. The Ventline Thru The Wall vent I use sucks all the cooking heat and smells (along with the air conditioning) out. Sometimes I turn it on in the summer to exhaust the built-up heat when the air conditioning hasn't been on. Makes it easier for the A/C to do it's job. The only downsides to it that I have found is I have to pull the front grill off every so often to clean the accumulated dirt, grease & dust off (I toss it in the sink with a bit of dish soap). I also have "lost" the pull chain in the vent when the idiot winds have jerked the spring loaded outer flap as I was opening/closing the flap.I plan of buying a decorative chain finial (for ceiling fans) to attach to the end of the chain. I have had this vent going in 70+mph winds. Haven't had it traveling down the road yet. But with the winds I get while stationary, I don't think it will be a problem.

I bought my vent thru Mobile Home Repair. My side walls are 2" thick plus the thickness of the tiled backsplash. It fits... barely. I would say the 2" space is the minimum you can get away with.
http://www.mobilehomerepair.com/Order9-exhaust.html

BV2215-20 Sidewall Exhaust Fan


Ventline 100CFM white metal sidewall exterior exhaust fan. Often used over stoves, sometimes used in bathrooms. Measures 11" x 11". Pull the chain to open outside cover and start fan. Use only in 2x4 exterior walls (not 2x6"). Replaces V2215-21. Click on picture for another view. Your price $68.00 each.

 

[ZoNiE]

zonie what kind of grill is that?  highdesertranger

It's a Solaire Infrared. They are $400, but if you keep looking on Craigslist, you can find one for less. I got it new in the box for $180. Still not cheap, but worth it. Everything can be popped out for cleaning, and it gets so hot, it ashes up most of the goobers on the grill grating.

Char-broil has an infrared now that is about $125 and is made for travel. If that one was available then, I probably would have bought that.

 

[Sameer]

When I camp long term I set up a table outside with my propane oven and single burner butane burner. Short term or traveling I cook inside. I am here in Flagstaff for a few days while I plan my Summer trip to Colorado so I have been cooking inside...doors open..rear doors open...window by galley open...I don't like cooking smells in the van and worry about them lingering...!

 

[anewbiewannabe]

I prefer charcoal if grilling, but that isn't going to translate well to the van abode. I have a Coleman 2 burner camping stove that got a lot of use camping but only in the open air. I haven't had time to experiment with an idea I have for indoor cooking so will wait to see if it works before I share. I guess planning menu ideas for when cooking inside is necessary might be in order so as not to have that pizzeria smell lingering forever.

 

[rvpopeye]

While I'm on the road , I always have the old wrap in tinfoil (shiny side out) and lay it on the top of the engine option !
Works great once you get the cooking times down, ,,,,start out by checking often and replacing if not done yet.

 

[mockturtle]

Inside.

 

[BigT]

I built this specifically for cooking so I wouldn't make a mess inside the van.  If it rains I simply toss one of my tarps across the tops of the rear doors and roof, and hold it in place with some of my magnets and/or clamps.  
(this photo was taken during the build, it's not the finished design.  (That is not the finished leg for the computer table, just a prop).  In the end I added a sheet of plexiglass to the kitchen counter to make clean-up easier.  
The counter is held in place by 4 metal pins so it doesn't fall and the doors don't move.  
In hindsight I wish I had simply used a length of 1" by 12" wood.  It would have been a lot easier and lighter weight, :/ though this is a bit wider than 12" (17").
There's a bunch of supports under the counter to increase rigidity.  

 

[sephson]

Sephson, I like the table, where did you find it?
Also noticed the fresh water container, same question.

I got the table at Bass Pro Shops, but it looks like they don't carry it anymore. That said, it looks like Dick's Sporting Goods and REI both carry an identical table. It's a roll top table, so it collapses into a very compact package for easy storage in my little hatchback..

Dick's Sporting Goods

REI

I got the water container at Walmart in the Housewares department. I have two of the 2.5 gallon containers and four of the 1.25 gallon containers allowing me to store ten gallons of water in the space between my front and rear seats.

Walmart

 

[wagoneer]

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/manu...tdoor-mobile-barbecue-machine/1295609084.html, LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING INTERESTING

 

[Oberneldon]

I put my single burner butane stove on this collapsing ultra light weight table. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LED7MOY/ref=pe_88430_130613780_em_1p_10_ti

 

[ZoNiE]

I've had quite a few PM's about my grill and the confusion about my 3 burner cooktop. I didn't post a pic of the cooktop. Here it is.

Basic 2010 RV fare.

The grill is a solaire single burner infrared. It only stays that clean until you use it...ONCE! :s

 

[ZoNiE]

I put my single burner butane stove on this collapsing ultra light weight table.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LED7MOY/ref=pe_88430_130613780_em_1p_10_ti

That would make a nifty solar panel stand...