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Subject Topic: Cooking when camping Post Reply Post New Topic
via mobile 29/6/2021 at 12:25am
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Hi All.

New to the forum and haven't been camping since I was a kid- but the other half wants to take the kids on an adventure so here we go...

Have bought a tent and now looking at cooking options- don't ever intend to go without EHU, so am weighing up the pros and cons of gas vs electric options.

Feels like they both have their advantages (like no electricity requirements when cooking in the porch, and no big gas bottle to carry around) but what is everyone's thoughts on induction hobs and a toaster (camping suitable of course!) Versus a dual hob and grill combo with gas?

And can anyone recommend the best ones to go for?

Two adults and 2 kids to feed up, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks


via mobile 29/6/2021 at 7:24am
 Location: Glasgow
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We have chosen to cook using electricity via EHU.
We have a twin electric hob from Argos, 1 ring is 1000w and the other is 1500w.
On a 16 amps hook-up this is Ok to use both at the same time but really a too much on some sites with only 10amps.
If in doubt, ask the site what is the rating of their EHU.
With the correct set up including an RCD, I consider this to be more convenient and safer than cooking by gas. (Personal Choice)


29/6/2021 at 8:08am
 Location: North West
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yep electric cooking is ok as long as the EHU amp can take it or you will be very frustrated with tripping electrics AND some campsite owners charge to re-set the trip switch so be aware...


29/6/2021 at 9:23am
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The options and choices are endless, I'm afraid.....

We now have caravan so a little different dilemma. However!!
Unless its LASHING it down, We always cook on the weber 1200, great piece of kit, using a butane 907 bottle. We have a fishing umbrella with zip on sides for when weather not so clever. Cooker in our van has only been used 3/4 times in all the years we been vanning.
The only drawback to the webber is the lid has to be down to cook. We think its great tho..
On the other hand, My eldest lad uses a Cadac safari chef, and swears by that. Can see what he is cooking. Also uses a 907 bottle.
The only appliance, we use in the kitchen is Microwave, kettle, Toaster, all of which can be bought from Asda and the likes, Cheap as chips, with 12 months guarantee.
IF I was just starting out, I would go the cheaper option, Asda, etc.etc. for electric suff. Not a lot of outlay if, camping is not for you.
A decent Cadac, or weber, or other gas barbecue..That can be used at home in-between or any other time.
One other thing, get yourself a Really useful box. Big size 80ltr put all your cooking utensils in it in one place, These are great for all sorts of storage, there is cheaper options, however these do last the test of time.
Just my thoughts.

Enjoy


29/6/2021 at 2:01pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
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Welcome to UKCS!

When I was camping under canvas, I started to cook using the cheap and cheerful suitcase stoves first, supplemented by a Weber Go Anywhere charcoal BBQ.

I then progressed to a Cadac Safari Chef HP, which was fine except it was no good as a BBQ. I bought this as I was hoping I could use this in France where charcoal BBQs are banned in the hotter weather due to fire risks.

The griddle and flat plates of the Cadac Safari Chef worked fine, and the lid was good as a wok.

However, I discovered butane and even butane/propane mixes did not burn well at sub-zero temperatures when I camped over the winter months.

Also I found the griddle plate not easy to clean.

So I bought a Coleman 424 2-burner Dual Fuel stove, and it was my main stove for many years until I switched unit to a campervan with its own 2-burner induction hob.

I also had 2 single burner stoves, one used dual fuel (Coleman Sportster) and the other (Coleman F1 Spirit Lite) used butane/propane mix canisters. They were only use as back ups and on the last morning of my stay for making toasts when the Coleman had been cleaned and packed up.

I also carry a 2kW kettle for boiling water. Together with the 2-burner Coleman 424, I was able to cook up a feast for 3 with ease without using the BBQ.

My current set up in my van is a 2-burner Thetford induction hob designed specifically for the recreational vehicle market with 2.3kW with boost function and auto-power switching and cut off.

Plus a 2kW kettle and a mini convection oven.

I had a power monitor installed in the kitchen as an aid to remind myself to watch the power consumption, to only use one high power appliance at a time.

If I were to start again camping under canvas, I would buy another Coleman 424 in a heart beat, plus a 2kW kettle, and a Vango 1.6kW 2-burner induction hob.

A combination of EHU + 1 other fuel for cooking should be sufficient for a family.

The downside of using electricity for cooking is that the electric heating such as a fan heater for the tent would need to be switched off while a cooking appliance is in use, which is no good for colder weather camping if the inside the tent needs to be kept warm.

Hence I would advise using another fuel type in conjunction with electricity.

I don't like to carry or use large bottles of LPG, small cans are fine for me.

Personal opinion and preferences based on my own experience and all that.

Enjoy your trip!

DK













-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


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via mobile 29/6/2021 at 7:08pm
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I have had a suitcase type 2 birner gas cooker and it was OK but carrying the gas canister was a pain, so opted for a coleman 424 dual fuel double burner that had more power and easier to store, the 1 litre fuel bottles, however I have found the trangia 25 well suited for 2 of us with a coleman sportster for frying and cooking larger meals, tend not to go electric as not all campsites have availability or spaces for electric, a cheap fold away bbq is ideal to save some space in the car although you will need something to keep it off the grass to stop killing it, and it all depends on what you want to cook, one pan meals are the easiest and saves on the washing up


29/6/2021 at 10:11pm
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We use a camping gas party grill 400 and bring the Tefal Actifry. That gives us an amazing number of meal combos with a little thought and planning.
Used to boil the kettle on the stove but got sick of wasting gas when I’m already paying for electric so bring a plug in one now.


via mobile 30/6/2021 at 4:47am
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We started off with a double burner gas stove with grill and had several variations on that (always lugged a biggish gas bottle around with us).

We then scaled down and used a couple of Campingaz suitcase stoves (still carry one for backup).

We've had a Cobb and loved it at the time but found it a pig to clean and the griddle plate started to peel so we reverted to our suitcase stoves plus griddle pan.

Had 2 Cadac Carri Chefs when the kids came with us but found them extremely bulky and again, not so easy to clean. Tried a skottle liner, which did help.

Next got a Safari Chef but sold it after one outing as it too was a chore to clean (you notice a theme here? We don't want to spend our holiday time cleaning cooking appliances!).

We used a portable solid hotplate for several years and when it bit the dust we decided to try a Tefal portable induction hob and it was simply a revelation! So controllable and a doddle to clean! Loved it so much, we now use induction at home. The only thing is, you must use induction-suitabe pans, but once you've got them it's so clean and easy.

We wanted an oven but without much bulk so splashed out on a Remoska (from Lakeland). Started out with a Grande when we were cooking for the family but now have a standard for the two of us. They are frugal on electric so ideal for camping on EHU. I preferred the metal stand on the old model but both are simple to use, efficient and - imperative - easy to clean.

We use a small leccy kettle (not a travel kettle) which is great.

It does sometimes feel like cheating a bit, using all easy to clean items on EHU (with a suitcase stove for backup) but it works for us.


30/6/2021 at 9:00pm
 Location: West country
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A simple way to calculate the load is to multiply the kW by 4 to get the amps. So a 1000w plate is 1kW and will use 4 amps. So a 10Amp EHU allows only 2.5kW or 2500 watts total at any time. A 16 Amp allows 4000w or 4kW.



30/6/2021 at 10:28pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
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I would advise to aim for 10A EHU supply and not 16A, as the latter is more for hard-standing pitches for motorhomes and caravans.

10A supply is the norm for grass pitches with EHU that are suitable for tents.

Based on personal experience etc., etc..

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


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via mobile 02/7/2021 at 11:58pm
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 30/6/2021
I would advise to aim for 10A EHU supply and not 16A, as the latter is more for hard-standing pitches for motorhomes and caravans.

10A supply is the norm for grass pitches with EHU that are suitable for tents.


Daft question time: if I have a 16a cable, can I just swap the fuse for a 10a one and use that or are there other things involved? I'm assuming that they come with fuses to begin with.


03/7/2021 at 8:41am
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Matt 82, there is no fuse in a electric hook up cable as far as the type used for caravans etc, if it is a EHU for a tent, then in most cases even though the EHU comes with 16amp cable the MCB in the EHU will be 10amp, although you could change that for a 16amp MCB.

Either way is does not matter, either the supply electric post will trip, or your own EHU will trip, if there is an electrical event.

Check out my “EHU Modification” and “EHU Amp Monitor” post’s under equipment if you are referring to tent use.


via mobile 04/7/2021 at 1:11pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
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Quote: Originally posted by Matt 82 on 02/7/2021
Daft question time: if I have a 16a cable, can I just swap the fuse for a 10a one and use that or are there other things involved? I'm assuming that they come with fuses to begin with.



Not entirely certain what you meant, sorry.

However if you were referring to a cable equipped with a male IP44 240V connector at one end and a female one at the other end, then there is no fuse in the both connectors.

This type of cable is not designed for use in tents, they are for caravans and motorhomes which are equipped with circuit breakers in their onboard electrical systems.

DK


-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


via mobile 04/7/2021 at 4:53pm
 Location: Glasgow
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Most Camping stores can supply EHU cable with RCD already built in. Some have 3 domestic type sockets some have 4 and now some come with USB sockets. They do tend to be shorter in length.


04/7/2021 at 9:01pm
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You will need a proper camping electric hook up. It should have a blue plug on one end to fit the site EHU socket. It should have a built in RCD 30mA.
It should have built in 13Amp sockets.

A cobbled up system will not be safe.




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