Gladiator Pop-Up Pass Through Camper Build

[wild1]

Alright, another change of subject. Let's talk cooking! Long term, I want a way to cook both inside and outside the camper. I still love cooking bacon and eggs on my cast Iron skillet over a fire, but I'm ready for something new. First up, let's talk cooking outside.

I'm pretty excited! I ordered a SouthwestDisk Discada, also called a Cowboy Wok and a number of other names. What do you folks think?

Also I don't want to lug a 20lb. propane tank around, and want to get a 5lb tank. I'd like to see how/where you folks are mounting your propane tanks, and if any of you are refilling them.

View attachment 745682

I use both a 5 pound and a ten pound depending if I am just cooking or running the buddy heater also. They fit nicely right inside the the tailgate in the right rear of the Gladiator. If you took the tie down loop out of that side it would snug up to the wall even better. I have a two way splitter that let’s me run a stove and the heater. It sure beats the one pound tanks. I am about the same size as you and I am really liking the combination of our 4 inch memory foam couch cushions on top of the quite firm 2 inch foam that came with our GFC camper. For toileting my wife really likes our Clean Waste system. It’s very light and compact, quick to set up and comfortable to use. We are heading out for a couple of weeks in Utah and Arizona and she is pretty upbeat about taking the Gladiator instead of the Northern Lite luxury liner.

 

[Mules]

OK, back to cooking. I'll drag the big Discada to Deer Camp with the boys, but I still need a small cooker for inside the camper or when I don't want to bring the Discada. Let's see some pictures of what you are using to cook? Jet Boil, Cook Partner, Coleman, Induction, small Microwave, or other.

 

[Mules]

Nice looking Cook Partner, built in!

 

[highwest]

No pics, but we love our Cook Partner, so simple, easy to clean, sips fuel compared to Camp Chefs. Our camping meals are kind of productions, because we like camp cooking, so I couldn’t see cooking inside (maybe the JetBoil for something warm in a pinch). I’d rather just set up a tarp or awning outside and cook under that.

 

[pith helmet]

I have one of these and love it. Dual fuel so you can use your propane tank or a butane canister if conditions are nit right for propane.
Super stable and cheap. The reason I got one initially is because they have really good flame control.

The convenience of the butane is hard to beat. There is a lever where you engage/disengage the canister and it’s self contained.

 

[Mules]

I have one of these and love it. Dual fuel so you can use your propane tank or a butane canister if conditions are nit right for propane.
Super stable and cheap. The reason I got one initially is because they have really good flame control.

The convenience of the butane is hard to beat. There is a lever where you engage/disengage the canister and it’s self contained.

It would be pretty hard to beat the small size and price! Glad to hear they work well. I was wondering whether their quality was up for the task.

 

[Mules]

Look what showed up in the mail today! Looks like fajitas are on the menu!

 

[Mules]

Man I think I can smelt iron with this thing! Had to cook something after seasoning it.

 

[Mules]

The fajitas are great! Nice thing about the Discada is that if you turn the heat off, you can serve off of it also, at the table or at camp. No plates to clean!

 

[Mules]

The disk cover I bought is only big enough for the disk alone. I used an old gym bag for the burner, spatula, tongs, and paper towels.. The 12"x12" side pockets will work great for plates, utensils, oil and spices.

I have a bigger duffel bag that would fit everything inside (disk, burner and everything), but I think the two bags will be easier to stow under the camper seats, than the large one).

 

[pith helmet]

It would be pretty hard to beat the small size and price! Glad to hear they work well. I was wondering whether their quality was up for the task.View attachment 745966

Surprisingly, yes. I have no complaints. It come s with a carry case too. Pretty light weight, but still a hard side case.
Those fajitas look great!

 

[Mules]

Looks like my camp site needs a bit of leveling. Time to get out my little tractor.

 

[Mules]

So I've spend a couple nights in my rig camping recently and it's getting pretty cold at night. I'm looking for a simple, very small heater. I like the electric blanket option, but don't want to spend the money yet on a power supply (Jackery) big enough to power it.

Since my rig is open to the cab, I can also run the truck heater, but would prefer not running the truck at night.

I would also like a tiny cooking stove, in the camper. Assuming I get a CO detector, and crack the window at night for ventilation, what do you folks think about the following dual purpose heater/stove options?

Any other small options?

 

[1000arms]

So I've spend a couple nights in my rig camping recently and it's getting pretty cold at night. I'm looking for a simple, very small heater. I like the electric blanket option, but don't want to spend the money yet on a power supply (Jackery) big enough to power it.

Since my rig is open to the cab, I can also run the truck heater, but would prefer not running the truck at night.

I would also like a tiny cooking stove, in the camper. Assuming I get a CO detector, and crack the window at night for ventilation, what do you folks think about the following dual purpose heater/stove options?

Any other small options?

View attachment 747138

View attachment 747149

Are you testing/enjoying your camper close enough to use an extension cord and a carefully chosen and placed $20 electric space heater for now? It would also allow you to test insulation before investing in a more expensive heater.

Be careful with burning propane inside such a small enclosed space. Explosions, fire, and lots of water vapor in the air from burning propane come to mind, as well as the CO you mentioned. I suspect you will be careful, but I did want to post a warning for anyone unfamiliar with the dangers.

Hot water bottles might be useful to you. Carefully heat water, transfer to hot water bottle(s) and place in bedding.

Do want to heat the interior air space and/or the bedding?

Perhaps a "romantic" Dickinson Marine "Newport Solid Fuel Heater"? http://dickinsonmarine.com/product_cat/solid-fuel-heater/

Dickinson Marine, Newport Solid Fuel Heater, 00-NEWSF

Dickinson Marine, Newport Solid Fuel Heater 00-NEWSF is a small, solid fuel heater. This heater burns one to two 1” thick wood or presto log, a handful of charcoal briquettes or coal. Removable ash drawer and damper control.

www.go2marine.com

 

[highwest]

Those catalytic heaters add a ton of moisture to the air, since H2O is one of the byproducts of burning propane or butane, in addition to CO. They seem to be good for <60mins of heat and then you start to get a lot of condensation that may drip or freeze (and then drip). The forced air options that burn diesel, propane, wood, etc. seem a lot better if you intend to run it all night on a thermostat. Benefits include tons of dry/hot air, no CO (as long they’re working correctly - retain CO detector), and will sip fuel and battery, when property sized. We have a 2kW diesel heater in our Flippac that is awesome.