Kettle!!!!!

[Phantom]

Hi All

So first night in van this weekend at Golden Cap campsite in Seatown! Spent 2 days in the Anchor inn which is next door and highly recommended! Diesel heater came in handy at 04:00 am!

Van is being used as sailing / windsurfing weekend events bus but not full camper so has bed etc but I have not gone for cooking as normally at a sailing club where we can use facilities and wanted big bed.

However the only thing I would of found useful this weekend would of been to boil a kettle! So this is probably a really stupid question and I'm guessing you will all tell me to buy a gas burner! I have not had full electrics put in as did not think I will need them although all wiring in place if I need to add. I have USB ports and second battery .............

Can I run kettle off USB port? Any suggestions?

Thank you

Nick

 

[CRD]

USB is only 5 volts so think would struggle to ever heat never mind boil water with that. However, 'kettles' with 12 volt heating elements are available from Halfords etc which will heat water sufficiently for a cuppa, but these have quite long boil times- something like 15 minutes per cup full.

 

[Loz]

Buy a Jetboil flash, compact and fast. the burner and fuel can all packs inside the giant mug. Useful for food as well.

http://amzn.eu/goWr9E3

 

[Bryn23]

We brought a Waeco 12 volt kettle, we only used it 3 times, it took forever,

Well over 30-40 minutes to warm the water enough for two cuppa's

And i don't mean it was hot water after 30 min.. just drinkable, just..

 

[CaliStu]

JetBoil is the answer. I've got the Sumo and it's perfect for 4 cups of tea.

Or the AlpKit BruKit which is cheaper.

 

[CRD]

We brought a Waeco 12 volt kettle, we only used it 3 times, it took forever,

Well over 30-40 minutes to warm the water enough for two cuppa's

And i don't mean it was hot water after 30 min.. just drinkable, just..

I'm guessing these kettles are around 120Watts max as this tends to be the maximum rating on 12V outlets (10 amps).

A conventional mains kettle is around 2000/3000Watts so not really surprising these take so long to heat water.

I bought one of the cheap butane single burner gas hobs and a small whistling kettle for taking away to picnics etc for a brew. It takes around 5/7 minutes to boil 2 good mug-fulls of water. Replacement cartridges from our local Pound shop for a £ each unsurprisingly. Still on my first cartridge after 4 or 5 uses so not bad at all really.

 

[CRD]

Or could always just take a flask of boiling water with you, lol

 

[T6 Dave]

Trangia system? Put outside with kettle in if you don't wand steam inside, shield keeps heat in.. Can use inside with gel fuel... Or volcano kettle... Mans toy! Or ultimate.. British Army No 12 on paraffin!

 

[Phantom]

Sounds a bit hardcore T6 Dave!

Thank you for all responses! Made that simple, Jet Boil on order!

Great forum for advice! Partner is hard work in the mornings when hungover (frequently) and without a cup of tea she is almost unbearable so big help

 

[T6 Dave]

You can get good accessories for the jet boil as well.. Good in the winter just in case..

 

[BiTurbo]

Cadac safari chief, boils water, cooks dinner all packs away in its nice bag.... End of...

 

[superflyguy]

Cadac safari chief, boils water, cooks dinner all packs away in its nice bag.... End of...

Just been looking at these, recommend hp or lp ?

 

[CaliStu]

Cadac safari chief, boils water, cooks dinner all packs away in its nice bag.... End of...

I've got a cadac safari chef as well as the JetBoil, but it's nowhere near as convenient for making tea. It is however perfect for cooking sausages, eggs, bacon etc

 

[CaliStu]

Just been looking at these, recommend hp or lp ?

I went for the HP as it's more compact and can share gas cannisters with the JetBoil.

I did read a lot of complaints online that it couldn't get as hot as the LP, but I've not had any issues.

You can also buy an adapter for the LP to use HP cannisters, so that's the most flexible option.

 

[superflyguy]

I went for the HP as it's more compact and can share gas cannisters with the JetBoil.

I did read a lot of complaints online that it couldn't get as hot as the LP, but I've not had any issues.

You can also buy an adapter for the LP to use HP cannisters, so that's the most flexible option.

Sounds ideal, I've already got a MSR micro rocket for making tea, im just wanting a general all rounder for cooking on now. I got myself a Foker cast iron cooking ring but it weighs a ton !!

 

[Loz]

For larger cooking we also have a jetboil Helios.

 

[DaveyB]

@Phantom sounds like you are using the van in the same way as we use ours. All of my plans are based around keeping it as a day van rather than full camper. I have put a 240V hookup on the outside of the van and sockets, so powering a normal kettle is straight forward.
So based upon your forum name is it an Ovington or Vandercraft???

 

[Phantom]

@Phantom sounds like you are using the van in the same way as we use ours. All of my plans are based around keeping it as a day van rather than full camper. I have put a 240V hookup on the outside of the van and sockets, so powering a normal kettle is straight forward.
So based upon your forum name is it an Ovington or Vandercraft???

Hi DaveyB

Very good, Ovi 1446! Sail a few things but you nailed the name! I'm fairly sure I saw a picture of your van towing a RIB and a couple of Oppies?!? You drive them round the country but get to play with the RIB? Your van is very smart!

Nick

 

[DaveyB]

@Phantom, I adore that boat, and if (a) I had more time to sail and therefore get better this is the boat I'd have, and (b) weren't spending all my spare change on my van may even be able to afford one. Sailed a mates Vandercraft once, really nice. I have to put up with the wifes laser and a full rig, but being as tall as I am, a laser ain't the easiest boat for me to throw around with the cockpit being so small.
Got a few Phantoms at our club (4).
Yes that was my van towing an orange Ribquest RIB and the kid's Oppie's. The Midlands Optimist Team were gifted the RIB so we hold it in trust, but I'm about the only person who can tow it. Plus being a powerboat instructor for the RYA and chief PBi for our club means I am generally part of the safety fleet for all of the national competitions throughout the year, so it enables me to be out on the water close'ish to where the kids are.
You never know but when I've finally done the van I may get one, but by then I'll be too old to chuck such a weapon of a dinghy around.

 

[Phantom]

@Phantom, I adore that boat, and if (a) I had more time to sail and therefore get better this is the boat I'd have, and (b) weren't spending all my spare change on my van may even be able to afford one. Sailed a mates Vandercraft once, really nice. I have to put up with the wifes laser and a full rig, but being as tall as I am, a laser ain't the easiest boat for me to throw around with the cockpit being so small.
Got a few Phantoms at our club (4).
Yes that was my van towing an orange Ribquest RIB and the kid's Oppie's. The Midlands Optimist Team were gifted the RIB so we hold it in trust, but I'm about the only person who can tow it. Plus being a powerboat instructor for the RYA and chief PBi for our club means I am generally part of the safety fleet for all of the national competitions throughout the year, so it enables me to be out on the water close'ish to where the kids are.
You never know but when I've finally done the van I may get one, but by then I'll be too old to chuck such a weapon of a dinghy around.

Small world! Nice RIB too! Nothing wrong with a Laser apart from the rudder and they are bloody hard work!!!! Normally try and avoid Oppie parents with their motorhomes and numberplates i.e OPPIE 1 etc

Welcome to have a go in 1446, you must do some miles at weekends with some very tired kids! I spend alot of time in Weymouth and wow they keep them on the water for a long time!!!!!! The price of a race spec Oppie now you can do alot to your van!!!

Nick