Is it realistic to go all electric and no gas?

[molly 2]

Origo cooker

I had an origo twin hobb on my boat for years, I was well satisfied with it once I found an outlet to buy meths in a 5 litre. container, very safe if you don't over fill, also available origo that is duel fuel 240v and meths ,ideal for gas free set up.they allso do a meths heater that can also be used as a cooker

 

[forager]

I had an origo twin hobb on my boat for years, I was well satisfied with it once I found an outlet to buy meths in a 5 litre. container, very safe if you don't over fill, also available origo that is duel fuel 240v and meths ,ideal for gas free set up.they allso do a meths heater that can also be used as a cooker

Thanks very much, I'm beginning to think it's a sensible option with my simple setup and especially the dual hob if I can find one. Had a quick look and could see 120 volt versions but will keep looking. So simple I could use it in my existing Renault Trafic.

 

[molly 2]

A friends has a duel fuel origo on his boat, uses meths when cruising and 240v lecy on shore ,they are a common fit on boats, his is a bayliner us built. Their is also. Gas hob with with an 240. V ring built in. His is single burner. .Bazzz

 

[Siimplyloco]

A friends has a duel fuel origo on his boat, uses meths when cruising and 240v lecy on shore ,they are a common fit on boats, his is a bayliner us built. Their is also. Gas hob with with an 240. V ring built in. His is single burner. .Bazzz

They are a popular fit on US boats, but considered to be unsafe here. I've never used or fitted one, but I do know of a guy who threw his meth stove overboard, in flames.......
John

 

[john t]

Last year when i was looking into a self build, i looked at using just one type of fuel for every thing, cooking, heating etc. When we went to the m/home show at the NEC, we came across some one who supplied all of the above. Cooking on diesel, and Webasto heating, and a small oven and even hot water. It made me smile, until he started talking in a couple grand just for the hob.!!! The conversation didn't go on for much longer after he told me that, but if ya got the cash and want just the single fuel type thing, well it can be done...At a price.!

jt

 

[ricc]

im surprised that nobody has mentioned that if you use the diesel from the van tank you will be paying the full taxed price on your cooking and heating fuel. a seperate red diesel tank has to be cost effective in the long term...but i dont know how easy it is to get red diesel in small quantities.

 

[FULL TIMER]

They are a popular fit on US boats, but considered to be unsafe here. I've never used or fitted one, but I do know of a guy who threw his meth stove overboard, in flames.......
John

I wouldn't use meths in one as it is pretty volatile whereas the bio ethanol only ignites when it is warmed sort of like igniting the brandy on Christmas pudding.

 

[maingate]

I know this is a wildcamping forum but a van should be able to manage without gas - such as due to a gas regulator failure. It would mean using a site but that is better than abandoning a holiday and gives time to source a new regulator. I found out the hard way when I used the van for work and had my regulator pack in.

A small electric kettle and a single electric ring makes a difference (I had a small microwave as well but that was more of a long term luxury than a necessity).

 

[jamesuk]

My eber w4 does heat and hot water. Very cheap to run and the benefit is a tank of hot water made from engine heat whenever you've driven somewhere ( well not a short journey...)
I'd do hot water and heat with an eber and then you can just boil water for food/cooking/ drink on your electric stove.

 

[forager]

Thanks for the advice everyone, got a few new ideas to be working on.
For my simple installation I'm thinking Webasto Heater and Bio-Ethenol dual burner.
Will probably not have enough room for onboard water tanks and a water heater so looking for a simpler solution there.
Something like a self-contained 8 litre insulated tea urn, enough water for breakfast and a wash on one fill but back to electric hookup on that really.
I looked at the diesel hobs but expensive and need a warm up time too. Would go for the extra expense if it could have been used for van heater too.

 

[Tbear]

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned petrol. I have never used petrol camping cookers but the military Number One Burner is a thing to behold. It needed to be treated with respect as petrol under pressure then lit had its problems.

Ex MOD No1 burner/British army petrol cooker - YouTube

The camping ones are a bit more managable

Coleman Dual Fuel 2 Burner Camping Stove | GO Outdoors

I cannot recommend either but worth thinking about?

Richard

 

[witzend]

I've read this thru and can't see why you'd look for anything more versatile than gas it gives all the heating, cooking and lighting you'd need from one source in what size container suits you and available every where.All appliances are reasonably priced compared to alternatives and with some searching can be found on the used market

 

[forager]

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned petrol. I have never used petrol camping cookers but the military Number One Burner is a thing to behold. It needed to be treated with respect as petrol under pressure then lit had its problems.

Ex MOD No1 burner/British army petrol cooker - YouTube

The camping ones are a bit more managable

Coleman Dual Fuel 2 Burner Camping Stove | GO Outdoors

I cannot recommend either but worth thinking about?

Richard

Thanks, I'll consider that further. I do have a single burner Coleman and run it on the special clean fuel (forget it's name). Plenty of heat and works well in the cold but from experience can be lethal indoors when getting it going! They are OK when hot. Unleaded at any garage is handy.

 

[forager]

I've read this thru and can't see why you'd look for anything more versatile than gas it gives all the heating, cooking and lighting you'd need from one source in what size container suits you and available every where.All appliances are reasonably priced compared to alternatives and with some searching can be found on the used market

Thanks, it's still an option but trying to get away with gas in a confined space, approved installation, safety regulations, inspections, insurance etc. My vehicle is registered as a normal van and not a camper or motorhome.

 

[Dive Tramp]

I use one of these MULTIFUEL CAMPING FISHING HIKING STOVE.MULTI FUEL COOKER GAS / PETROL ETC | eBay as a backup, especially in mid-winter when the gas freezes, there's no dry timber about.

It uses Diesel, Petrol, Paraffin and there's even an adapter for it to be used with (small) bottled Butane (for when it's not too cold).

I was gobsmacked at how quickly it can boil a litre of water! Cooking needs a bit of practice with the controls but it does ok for me out in the sticks.

I do only use it outside mind, as it does kick out black smoke until the burner heats up properly, then it ROARS into life.

DT

 

[forager]

Anyone tried one of these, mobile handwash?

Anyone tried one of these, mobile handwash?Eberspacher Handiwash 12v | eBay

OK it's only 120 watts so going to take ages to heat up, but if it's fairly well sealed (so no condensation) and insulated then it can be left on permanently when driving? Great for a very small van I would think.

In the long term I'm hoping to get a larger vehicle or full size motorhome, this is all about compact stuff that I need in the short term.

 

[FULL TIMER]

Fitted a few of them in catering vans etc , pretty good but need to be wired up using a relay so they only heat up when engine running, they do stay pretty hot as the tank is well insulated and don't take to long to heat up, keep an eye on ebay you should be able to find a S/H one , they also make them with just a hot tap. also no plumbing involved you just fill the tank manually.

 

[forager]

Fitted a few of them in catering vans etc , pretty good but need to be wired up using a relay so they only heat up when engine running, they do stay pretty hot as the tank is well insulated and don't take to long to heat up, keep an eye on ebay you should be able to find a S/H one , they also make them with just a hot tap. also no plumbing involved you just fill the tank manually.

Thanks that's nice to know, thought at 120 watts it may be a bit doubtful. Can also top it up manually from the kettle if required and it gives me the sink and tap in compact space without any plumbing. Could get a 10 amp power supply to use it on electric hookup with a changeover switch. Have a towbar fitted with 12 pin electrics so was thinking one of those connections would already be suitable and handy as I will probably fit on back door to use it inside or outside.

 

[forager]

I use one of these MULTIFUEL CAMPING FISHING HIKING STOVE.MULTI FUEL COOKER GAS / PETROL ETC | eBay as a backup, especially in mid-winter when the gas freezes, there's no dry timber about.

It uses Diesel, Petrol, Paraffin and there's even an adapter for it to be used with (small) bottled Butane (for when it's not too cold).

I was gobsmacked at how quickly it can boil a litre of water! Cooking needs a bit of practice with the controls but it does ok for me out in the sticks.

I do only use it outside mind, as it does kick out black smoke until the burner heats up properly, then it ROARS into life.

DT

Thanks, got similar setup at present with Coleman petrol stove but a bit fiddly outside on a cold morning, could do with something more built in like the flush mount ethenol stove. Agree they do roar away quite well!

 

[GRWXJR]

Anyone tried one of these, mobile handwash?Eberspacher Handiwash 12v | eBay

OK it's only 120 watts so going to take ages to heat up, but if it's fairly well sealed (so no condensation) and insulated then it can be left on permanently when driving? Great for a very small van I would think.

In the long term I'm hoping to get a larger vehicle or full size motorhome, this is all about compact stuff that I need in the short term.

I have one. Came with the van. Took it out. First trip MTM's Hereford meet last year I arrived to find the thing had blown my 20A split charger fuse en route then flattened the leisure batt. So no Dc lights etc on arrival. DOH!

Any heating on leccy dc or ac is big power and inefficient. A genny on board needs heaps of space and ventilation or it'll cook itself smartish plus the CO Exh issue. So running one outside only it would have to be. Heat/ cook non leccy use LEDs to minimise batt consumption and u can go days without hook up ESP if u drive often. Ok I have only been away 9 days in one go but no prob with gas and battery only with no hook up needed throughout.

Also I run my webasto off a small dedicated tank in the back of the van. Was using red in it but now switched to kerosene (CH Oil). Sourced out of my house boiler tank. Half the cost of the DERV for the engine.