I have already posted asking about the best fabric for my custom built folding camper - now I need to ask about safe cooking! I planned on using a Smev 927 hob, set into a 1200 run of surface, with a steel lined lid about 425mm high that folds back and fixes to give a heat resistant splash back. The lid will rest against the canvas, which curves up to a roof high point of around 2.2 metres, and will be either flame proofed, or lined with a flame resistant fabric. I am uneasy about any flames under canvas though - electricity isn't really an option as I want to stay in small and out of the way places...
Would I be better with a movable gas hob, so that I can cook outside most of the time, and only use it inside when absolutely essential? And is there one that combines practicality with aesthetics - or at least isn't completely hideous?! Or can I safely manage an inset hob, with a carbon monoxide alarm, fire extinguisher and fire blanket all to hand?
It's a bit fiddly cooking or even frying inside a folding camper sometimes. There just isn't that much room when you have your apron on. If the weather is permitting, then why not cook outside? Others will be outside relaxing and enjoying the weather anyway, while you are stuck inside at the hob.
The dual option sounds really attractive especially if you have gas. With cooking outside there is no worry of fat splashes, spills or even boil overs leaving a mess to clean up afterwards. Cooking can really heat up the area inside too, and even more so if its really hot outside. Again, you have all those smells of the various foods that can linger for quite a while afterwards. However if it's not so good outside, you will be glad of all your indoor cooking facilities.
We use both the fitted three hob gas cooker/grill unit, mainly for boiling things .... and a CADAC for doing most of the rest ... especially the paella pan, which is a brilliant 'all-rounder'.
Also use a slow cooker a lot ... but that does need ehu.
Have never felt any danger from using the gas hob in the FC ... it's how it was designed to function.
I'm not clear as to whether you are proposing to put something in that was not designed to be there?
Our canvas and inner roof lining is certainly not flameproofed .... the rear splash guard (glass) does not touch the window panel, when open ... rests against a 'stop knob' fixed to the side spalsh guard.
What model of FC do you have?
It is a custom build, Kelper, and rather difficult to describe! More or less a wide gipsy caravan when erected, with solid wood ends and canvas roof and sides. The folding sofa bed is at one end, the door at the other, and where the beds would be on most campers are folding side benches, one of which will support the cooking area. But the roof is much higher than most campers I have seen. How tall is your splash guard? I think if I can fit one in that is tall enough your combination of an indoor hob and CADAC may be ideal.
The cooking areas on older campers (without the glass splashbacks) have wooden surrounds with a metal sheet protecting the wood (looks like aluminium) but if your worried about using wood then what about the stuff used for fire surrounds, sorry can't think of it's name offhand.
I am beginning to think that a couple of little cartridge hobs might be more useful than a fixed cooker. I can set up a safe area lined with aluminium inside, and have the option of cooking outside as well.
And the Arrietty arrived this afternoon and is going to be AMAZING! Can't wait to get her painted and show some photos.
I only use the inside gas rings for our first cuppa in the morning and if the weather is horrible outside, much nicer to cook outside with our outdoorchef city grill and one of the gas canister camping rings, pretty much can do anything we want with them two
Are you dead set on gas?
I'm seriously considering chucking the gas unit out and using a dual induction ring .... takes up much less space and is considerably lighter.
Then the Cadac for most stuff, coupled with a slow cooker.
I have decided to do without a leisure battery for now, and use battery LED lights, plus car chargers for the iPad and Kindle, so some form of gas is needed. The small cartridge stove with the Stopgaz system so that the gas cuts off if the flme goes out seems the simplest. I have a carbon monoxide alarm ready to fit, so should be safe for that! But an indoor/outdoor cooker does sound like a good idea...
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Topic: Cooking in a folding camper
