I haven't been posting much since being in one place and my posts are usually discussing my travels and different camp sites. also Greens has been reported on very comprehensively by others in the group. Anyway here is a summary of my second week.
All is well, we have had a few come and go but we still have the same nucleus of Grey Nomads for the Happy Hour that extends until around 10pm. We have used the choofer on several nights but when at other campsites I havent taken it there. Hard to find something of note to post about other than to say that we are all enjoying ourselves here at Greens Lake.
When I was at Bendemeer I was introduced to a spirit stove by a lady camper and I was intrigued because with it I could cook inside the van legally and whats more safely. I have looked into spirit stoves and found the name Orego by Dometic seems to be the best and is mainly used on boats because there is no fuel to spill or pressure to explode and can come with a gimbal that allows it to balance even in the wildest weather. No such need in my case because if the bus is moving there will be no cooking.
Having looked on eBay and Gumtree I have found that new the best deal I could get was $420 plus $50 delivery. I was fortunate to see an add on Gumtree selling a hardly used one for $250 but it was in St Kilda and there would be considerable fuel cost to get it. I was able to buy it and have it delivered to Chriss place in Frankston where I lived whilst getting the Coaster registered and fortuitously he was coming to Greens today and I have it now in the bus. Have tried it out and it works fine, now where to anchor it????
Cooked a meal, well, warmed up baked beans, and it worked well but only got 1 litre of metho and found that it only partially filled one side so next time in a hardware shop will look out for a larger container. More economical too. Off to Rochester today with Billeee and Jules to get 15ltrs of water and a shop up for stuff to cook, currently I am reduced to opening up cans and using those cup of soup and cup of noodles unless using the jaffle iron on the choofer.
Melbourne cup tomorrow and Sally wants to have a sweep and a lunch with hats and dress up so we will see how that turns out. I have to supply a plate and will buy that in Rochy, no way am I cooking my contribution. So my second week in Greens is coming to an end and even though I have spent nothing on petrol or rent I have managed to spend the pension, 6 months rego, the privacy awning, deflappers and the spirit stove. All done now and I can replenish my financial float.
When Sharon left us she had a surplus green floor cover that she gave to me, it is very good under the mats that previously were my only floor covering so now my floor looks very smart even putting up a pic of the finished result. Patty is quite the marshmellow queen she not only supplied the marshmellows and special fork she proved able to cook them in volume perfectly not burned like I seem to do but soft through to the middle. Hooray to Patty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not so sure about Billeee's supervising skills. John
Old Crofter said
11:35 PM Nov 4, 2013
Good one John, those meth stoves are great, you will enjoy using, little slower than gas but it has it's advantages as you have indicated.
with the reports coming from Greens I guess most have a nap in the afternoon.
keep on keeping on, stay safe and enjoy.
Bob & Rhonda
jetj said
01:27 AM Nov 5, 2013
Just a question, wouldn't a metho stove still produce carbon monoxide?
Dougwe said
01:53 AM Nov 5, 2013
Looking good there John, as usual.
You could be spot on Janette as a flame is burning and a flame needs oxygen then CM would be released. Just make sure you have a window open John, should be safe then.
Duh said
02:17 AM Nov 5, 2013
yeoeleven wrote:
........When I was at Bendemeer I was introduced to a spirit stove by a lady camper and I was intrigued because with it I could cook inside the van legally and whats more safely. I have looked into spirit stoves and found the name Orego by Dometic seems to be the best and is mainly used on boats because there is no fuel to spill or pressure to explode and can come with a gimbal that allows it to balance even in the wildest weather. No such need in my case because if the bus is moving there will be no cooking..........................................
I had one exactly the same in my Hi Ace John when we were both camped at Cosy Corner. It sat in a section of the van with a lift up top and fold down front, the lift up and sides/front and back of the holding box were lined with stainless steel so you could use it inside the van, the stove could also be lifted out for use outside if required.
It also has the advantage of being able to be doused in water to put it out, they only type of fuel that can. I bought my metho from Bunnings or other Hardware stores, the stuff at camping shops was twice the price and no better.
Good stove, you won't be disappointed.
halfpint said
05:52 AM Nov 5, 2013
I am on to that John.... he just want me to be the one cooking the yummmmy marshmellows :) they are nice I must say.
yeoeleven said
05:58 AM Nov 5, 2013
Thanks for the replies, glad you answered Doug I didn't know about the carbon monoxide and will be sure to have a window open.
Vic when we were camping at Cosy Corner I wasn't aware of spirit stoves but then had a gas certification, you were on the ball with your Hi Ace.
John
Feral Errol said
06:18 AM Nov 5, 2013
Hi John,
They look like a great device. I see the top of the line model also has an oven and costs about $1750!!!. I expect the would be a bit more expensive to use than gas but a lot easier to get set up!
I'm hoping to get up there tomorrow if all goes well.
jules47 said
06:34 AM Nov 5, 2013
Feral Errol - hope you make it tomorrow - looking forward to meeting you - having a bit of a "do" for Melb Cup Day - funny hat - food - sweep - all in all a bit of fun!!! Come and join us!!!
Feral Errol said
06:40 AM Nov 5, 2013
Will be doing my best to get there ASAP. Have loads of work to do to secure stuff here before I can head off.
I am looking forward to lowering the IQ of the assembled throng at Greens
Duh said
12:44 PM Nov 5, 2013
yeoeleven wrote:
Vic when we were camping at Cosy Corner I wasn't aware of spirit stoves but then had a gas certification, you were on the ball with your Hi Ace.
John
I can't recall if I did any cooking there John, I think you used something for cooking on the wooden picnic table you shared with the Korean girl from memory. We were lucky getting good spots and not a lot of people when we were there, I've been since and it was packed with people.
Trouble is with a lot of free camps now is many of the hire companies provide the Camps book with the vehicle so they get overcrowded in peak periods.
I ended up going to Shelley Beach which was not far from there and got an excellent spot, there were ranger fees but the rangers were on strike for more pay so it was free.
My Hi Ace had the Waeco 80ltr 2 way (12/240V) fridge which I can recommend for those not using gas (runs off auxiliary battery).
-- Edited by Duh on Tuesday 5th of November 2013 12:45:58 PM
Dougwe said
04:53 PM Nov 5, 2013
Feral isn't the only one visiting today now.
Yep you guessed it, no not me, not them and not even her but,
The gambling police, to check your bookies licence.
GaryKelly said
05:44 PM Nov 5, 2013
I'm not surprised you got a bit behind with your postings, John, being distracted by all the fruit loops, but it was good to see your update and pics.
Happywanderer said
09:17 PM Nov 5, 2013
I hope to be there by your 3rd week John.
A few hiccups including 3 days in bed with a bug.
johnq said
12:45 AM Nov 6, 2013
yeoeleven wrote:
Thanks for the replies, glad you answered Doug I didn't know about the carbon monoxide and will be sure to have a window open.
Vic when we were camping at Cosy Corner I wasn't aware of spirit stoves but then had a gas certification, you were on the ball with your Hi Ace.
John
John
From boatie experience you will need to maintain ventilation anyhow. Because the fuel vapor does lurk presenting a low but real fire risk and secondly, the water vapour produced during cooking will produce mildew in odd areas/cupboards in the van.
BTW, there are cheap solar powered ventilators with battery back-up - 24/7.
I haven't been posting much since being in one place and my posts are usually discussing my travels and different camp sites. also Greens has been reported on very comprehensively by others in the group. Anyway here is a summary of my second week.
When I was at Bendemeer I was introduced to a spirit stove by a lady camper and I was intrigued because with it I could cook inside the van legally and whats more safely. I have looked into spirit stoves and found the name Orego by Dometic seems to be the best and is mainly used on boats because there is no fuel to spill or pressure to explode and can come with a gimbal that allows it to balance even in the wildest weather. No such need in my case because if the bus is moving there will be no cooking.
Having looked on eBay and Gumtree I have found that new the best deal I could get was $420 plus $50 delivery. I was fortunate to see an add on Gumtree selling a hardly used one for $250 but it was in St Kilda and there would be considerable fuel cost to get it. I was able to buy it and have it delivered to Chriss place in Frankston where I lived whilst getting the Coaster registered and fortuitously he was coming to Greens today and I have it now in the bus. Have tried it out and it works fine, now where to anchor it????
Cooked a meal, well, warmed up baked beans, and it worked well but only got 1 litre of metho and found that it only partially filled one side so next time in a hardware shop will look out for a larger container. More economical too. Off to Rochester today with Billeee and Jules to get 15ltrs of water and a shop up for stuff to cook, currently I am reduced to opening up cans and using those cup of soup and cup of noodles unless using the jaffle iron on the choofer.
Melbourne cup tomorrow and Sally wants to have a sweep and a lunch with hats and dress up so we will see how that turns out. I have to supply a plate and will buy that in Rochy, no way am I cooking my contribution. So my second week in Greens is coming to an end and even though I have spent nothing on petrol or rent I have managed to spend the pension, 6 months rego, the privacy awning, deflappers and the spirit stove. All done now and I can replenish my financial float.
When Sharon left us she had a surplus green floor cover that she gave to me, it is very good under the mats that previously were my only floor covering so now my floor looks very smart even putting up a pic of the finished result. Patty is quite the marshmellow queen she not only supplied the marshmellows and special fork she proved able to cook them in volume perfectly not burned like I seem to do but soft through to the middle. Hooray to Patty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not so sure about Billeee's supervising skills. John
Good one John, those meth stoves are great, you will enjoy using, little slower than gas but it has it's advantages as you have indicated.
with the reports coming from Greens I guess most have a nap in the afternoon.
keep on keeping on, stay safe and enjoy.
Bob & Rhonda
Just a question, wouldn't a metho stove still produce carbon monoxide?
You could be spot on Janette as a flame is burning and a flame needs oxygen then CM would be released. Just make sure you have a window open John, should be safe then.
I am on to that John.... he just want me to be the one cooking the yummmmy marshmellows :) they are nice I must say.
Thanks for the replies, glad you answered Doug I didn't know about the carbon monoxide and will be sure to have a window open.
Vic when we were camping at Cosy Corner I wasn't aware of spirit stoves but then had a gas certification, you were on the ball with your Hi Ace.
John
Hi John,
They look like a great device. I see the top of the line model also has an oven and costs about $1750!!!. I expect the would be a bit more expensive to use than gas but a lot easier to get set up!
I'm hoping to get up there tomorrow if all goes well.
Will be doing my best to get there ASAP. Have loads of work to do to secure stuff here before I can head off.
I am looking forward to lowering the IQ of the assembled throng at Greens
I can't recall if I did any cooking there John, I think you used something for cooking on the wooden picnic table you shared with the Korean girl from memory. We were lucky getting good spots and not a lot of people when we were there, I've been since and it was packed with people.
Trouble is with a lot of free camps now is many of the hire companies provide the Camps book with the vehicle so they get overcrowded in peak periods.
I ended up going to Shelley Beach which was not far from there and got an excellent spot, there were ranger fees but the rangers were on strike for more pay so it was free.
My Hi Ace had the Waeco 80ltr 2 way (12/240V) fridge which I can recommend for those not using gas (runs off auxiliary battery).
-- Edited by Duh on Tuesday 5th of November 2013 12:45:58 PM
Feral isn't the only one visiting today now.
Yep you guessed it, no not me, not them and not even her but,
The gambling police, to check your bookies licence.
A few hiccups including 3 days in bed with a bug.
John
From boatie experience you will need to maintain ventilation anyhow. Because the fuel vapor does lurk presenting a low but real fire risk and secondly, the water vapour produced during cooking will produce mildew in odd areas/cupboards in the van.
BTW, there are cheap solar powered ventilators with battery back-up - 24/7.