Hi. I am about as new of a newby as you can get. I am planning to retire full time to class B in two years. While this is a ways away, I am already thinking about what I will and won't need. Anything I buy now, I want to make sure that it is something I will use in my new RV home. That brings me to the issue of storage. This question will probably show my total ignorance, but I need to buy new food storage containers, and I have stopped using plastic whenever possible. Is it totally out of the question to use glass storage containers? I have some that have nice clip-on lids, and would get more of those, if they are workable. I am also planning on getting a Foodsaver vacuum system and will need to get storage containers for that. I can buy the ones they make that are plastic or I can buy the lid system and use heavy glass jars. I'd rather the later, but again, I don't know if this is out of the question. I know I would need to store them in the RV correctly. Does anyone out there use glass?
Thank you for whatever advice and suggestions you can give.
GENECOP said
07:21 PM Apr 27, 2013
Welcome to the Forum, glass would be OK if that's what you prefer to work with, it will just require a bit more preparation in terms of getting ready to travel. RV's have two different modes, SITTING, things are much like your house, you can use China and Crystal if you want, MOVING however is another story, things must be battened down an glass requires a little more safety. As far as the Foodsaver I dont really think there is much need for that on the road, your storage ability does not provide much long term space.
Cindy T said
01:10 AM Apr 28, 2013
Glass is ok, however it is heavier than plastic & can break, as Gene pointed out. Space & weight are always a consideration. You mentioned that you'll be fulltiming in a Class B, so you will have limited cabinet storage as well as limited fridge/freezer space. You'll only need a few food storage containers.
Raytronx said
01:53 AM Apr 28, 2013
I have several glass containers and corning-ware type and haven't had any breakage. We have also never had a liquor or wine bottle break. I wouldn't trust a thin type glass, like wine or drinking glasses.
Our rig is a fifth wheel with the kitchen over the axles, other rigs may be different, so you may have to feel out yours.
Ray
NWescapee said
04:49 AM Apr 28, 2013
Gene - have to disagree on the Foodsaver, ours will be going with us. We special order coffee (really good coffee, "Camano Island Coffee Roasters") and we use the food saver for storing coffee and plan to continue to use it on the road. Yes, we're "coffee snobs", but we've been spoiled by CICR coffee that is so much better than any other coffee we've found in the Seattle area. We also have a spoiled kitty for whom we make fresh raw meat cat food; Foodsaver is essential for keeping multiple weeks of kitty burgers frozen until consumed by our beloved Tazzy Kat.
Terry and Jo said
06:55 AM Apr 28, 2013
Two messages here:
Jill,
First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You will find the folks here to be knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, and encouraging. They are also willing to help with answers to questions, so feel free to ask all you want. There are no "dumb" questions except those that don't get asked and one finds they made an expensive mistake because the didn't ask that question.
Welcome to the family.
Ruth,
Gene's comment should be considered because Jill is planning on using a Class B RV, which is like a fancy full sized "family" van that is set up for RVing. Those Class B's have a lack of space, so many things that we can put in ours will take up valuable space in a small RV. Food saver systems are still good ideas, but space is the issue.
Terry
Technomadia said
01:41 PM Apr 28, 2013
Welcome Jill -
Do you already have your Class B? If so, buying stuff now with the mind to take it with you might make sense.
However, after having lived in two different RVs of similar size to what you're considering - we found that we had to put a good bit of effort into finding kitchen stuff that fit the available storage space. Even when we switched RVs, we had to get all new stuff to fit the new dimensions. You'll find cabinets and drawers are oddly shaped, based on what the designer was able to work with.
So, unless you have your dimensions available.. I'd avoid buying this sort of stuff until after you have your RV and know what you're working with.
- Cherie
jfreeland518 said
11:06 PM Apr 28, 2013
Thank you all for your welcome and your advice. I don't have my RV yet, and won't get it until I am ready to head out, so I won't start buying stuff yet. Knowing that drawers and cupboards can vary so much is very useful. I was hoping that what I do buy now, like new food storage containers, would work in the RV, but if not, they will be sold with the 98% of my stuff I won't be keeping. I am currently thinking of a LTV Serenity, but am still exploring my options. There is so much to learn! Terry, what you said about "dumb" questions is exactly what I tell my students (I teach history). I should heed my own advice! Thank you again -- I look forward to asking all kinds of **** questions in the future.
Jill
GENECOP said
12:03 AM Apr 29, 2013
LTV is a great choice, also check out Lazy Daze, And Coachhouse.....
Hina said
04:43 AM Apr 29, 2013
Measure your cabinets, and go to the Dollar store with your tape measure, and find some plastic baskets to put your stuff in. You can get some of that rubber, non-slip shelf liner at the Dollar store, and cut some strips, and wrap it around your jars with rubber bands. At least while you are traveling. Or, I tuck my dish towels and boxes of tea between breakables while moving.
jfreeland518 said
03:00 PM Apr 29, 2013
I am going to get inside the Serenity for the first time later in May. I am very excited. I will take my tape measure! The non-skid liners are a great idea -- also the using baskets to put things in.
Ruth -- I am a coffee lover as well. Recently have discovered the Aeropress and am now loving Cafe Americanos every morning. I checked out the Camano Island Coffee Roasters -- what an amazing organization. I am ordering from them right away! I want good coffee -- and I do believe that where we spend out money makes a big difference in the world. Now I will add Camano Island to my future itinerary.
Gene -- I am going to spend time this summer (the joys of being a teacher!) looking at all the class Bs I can. On the computer, the Serenity has stolen my heart, but I need to get inside different ones and really see what they are like. Anyone near Connecticut with a class B that I can see?
Jill
NWescapee said
05:53 PM Apr 29, 2013
The Aeropress is wonderful, we discovered that a few years ago as we kept trying to find the right, portable espresso maker. I love the fact that it takes up a lot less room than the espresso maker we just sold that took up at least a sqaure foot on my kitchen counter.
NWescapee said
02:18 AM May 1, 2013
One more comment for those of you who identify with my "coffee snob" comment. Just received a special offer today from Camano Island Coffee, for a friend of a friend, you can receive a free pound of coffee (you pay for the shipping) if you provide our name or membership number, so if you're interested in trying out the really good coffee, PM me and I'll send you our member number and the website instructions.
GENECOP said
03:03 AM May 1, 2013
jfreeland518 wrote:
I am going to get inside the Serenity for the first time later in May. I am very excited. I will take my tape measure! The non-skid liners are a great idea -- also the using baskets to put things in.
Ruth -- I am a coffee lover as well. Recently have discovered the Aeropress and am now loving Cafe Americanos every morning. I checked out the Camano Island Coffee Roasters -- what an amazing organization. I am ordering from them right away! I want good coffee -- and I do believe that where we spend out money makes a big difference in the world. Now I will add Camano Island to my future itinerary.
Gene -- I am going to spend time this summer (the joys of being a teacher!) looking at all the class Bs I can. On the computer, the Serenity has stolen my heart, but I need to get inside different ones and really see what they are like. Anyone near Connecticut with a class B that I can see?
Jill
Jill PA Rv Show coming up, Hershey to be more specific.....all the B's will there......
KellyVA said
05:47 AM May 2, 2013
Coffee Snobs unite!! LOL We have our coffee maker in our RV now but I plan on leaving it behind when we travel and using the good old Melitta drip. Gotta have good coffee if you are from Pacific Northwest :) I'll be riding to Camano Island this week so will check out the coffee. My friend sells her handmade soaps there too.
bjoyce said
09:14 AM May 2, 2013
We carry an espresso machine and a burr grinder so we are definitely coffee snobs. We used to carry a coffee maker, but it didn't get used. Still, the espresso machine and grinder take up room. Right now we are in Eugene, Oregon and have already picked our two favorites roasted here, Full City from Full City and Chupacabra Espresso from Wandering Goat. We seem to find good roasts on the coasts, but in the middle of the country it is very hard. We have to find freezer space to store a few pounds for the east-west journey.
One part of the full timing adventure many do not think about is that some foods are regional. For some this is no big thing, for others it is a crisis. A younger couple we knew, who liked to cook, were very distressed to not find their favorite ingredients as they traveled. They thought they were easy going and flexible, but found that when it came to food they were already set in their ways. Another couple we know who came from the San Francisco area get shipments of San Francisco sourdough bread and Genoa Salami from their kids and have to keep open space for these items. Other sourdough and salami doesn't taste right to them. Whenever I encounter someone who grew up in Nebraska and went full time, I ask if they were surprised that Runza wasn't everywhere. Western Washington people are always asking about teriyaki, since teriyaki places are rare in other parts of the country. Organic foods and bulk items are not available everywhere. I know Southerners who carry large bags of grits since only small, expensive boxes are available most places. Be prepared for change and try to cope.
Edit: I also should say to be prepared to carry your favorite food items long distances if they turn out to be unavailable everywhere. So keep some food storage free until you know.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 2nd of May 2013 09:49:42 AM
Hi. I am about as new of a newby as you can get. I am planning to retire full time to class B in two years. While this is a ways away, I am already thinking about what I will and won't need. Anything I buy now, I want to make sure that it is something I will use in my new RV home. That brings me to the issue of storage. This question will probably show my total ignorance, but I need to buy new food storage containers, and I have stopped using plastic whenever possible. Is it totally out of the question to use glass storage containers? I have some that have nice clip-on lids, and would get more of those, if they are workable. I am also planning on getting a Foodsaver vacuum system and will need to get storage containers for that. I can buy the ones they make that are plastic or I can buy the lid system and use heavy glass jars. I'd rather the later, but again, I don't know if this is out of the question. I know I would need to store them in the RV correctly. Does anyone out there use glass?
Thank you for whatever advice and suggestions you can give.
Glass is ok, however it is heavier than plastic & can break, as Gene pointed out. Space & weight are always a consideration. You mentioned that you'll be fulltiming in a Class B, so you will have limited cabinet storage as well as limited fridge/freezer space. You'll only need a few food storage containers.
Our rig is a fifth wheel with the kitchen over the axles, other rigs may be different, so you may have to feel out yours.
Ray
Two messages here:
Jill,
First of all, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You will find the folks here to be knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, and encouraging. They are also willing to help with answers to questions, so feel free to ask all you want. There are no "dumb" questions except those that don't get asked and one finds they made an expensive mistake because the didn't ask that question.
Welcome to the family.
Ruth,
Gene's comment should be considered because Jill is planning on using a Class B RV, which is like a fancy full sized "family" van that is set up for RVing. Those Class B's have a lack of space, so many things that we can put in ours will take up valuable space in a small RV. Food saver systems are still good ideas, but space is the issue.
Terry
Do you already have your Class B? If so, buying stuff now with the mind to take it with you might make sense.
However, after having lived in two different RVs of similar size to what you're considering - we found that we had to put a good bit of effort into finding kitchen stuff that fit the available storage space. Even when we switched RVs, we had to get all new stuff to fit the new dimensions. You'll find cabinets and drawers are oddly shaped, based on what the designer was able to work with.
So, unless you have your dimensions available.. I'd avoid buying this sort of stuff until after you have your RV and know what you're working with.
- Cherie
Jill
Ruth -- I am a coffee lover as well. Recently have discovered the Aeropress and am now loving Cafe Americanos every morning. I checked out the Camano Island Coffee Roasters -- what an amazing organization. I am ordering from them right away! I want good coffee -- and I do believe that where we spend out money makes a big difference in the world. Now I will add Camano Island to my future itinerary.
Gene -- I am going to spend time this summer (the joys of being a teacher!) looking at all the class Bs I can. On the computer, the Serenity has stolen my heart, but I need to get inside different ones and really see what they are like. Anyone near Connecticut with a class B that I can see?
Jill
Jill PA Rv Show coming up, Hershey to be more specific.....all the B's will there......
We carry an espresso machine and a burr grinder so we are definitely coffee snobs. We used to carry a coffee maker, but it didn't get used. Still, the espresso machine and grinder take up room. Right now we are in Eugene, Oregon and have already picked our two favorites roasted here, Full City from Full City and Chupacabra Espresso from Wandering Goat. We seem to find good roasts on the coasts, but in the middle of the country it is very hard. We have to find freezer space to store a few pounds for the east-west journey.
One part of the full timing adventure many do not think about is that some foods are regional. For some this is no big thing, for others it is a crisis. A younger couple we knew, who liked to cook, were very distressed to not find their favorite ingredients as they traveled. They thought they were easy going and flexible, but found that when it came to food they were already set in their ways. Another couple we know who came from the San Francisco area get shipments of San Francisco sourdough bread and Genoa Salami from their kids and have to keep open space for these items. Other sourdough and salami doesn't taste right to them. Whenever I encounter someone who grew up in Nebraska and went full time, I ask if they were surprised that Runza wasn't everywhere. Western Washington people are always asking about teriyaki, since teriyaki places are rare in other parts of the country. Organic foods and bulk items are not available everywhere. I know Southerners who carry large bags of grits since only small, expensive boxes are available most places. Be prepared for change and try to cope.
Edit: I also should say to be prepared to carry your favorite food items long distances if they turn out to be unavailable everywhere. So keep some food storage free until you know.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 2nd of May 2013 09:49:42 AM