I toyed about getting an induction compatible one, and decided against it, as I can make a toasted sandwich on my induction ready gridle or frying pan with some weight on top of it, like a small pan or a glass lid, which is what I would do at home.
IMHO, it is worth the expense if one likes to make and eat toasted sandwiches.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't think we'd bother just for a toastie, but then we have a decent electric sandwich toaster for that.
However, although we rarely cook at the tent, last September was a time to do so, due to cafes/tea rooms being restricted, and any pub/restaurant terraces being somewhat busy and requiring pre-booking, so we went for picnic lunches, and cooking at the tent in the evenings/occasional breakfast/brunch.
I bought the XL Ridgemonkey a good couple of years ago, but unfortunately that coincided with us getting lazier and lazier, so we still hadn't got around to using it! This time, we did, and although we cooked simple/basic meals, I have to say, we were both impressed, and with things going as they are, I suspect we will be more than happy to repeat the process again this coming September, if not before.
Simple to use. Easy to clean.
We heated ready made pies & "Potato bites", (beans in a saucepan). Had the most perfect toasted crumpets & cheese we've ever had. Sausage & Egg on toasted muffins. Succulent lamb-burgers. A very successful Chicken Curry with naans. "Fried" potatoes to go with ham and salad. We warmed Spanish Tortilla, and even warmed up some Choc Brownie to go with the Clotted cream we had left over from a DIY afternoon tea!
We felt like proper campers, for a change! Even boiled the kettle to wash up in a bowl at the tent!
Ironically toasties is something we haven't made in ours yet but I have made toast in it. We have the XL & regular. Great as general cooking pans (not for soups, stews etc) & ours has a steamer option. We find it great in our small van as it stops a lot of mess, especially when doing a full monty breakfast or bacon butty.
Quote: Originally posted by Oswestry Ed on 22/3/2021
Thank you for all your comments, just been online and bought one. Look forward to trying it out.
Assume you are aware, but just in case you're not, spend a couple of hours on You Tube.
Loads of great tips on there, and masses of meal ideas/recipes.
The Ridgemonkey XL arrived on Saturday morning, cooked two Pannini's for dinner on Saturday and Chicken breast for tea. Excellent piece of kit, can't wait to be able to use in the van.
Bought a Compact XL with detachable handles in readiness to off-grid for a 2-night trip at a rally at a pub with a campsite on a grass pitch without EHU in March 2022.
Tried it this morning and made a toasted sandwich with corn beef and Camembert and it was lush!
I shall bring a suitcase stove with me, and shall dig out the small Coleman F1 Spirit stove in case I need another stove.
With hindsight, perhaps I should have kept my Coleman 424 Dual Fuel 2-burner stove and/or the Coleman Sportster Dual Fuel single burner stove, DOH!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Am thinking of buying one but reviews point out problems with handles and hinges breaking on the compact models. Can anyone who's had one for a while give some feedback on this, please?
I've found somewhere with stock of the original, fixed-handle model.
Excellent bits of kit, not just for toasties as some have put above.
I have had mine for 2 years and its still going strong not breaks or damage, the outer sides are a bit battle worn but that is bound to happen.
Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 10/1/2022
Am thinking of buying one but reviews point out problems with handles and hinges breaking on the compact models. Can anyone who's had one for a while give some feedback on this, please?
I've found somewhere with stock of the original, fixed-handle model.
The hinges on my Compact XL are cast aluminium as part of the pans, therefore, quite sturdy IMHO.
However, I can see why they could break as it was not obvious to me how to dis-engage and re-engage the two sides at first use. It is easy once I knew. Therefore, if they break, I would say it would be due to user error IMHO.
No problem with the handles - just needs to be certain they are not subjected to high heat during the cooking process, and medium to low heat is advised.
The instructions provided are very specific about that!
There is some kind of grey coating on the outside that could come off when scraped, e.g. against the cast iron stove top at home. It is an aesthetic issue and not a functional defect as such.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 10/1/2022
Am thinking of buying one but reviews point out problems with handles and hinges breaking on the compact models. Can anyone who's had one for a while give some feedback on this, please?
I've found somewhere with stock of the original, fixed-handle model.
The hinges on my Compact XL are cast aluminium as part of the pans, therefore, quite sturdy IMHO.
However, I can see why they could break as it was not obvious to me how to dis-engage and re-engage the two sides at first use. It is easy once I knew. Therefore, if they break, I would say it would be due to user error IMHO.
No problem with the handles - just needs to be certain they are not subjected to high heat during the cooking process, and medium to low heat is advised.
The instructions provided are very specific about that!
There is some kind of grey coating on the outside that could come off when scraped, e.g. against the cast iron stove top at home. It is an aesthetic issue and not a functional defect as such.
DK
Thanks DK. Have ordered a Compact XL. It's not often we go without EHU but I reckon this is worth trying for those rare occasions.
Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 12/1/2022
Thanks DK. Have ordered a Compact XL. It's not often we go without EHU but I reckon this is worth trying for those rare occasions.
Please post about any culinary triumphs.
An inspiration came from a FB food related group, to make quesadilla using the RidgeMonkey, and a small round one would fit the XL I believe.
I normally carry spicy cheese slices, rocket, spring onion and avocado in the van, so that should work if I get a pack of small tortillas and split it down in to packs of twos to avoid wastage.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Thinking of buying Ridgemonkey
Even boiled the kettle to wash up in a bowl at the tent! 
via mobile 22/3/2021 at 9:28am
