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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / indoor cooking
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WY_mark
Member
# Posted: 16 Jun 2013 15:45
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Hi all,
I've been looking for indoor cooking options. we're likely only days away from another fire ban and as much as I love cooking over a campfire, I don't always want to start one just to cook. I went up to the cabin this weekend solo and it was miserable with wind - trying to boil water on the little propane burner outside was even more miserable.
searching online I came across a couple induction cooktop options and think I'd like to try one. I've got a 4000watt champion generator and the cooktop is 1800watt max. Looks like the cooktop isn't so grand for pancakes, but then I got thinking, why not a little induction hot plate and an electrical skillet. The generator could even power them together. I'd previously banished such thoughts because we were going to go solar (haven't yet).
Here's my big question: will my generator fry the cooktop or a skillet? I don't have an inverter generator. How clean of power do these gizmos need?
What other safe ideas does anyone have for indoor cooking? right now we have no utilities of any kind, it's propane cylinders or generator.

thanks for your ideas!
Mark

trollbridge
Member
# Posted: 16 Jun 2013 16:23
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Hi!
We use a generator and run a small microwave and also an electric skillet. We cook all sorts of foods with no problems. If you buy an electric skillet get a large one with deep sides instead of a griddle-it will be way more versatile. Also when we are done cooking it is super easy to clean dishes because it quickly heats water. Wash them right in the skillet, then finish washing the skillet last. Works great!

Those small waffle irons, omelet makers, and George foreman's should all work fine

ackray
Member
# Posted: 16 Jun 2013 16:48
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Camp Chef Outdoor Camp Oven

Amazon for around $200. Works great.

groingo
Member
# Posted: 16 Jun 2013 17:23
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I agree with ackray, Camp Chef combo cooker / oven is the best!

silverwaterlady
Member
# Posted: 16 Jun 2013 18:31 - Edited by: silverwaterlady
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I have that oven/ burner combo. I don't like the stove top because the flame won't go low enough for a light simmer. The oven is touchy as well. It's takes awhile to get the oven at the correct temperature and nothing browns on the top. I'm using it until I can afford a real propane stove. We are off grid. I don't want to run a generator everytime I am cooking.

The burners I use are from Gordon's Food Service. They are butane burners. The type you see chefs use to make omelettes at breakfast buffets. The butane is sold there as well. I love my butane burners. They cook extra hot. Perfect for boiling water, FAST. Yet the flame can be turned down to a nice slow simmer. Perfect for percolator coffee. The burners are portable and come in a carry case.

I use my propane BBQ quite a bit. I make pizza, corn bread and baked fish.

*EDIT* Just a safety reminder. None of the above mentioned appliances are vented to the outside. I have a window open,also my cabin is not insulated so it is airy.

Grandma Off Grid
Member
# Posted: 16 Jun 2013 20:37
Reply 


Think about what you are trying to cook also.
If you can modify it somewhat and do some ahead of time this will help too.
Like the thermos idea. if nothing else for the moment
a little sterno stove. i used one for me and 4 kids for 2 months once when we moved and didnt have a stove yet.
I have one now on top of my wood cookstove.
I use either little HEET soaked into toilet paper..and i mean like 2 capfuls..thats enough to heat water or do
some limited cooking.
If im not in a hurry i will just put a tea candle under the kettle in the sterno stove. you can buy sterno and stove pretty cheap at walmart. maybe under 20$ for all. cheap fix for the interim.

Are you allowed a wood stove there? This is a good time to buy one..in warm weather.

cabingal3
Member
# Posted: 17 Jun 2013 04:42
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we use this stove.its propane.works pretty good.not too costly.to me a step up from a suzy homemaker stove.i cooked xmas dinner on it one year at the cabin.it was not the best dinner but i still have to practice .higher elevation and such.
stove/oven combo
stove/oven combo


WY_mark
Member
# Posted: 17 Jun 2013 12:02
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are you using your outdoor camp oven indoors?

cabingal3
Member
# Posted: 17 Jun 2013 12:13
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yes.if u mean me WY_mark.
there is windows with screens above and a dutch door that opens at midway.

skootamattaschmidty
Member
# Posted: 17 Jun 2013 12:48
Reply 


We have a full sized propane stove/oven that works great and uses little gas. Also you could use a coleman stove to cook on. Whether propane or coleman fuel. I agree with silverwaterlady. It's nice being able to cook without turning the generator on all the time. And in our area propane is cheaper than gas and a tank lasts a longtime.

silverwaterlady
Member
# Posted: 17 Jun 2013 17:58
Reply 


I am using it indoors as well. See my edit in my previous post.

I test the connection on the oven with a gauge I got from Amazon with some gift cards to check for leaks. This gauge is professional quality a little over kill but since I will be using all propane in my cabin it will come in handy.

silverwaterlady
Member
# Posted: 17 Jun 2013 18:12
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Found a photo of the combo:
image.jpg
image.jpg


cabingal3
Member
# Posted: 18 Jun 2013 04:09
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silverwaterlady.your kitchen is so cute.love it.love those ovens/stove combo's.

silverwaterlady
Member
# Posted: 18 Jun 2013 05:18
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Thank You cabingal3 I like your kitchen too and the state it's in. OR is one of my favorate places to visit. I have spent quite a bit of time in Portland one of my favorate cities and I don't usually like cities.

hattie
Member
# Posted: 18 Jun 2013 11:56
Reply 


How about a crockpot or a toaster oven?

cabingal3
Member
# Posted: 18 Jun 2013 18:26
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Quoting: silverwaterlady
Thank You cabingal3 I like your kitchen too and the state it's in.

thanks silverwaterlady.yes we have work to do.
hattie.we are off grid.i am looking more into solar cooking next.i may use the crockpot for solar cooking in the summer.hugs cabi

KSalzwedel
Member
# Posted: 20 Jun 2013 00:58
Reply 


We will eventually have a 20" propane stove, when the kitchen is in, but over winter we used a coleman propane with a detector/monitor above it. We wanted the monitor anyway because we have a woodstove for heat. Always stayed in the healthy zone, but checked frequently. Used rhe woodstove for keeping coffee and water kettle hot. Freed up the 2 burners for cooking.

littlesalmon4
Member
# Posted: 20 Jun 2013 11:14
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We are using a propane stove out of an old camper. $20.00 at a garage sale and it works perfect

bukhntr
Member
# Posted: 29 Jun 2013 23:08
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glad I saw the pics. I have been given a coleman camp oven and wondered about using it indoors. Manual says not to , but for light cooking I cant see where it would hurt. I have a 12x28 cabin, what are your thoughts/experiences

Purplerules
Member
# Posted: 29 Jun 2013 23:33
Reply 


We us the propane camp stove inside, but open the window it sits under and also have a detector/monitor.
Works fine. We also brought our outdoor grill this last trip as we felt it would get more use at the cabin then it was getting at home.
But of course it is outside.
you can see left side of window
you can see left side of window


cabingal3
Member
# Posted: 30 Jun 2013 10:10
Reply 


Quoting: littlesalmon4
We are using a propane stove out of an old camper. $20.00 at a garage sale and it works perfect

Hi littlesalmon4.we were planning on doing this one too.then by the time we got it out of the camper we had.it did not look too good anymore.the camper got crushed in by heavy snow load .sure did want to do this one.good for u.

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