[VW T5 Beach] Which kettle??

estresao · Feb 27, 2015

Hi all,

I'm very near to take delivery of my brand new California Beach. I already have a small gas stove, but I'd like ti use a 12v kettle just to warm up water to make coffee with no too much hassle.

Are you using some one? Some advise?

bilberry · Feb 27, 2015

I've looked at 12V kettles and the consensus seems to be that they take forever to boil. My plan is to get a normal kitchen kettle (though probably a 500ml to 1l size), which I can use in the normal plug socket when hook-up is available. I read a good tip somewhere that every time you boil a kettle and have water left over, you put it in a thermos flask. That way you always have warm water handy.
For the times not on hook-up, then it'd be the gas stove...or nip to a nice-looking café instead!

GrannyJen · Feb 27, 2015

There is no substitute for a wacky practicals kettle.

12v take forever,

Wacky takes up no space, boils in a couple of minutes to make a nice cup of tea wherever you are.

So nice to make that nice traffic policeman a cup of tea whilst parked on the hard shoulder ..... "more sugar officer? ... to go with the exlax that I've just stirred in"?.....

estresao · Mar 2, 2015

When hook-up is availale there is no doubt, but the point is what to use when you only have 12v . According to what yo say it could be much better to use the gas stove.

Thanks for the advise

SimplyDubs · Mar 2, 2015

GrannyJen said:
There is no substitute for a wacky practicals kettle.

I've had a Wacky Practicals for a few years now... good... but I find it's small base makes for quite a slow boil. Particularly on the Cali burner which isn't powerful.

Outwell now do a silicone collapsible kettle with a large flat base... Bigger surface area and better heat transfer. Boils in around half the time.

Other advantage is it's abut £8 cheaper.

Ricotansky · Mar 2, 2015

Another vote for the Outwell, it was the first thing we bought for the van and one of our better purchases!

GrannyJen · Mar 2, 2015

SimplyDubs said:
I've had a Wacky Practicals for a few years now... good... but I find it's small base makes for quite a slow boil. Particularly on the Cali burner which isn't powerful.

Outwell now do a silicone collapsible kettle with a large flat base... Bigger surface area and better heat transfer. Boils in around half the time.

Other advantage is it's abut £8 cheaper.

I've looked at those and quite impressed. I like the wacky for the way it just sits in the bowl and just enough room there for a few other bits. Like what you say about heat transfer though, probably improved stability as well which for me is more important. I will probably try one next trip.

estresao · Mar 2, 2015

SimplyDubs said:
I've had a Wacky Practicals for a few years now... good... but I find it's small base makes for quite a slow boil. Particularly on the Cali burner which isn't powerful.

Outwell now do a silicone collapsible kettle with a large flat base... Bigger surface area and better heat transfer. Boils in around half the time.

Other advantage is it's abut £8 cheaper.

These one are nice!!!

LindaF · Mar 2, 2015

SimplyDubs said:
I've had a Wacky Practicals for a few years now... good... but I find it's small base makes for quite a slow boil. Particularly on the Cali burner which isn't powerful.

Outwell now do a silicone collapsible kettle with a large flat base... Bigger surface area and better heat transfer. Boils in around half the time.

Other advantage is it's abut £8 cheaper.

We also have the green version of this - one of the first things we bought for the van - 500ml of bottled water is exactly enough for 2 cups of tea and it boils very quickly - more than happy with this.

Hotel California · Mar 3, 2015

bilberry said:
I've looked at 12V kettles and the consensus seems to be that they take forever to boil. My plan is to get a normal kitchen kettle (though probably a 500ml to 1l size), which I can use in the normal plug socket when hook-up is available. I read a good tip somewhere that every time you boil a kettle and have water left over, you put it in a thermos flask. That way you always have warm water handy.
For the times not on hook-up, then it'd be the gas stove...or nip to a nice-looking café instead!

We usually cook a bit more water than needed so we have hot water ready for doing the disches afther....
Another tip , fil the kettle before going to sleep in the evening , so it's already at ambiant themp. And take less time and gas to boile in the morning...as for cold water out the tap

mucksmuff · Mar 3, 2015

+1 for Wacky Practicals :thumb

ron b · Mar 3, 2015

For a budget option look at Decathlon's camping kettle - aluminium, fits inside our one pan, easily does 2/3 cups of tea, costs 7.99. Is nice and squat. Presumably cheaper if you buy at a Decathlon in Europe with current exchange rate.