Most cost efficient cookers?

[PedroMendez]

Hi all, I’m trying to figure out which would be the best type of cooker to take on a trip around Europe for up to a year. I’m building the van (a VW T4) myself, and am intentionally not building a cooker to the units, I find if you cook inside a van it ends up making the bedding etc smell of food, plus there’s the safety aspect.

As far as I see it I have a couple of options, a semi portable gas hob like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-2-Burner-Propane-Stove/dp/B001P80GD2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top linked up to a big bottle like a camping gaz 907, or something like an induction hob. I have a split charge system backed up by a solar panel, and a 240 backup for when I indulge in the sophistication of camp sites.

The main problem with the gas stove would be cost and availability of gas bottles. What is most available in Europe? The only problem I see with an induction hob would be you can’t get 12v ones so it would have to be camp site only or get an inverter, which would sap a lot of power.

I’d be interested in what other people use, especially gas cookers abroad, which gas was available where etc.

Many thanks, Pete

[Darren]

Hi Pete
You are right,
Hi Pete

You are right, cooking in the van can make things smell. This can be helped by having a window by the cooker, always cook with the vents and windows open (which you should do with gas anyway), and don’t have any carpet on the walls in the kitchen area, as this keeps smells.

A portable cooker like the one you linked to is a good idea. You can cook outside, or inside on a rainy day.
Cooking with battery power is not possible really. You will flatten the batteries far too quickly.

The only gas that is easily available throughout Europe is Camping Gaz. If you are going for a long trip then think about fitting a re-fillable system such as Glaslow or those from http://www.gasit.co.uk/. These you can fill these throughout Europe at a vehicle fuel filling station using the LPG pump. That’s the cheapest way of getting gas.

I have a built in cooker, an old Calor one. I use Camping Gaz bottles as the moment, but do eventually plan to fit a refillable gas tank. My fridge is electric powered, not gas. If it were gas powered I would have fitted a refillable gas tank at the start. I have a Propex heater which is also gas, but rarely use it.

For outdoors cooking I was really tempted to get one of these:
http://www.campingaz.com/uk/p-23696-super-carena-r.aspx

Have you seen the CampingGaz stove ?:
http://www.campingaz.com/uk/p-26652-camp-stove-oven.aspx

[Darren]

Hi Pete
You are right,
Hi Pete

You are right, cooking in the van can make things smell. This can be helped by having a window by the cooker, always cook with the vents and windows open (which you should do with gas anyway), and don’t have any carpet on the walls in the kitchen area, as this keeps smells.

A portable cooker like the one you linked to is a good idea. You can cook outside, or inside on a rainy day.
Cooking with battery power is not possible really. You will flatten the batteries far too quickly.

The only gas that is easily available throughout Europe is Camping Gaz. If you are going for a long trip then think about fitting a re-fillable system such as Glaslow or those from http://www.gasit.co.uk/. These you can fill these throughout Europe at a vehicle fuel filling station using the LPG pump. That’s the cheapest way of getting gas.

I have a built in cooker, an old Calor one. I use Camping Gaz bottles as the moment, but do eventually plan to fit a refillable gas tank. My fridge is electric powered, not gas. If it were gas powered I would have fitted a refillable gas tank at the start. I have a Propex heater which is also gas, but rarely use it.

For outdoors cooking I was really tempted to get one of these:
http://www.campingaz.com/uk/p-23696-super-carena-r.aspx

Have you seen the CampingGaz stove ?:
http://www.campingaz.com/uk/p-26652-camp-stove-oven.aspx

[Darren]

Hi Pete
You are right,
Hi Pete

You are right, cooking in the van can make things smell. This can be helped by having a window by the cooker, always cook with the vents and windows open (which you should do with gas anyway), and don’t have any carpet on the walls in the kitchen area, as this keeps smells.

A portable cooker like the one you linked to is a good idea. You can cook outside, or inside on a rainy day.
Cooking with battery power is not possible really. You will flatten the batteries far too quickly.

The only gas that is easily available throughout Europe is Camping Gaz. If you are going for a long trip then think about fitting a re-fillable system such as Glaslow or those from http://www.gasit.co.uk/. These you can fill these throughout Europe at a vehicle fuel filling station using the LPG pump. That’s the cheapest way of getting gas.

I have a built in cooker, an old Calor one. I use Camping Gaz bottles as the moment, but do eventually plan to fit a refillable gas tank. My fridge is electric powered, not gas. If it were gas powered I would have fitted a refillable gas tank at the start. I have a Propex heater which is also gas, but rarely use it.

For outdoors cooking I was really tempted to get one of these:
http://www.campingaz.com/uk/p-23696-super-carena-r.aspx

Have you seen the CampingGaz stove ?:
http://www.campingaz.com/uk/p-26652-camp-stove-oven.aspx

[stewart1979]

be interested to see some
be interested to see some photo’s of the van,i have a fixed stove in the van but also a portable one like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/gas-camping-stoves-/281082394980?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_CookingSupplies_ET&hash=item4171d0f964 for using outside, the gas canisters are all over the place now for around a pound each although only 1 ring im not sure if you can get them with 2 or maybe just buy 2 they dont take up much space and mine was only a tenner

[stewart1979]

be interested to see some
be interested to see some photo’s of the van,i have a fixed stove in the van but also a portable one like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/gas-camping-stoves-/281082394980?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_CookingSupplies_ET&hash=item4171d0f964 for using outside, the gas canisters are all over the place now for around a pound each although only 1 ring im not sure if you can get them with 2 or maybe just buy 2 they dont take up much space and mine was only a tenner

[stewart1979]

be interested to see some
be interested to see some photo’s of the van,i have a fixed stove in the van but also a portable one like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/gas-camping-stoves-/281082394980?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_CookingSupplies_ET&hash=item4171d0f964 for using outside, the gas canisters are all over the place now for around a pound each although only 1 ring im not sure if you can get them with 2 or maybe just buy 2 they dont take up much space and mine was only a tenner

[DAVEY]

Petrol cooker?
Hi Pedro, The cooker You suggest comes with a connection for Coleman’s own disposable propane cylinders, which are not cheap! It might be difficult to adapt this safely to fit a refillable cylinder.
If You plan to cook outside then how about one of these?http://www.simplyhike.co.uk/products/Coleman/Unleaded2BurnerStove.aspx I’ve owned one for about 12 years and used it frequently when tent camping, A full tank of petrol (Just under 1 litre) will run both burners for over 2 hours and it gives off plenty of heat.
Although the initial purchase cost is high this is offset by the lower fuel cost, especially over a long trip like You are planning. and of course unleaded petrol is available from any service station so no worries about having the right gas bottle.

[DAVEY]

Petrol cooker?
Hi Pedro, The cooker You suggest comes with a connection for Coleman’s own disposable propane cylinders, which are not cheap! It might be difficult to adapt this safely to fit a refillable cylinder.
If You plan to cook outside then how about one of these?http://www.simplyhike.co.uk/products/Coleman/Unleaded2BurnerStove.aspx I’ve owned one for about 12 years and used it frequently when tent camping, A full tank of petrol (Just under 1 litre) will run both burners for over 2 hours and it gives off plenty of heat.
Although the initial purchase cost is high this is offset by the lower fuel cost, especially over a long trip like You are planning. and of course unleaded petrol is available from any service station so no worries about having the right gas bottle.

[DAVEY]

Petrol cooker?
Hi Pedro, The cooker You suggest comes with a connection for Coleman’s own disposable propane cylinders, which are not cheap! It might be difficult to adapt this safely to fit a refillable cylinder.
If You plan to cook outside then how about one of these?http://www.simplyhike.co.uk/products/Coleman/Unleaded2BurnerStove.aspx I’ve owned one for about 12 years and used it frequently when tent camping, A full tank of petrol (Just under 1 litre) will run both burners for over 2 hours and it gives off plenty of heat.
Although the initial purchase cost is high this is offset by the lower fuel cost, especially over a long trip like You are planning. and of course unleaded petrol is available from any service station so no worries about having the right gas bottle.

[stewart1979]

looks ok and im sure there
looks ok and im sure there safe but not sure if i’d feel safe running a burner on unleaded petrol in the van

[stewart1979]

looks ok and im sure there
looks ok and im sure there safe but not sure if i’d feel safe running a burner on unleaded petrol in the van

[stewart1979]

looks ok and im sure there
looks ok and im sure there safe but not sure if i’d feel safe running a burner on unleaded petrol in the van

[DAVEY]

Petrol cooker
As Stewart says the petrol cooker is not suitable for use inside the van, although it burns cleanly and does not smell once it gets going, there will still be the
by products from burning petrol, so best not to breathe in the fumes.

I only use it outside the van and also carry a small gas burner like the one in Stewart’s link, for when it’s pouring with rain and I have to cook inside.
I have also fitted a combined smoke/carbon monoxide detector in the van to keep it safe.

[DAVEY]

Petrol cooker
As Stewart says the petrol cooker is not suitable for use inside the van, although it burns cleanly and does not smell once it gets going, there will still be the
by products from burning petrol, so best not to breathe in the fumes.

I only use it outside the van and also carry a small gas burner like the one in Stewart’s link, for when it’s pouring with rain and I have to cook inside.
I have also fitted a combined smoke/carbon monoxide detector in the van to keep it safe.

[Author]

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