Saving gas
I doubt I'm the first to come up with this but as a newbie caravanner - especially one with a dog - I thought I'd "share with the group"
On a CC site with elec hookup, we obviously run the caravan on electric heating rather than gas, except on the coldest of days, and even then only briefly (it gets too hot - the Knaus is VERY well insulated)
Obviously we use gas for cooking as the hob is 4 x gas, as is the oven & grille.
But the latest addition - and one which Ben the dog really approves of, is an electric blanket
Having run out of gas once, we now 'run' with 2 bottles (always a spare) but I really do need to look into those Safefil bottles which can be topped up ad hoc
Comments
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To help keep weight down I use two bottles . I start off both full use one till it gets down to about half full, then swap to full bottle which I now use and run that one out and exchange when empty, in the mean time I use the half full one and as soon
as I get the empty one exchanged I put that one back on leaving the half full one with slightly less in but as the spare this normally gets me through several exchanges before the spare is now empty and then I repeat, hope this is a tip for people, ( I know
what I mean) lol0 -
We (who caravan mainly in France) choose to add a small electric oven, and a hob to our 'electric' kit - and save even more gas. Our gas bottle has lasted quite a few years without replacement
However, there is no doubt that whatever 'fuel' you use to heat and cook by ultimately you pay for it one way or the other either by buying all the kit which allows you to stay 'off the grid' or by buying stuff which allows you to stop using gas and use
only the electricity you're paying for. Ultimately nothing is free.0 -
Much depends on your usage moonchip as has been said - I have gone the Safefill route and love it - no more uncertainty about running out of gas as you can see the level and then fill up when convenient. I did a lot of cooking over Christmas including the
main meal and all was well - now will top it up next time I go to Lincoln. I like being able to cook on gas - my preferred fuel - and the light cylinder helps with the weight on the nose etc etc. This year I intend a lot more outings off the grid so expect
to enjoy the savings even more!0 -
most will either use the fuel most appropriate to the location they are sited on, or that which gives them the most perveived value or convenience.
despite feeling that cc should offer more flexible electric options, I'm not embarrased to say that i plug in when on a cc site and have, on average, paid around £3+ per day for the privilege.
in effect, ill use what ive paid for.....or cant avaid paying for.
In spain, next visit, ill use a local gas cylinder and keep the metered electric down a bit, as spanish gas for cooking, hot water, fridge freezer etc, is cheaper than the electric.
in the uk, if i was tied to a small (expensive per lite) calor as many in the club are, Id make more use of electric no doubt.
however, as my tv, lights, water pump, chargers etc are all run from 12v (as are most others') it makes no difference as long as batteries are charged, so a 16a supply isnt really necessary, much less (3-6a) will provide all the battery power (almost) anyone
can use....of course, i dont have a microwave, and a hairdryer is useful for OH, but these things dont bother us.
so, its the most appropriate fuel for us, depending on location, cost and availability....choice.
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Our caravan cooker has a dual fuel hob. One ring is electric and the other 3 gas. The oven and grill are gas. We also have a two ring electric hob in the awning. Gas seems more versatile in that you can instantly increase or decrease the heat. Electric
takes longer to regulate.0 -
dont forget that when you 1st buy a calor container you have to pay about £40 hire charge so you can knock that bit of the price of a reffilable, and the gas is les than half price, plus the container is a lot lighter
There is no need to give any more money to Calor
, empty bottles are readily available on Ebay for around £100 -
dont forget that when you 1st buy a calor container you have to pay about £40 hire charge so you can knock that bit of the price of a reffilable, and the gas is les than half price, plus the container is a lot lighter
There is no need to give any more money to Calor
, empty bottles are readily available on Ebay for around £10I found one on Ebay free if you collected and it was only the other side of the town where I live. Bargain.
When we're out in the caravan, frankly, keeping costs down is something I don't consider. We treat every break, be it a couple of nights or an annual holiday, as a holiday. We rarely go off grid so use both as and electricity. I'm amazed at how little
gas we use considering we cook largely by gas and boost the heating by gas too but I would never consdier cutting down on gas use because of the cost.0 -
Test.
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dont forget that when you 1st buy a calor container you have to pay about £40 hire charge so you can knock that bit of the price of a reffilable, and the gas is les than half price, plus the container is a lot lighter
There is no need to give any more money to Calor
, empty bottles are readily available on Ebay for around £10I found one on Ebay free if you collected and it was only the other side of the town where I live. Bargain.
When we're out in the caravan, frankly, keeping costs down is something I don't consider. We treat every break, be it a couple of nights or an annual holiday, as a holiday. We rarely go off grid so use both as and electricity. I'm amazed at how little gas we use considering we cook largely by gas and boost the heating by gas too but I would never consdier cutting down on gas use because of the cost.
Write your comments here...Our situation is different as we are out in the caravan all the time from one club site to another, so we do like to economise on gas so that our money goes farther! Since June 2015, I have not spent a single night away from a Caravan Club site!
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No, I've still got the same cylinder that came with the van!
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7 months old
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In 10 years of having the MH we have only had 3 6kg cylinders
Remoska and cobb do most of our cooking and leccy for heating and hot water even in the depths of winter. We used to stay on aires in France a few years ago and that is where we used most of our gas
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I use EHU sites only I heat tue van only on EHU I have fathe and trust in the grid here in utah
J&I0 -
We did use gas to cook the turkey in the oven on Christmas Day and in the summer we use gas for the barbecue which runs off the external bbq point on the outside front nearside of the caravan.
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You can get free hot water by filling a couple of plastic pop bottles and leaving in the sun all day - top on loosely, not tight.
Even in weak sunshine you can get hot water.
People may well laugh...
Russ
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The EHU is part of the pitch fee
J&I0 -
Much depends on your usage moonchip as has been said - I have gone the Safefill route and love it - no more uncertainty about running out of gas as you can see the level and then fill up when convenient. I did a lot of cooking over Christmas including the main meal and all was well - now will top it up next time I go to Lincoln. I like being able to cook on gas - my preferred fuel - and the light cylinder helps with the weight on the nose etc etc. This year I intend a lot more outings off the grid so expect to enjoy the savings even more!
Ironically after yesterdays post, I have just changed over cylinders today - the previous CalorLite lasted about 6 days. I do a lot of cooking when away (or at home) .... tonights tea was a Lamb Henry, so that took about 3 1/2 hours in the oven.
Gas fire is on low pretty much constantly, especially if we have come in froma walk, and the Ultrastore runs on gas & electric so we have plenty of hot water (quicker running on both), plus all hot brews are made on a stove kettle, not an electric one.
Admittedly, we may be a bit silly keeping the heating on low with the roof light open ajar, but I like fresh air and to feel comfortably warm, even though its rather chiily outdoors
We had 54 nights away last year from buying the caravan in June, so 'Safefil' seems like a good idea to us, but we'll still keep a CalorLite as a spare.
Unfortunately can't exchange it today as Poolsbrook dont have any
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You can get free hot water by filling a couple of plastic pop bottles and leaving in the sun all day - top on loosely, not tight.
Even in weak sunshine you can get hot water.
People may well laugh...
Russ
Not us Russ, we did this in Spain earlier this year if you can get a dark bottle it works even better
Edit, sorry DD just read your post
we wrapped a bit if black bin bag round one to try it out.0
