A total camping novice

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Nadine123

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Hi, just a couple of questions. What do people use for bedding and where do they get it - Cotswold Outdoors? Sleeping bag? Also, good kettle, pots and pans and utensils. I've had a frustrating look online but feel I'm missing something. Any advice? Many thanks
 
Hi we use 2 single duvets and pillows with a duvet cover on the mattress just got them from Dunelm mill, collapsable kettle wackypracticals, pots/pans gsi Bugaboo camper cooking/dining set and utensils nicked out of the kitchen draw:)
 
Hi, just a couple of questions. What do people use for bedding and where do they get it - Cotswold Outdoors? Sleeping bag? Also, good kettle, pots and pans and utensils. I've had a frustrating look online but feel I'm missing something. Any advice? Many thanks

Hi
Don't buy loads of stuff and don't skimp on important gear that will keep you warm and dry.

I use a thermarest mattresses with a Mountain Equipment sleeping bag. Never been cold or un-comfy (sic),

If you are a member of the caravan and camping club, Cotwolds give 15% off any item not in the sale.

I research the item decide if we NEED it and then by middle of the range, to many named gadgets are a waste. But I am a minimalist camper ;-)

Teejay
 
If you are a member of the caravan and camping club, Cotwolds give 15% off any item not in the sale.

Teejay

If I remember correctly - Cotswold give 15% off for VIP members of this forum.
 
We sleep under duvets 4 tog for summer 10 tog for winter, just find sleeping bags restrictive and too warm. Kettle is a a wackypracticals collapsible just like @mucksmuff, plates large and small, bowls and mugs all melamine. For cooking we use Tefal ingenio pans plus one frying pan. Whilst we have some camping specific items most of the stuff we use is 'domestic' equipment just put in a Cali.
 
We find a normal indoor duvet works perfectly well in the van and that's what Mrs VD specifies for Cali-travels - including up in the Hebrides where we're touring at the moment (okay I know it's not winter yet).

But if you decide to go for sleeping bags, the main decision is then either down-filled (extremely warm, until you get it wet) or synthetic (less warm than down weight-for-weight but usually cheaper and better if it's likely to get damp).

By the way, don't be fooled by the temperature ratings of sleeping bags. When it says (say) -10 degrees, that will invariably mean that's the coldest outside temperature for getting any sleep at all - or even just avoiding hypothermia. You won't feel comfortable and snug at that temperature.
 
Many thanks for all your replies and very useful information. :thumb
 
We use duvalays which are great. They are like a half way house btn a sleeping bag and a duvet with memory foam back. We went for the 4.5 tog with 2.5cm memory foam. We sleep up top and I have never been cold and they were fine in France when it was quite warm. We have a set of non stick camping pots and pans which don't take up much space and a folding kettle which I like. I'm not really a wild camper as I like my hookup. These means I have lots of electric stuff like toaster, kettle, a large electric pan with a lid (£25 and you can cook all sorts in it) tepenyaki grill ( like an electric bbq)
 
We find a normal indoor duvet works perfectly well in the van and that's what Mrs VD specifies for Cali-travels - including up in the Hebrides where we're touring at the moment (okay I know it's not winter yet).

But if you decide to go for sleeping bags, the main decision is then either down-filled (extremely warm, until you get it wet) or synthetic (less warm than down weight-for-weight but usually cheaper and better if it's likely to get damp).

By the way, don't be fooled by the temperature ratings of sleeping bags. When it says (say) -10 degrees, that will invariably mean that's the coldest outside temperature for getting any sleep at all - or even just avoiding hypothermia. You won't feel comfortable and snug at that temperature.
But then you just fire up the Parking Heater.
 
  • Duvalet (we put off buying them but they are great), pillows from home
  • Remoska for cooking (Lakeland) we also use it at home so hardly use our proper oven.
  • ss pots and cast iron skillet from home
  • nice but plastic wine glasses and tumblers and plates
  • enamelled metal tea pot
  • recently bought a small one burner gaz stove in case the main gas runs out (emergency use)
you will eventually get sorted with what works for you ;)
 
Hi we use 2 single duvets and pillows with a duvet cover on the mattress just got them from Dunelm mill, collapsable kettle wackypracticals, pots/pans gsi Bugaboo camper cooking/dining set and utensils nicked out of the kitchen draw:)

+1 for Bugaboo cooking set. I've had mine for nearly a year now & they are the best pans, etc I have used camping. Try and get an extra handle for the pans, so you have one for each pan.
 
IKEA is fantabulous for good quality kitcheny bits and bobs :thumb, as well as small storage boxes etc. Their SKUBB storage boxes (fabric ones) are great for the box under the bed.

Coleman folding kettle and colander are simply awesome. Regular duvet (again get an IKEA one, great value) as opposed to sleeping bags for us, we have a feather down one as they fold up really small. And, I've just bought a 1" thick mattress topper from Aldi for the bottom bed, £35, bargain!!

Rubber matting in the cupboard shelves to stop everything rattling about. We have melamine plates but proper mugs and real knives and forks, no plastic there!! However I do have plastic wine glasses.

You'll figure it out as you go, just buy stuff in bits and bobs, as you need it,or you'll end up with a shed full of stuff you never use!

Enjoy :bananadance
 
We use one of those double duvets - 1 summer and 1 winter. Both in separate covers. Thick on the bottom and thin on top Spring and Autumn and reverse during winter. Summer then Thin on bottom and a sheet + Parking Heater as and when necessary. Ikea good for many kitchen items + Storage .
Popaloo or Bog in a Bag + Popup Toilet tent for emergency use + 2 x Air beds with built in foot pump for sunbathing or relaxing outside.
 
Hi, just a couple of questions. What do people use for bedding and where do they get it - Cotswold Outdoors? Sleeping bag? Also, good kettle, pots and pans and utensils. I've had a frustrating look online but feel I'm missing something. Any advice? Many thanks

We use extra sleeping bags for autumn and spring (nothing fancy simple one syntetic fabric), some old MSR pots and pans, our old knives and forks (only two of us) and some nice mugs/glasses. We have not got a kettle.
I like the campz.com website or IKEA.
However I always tend to buy to much...:)
 
Vango double sleeping bag, Ingenio pans, quest mini oven , melamine plates and mugs, collapsible kettle, stainless steel tea pot. Aero press coffee maker. All colour coordinated in green utensils. Silicone heat mats great for putting hot kettle/ pots on. Saves top. Have fun
 
Sleeping bag? Also, good kettle, pots and pans and utensils. I've had a frustrating look online but feel I'm missing something. Any advice? Many thanks
I use a Kampa folding kettle (about half the price of the Outwell one). We tend to use normal pans and cuttlery too. Currently using duvets in the van (with compression bags) but we are pondering some nice sleeping bags.

My personal advise is don't rush into anything, use what you already have first and decide what doesn't work after that. We are a year into ownership and are still learning what works for us.
 
I use a Kampa folding kettle (about half the price of the Outwell one). We tend to use normal pans and cuttlery too. Currently using duvets in the van (with compression bags) but we are pondering some nice sleeping bags.

My personal advise is don't rush into anything, use what you already have first and decide what doesn't work after that. We are a year into ownership and are still learning what works for us.
Yep. Especially with the bedding. Probably the one major area where we are just going to see how we get on.


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Vango double sleeping bag, Ingenio pans, quest mini oven , melamine plates and mugs, collapsible kettle, stainless steel tea pot. Aero press coffee maker. All colour coordinated in green utensils. Silicone heat mats great for putting hot kettle/ pots on. Saves top. Have fun
I was looking at the tiny 9l quest mini oven on Amazon - only £20. Do you think it's good? We quite like shop steak pie and chips for a warming dinner when we arrive somewhere on a Friday night, having had a caravan for 10 years or so. Also would be useful for part baked bread and stuff like that. It looks quite small and easy to stow, and someone on the reviews said it makes good toasted cheese sarnies (and I would be happy to live on them indefinitely!).
 
Rubber matting in the cupboard shelves to stop everything rattling about. We have melamine plates but proper mugs and real knives and forks, no plastic there!! However I do have plastic wine glasses.

I know some people are comfortable with plastic glasses and there are safety aspects (eg if you have young kids in/around the van). But for me one of the joys of Cali'ing is a bit of gracious living - so it HAS to be proper wine glasses.

I've cut some bits of foam to keep the glasses snug in their box. If one does eventually get broken, IKEA's sales will benefit, to the tune of about 40p.
 
I was looking at the tiny 9l quest mini oven on Amazon - only £20. Do you think it's good? We quite like shop steak pie and chips for a warming dinner when we arrive somewhere on a Friday night, having had a caravan for 10 years or so. Also would be useful for part baked bread and stuff like that. It looks quite small and easy to stow, and someone on the reviews said it makes good toasted cheese sarnies (and I would be happy to live on them indefinitely!).
We have just bought a mini oven from Aldi, very similar to the Quest. Top, bottom or both elements and timer. It is more powerful than the Quest at 1200-1300watts, still ok for most hookup supplies. Very pleased with it and fits in the large sliding drawer albeit a squeeze heightwise. 3 year warranty to and only £19.99
 
I was looking at the tiny 9l quest mini oven on Amazon - only £20. Do you think it's good? We quite like shop steak pie and chips for a warming dinner when we arrive somewhere on a Friday night, having had a caravan for 10 years or so. Also would be useful for part baked bread and stuff like that. It looks quite small and easy to stow, and someone on the reviews said it makes good toasted cheese sarnies (and I would be happy to live on them indefinitely!).
Quest oven is great. We reheat lasagne, chicken Kiev, croissants ,not tried toasted sarnies yet. I store mine in left hand cupboard, tops half, fits in sideways. Only works on hookup though
 
Quest oven is great. We reheat lasagne, chicken Kiev, croissants ,not tried toasted sarnies yet. I store mine in left hand cupboard, tops half, fits in sideways. Only works on hookup though
Got one already to go in Cali as a result of seeing a number of people on here recommending it. Now I know exactly where in the Cali I'm going to put it
Croissants with morning coffee


Mike
 
Quest oven is great. We reheat lasagne, chicken Kiev, croissants ,not tried toasted sarnies yet. I store mine in left hand cupboard, tops half, fits in sideways. Only works on hookup though

I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on a Quest oven vs the Wavebox camping microwave. Seems that both have been praised separately on here but does anyone have experience of both for comparison?
 

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