Hot water on the go, 12v kettle or camping stove

paddedjohn

I've had a 12v kettle for years with no probs, just make sure you run the engine in between or during boiling

Lum

I'm glad you talk about using this while parked!

I always remember overtaking a truck with it's window down on the M4 only to have a steaming wet tea bag land on my windscreen!

Strider590

Lum wrote: »

I'm glad you talk about using this while parked!

I always remember overtaking a truck with it's window down on the M4 only to have a steaming wet tea bag land on my windscreen!

Bwahahaha you got teabagged

(in the best possible way)

HO87

Gas could be a problem in the van. The heating elements rarely last very long in my experience and take an age to actually boil a large mug of water whereas the Trangia will do it in about 3-4 minutes. A Mini Trangia - or a Trangia "type" cooker - shouldn't cost more than £25 and it has a pan that will take a pint of water. You can also get a Trangia kettle which is more efficient but I don't think they don't come included with the Mini.

I've used a larger Trangia for years - I like my tea freshly brewed - and keep it in the boot. The burner packs down inside the nest of pans so it doesn't matter if its a bit hot (actually they cool very quickly and it'll be cold enough to pack by the time you've finished your mug of tea). The burner's screw-on lid means if you don't use all of the fuel you can save it for the next time.

Gas can also be expensive and it can also be difficult to find the right cannister whereas a small bottle of Meths at £1.98 from my local hardware store will last about three weeks if I have to be on the road alot.

Again eBay is your friend - Click here - cheaper than I thought.

Btw - I don't work for Trangia.

Premier_2

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Many truck drivers use gas cookers. ...

But not inside the cab! ... at least not those with even an ounce of common sense.

Premier_2

As ManAtHome says, why not use a flask?

John_3:16

I am sure you would be better to get a solar panel to trickle charge your battery and only start the engine when needed. You can buy as big as you can afford

.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Watt-12v-Volt-Solar-Panel-Trickle-Car-Battery-Charger-/130543581857?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item1e6500faa1

forgotmyname

Well thats better than the 1.5w one on the other thread.

But only 4w so still 3 hours+ for every amp he takes out of the battery.

120hours to fully charge a 40AH battery. Will we get that much sunshine this year?

reeac

khampson wrote: »

Hi, because I spend all day in my van and would like a cuppa now and then, I don't know which to buy, a 12v kettle or a stove that uses small butane gas cans, I think the cheapest option is a 12v kettle, I am prepared to wait 15 minutes for it to boil as I am often in the same place for hours, also I have a spare battery but I am unsure how many times I can boil it before the battery becomes flat, or I can just buy a camping stove and use that but i don't know how expensive the gases are, what are your thoughts?

Thank you

You can get a portable gas hob eg. from Halfords for £14.99 and gas bottles cost about £2 each. We bought one [from a different source] about 12 years ago and find it excellent although it's kept at home now and only used during power cuts.

thegirlintheattic

No to meths, the flame is almost invisible. I would also say no to gas if you are using it in the van both due to the fire risk and the chance of gassing yourself.

A cheap travel kettle or heating element should be fine and if you have the engine running whilst you use it you should have no issues.