Cup of tea without the Carbon monoxide please

[MarkVw2017]

Dear Cali Gurus, Ocean and Beach owners,

So got my Cali Beach aka Little Robin (bloody love the thing), but also like a cup of tea and cooking basic food.

As us Beach owners don't have a kitchen, I treated myself to a Jetboil (brilliant things) from all your recommendations and now can make a cup of tea easily in the back.

However, of course the instructions say "use in a well ventilated area". I set it up by the slide opening window, but its absolutely chucking in down with horizontal rain, so when i open the side window, rain is blowing in my Cali.

My question to all is, what is classed as a "well ventilated area". Window open all the way, one click, two clicks, three clicks or even closed as the van is ventilated enough?

Just want to be safe, and avoid Carbon monoxide, because well, dont want it as a side condiment to my cuppa and soup.

The ocean has two gas rings so assuming some people have them on full blast and go through some serious gas burning but the ocean may have safety precautions in place, i don't know?

Thank you in advance

Mark and Little Robin.

 

[ArunAlec]

I’d say there are too many variables to be precise on how much ventilation you need but looking at your photo I reckon with window as you have it would be fine for a quick brew.
Get a couple of wnd deflectors for the front doors, so you can have the front windows open a couple of inches without risk of the rain getting in. They also allow for ventilation at night.

 

[Alan Andrews]

Plus get a CO alarm just to be doubly safe.

 

[Volkywagen]

i usually cook etc with the pop top up, usually find this gives good ventilation

 

[larrylamb]

Have you got the sliding window in the door as well? You could crank the awning out a little bit to give some shelter to the window.

 

[sidepod]

You may be over thinking it!

 

[kp64zl]

personally I wouldn't worry about it -

literally boiling a cup of tea with a gas stove in an enclosed is unlikely to create relevant amounts of carbon monoxide -- the gas stove is relatively clean burning and it's not on for very long.


& probably much much less than would be created by smoking a cigarette

could buy a CO meter & test it

 

[Nolan]

Just get a CO alarm and don't worry about it. I'd be more worried about making sure the stove is stable so nobody gets burned after knocking it over.

Most of the horror stories are concerning bad combustion (portable BBQs) used in a tent awning which you should never do.

I guess am alarm is a good idea in any vehicle in which stuff gets cooked, even an Ocean. Surprised they don't build one in.

 

[MattBW]

If its raining I just pop the front windows down a little to ensure there is air flow through the van. If the roof is up the vents open there will be sufficient. For a cup of tea you will be safe like this, if you wnat to cook a full meal then a bit more thought may be required but a CO alarm can alay any fears.

I've had a CO alarm in all my vans,. and even tested a gas heater for the time for CO alarm to be triggered. A worthwhile purchase and sure fire way to be safe.

Be aware they last for a set number of years only so always check the expiry on your alarm.

 

[Velma's Dad]

In the use-case described (ie short-term use of stove to boil a cuppa, with a sensible bit of ventilation from a leeward window and/or the pop-top up) I'd personally be quite relaxed.

Of course, people DO get gassed in campervans - by eastern European hoods while parked in French motorway rest stops. (Sorry, I'll get my coat).

 

[MarkVw2017]

Thank you very much. Yes, supoose i am being susup cautious but i just hear too many horror stories in regards to gas and carbon monoxide in small spaces so just being extra careful as got too little kiddies as well in van. Will get an co alarm and nice to hear i can make a cupa of tea without getting too anxious i might fall a sleep waiting for the water to boil

 

[MattBW]

With a jetboil you will have to fall asleep pretty fast

 

[JohnnyP]

Dear Cali Gurus, Ocean and Beach owners,

So got my Cali Beach aka Little Robin (bloody love the thing), but also like a cup of tea and cooking basic food.

As us Beach owners don't have a kitchen, I treated myself to a Jetboil (brilliant things) from all your recommendations and now can make a cup of tea easily in the back.

However, of course the instructions say "use in a well ventilated area". I set it up by the slide opening window, but its absolutely chucking in down with horizontal rain, so when i open the side window, rain is blowing in my Cali.

My question to all is, what is classed as a "well ventilated area". Window open all the way, one click, two clicks, three clicks or even closed as the van is ventilated enough?

Just want to be safe, and avoid Carbon monoxide, because well, dont want it as a side condiment to my cuppa and soup.

The ocean has two gas rings so assuming some people have them on full blast and go through some serious gas burning but the ocean may have safety precautions in place, i don't know?

Thank you in advance

Mark and Little Robin.

View attachment 41240

I have a Brandrup air screen / rain deflector which works well in keeping the rain out with minimum airflow restriction when the sliding window is open. Cost about £70. The top is attached using the side rails and suction cups for the rest. When fitted the screen bellies out which allows the airflow.

 

[Velma's Dad]

I have a Brandrup air screen / rain deflector which works well in keeping the rain out with minimum airflow restriction when the sliding window is open. Cost about £70. The top is attached using the side rails and suction cups for the rest. When fitted the screen bellies out which allows the airflow.

View attachment 41245

Damn. Something else I never knew I needed but now have gotta get.

 

[kp64zl]

Hi @MarkVw2017 -- are you happy with the jetboil?

I worry that it may be a bit unstable.

My solution isn't totally satisfactory but OK for a cup of tea
( I worry that the if used for too long the cooker's legs might heat up too much & burn something)

it's a Vango folding stove that cost me about £30 from Cotswold Outdoors and runs on primus cartridges

 

[MarkVw2017]

Hi @MarkVw2017 -- are you happy with the jetboil?

I worry that it may be a bit unstable.

My solution isn't totally satisfactory but OK for a cup of tea
( I worry that the if used for too long the cooker's legs might heat up too much & burn something)

it's a Vango folding stove that cost me about £30 from Cotswold Outdoors and runs on primus cartridges

View attachment 41246

Hello @kp64zl ,

Absolutely love the jet boil, it really does what it says on the tin. Yes its expensive, i paid £80 for the flash Jetboil 1.0 litre, pi (zip jetboil is 0.8 litre)and there are cheaper alternatives eg Alpkit Brukit £45, Highgear fastboil £45 and they are good with some great but also some really dodgy reviews on them (eg cheaper materials, cross threading, melting plastic etc) and jet boil gets amazing reviews across the board and seems very reliable. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for.

I have two kids, so boiling water not falling over was top priority for me. The little stand on the gas canister is great and makes it really sturdy but it also has a tight fitting cap on the jetboil which would really prevent lots of boiling water splashing everywhere if it did fall.

Like anything, keep an eye in it and its not going anywhere. I cannot recommend the jetboil enoigh 10/10. If you do get one, you have to pay an extra £12 if you want the pot adaptor to allow you to use frying pans etc. and that combined with my new ridge monkey, 2 litre water bottle, collapesable bucket really does give me a mini kitchen that i can easily pack away. (Learned all these tricks from these forums and the Cali Gurus)

Also, the jetboil packs up sooo small, fits in the side coffee holder pocket, so happy days

 

[MattBW]

I have an Alpkit Brukit Wolf, very similar about £45, superb piece of kit used for all tea and coffee. Wish I had got one sooner.

 

[kave]

Usually the steam from cooking will make you open a window anyway so I would say its no problem.
My Alpkit Brukit where replaced three times and has been working fine for a year. The much cheaper casette typ cooker takes cheaper cartridges and provides a much more stable platform and can easily fit under left or right seat in the sofa of a beach.

 

[MarkVw2017]

I have an Alpkit Brukit Wolf, very similar about £45, superb piece of kit used for all tea and coffee. Wish I had got one sooner.

I agree, great reviews on the brukit and was going to get one but some (very few) have experience quality problems when i was reading Jetboil/ brukit/ highgear fastboil reviews but to be fair, that just might be very heavy handed people who throw them about. I got the Jetboil for £80 and the current price of the Brukit is £45, so a bargain for the brukit, if it lasts or course

 

[MarkVw2017]

.....anyhows, ive gone off topic. Thanks for the gas safety advice!!

 

[MattBW]

18months old and still going strong


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[MarkVw2017]

18months old and still going strong


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That's good to hear!

 

[motacyclist]

Popping the sliding door but not sliding it back will allow air in without the rain. Agree with everyone about the CO monitor, essential.

 

[soulstyledevon]

18months old and still going strong


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Snap.
I’m not sure you are going to have any issues gas wise. California’s aren’t exactly air tight...

 

[MarkVw2017]

Snap.
I’m not sure you are going to have any issues gas wise. California’s aren’t exactly air tight...

Good to hear the brukit going strong. Good to hear.