Our fulltiming plans have gone into supersonic high speed mode. We have 14 weeks to get ready to fulltime! Our situation is different as we will be in one place working for about 2 years.
So my question...what kitchen items did you take or wish you took fulltiming? What did you find that really worked well? I'm looking for everything from kitchen storage ideas, to serving utencils etc.
Thanks everyone!
Lynn
Sandra said
10:18 PM Jan 14, 2007
Crock pot for sure. I use it a lot and use it for taking hot items to potlucks at campgrounds. Storage containers with lids for storage in refrigerator. I like the square ones as they fit the best and stack well.
ahoweth said
07:52 AM Jan 15, 2007
Hi Lynn:
I know I'm a guy but my wife absolutely refuses to use the computer so I am her typist for this one.
First and foremost is her small toaster oven. She uses it for everything. Second is the small slow cooker/crock pot followed closely by Ziplock freezer bags. They allow you to store more stuff in the fridge. She loves her battery powered can opener too. Oh, yes she says, if you use one of those propane ovens under your range, go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a cheap 12 X 12 ceramic floor tile to set in the bottom of the oven just on top of the burner. It will disperse the heat and keep your baked items from burning on the bottom. Also go by Wal-Mart and pick up one of those little pump spray bottles and fill it with fabric softener. Keep it on you counter top next to the sink. When you are finished washing the dishes and the suds is left in the sink. Squirt one pump ontop of the suds and they dissapear.
Okay that's enough this could go on forever.
susie/jack said
08:45 AM Jan 15, 2007
Ronco rotisserie (for when you want to cook that turkey)
one burner hotplate (can be used on picnic table or inside coach for simmering something (use elec instead of propane)
crock pot and toaster oven (already mentioned)
immersion heater for when you only want one cup of tea
greenlady said
10:35 AM Jan 15, 2007
I have a Nesco 4 QT roaster that doubles as a slow cooker. just got a forman grill, it has 5 interchanging grids. this allows us to have waffles and I tossed my waffle maker.
since we eat a lot of chicken I buy big packages. my food saver is good for making freezer packets.
Linda
Luvglass said
11:48 AM Jan 15, 2007
Hi,
I think everyones list will be different. I would suggest gathering everything that's important to you from your stick house kitchen and start putting it away in your new smaller kitchen in declining order of importance. Your done when you run out of room. And the odds are that you will run out of room. It's amazing all the gadgets we can accumulate when we have the room.
We both do a lot of cooking, so we looked for a kitchen layout with a free standing island for extra work and storage space, and loads of cabinets around the room for added pantry space. We're very satisfied and can prepare anything we used to do at home.
Fred
Judy said
11:50 AM Jan 15, 2007
We love our water dispenser...its for hot water and cold. Hot water in morning for coffee, tea, oatmeal, etc. Got it at Wally and it dosent take up much space on our counter. Uses 3 gallon jugs.
southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs
dreamjosie said
11:55 AM Jan 15, 2007
1. Food processor. I had to choose between food processor and blender. Food processor more versatile. But I also brought my Braun stick-style hand blender (doesn't take much room) so I can still make fruit smoothies and milkshakes
2. Foodsaver vacuum storage machine. It compresses packages of food smaller for freezer storage. Space is always a premium, especially in refrigerator and freezer. Also keeps stored food fresher. I order my favorite coffee freshly roasted from roaster in my home town in 5 lb bags (cheaper and better than what I find on the road) and divide it into 1 lb bags, vacuum sealing to keep fresh.
3. Regular drip style coffee pot.
4. Good glassware: 2 wine glasses, 2 martini glasses, 2 pilsner beer glass, 2 crystal ****tail glasses. We enjoy our ****tails and couldn't see drinking them out of plastic cups. When traveling, they store in a plastic basket inside the cupboard. When we arrive, I take them out and put them on the shelf, just like "home".
5. Crockpot. Before we went fulltime, I gave away both my crockpots as I thought I wouldn't have enough room. Later found we did, so went to Walmart and bought a new one.
Speaking of that, we didn't have the luxury of moving directly from our home into the coach. Home sold before coach arrived. We didn't think we would have as much room in the kitchen as we actually do, so sold and gave away stuff I wish we had now. So my advice is to keep as much of your kitchen stuff as you would ideally like to have with you and try to fit it in. You can always get rid of it. Easier and cheaper than buying replacements later.
We were lucky enough to have enough kitchen space to bring plenty of pots and pans, including a stockpot and 3 frying pans (large and small teflon, medium cast iron). We are foodies and cooking is important to us. Also on a more limited budget now we have to cook more at home, and eat out less so life is a little different than it was in our stick home, and kitchen gadgets are even more important now than they were then.
Bob and Sharon said
06:17 PM Jan 18, 2007
Hi, Lynn
Bob and I are going full time in May so i know what you are going through.
I bought an electric pressure cooker, just love it, can cook a frozen chicken in 35 min. Wouldn't leave home without it
Sharon
the wandering quilter said
05:16 PM Jan 21, 2007
Forget the crockpot and get a thermal cooker, they're the next best thing since sliced bread for RV'ers!
My all time "kitchen" favorite is our Cookshack smoker. It's the smokette 009 model.
RVDude said
09:20 PM Jan 21, 2007
Quilter - You sure go from one end of the kitchen spectrum to the other with your best bet choices! I have got to ask about that thermal cooker thingee - what a perfect boondock (or power conserving) device!
I certainly understand the vacuum bottle insulation principle but does it really work for cooking? You mean - for example - I set up my roast/potatoes/vegies just like for a crock pot, except bring it to a boil on the stove before putting it in the thermal pot in the morning before my day hike and then when I come off the trails in the afternoon the roast/potatoes/vegies will be done?
Way Cool!
the wandering quilter said
05:20 AM Jan 22, 2007
Oh yes it does an amazing job! I've done everything in ours from Coq'au Vin to pintos in beer, corned beef and cabbage, split pea soup, ham and beans, and Beef bourguignon. I was skeptical about it cooking beans from the dry state to "done" but it does!
I love it so much not only because it's non powered, but because food cooked in it takes on the same flavor and textures as something would in a long, slow cook in the oven. I won't eat meat from a crockpot, it just gags me. And yet every RV'er needs a crockpot! So I tried the thermal cooker, and have been grinning ever since .
Luvglass said
06:37 AM Jan 22, 2007
Quilter,
Do you brown your meat before you put it in the crock pot?
I have a stew recipe that I've made for years and I seem to get the same result whether I do it on the stove, in the oven, or in the crock pot. The crock pot takes longer, but my result is the same.
I brown the meat and carmelize the onions first with all the methods.
Fred
the wandering quilter said
06:52 AM Jan 22, 2007
Oh yes, I always brown my meat first. And that's another advantage to the thermal cooker, when you're finished browning, and add your liquids, you scrape up the "brownings" on the bottom of the pan which adds to the flavor... AND there's no extra pot to clean!
RVDude said
09:24 AM Jan 22, 2007
SOLD! On order from Zaccardi's. Finally this Dude gets a very kewel (and useful) update to his kitchen!
-- Edited by RVDude at 10:24, 2007-01-22
the wandering quilter said
09:43 AM Jan 22, 2007
LOL you'll love it, I promise. There's a quite a discussion about it going on over at Escapee's.
Tom N Gina said
11:27 AM Jan 22, 2007
Something that we picked up after leaving our stick house.
Square pizza stone that we leave in the bottom of the gas oven. It really helps to keep the heat even when cooking. Picked it up at Bed Bath and Beyond for 20.00.
cc said
10:31 PM Jan 22, 2007
Please tell this wannabe where you can be a "thermal Cooker", I've never heard of one. Thanks
cc
blijil said
08:28 AM Jan 24, 2007
Four 4 inch ceramic tiles wrapped in foil placed on the bottom shelf of the oven makes the bottom of the biscuit brown instead of black. Must have brown bisucuits.
Larry and Jacki
Tim & Robyn said
12:52 PM Jan 24, 2007
Here's some price comparisons that I found after Googling 'thermal cookware':
http://www.nextag.com/Thermos-Stainless-Steel-Cook-86935198/prices-html
Postalpair said
05:14 PM Jan 28, 2007
I would have to add an electric skillet and a pressure cooker. We like to cook out side ( not on the grill ) and the electric skillet is just the thing. Also is wonderful when you are going to a pot luck and want to keep your dish hot.
The pressure cooker is wonderful when you are in a hurry and the meat is still frozen. Can't tell you how many time we have dropped frozen ribs in the pot with some Bar-B-Que sauce and some water and within 15 minutes the ribs are fall off the bone good!!!
The Postal Pair 2003 F-550 2006 Sunnybrook Toyhauler
Dan and Gail said
09:52 AM Feb 4, 2007
My Nissan Thermal Cooker arrived on Thursday, and we had Beef bourguignon Friday for supper. Absolutely fabulous!!!! I started it at 11:00 am and at 4:00, I sauteed the pearl onions in some butter and quartered the mushrooms. Did not cook the mushrooms. Opened the thermal cooker about 4:15 and added the onions and mushrooms. Brought the pot back to a boil and replaced it in the outer sleeve and closed the lid.
About 6:00pm we had a delicious dinner of beef over noodles, candied baby carrots and a salad. Meat and mushrooms were fully cooked, but not mushy. Had enough left over to freeze for lunch next week.
Plan to try more crockpot type recipes. Really like this idea for saving on propane while boondocking. AND, especially liked the texture and consistency of the meat. My one complaint about crockpot cooking has been the mushy texture.
Thanks CJ for your inspiration and sharing your recipes.
Darrell and Judy said
08:27 AM Feb 5, 2007
I didn't see a toaster on the list - great for the bread and english muffins, etc.
hogans1947 said
02:59 PM Feb 11, 2007
Wow !!! This thermal cooker looks like it may be a "must have" to me. Keep up the reports because I will seriously consider it. DH has never liked meat from the crockpot and I love the concept of fix and forget. The Nissan is pretty expensive. Any other brands that are good or if anyone sees a really good sale, let me know. Thank you, Brenda
diamondmarco said
07:10 AM May 6, 2007
The Nissan thermal cooker looks like a real time and space saver. The price was higher than I expected so I turned to Google and found it available from Amazon.com at less than $100, new. It sounds like a wise investment at that price.
junebugq said
04:47 PM Jan 18, 2009
I have really enjoyed reading about all the ideas in this forum. The one thing I would not be without is our Black & Decker Rice Cooker Plus. We use this pot for everything. It has a removable Teflon pot that is easy for clean up too. We use it to sauté vegetables, to brown meats and make stews, soups etc. etc. etc. We even boil eggs and cook our pasta in it. It has a removable lid so you can cook with or without the lid. Some rice cookers are made without this feature and they would not be nearly as versatile. We love it and highly recommend it to everyone living in their RV's. The cost was only $20 at Walmart.
Our next appliance we would not be without is our Sunbeam Rocket Vertical Grill. You can grill frozen or thawed meats or fish in a matter of minutes. It uses disposable parchment bags that you toss in the trash after using. Clean up is a breeze. It also makes great grilled sandwiches and great grilled veggies. They are available at Walmart for $49 with bags included. They also sell the replacement parchment bags. I didn't see any mention of either of these products. If anyone has them, please post your favorite recipes using them. Best, Gloria & Jerry
gypsymaus said
04:55 PM Jan 18, 2009
I found a small pot by Presto at Walmart that slow cooks, deep frys and steams. It is on my counter for dinner 5 out of seven nights. Tonight it is Spaghetti. It makes an awesome pot roast and keeps Queso warm.
Speedhitch said
01:25 PM Jan 22, 2009
OK now that everyone has their cookware sorted out and you are all ready to make those meals...you can contact me right here on this forum. I will be over to judge the cookoff. I have years of experience at judging so you can be sure I will be fair and equal with all. I do Require two helpings to make a good sound decision. Your patio will do for the tasting and if the sun is out I would like to set under the awning. If need be I will bring my own recliner...which is a must...I have to kick back and nap before final decisions are made.
Professor Speedtaster
Official Dream taster
TXRVr said
03:07 PM Jan 22, 2009
As Luvglass suggested, just gather it all from the present kitchen and start from there. As time passes, you will get things in perspective and either keep it or not. We are fortunate that our MH has lots of storage/pantry space. We did that at the beginning and we could have doubled as a Goodwill Store, but as time passed we got it down to what we needed.
It took awhile to fall out of love with the electric can opener, but a quality manual one saves space. After all, how many cans can one open when cooking for two people?
Visit Dollar, kitchen specialty, and other like stores for ideas to make the most of cooking supplies and storage space. As an example, having under cabinet appliances frees up limited counter tops. Partitioning cabinets with dividers both side to side and up and down will maximize the space. Rubber coated wire racks are good for that. An added benefit is that they will help keep things in place while traveling.
Buy food storage containers that are microwaveable. A bit more expensive that the cheap plastic ones, but imminently more convenient when cooking leftovers.
A plastic magazine holder cut to cabinet size is a neat way to store aluminum foil and sandwich bag boxes.
If you are into wine, then Camping World has a hard plastic wine glass holder that attaches to the bottom of a cabinet shelf. Get some unbreakable wine glasses at the same time. No sense having glass ones that will break eventually. For those who do partake, next time you go to the booze store, con them out of the box that the wines came in. Turn it on the side and you have a handy wine rack. Not aesthetically pleasing, but if it’s in a cabinet, it doesn’t matter.
You would be surprised to find out how many items you buy at a store whose package can be used for handy storage. Free is the best price of all. Before you throw that container in the trash give thought to how it could be used in the RV. As an example the plastic drink mix containers make excellent storage devices. Non-breakable, and with the label removed, you can write the contents on them with a marker.
One of the handiest things I did was to have covers made for the sink bowls that match the counter top material. They provide extra counter top space when preparing and cooking food. Not to mention hiding dirty dishes when needed. J
I think as time passes you will get things in place that fits your own needs.
PS: We do miss our Ronco rotisserie, but it was just too big for the few times we used it. Now if someone can provide a way to make poultry as delicious and moist without one, please let me know!!
thebearII said
12:41 PM Jan 23, 2009
I laughed when my wife brought home a Sunbeam Rocket Grill. I thought what a waste and we would use it a couple of times and then end up selling it in five years when we cleaned out the closet where all the "cool new" unused gadgets go.
I was wrong and admit it....... don't let her know.
Here's the website that describes it: http://www.buyrocketgrill.com/
I use it all of the time and love the fact that there's no cleanup other than throwing away the little bag you grill in.
For boondocking, as long as you have an electrical source to power it, for the few minutes it takes to grill even frozen foods, it requires no water for cleanup, and you can use the little bags as fire starters.
Take a look at the website so you can get a full appreciation of how this works. We've grilled hotdogs, all sorts of meats, grilled cheese sandwich, veggies and even toasted bread with it. You even get grill marks just like off of the BBQ.
My favorite to fix for my dad and I when she is away, is a grilled cheese & ham sandwich and microwave a cup of soup. No cleanup.
I understand the price for these is down to $29 on QVC. Well worth it, especially for boondocking or when it's too cold or wet to use the outdoor BBQ.
junebugq said
01:35 PM Jan 25, 2009
Funny! Professor Speedtaster
Just let us know when you are in our neighborhood. We will grill you "TWO" steaks in the Rocket grill.
Jerry & Gloria
faerie said
10:59 AM Mar 6, 2009
hi. i have been on the web site for the thermal cooker and cant find it. maybe i am just looking in the wrong spot. whats the exact name? help!
thanks
TrailsEnd said
06:20 PM Mar 6, 2009
Consider this an opportunity to fine tune before the RV hits the road a lot. Nikki and I are in about the boat and we are constantly making improvements. I am sure a lot who already move about also found that in the beginning you make a lot of changes. I agree with about everything already said especially about things that you got rid of that you now wish you had, that’s just the learning curve of a new environment. Of the things we did get that helped out is a tube spice rack www.tubularspices.com . We like to cook a lot and we like to have on hand a large variety of spices. Best of luck and enjoy your new adventure.
Joe & Nikki Wright
2007 Mandalay Presidio 39E
2006 Jeep Wrangler
SKP #91530
FMCA #384390
bjoyce said
08:49 PM Mar 6, 2009
hi. i have been on the web site for the thermal cooker and cant find it. maybe i am just looking in the wrong spot. whats the exact name? help!
I think this link from Amazon.com is the the same one - Thermos Nissan Cook N' Carry
Lovin_Life said
07:15 PM May 19, 2009
We are totally new to the RV world so please forgive my ignorance. So my question about the thermal cooker is this...Once you have heated it up and you have it all put together could it sit in the sink and cook while you are traveling, (we have a 5th wheel toy hauler)? I am amazed at this product as I have never heard of such a thing and I absolutely love easy cooking . We are packing up to leave our beloved Alaska and live in Florida (just can't do the long winters anymore). I have been trying to figure out the whole kitchen thing, for our trip. We plan on stopping and taking the motorcycles out for a spin along the way and I would love to have dinner cooking while I am out playing or moving down the road.
pierreandcolleen said
10:31 PM May 20, 2009
Oops...I made a long list of stuff before reading all the posts. Didn't realize it was an old one.
-Colleen
-- Edited by pierreandcolleen on Wednesday 20th of May 2009 10:33:04 PM
Tim & Robyn said
10:42 AM May 21, 2009
Hey! Just because it's an old thread doesn't mean we wouldn't be interested in what you have to add! Share, please....
Smokey-Bear said
10:00 PM May 21, 2009
Cast Iron Skillet... two in fact... Griddle that will go over two burners... Braun Hand Blender with Chopper attachment... Pots & Pans that are Oven Rated... And the desire to Cook...
pierreandcolleen said
09:31 AM May 22, 2009
Ok, here it goes....
3 Saucepans with covers (1 extra small, 1 small, 1 large) 1 large frying pan 1 small frying pan (for omelets) Electric frying pan (mostly for pancakes with Vermont maple syrup) Collander (for draining pasta) Blender (smoothies and other 'frozen concoctions that help me hang on') Small food processor Percolator Coffee bean grinder Plates, bowls, and silverware for 4 6 Drinking glasses 4 coffee mugs 4 wine & 2 martini glasses made out of some non-breakable glass-like material Bottle opener Can opener Plastic containers with lids to store food Mixing bowls Measuring cups and spoons Silicone 8x8 pan (would prefer aluminum for most things, like lasagna) Silicone bread and muffin pans A good set of knives 2 cutting boards Steak knives Spatulas, mixing spoons, vege peeler Reusable lids with elastic rim to fit a variety of bowls and plates A three ring binder with my favorite recipes in those clear plastic sheets Spice rack for inside pantry door A tray to carry things from inside to out Paper towel holder Hanging fruit basket
I guess that pretty much covers it.
-Colleen
-- Edited by pierreandcolleen on Friday 22nd of May 2009 09:31:28 AM
-- Edited by pierreandcolleen on Friday 22nd of May 2009 09:33:19 AM
-- Edited by pierreandcolleen on Friday 22nd of May 2009 09:35:39 AM
Janeen said
06:04 AM Jun 7, 2009
RnL B wrote:
Our fulltiming plans have gone into supersonic high speed mode. We have 14 weeks to get ready to fulltime! Our situation is different as we will be in one place working for about 2 years.
So my question...what kitchen items did you take or wish you took fulltiming? What did you find that really worked well? I'm looking for everything from kitchen storage ideas, to serving utencils etc.
Thanks everyone!
Lynn
We are on an even shorter timeline! After kicking this idea around for months we decided to just pull the trigger. As soon as we did we found a 1 Ton fully loaded crew cab for 14K with a 5th wheel receiver already in being sold by a gentleman who just bought a coach. It looks like new! Then we searched for a trailer that we could get for what we had to spend. My hubby talked me into going to a dealer. I wanted a nice used one as I figured my bang for the buck. Well most of these dealers in Arizona are closing up shop so we got a 31 foot with a huge slide and all the extras for 15K out the door! They were asking 32K Can you believe the luck? We were ready to pay 13 for a 7 year old unit.
The kitchen is my favorite place to be, it will take some adjusting but I really like the idea of the thermal cooker. I googled it and there are many sizes in all price ranges. No used ones on e-bay yet though so I may splurge on just this one thing. No more gormet kitchen but that doesn't mean I can' t cook gormet meals. I'll just have to learn to cook for two instead of 20.
Oh, and if you see us, PLEASE don't tell our kids where we are!
I quit my job tomorrow maybe, or if I chicken out on Friday so wish me luck!
Luvglass said
09:48 AM Jun 7, 2009
You should plan on taking the things you use regularly in your home kitchen.
there's no reason to think that cooking in a RV is any different than at home. The only difference is space, so you take less of some things than you have now.
Footsiebear said
06:59 AM Nov 6, 2009
I have to agree with Luvglass. Don't buy or take anything in the RV that you wouldn't or don't use regularly in your home kitchen. Always consider weight and storage space. No offense to anyone, but it's best to take a wait and see attitude, especially when you're new, because what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. (I have a friend that swears by her crockpots and pressure cookers, can't live without them. So I bought them. And got rid of them because I just didn't use them. (I did keep 1 crockpot out of 4 but I've still only used it twice in 6 months and it will probably end up at Goodwill too.)
DH and I are in the same situation you are. We used to run boiler shutdowns together and staying in hotel rooms (and finding one that didn't object to our Doberman) got to be a pain in the neck, so we bought a travel trailer. As long as I was working full time, the accumulated "stuff" was kept to a minimum, but then DH took a long term QC job and I "stayed home". I got bored. I bought a computer, developed a cookbook addiction (lol), became a master baker and caterer and dh bought man toys. We accumulated so much stuff you'd thought we had a 3 bedroom house with a workshop (lol and we eventually did). Enough books to fill a library, breadmachine (that lost it's allure about 3 months later when I discovered I enjoyed kneading bread by hand), mixers (yes more than one), food processors, enough bakeware and cookware to start a catering business (and I did), gadgets-you name it I bought it. DH was just as bad, he had chainsaws, turkey and fish fryers, outdoor fireplace, lawn furniture, yard tools, a chest freezer for his fish and game, heck we even had a washer and clothesline behind the camper! You'd have sworn we were the Beverly Hillbillies of RVing! We were so dumb we never even considered weight, but then we weren't going anywhere either, fortunately. All this stuff was convenient when we gave up full-timing and moved into a house with 7 acres but I wondered then and still do, how we managed to stuff everything into (and under and alongside) that 29 ft Layton lol! It took us 4 trips to move out of the campground we'd been in for 3 years and into the house.
When we decided to go back on the road last March (after 9 years of being housebound) we had a 6 month interim where DH lived in our Itasca and I commuted back and forth on the weekends until we bought the 5th wheel. Before he left, DH got rid of everything in his workshop while I stayed and emptied an 1800 sq ft house. I divided things into 3 categories: 1. Must keep 2. Must get rid of and 3. Keep until we find out if we need it and have room for it and put that stuff in storage. When it came time to move into the 5th wheel, I used the same system clearing out the storage pod. If I hadn't missed it in 6 months then I didn't need it. For the first 3 weeks, I'd bring stuff over to the camper, put some of it away, take out other stuff and haul a load over to Goodwill. Some stuff I had room for but didn't want the weight but mostly it boiled down to just plain didn't need it.
Yes there were a couple things I got rid of that I ended up replacing (and some things I'd like to get rid of but can't) but it also ended up being for the better because I downsized those items, like a 2 slice toaster instead of a 4 slice (I've never liked toaster ovens), a smaller electric frying pan instead of the one big enough to cook pot roast for 20 (well not quite) LOL! I'm still re-evaluating and eliminating and organizing and probably always will because it's the nature of this beast lol!
Good Luck!
Richard Noble said
07:40 PM Nov 6, 2009
Wouldn't be without my French press coffee/tea maker! I found a smaller one today for the 5er.
galeanna said
08:53 PM Nov 7, 2009
I took the opportunity to replace some of my used and worn kitchen knives, plastic spatulas, wooden spoons .. and put my good silverware in the coach. Then left the used at home for the kids who moved into the house with the instructions if they didn't want it get rid of it. Gave them the chance to get some of the things they didn't have and gave me new items that I knew I would use.
Gary said
10:53 AM Jan 28, 2010
Good thread! I am still in the research phase but I've already started a spreadsheet of the basics and, using this thread, some "must" and "nice to have" items.
Of course, this list will change as time goes on and the choice of a rig is made.
Thanks.
faerie said
11:37 AM Jan 28, 2010
we have decided we need a bigger rig with more storage. we just bought a small blender. and are trying to figure out where to put it!
Sunkatchers said
07:30 PM Jan 29, 2010
Corkscrew
Sharon
Kerri said
08:26 PM Jan 29, 2010
You mean I gotta cook???? Awww maaaan... I thought this was going to be a lifestyle CHANGE.... bummer....
This is a great thread... thanks Gary for "bringing it back"!...... I'm wondering if Speedy's been able to do any judgin' yet??
Onawave said
09:24 AM Feb 21, 2010
I guess I'm old school. I use my cast iron dutch oven for just about everything. I can cook anything in it on a campfire or camp stove, that can be cooked in an oven. I can take a whole chicken, toss in some spuds, spices, and well anything and place it on a campfire, or stove top and the chicken will melt like butter in your mouth. Not to mention taste the best.
Ham!! I can cook a pineapple, honey ham that will draw campers from across the park. Mountain man breakfast is also good anytime.... Takes one dutch oven to cook it all.
If anyone is interested in some awesome shared recipes, and well.. just about everything you want to know about dutch oven cooking, here is a yahoo group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dutchovencooking/
As far as kitchen gadgets, we have a small steamer, and the rocket grille.
Paula H said
09:18 PM Mar 13, 2010
My husband makes some really wonderful waffels I don't think we can give up our belgium waffel gadget! I guess as time goes on we will have to decide! Both of us love to cook but I know we have too many gadgets. What we keep will be interesting, because eventually this will be our full time home.
Our fulltiming plans have gone into supersonic high speed mode. We have 14 weeks to get ready to fulltime! Our situation is different as we will be in one place working for about 2 years.
So my question...what kitchen items did you take or wish you took fulltiming? What did you find that really worked well? I'm looking for everything from kitchen storage ideas, to serving utencils etc.
Thanks everyone!
Lynn
I know I'm a guy but my wife absolutely refuses to use the computer so I am her typist for this one.
First and foremost is her small toaster oven. She uses it for everything. Second is the small slow cooker/crock pot followed closely by Ziplock freezer bags. They allow you to store more stuff in the fridge. She loves her battery powered can opener too. Oh, yes she says, if you use one of those propane ovens under your range, go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a cheap 12 X 12 ceramic floor tile to set in the bottom of the oven just on top of the burner. It will disperse the heat and keep your baked items from burning on the bottom. Also go by Wal-Mart and pick up one of those little pump spray bottles and fill it with fabric softener. Keep it on you counter top next to the sink. When you are finished washing the dishes and the suds is left in the sink. Squirt one pump ontop of the suds and they dissapear.
Okay that's enough this could go on forever.
Ronco rotisserie (for when you want to cook that turkey)
one burner hotplate (can be used on picnic table or inside coach for simmering something (use elec instead of propane)
crock pot and toaster oven (already mentioned)
immersion heater for when you only want one cup of tea
I have a Nesco 4 QT roaster that doubles as a slow cooker. just got a forman grill, it has 5 interchanging grids. this allows us to have waffles and I tossed my waffle maker.
since we eat a lot of chicken I buy big packages. my food saver is good for making freezer packets.
Linda
I think everyones list will be different. I would suggest gathering everything that's important to you from your stick house kitchen and start putting it away in your new smaller kitchen in declining order of importance. Your done when you run out of room.
We both do a lot of cooking, so we looked for a kitchen layout with a free standing island for extra work and storage space, and loads of cabinets around the room for added pantry space. We're very satisfied and can prepare anything we used to do at home.
Fred
We love our water dispenser...its for hot water and cold. Hot water in morning for coffee, tea, oatmeal, etc. Got it at Wally and it dosent take up much space on our counter. Uses 3 gallon jugs.
southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs
2. Foodsaver vacuum storage machine. It compresses packages of food smaller for freezer storage. Space is always a premium, especially in refrigerator and freezer. Also keeps stored food fresher. I order my favorite coffee freshly roasted from roaster in my home town in 5 lb bags (cheaper and better than what I find on the road) and divide it into 1 lb bags, vacuum sealing to keep fresh.
3. Regular drip style coffee pot.
4. Good glassware: 2 wine glasses, 2 martini glasses, 2 pilsner beer glass, 2 crystal ****tail glasses. We enjoy our ****tails and couldn't see drinking them out of plastic cups. When traveling, they store in a plastic basket inside the cupboard. When we arrive, I take them out and put them on the shelf, just like "home".
5. Crockpot. Before we went fulltime, I gave away both my crockpots as I thought I wouldn't have enough room. Later found we did, so went to Walmart and bought a new one.
Speaking of that, we didn't have the luxury of moving directly from our home into the coach. Home sold before coach arrived. We didn't think we would have as much room in the kitchen as we actually do, so sold and gave away stuff I wish we had now. So my advice is to keep as much of your kitchen stuff as you would ideally like to have with you and try to fit it in. You can always get rid of it. Easier and cheaper than buying replacements later.
We were lucky enough to have enough kitchen space to bring plenty of pots and pans, including a stockpot and 3 frying pans (large and small teflon, medium cast iron). We are foodies and cooking is important to us. Also on a more limited budget now we have to cook more at home, and eat out less so life is a little different than it was in our stick home, and kitchen gadgets are even more important now than they were then.
Hi, Lynn
Bob and I are going full time in May so i know what you are going through.
I bought an electric pressure cooker, just love it, can cook a frozen chicken in 35 min. Wouldn't leave home without it
Sharon
Forget the crockpot and get a thermal cooker, they're the next best thing since sliced bread for RV'ers!
My all time "kitchen" favorite is our Cookshack smoker. It's the smokette 009 model.
Quilter - You sure go from one end of the kitchen spectrum to the other with your best bet choices!
I have got to ask about that thermal cooker thingee - what a perfect boondock (or power conserving) device!
I certainly understand the vacuum bottle insulation principle but does it really work for cooking? You mean - for example - I set up my roast/potatoes/vegies just like for a crock pot, except bring it to a boil on the stove before putting it in the thermal pot in the morning before my day hike and then when I come off the trails in the afternoon the roast/potatoes/vegies will be done?
Way Cool!
Oh yes it does an amazing job! I've done everything in ours from Coq'au Vin to pintos in beer, corned beef and cabbage, split pea soup, ham and beans, and Beef bourguignon. I was skeptical about it cooking beans from the dry state to "done" but it does!
I love it so much not only because it's non powered, but because food cooked in it takes on the same flavor and textures as something would in a long, slow cook in the oven. I won't eat meat from a crockpot, it just gags me. And yet every RV'er needs a crockpot! So I tried the thermal cooker, and have been grinning ever since .
Quilter,
Do you brown your meat before you put it in the crock pot?
I have a stew recipe that I've made for years and I seem to get the same result whether I do it on the stove, in the oven, or in the crock pot. The crock pot takes longer, but my result is the same.
I brown the meat and carmelize the onions first with all the methods.
Fred
SOLD! On order from Zaccardi's. Finally this Dude gets a very kewel (and useful) update to his kitchen!
-- Edited by RVDude at 10:24, 2007-01-22
Something that we picked up after leaving our stick house.
Square pizza stone that we leave in the bottom of the gas oven. It really helps to keep the heat even when cooking. Picked it up at Bed Bath and Beyond for 20.00.
The pressure cooker is wonderful when you are in a hurry and the meat is still frozen. Can't tell you how many time we have dropped frozen ribs in the pot with some Bar-B-Que sauce and some water and within 15 minutes the ribs are fall off the bone good!!!
The Postal Pair
2003 F-550
2006 Sunnybrook Toyhauler
My Nissan Thermal Cooker arrived on Thursday, and we had Beef bourguignon Friday for supper. Absolutely fabulous!!!! I started it at 11:00 am and at 4:00, I sauteed the pearl onions in some butter and quartered the mushrooms. Did not cook the mushrooms. Opened the thermal cooker about 4:15 and added the onions and mushrooms. Brought the pot back to a boil and replaced it in the outer sleeve and closed the lid.
About 6:00pm we had a delicious dinner of beef over noodles, candied baby carrots and a salad. Meat and mushrooms were fully cooked, but not mushy. Had enough left over to freeze for lunch next week.
Plan to try more crockpot type recipes. Really like this idea for saving on propane while boondocking. AND, especially liked the texture and consistency of the meat. My one complaint about crockpot cooking has been the mushy texture.
Thanks CJ for your inspiration and sharing your recipes.
Thank you, Brenda
As Luvglass suggested, just gather it all from the present kitchen and start from there. As time passes, you will get things in perspective and either keep it or not. We are fortunate that our MH has lots of storage/pantry space. We did that at the beginning and we could have doubled as a Goodwill Store, but as time passed we got it down to what we needed.
It took awhile to fall out of love with the electric can opener, but a quality manual one saves space. After all, how many cans can one open when cooking for two people?
Visit Dollar, kitchen specialty, and other like stores for ideas to make the most of cooking supplies and storage space. As an example, having under cabinet appliances frees up limited counter tops. Partitioning cabinets with dividers both side to side and up and down will maximize the space. Rubber coated wire racks are good for that. An added benefit is that they will help keep things in place while traveling.
Buy food storage containers that are microwaveable. A bit more expensive that the cheap plastic ones, but imminently more convenient when cooking leftovers.
A plastic magazine holder cut to cabinet size is a neat way to store aluminum foil and sandwich bag boxes.
If you are into wine, then Camping World has a hard plastic wine glass holder that attaches to the bottom of a cabinet shelf. Get some unbreakable wine glasses at the same time. No sense having glass ones that will break eventually. For those who do partake, next time you go to the booze store, con them out of the box that the wines came in. Turn it on the side and you have a handy wine rack. Not aesthetically pleasing, but if it’s in a cabinet, it doesn’t matter.
You would be surprised to find out how many items you buy at a store whose package can be used for handy storage. Free is the best price of all. Before you throw that container in the trash give thought to how it could be used in the RV. As an example the plastic drink mix containers make excellent storage devices. Non-breakable, and with the label removed, you can write the contents on them with a marker.
One of the handiest things I did was to have covers made for the sink bowls that match the counter top material. They provide extra counter top space when preparing and cooking food. Not to mention hiding dirty dishes when needed. J
I think as time passes you will get things in place that fits your own needs.
PS: We do miss our Ronco rotisserie, but it was just too big for the few times we used it. Now if someone can provide a way to make poultry as delicious and moist without one, please let me know!!
Professor Speedtaster
Just let us know when you are in our neighborhood. We will grill you "TWO" steaks in the Rocket grill.
Jerry & Gloria
thanks
-Colleen
-- Edited by pierreandcolleen on Wednesday 20th of May 2009 10:33:04 PM
3 Saucepans with covers (1 extra small, 1 small, 1 large)
1 large frying pan
1 small frying pan (for omelets)
Electric frying pan (mostly for pancakes with Vermont maple syrup)
Collander (for draining pasta)
Blender (smoothies and other 'frozen concoctions that help me hang on')
Small food processor
Percolator
Coffee bean grinder
Plates, bowls, and silverware for 4
6 Drinking glasses
4 coffee mugs
4 wine & 2 martini glasses made out of some non-breakable glass-like material
Bottle opener
Can opener
Plastic containers with lids to store food
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Silicone 8x8 pan (would prefer aluminum for most things, like lasagna)
Silicone bread and muffin pans
A good set of knives
2 cutting boards
Steak knives
Spatulas, mixing spoons, vege peeler
Reusable lids with elastic rim to fit a variety of bowls and plates
A three ring binder with my favorite recipes in those clear plastic sheets
Spice rack for inside pantry door
A tray to carry things from inside to out
Paper towel holder
Hanging fruit basket
I guess that pretty much covers it.
-Colleen
-- Edited by pierreandcolleen on Friday 22nd of May 2009 09:31:28 AM
-- Edited by pierreandcolleen on Friday 22nd of May 2009 09:33:19 AM
-- Edited by pierreandcolleen on Friday 22nd of May 2009 09:35:39 AM
DH and I are in the same situation you are.
We used to run boiler shutdowns together and staying in hotel rooms (and finding one that didn't object to our Doberman) got to be a pain in the neck, so we bought a travel trailer. As long as I was working full time, the accumulated "stuff" was kept to a minimum, but then DH took a long term QC job and I "stayed home". I got bored. I bought a computer, developed a cookbook addiction (lol), became a master baker and caterer and dh bought man toys. We accumulated so much stuff you'd thought we had a 3 bedroom house with a workshop (lol and we eventually did). Enough books to fill a library, breadmachine (that lost it's allure about 3 months later when I discovered I enjoyed kneading bread by hand), mixers (yes more than one), food processors, enough bakeware and cookware to start a catering business (and I did), gadgets-you name it I bought it. DH was just as bad, he had chainsaws, turkey and fish fryers, outdoor fireplace, lawn furniture, yard tools, a chest freezer for his fish and game, heck we even had a washer and clothesline behind the camper! You'd have sworn we were the Beverly Hillbillies of RVing! We were so dumb we never even considered weight, but then we weren't going anywhere either, fortunately. All this stuff was convenient when we gave up full-timing and moved into a house with 7 acres but I wondered then and still do, how we managed to stuff everything into (and under and alongside) that 29 ft Layton lol! It took us 4 trips to move out of the campground we'd been in for 3 years and into the house.
When we decided to go back on the road last March (after 9 years of being housebound) we had a 6 month interim where DH lived in our Itasca and I commuted back and forth on the weekends until we bought the 5th wheel. Before he left, DH got rid of everything in his workshop while I stayed and emptied an 1800 sq ft house. I divided things into 3 categories: 1. Must keep 2. Must get rid of and 3. Keep until we find out if we need it and have room for it and put that stuff in storage. When it came time to move into the 5th wheel, I used the same system clearing out the storage pod. If I hadn't missed it in 6 months then I didn't need it. For the first 3 weeks, I'd bring stuff over to the camper, put some of it away, take out other stuff and haul a load over to Goodwill. Some stuff I had room for but didn't want the weight but mostly it boiled down to just plain didn't need it.
Yes there were a couple things I got rid of that I ended up replacing (and some things I'd like to get rid of but can't) but it also ended up being for the better because I downsized those items, like a 2 slice toaster instead of a 4 slice (I've never liked toaster ovens), a smaller electric frying pan instead of the one big enough to cook pot roast for 20 (well not quite) LOL! I'm still re-evaluating and eliminating and organizing and probably always will because it's the nature of this beast lol!
Good Luck!
Corkscrew
Sharon
This is a great thread... thanks Gary for "bringing it back"!...... I'm wondering if Speedy's been able to do any judgin' yet??
Ham!! I can cook a pineapple, honey ham that will draw campers from across the park. Mountain man breakfast is also good anytime.... Takes one dutch oven to cook it all.
If anyone is interested in some awesome shared recipes, and well.. just about everything you want to know about dutch oven cooking, here is a yahoo group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dutchovencooking/
As far as kitchen gadgets, we have a small steamer, and the rocket grille.