Couple of camping suggestions needed from experts

[jeast]

We're just beginning our family camping phase and beginning to gather equipment for our first trip. I have a couple of questions that might seem stupid.

1. Should we invest in a propane camping stove? Or should we just bring along an electric skillet and maybe a crock pot? I know most campgrounds (FW being the most important one and most frequent one we plan to use) have power at the campsites, so do we really need to bother with a coleman stove?

2. I just bought a big tent, but am interested in adding an inexpensive screen room to the front to make a place to enter out of the rain and a hangout area. Does anyone have any suggestions for an inexpensive one?

3. What's the best idea for coffee? Bring an electric coffeepot, percolator, or what? What do you do?

Thanks for any info.

Jennifer

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Get a propane camping stove. It will prove far more versatile than an electric skillet or crock pot.

My coffee tastes have gone from boiling grounds in a steel Army helmet over an open fire to becoming quite the coffee snob, according to my wife. We generally grind the beans fresh and use a drip coffee maker on camping trips.

 

[momoffive]

We have 2 gas stoves and hardly use them. When at FW last year I bought an electric tea kettle, $10. We use that soooo much more. That said we don't cook so much when in Disney. I prefer the dining plan. As for our coffee, we like the coffee press, but when we travel I usually buy the coffee bags that look like tea bags. I would say whatever way you like it you can find a compact way to make it. They have small drip machines, instant, French coffee press. When we camp outside of WDW we tend to do more state parks so we use the stove top and grill. Have a great time.
momoffive

 

[5stljayhawks]

Although I have a camper it is propane inside. I normally bring the outdoor propane stove. The gas bottle you use of this stove, also works for propane lanterns…. Look at Costco or Sam to buy 6 packs of gas .

As for the screen room, the tent I had already had the room. I would look at room that is multipurpose and just does not attach to the tent.

I have finally given up on the percolator and going electric. It’s only taken 15 years or so. I have also used the coffee packets in the past when back packing or hunting.

 

[jeast]

I just bought a century 2 burner propane stove (12000 BTU each). I think that should cut it. I think I'll pick up the ozark trail 15X13 screen room from walmart for only $40. Even if it's garbage, it's only $40 wasted and will probably last for a trip or two. Hopefully.

I suppose I could buy a cheapie Mr. Coffee $10-15 coffeepot at walmart and make it my camping coffee maker? The stove percolators run $25-30.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[momoffive]

I just bought a century 2 burner propane stove (12000 BTU each). I think that should cut it. I think I'll pick up the ozark trail 15X13 screen room from walmart for only $40. Even if it's garbage, it's only $40 wasted and will probably last for a trip or two. Hopefully.

I suppose I could buy a cheapie Mr. Coffee $10-15 coffeepot at walmart and make it my camping coffee maker? The stove percolators run $25-30.

Thanks for the advice!

We also bought the cheep starter kit at WalMart. Comes with plates, mugs and pot and a coffee perculator. I think it was $15. We have used that too for coffee. I am a decaf person and DH likes his cafine, so we just tend to use the tea bag coffees more. The mugs have come in handy for the kid's oatmeal in the am. We also have the $40 cheepo screen room and we have set it up several times. It's been worth the money for us. I would like to get an eazy-up but they are so big and heavy.
momoffive

 

[jeast]

The easy ups look great, but run around $95 just for the canopy. Then you have to buy the screen if you want screened. That's another $30. Maybe when our cheapo runs out, but we've just put out a lot of money for tents, stoves, air mattresses, sleeping bags, etc.

I told DH that we are practically obligated to use this stuff at WDW next year (we bought it for a scouting trip that DS is super excited about). Don't want it to go to waste, right?

 

[MadFF]

A standard Coleman two burner style camping stove is great, but what we use all the time is a Thermos Grill-2-go -- it is one of those road-trip type propane grill / griddles.

Let me see if I can find one;
http://www.charbroil.com/Consumer/product_detail_e.aspx?ProductID=1733&CategoryID=44

Ours is an older simpler griddle, with a grease trap. Works great for us.

 

[jeast]

That looks amazing, but it's a little much for us right now. We just put out almost $400 in supplies this week. Sheesh. I know that camping is relatively inexpensive once you have all the gear, but is sure is expensive the FIRST time1

 

[MadFF]

Yea, that is one of the fancier models. We picked ours up at a discount store, I think it was just under $100 (probably $99.... lol).

 

[MikeM]

We have gotten the most use out of an electric griddle. Very versitile. We use it to make pancakes, bacon, toast etc. in the morning then hamburger, hot dogs, grilled cheese and such for lunch and dinner. Use it several times every camping trip. You can get them for about $20.

 

[jeast]

I have one! Since FW sites have electricity (unlike the scouting trip), I'll take it along. Great idea, thanks!