Yes,that's the type of one I bought. Space in car/tent not an issue. Around £50.... Only been once and didn't have electric hook up, I was amazed how good we managed so hubby would like us to go no electric again. Hot drinks, Cooked breakfasts, spag Bol/pasta, curry/rice....although did think next time I could cook the curry (or chicken at least) at home, or make the Bolognese sauce at home, then just heat it to save gas. It cooked great just the gas ran out faster than I thought it was going too. Thank you for your advise, I actually didn't think Bout the cost of the gas bottle n the regulator too.....might not be worth it as not sure how often we would go.
It'd be worth asking around family, friends , work colleagues to see if you can come across an empty/unused gas *bottle ..
Because folk have 'em sitting behind their shed or stuffed under their garage bench for years... failing that, check out your local Tip, freecycle etc.....
(*Calor is pretty common and is far cheaper than Campingaz, although if it's only for occasional use, even the non-Calor, Budget Gas & Flogas type brand of bottle, that you/we tend to get at small DIY/tool hire shops, would do if it is free! )
Once you have a bottle/cylinder, no matter how battered it looks, as long as it's the correct "brand"(and of the relevant size/group)you can just take it in and exchange it for a full one, just paying for the refill/gas(no "paperwork" required)
There is always ebay or gumtree, from a quick look plenty on ebay come with not just the hose and regulator but also a gas bottle. Obviously you would want to check the hose over etc but it might be worth looking if there is anything near you some of them look almost new.
..although did think next time I could cook the curry (or chicken at least) at home, or make the Bolognese sauce at home, then just heat it to save gas. It cooked great just the gas ran out faster than I thought it was going too...
....I actually didn't think Bout the cost of the gas bottle n the regulator too.....might not be worth it as not sure how often we would go.
Hi again... prepping a few "main" meals at home, and having them in Tupperware type containers(in a cool bag/box with freezer blocks),so that they just need warming through, saves a helluva lot of on-site faff (and gas)..
If you think you can manage with the stove(s) you've got (and they're what we've reverted to using again now), then I'd say persevere with it/them...just keep an eye out for offers on gas canisters(decent ones, preferably!).
Once you start down the "double hob with grill route", before you know it, you'll have elaborate kitchen stands, umpteen storage, "larder" units etc..and a dedicate kitchen/utility tent!
(..just check out the "Kitchen set-ups" thread.... )
I recently bought the Campingaz Camping Chef for £40 in GO. It's good, but as said above, all the extras you need to buy can add up. I got a Calor gas bottle on ebay for £10, paid £18 for gas refill, plus about £20 for the hose and regulator. So in total it was around £88, which is a big difference to the £40 I had initially expected!
i agree we`re a family of 3 and just use the bistro! prep meals just to reheat, buy cannisters in bulk. somehow we`ve aquired 2 over time plus the trangia, so no plans for a double hob n grill!
Could you not adjust your cooking style to camping (easy)?
We use camping rice (the microwave pouch stuff) it takes a packet of rice and 2 tablespoons of boiling water. Cook until water is absorbed and rice is hot. About 3 mins. Eat with curry, bolognaise, casserole, chilli frozen but made at home.
Camping potatoes - small tinned and ready cooked potatoes - eat as with rice.
Could buy quick cook pasta - the 5 minute one.
French bread or toast it and make a garlic butter to spread and that is garlic bread.
If you choose the double burner as we have (family of 5) we bought an empty calor gas bottle from eBay. Then you only pay to have it refilled. Some council tips will sell you empty ones.
Talking of second hand gas bottles, it's worth buying a new hose and regulator just to be on the safe side as you don't know how perished the hose is or if the regulator has been damaged in some way. I would also exchange a second hand one for a new one as soon as possible just to be sure.
As for exchanging old bottles, I had an old Camping Gaz 907 that I bought in 1991, used for a couple of years and then started using more powerful mountain stoves when I went through a mountaineering phase. We then bought a new double gas stove a couple of years ago and traded the old 907, which hadn't been used for about 18 years, for a full one at Go Outdoors. They swapped it no questions asked, didn't even check the old one over!
As for whether to choose Camping Gaz or Calor, Calor gas is cheaper but the Camping Gaz ones are more compact and more readily available on the continent.
I went for Camping Gaz as we were going on a camping holiday in Switzerland so needed something we knew we could get hold of if needed.
------------- May 2015 - Arrow Bank 4 nights
July 2015 - Manorafon 4 nights
August 2015 - Piccadilly Caravan park 3 nights
August 2015 - Wheal Rodney 11 nights
I got a camping gaz xcelerate 600st, which has a built in stand. It is a double burner & has a grill, the stand folds away into the base. It takes the 907 cylinder. I liked this one as I meant I didn't need to get a stand for the cooker which would of taken up more room in the car. I think I paid £90 last year, which I though was a good price for a double stove with grill & stand.
It doesn't matter what size cylinder you have. I have taken in a smaller cylinder & got a refill for a bigger size, & then just paid for whatever size refill I got. I would look for a cylinders locally for sale & then get a refill. Which will help to keep costs down.
we are a family of 6 (2 adults and 4 young children) amd use a high gear double burner stove with grill. As others said the setup is quite expensive originally - you need the stove as well as the hose and regulator and also the gas canister. This is pretty pricey on its own. Although went camping lots last year (all through august as well as weekends away) and its still going strong :) - ours is camping gaz as not been abroad (yet!) - but you do really need a kitchen stand too unless they are free standing which again can be pretty dear. I would say though for us it has been worth the outlay - I really don't think I could manage with a one burner stove :/ especially as I quite often have to cook at least 2 different things :/ but its wether you can afford it or have to save up.
------------- June 2015: seaview international 2 nights
July 2015: little winnick 2 nights
August 2015: lower polladras 5 nights
august 2015: tollgate farm 5 nights
august 2015: oakdown 3 nights
September 2015: tregarton park
family of 6 with young children
------------- June 2015: seaview international 2 nights
July 2015: little winnick 2 nights
August 2015: lower polladras 5 nights
august 2015: tollgate farm 5 nights
august 2015: oakdown 3 nights
September 2015: tregarton park
family of 6 with young children
I've used a Camping Gaz Chef for years as I cook everything when we camp although that said my dad for Christmas has bought me one of the Camping Gas 600s with the stand included (bless him)
Whilst having a look around I came across this one to which you would need to add a regulator and gas.
That said I don't find the grills particularly effective for grilling but they're okay for keeping things warm whilst waiting for the other bits to cook which I find very useful
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Recommendations gas cookers for family
)
)
