Getting back into camping: Checking old gear and testing new

[Drew G]

It has been a while since my wife and I have done any camping. She asked for us to get back into camping and traveling. I never ended up completing the trailer build, but that will hopefully be reincarnated in a more simplistic project this year. So, I'm pulling out the old gear and getting some new stuff now that we have a better idea what we want.

'Pulled out the Coleman 413G to make some breakfast this morning. I also have a 425, but seeked out the 413 due to it's extra cooking area. I massaged the leather piston with 3in1 oil to get it back operational. The tank cap is a bit leaky. It is the old style that you can replace the gasket, but the old gasket is welded in from age and resisted my attempts to grind it out with a screw driver and soaking with alcohol. Probably easiest to just order some replacement caps and keep a handfull stocked away with the fuel. I used one of the lantern fuel caps for now, It is slightly leaky too, but just a bit stinky (ran the vent fan over the stovetop). I think I'll also be sure to bring a small bottle of oil and needle nose pliers to be able to repair this stuff "in the field".

I have a small cast iron double sided griddle that was a good size for the 425, but I think I'm going to get away from cast iron for camping. Too heavy and inevitably gets forgotten about until the next trip so it doesn't get the maintinance it needs. So instead I picked up a Nordic Ware "double burner" size aluminum griddle. Nice and big, perfect size for the 413. I set the burners on low-med and cooked slow to get more familiar with it. It was super nice having all this surface area and the tall sides with grease trough keeps it from getting all over the place.




In the past I have always done instant coffee when camping since it packs ultra small and needs nothing more than warm water in a mug with a spoon to stir. But if we do more camping It would be nice to have real coffee. I have a glass french press, but figured that wouldn't last long. I found the Stanley "Adventure All-in-One Boil + Brew French Press" to be the least expensive option that will brew a couple full mugs of coffee and requires no extra container to heat the water, just heat the water in the stainless container with the rest of the parts removed. Add the grounds and let steep, then press in the plastic piston that has the filter and pour spout built in. Done





I also looked around for a small cook set that was better for cooking than full bore camp cookware, but had removable handle/s to pack down better. I found this for only $30.. And spare handles can be had for $10 too.

Cookset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4PQMRHV
Spare handle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DD3SWWTG

They nest together into ~10"x5.5" space. I like that the handle is beefy and uses a very simple locking mechanism (less likely to break IMO). I haven't cooked in them yet though. I plan to just put kitchen towels between each piece for protection and well, extra towels is never bad.

[Drew G]

I snagged one of the Ozark Trail Camp kitchen tables for $20 on Clearance. Pretty much just a tall small table with some chachkies to make it seem special, but the price was right. Less flamable than a wood construction incase things accidentally get out of hand.

a PT roll fits on the wire hook hanger, but not sure that setup would last... It has wire fingers that just slip into holes in the plastic end caps of the table slats. There is a lantern pole that installs in the back right side. I might move it over to the left side instead so I can slide the PT roll down it. The pole mount attaches with a few drilled holes in the leg. Should be pretty simple to replicate




Got some pics of the cook set. Unfortunately it looks like this set is no longer available already. They still sell the spare handles and a deeper 11" skillet with the removable handle, but looks like that brand might be dropping the removable handle stuff otherwise. bummer, oah well. I ordered a 2nd handle along with the set, but debating ordering a 3rd handle (before they become unobtanium) incase one breaks or goes missing. Or just get the deep 11" skillet since it comes with another handle. That might be a more appropriate size for camp gathering potlucks. hmm decisions.





Lastly I saw someone selling new CAMP-A-TOASTERs on ebay so I picked one up to try. Haven't used yet though.

[Zach]

I have a small cast iron double sided griddle that was a good size for the 425, but I think I'm going to get away from cast iron for camping. Too heavy and inevitably gets forgotten about until the next trip so it doesn't get the maintinance it needs. So instead I picked up a Nordic Ware "double burner" size aluminum griddle. Nice and big, perfect size for the 413. I set the burners on low-med and cooked slow to get more familiar with it. It was super nice having all this surface area and the tall sides with grease trough keeps it from getting all over the place.

I like that aluminum griddle! How is the heat distribution?

[Drew G]

I like that aluminum griddle! How is the heat distribution?

With the burners on low the heat was pretty localized. It does have some strengthening ribs on the underside that I imagine captures a blanket of hot gasses under there somewhat to try and spread the heat around: