In the four years I've been camping in my Cheyenne, I've come to find some appliances indispensable. Among the 'must haves' that came with the camper, I include the hot water heater, electric pump, and refrigerator. We never use the inside stove, but I'm glad it's there. Best add on was the ice maker. Coupled with a pair of five day coolers, and we have virtually unlimited cold storage -- free and effortless. Plus there's no need to open a cooler to get ice for a drink. I have three bunk light/fan contraptions (one for each bunk and one over the outside stove), three crock pots, and a toaster oven.
I'm thinking of getting a microwave. Is this still camping?
What do you all take on the road? Any suggestions for a microwave (wattage, features, size)? I was thinking of replacing the toaster oven with a combo convection oven. What do you think?
When we bought our new Avalon last year I thought having a built in microwave was a dumb idea. Wrong! I use it all the time (reheating, defrosting, popcorn, cooking frozen meals like Mac and cheese, etc) If we have hook-ups great if not I just turn on the generator (Honda EU 3000). It saves on time and dishes. Now our first night out dinner is always some type of one dish heat and serve casserole or a premade Costco pot roast with gravy.
Crosbygroup 2008 Fleetwood Avalon Highlander
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. ~Henry J. Tillman
Len, I bought a GE 0.7 Cubic Foot microwave. I got it from Best Buy and it was the smallest one I could find. The nice thing is that it fits in one of the compartment under a seat. As Sue said it is quick and espeically during the summer you don't heat up the PUP with the stove.
Ruide
Fleetwood Evolution E3 - Yellow (DW let me get a Yellow one since she wanted an E3 with a slide out )
Hummer H2 - Black (DW vetoed the Yellow one, but I got two Yellow Hummer Folding Mountain bikes )
My Niagara came with a microwave and I too thought I'd never use it! First trip out (we visited daughter and baby) and it got used to heat the baby's food...and gets used every trip now.
While I love my AC, furnace - my Potty/shower is probably my favorite investment. So nice not to have to get dressed for the middle of the night toe-stubbing trek to a buggy bathhouse!
I cook inside (easier for me), so I do like my 3-burner range (one high output burner), as well as the oven. Nice not to have to pack/tote the Coleman stoves, tables, propane cans.
I do love fresh bread, so have a bread machine in the PUP -- between it and the coffee maker - - I awake to fresh bread and freshly brewed coffee (about the same time...if I program both correctly).
My PUP is my home on wheels, so I do like my creature comforts. Camping? Yes for me!
I'm thinking of getting a microwave. Is this still camping? What do you think?
Since you asked, you must already know the answer deep down inside. Backpacking is camping. Canoe voyaging is camping. Bicycle touring is camping. Packing a mule or 4WD into the wilderness hunting or fishing is camping. Hemingway's Nick Adams stories describe camping.
What you have described is not close to camping. That's why the term "RVing" was invented, to differentiate skill sets, goals and lifestyles.
It's a personal choice dictated by many factors (age and health being two). I'm in a pop up now because after 30 years of "roughing it," I have a been-there-done-that feeling about it. However, my camping style (boondocking) draws the line at bringing all that electricity-using stuff with me.
(Pardon me while I put on my Nomex suit)
* This post was
edited 08/03/08 11:23am by 'tiredTeacher *
Wright and Penny
Tundra 4X4
Starcraft 2107
"Remember to keep it simple. You can't get away from it all if you take it all with you."
Nights camped in '07 = 48
Nights camped in '08 = 50 http://www.webshots.com/user/awellis3
ok. so i've seen these combo convection/microwave ovens with heating elements top and bottom for grilling. Sounds like the best choice. how about wattage -- what will get me in trouble at campgrounds. I read that people trip breakers with microwaves running or that they cannot run anything else when the microwave is on.
If you are looking for a microwave unit designed for the rough and tumble trip down bumpy roads, consider the Dometic models. Their electronics are specifically designed for the abuse they'll receive in an RV or camper. Not only are they durable, but they draw 1,000 watts (700 watt output) so they are powerful enough to do the job, like popping popcorn, without overtaxing your genny or camper's circuits. The dimensions of mine is: 17 15/16" x 11 1/16" x 12 5/16" or .7 cu.ft. oven capacity.
Camping world sells a 1.2 cu.ft., 1,100 watt version for only $136 for Pres. Club members. They're not much more than the discount store brands, yet they give you the peace-of-mind that they'll be working after you arrive at the campground.
we had a small micro that I purchased from Walmart, smallest, cheapest since it is only used for seasonal. Used it all the time, never blew a breaker. Funny thing is we started out with the essentials, it seemed as time went on the essentials became more, crock pot, tv, dvd player, microwave, bar fridge, water cooler, lap top. I don't think it matters what you bring or what you use that makes it camping, it is all about family time, outdoors and the cold beer.
I was only kidding about the camping. We went from NH to Hershey PA to Delaware OH to Niagara Falls this summer. We brought computers, video games, and an ice maker. All this made it easier to get from destination to destination, but camping is still camping. FWIW, we did not have internet access for the whole 16 days we were on the road.
Offline
)
)
)
