RV Home Yet?

An RV Kitchen Addition That Makes Sense

I love kitchen gadgets, but there's one hard and fast rule that each must comply with: It must have more than one use. The drawers in our fifth-wheel are already crammed with single-use gadgets and we don't need more. So the cooking dish we were gifted with will be a welcome addition to our RV lifestyle.

It's a collapsible cooking and storage dish that can be used in a microwave, oven and even a dishwasher if you have one. It's freezer safe and air tight with the cover on. It's made of a material the manufacturer calls "Ceramber," and is marketed by www.foldtuk.com .

The one we have is a 4-cup, rectangular dish. Collapsed, it's about 1 1/4 inch in height, but opens to  2 3/4 inches. It can be stored either opened or closed.  The photo shows it in the expanded form. FoldTuk makes several additional sizes of Bakeware products and a roaster.

As a test, I baked an egg omelet in our convection toaster oven, and it came out perfectly. The dish, as you would expect, stayed hot for some time after removing it from the oven.

So here's an addition that allows for cooking, storage, freezing of foods, and when collapsed wouldn't take up as much room in your RV cabinets as all those flimsy plastic containers you now have. George Bruzenak

Another RV-sized coffee brewer

We found another RV-sized coffee brewer that brews one cup at a time.

George and I had been to New Frontiers, a health food store on Butler in Flagstaff, AZ. Less than a block away, a coffee shop caught our eye. We worked our way back to It's About Coffee for an after-lunch cup. They were selling a "Single Cup Pour Over Brewing System." The system costs under $10 and can be washed in a dishwasher.

These are the directions:

1. Bring 14 oz of filtered water to a boil
2. Grind 1/4 cup of coffee at a fine ((expresso) setting
3. Place coffee grounds into paper filter and place inside gourmet single brew filter holder. Place the filter holder on top of a coffee mug. (Pictured)
4. Pour water slowly over gorunds, making sure to saturate completely. Stir as needed.
5. Remove filter holder before four minutes to avoid any bitter after-taste

The attendant made my coffee that way. It was quite good. She said the trick is partly in the water. They use reverse osmosis to purify their water and then add selected minerals back in the water to give it a good flavor. They also roast their own beans.

I asked her about freezing coffee beans until you are ready to use them. I have heard people argue both ways. She said freezing retains flavor. Their bags are vented, which helps reduce moisture. "Seven month-old frozen coffee beans taste fresh when immediately frozen in our vented coffee bags. Thaw just before grinding."

So now you have another choice! This coffee brewer is plastic so no glass to worry about. It also takes a small space. If you follow the directions you should be able to make good coffee every time. Like the Aero-Press, you could quickly and easily make a cup of coffee at a rest stop.

No need to give up good coffee to live the RV lifestyle! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Related post:

Aero-Press- excellent coffee, right size for RVs

A Great Gift For Your RV!

Need a nice Christmas present for your RV? Look no further. This compact, lightweight, well-balanced and powerful vacuum cleaner makes an excellent gift. It's perfect for the job of spot cleaning when you don't want to drag out your other full-size monster for a five-minute job.

It runs on a digital motor that turns at 104,000 rpm off a 22.2-volt lithium ion rechargeable battery providing incredible suction. As a first test, I cleaned the inside floor of my truck, picking up small stones and dirt that traveled with us all the way from Alaska.

The unit has two selectable speeds: a ten-minute setting for light work, and six-minute setting for the heavy lifting. A light comes on indicating that there is one minute left before the battery needs to be recharged. The unit sounds powerful at either speed and cleaned the floor mats in seconds.

Two interchangeable tools are supplied: a crevice tool, and a combination brush/wide-mouthed nozzle, either of which snaps into place on the unit.

There are no replaceable filters or bags needed with this vacuum. None. Debris falls into a transparent container that when full, empties through the bottom which snaps back into place. A lifetime washable air filter completes the system.

You can purchase it online at Dyson.com or locate a store that carries it at their Web site.

The nice folks at Dyson USA sent this vacuum to us for testing. We receive no compensation (other than keeping this vacuum as a welcome addition to our RV!) from them. George Bruzenak

Photo by Jaimie Bruzenak

AeroPress- excellent coffee, right size for RVs

George has found the perfect coffee maker. It makes excellent coffee and is small so perfect for RVing. It's is the AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker. 

We were shopping at the food co-op in Mt. Vernon, WA. Upstairs, they had nonfood items like coffee makers. That's where George spotted it. This makes an excellent Americano and can also be used to make a latte. An Americano is made with espresso coffee to which water is added. I'm told that the caffeine is lower than a regular cup, plus making it with the AeroPress, you should heat the water to only 175 degrees, making it less bitter and acidic according to coffee aficionados.

The AeroPress has the three pieces, a scoop and a paddle. You will also need a cup. Beside the coffee cup is the main chamber. You unscrew the cap on the bottom, put in a filter, then add one scoop for a single espresso or 5 ounces of Americano. (You will use one ounce of espresso and add five more ounces of hot water.) To the left, the stand is used as a funnel to pour the coffee grounds into the chamber. You can use the stand later to set the chamber on. (See bottom photo)

Pour hot water slowly into the chamber up to the mark equivalent to the number of scoops of coffee grounds you put in. Stir the water and coffee with paddle (not shown) for about ten seconds.

The next step is to take the plunger, to the chamber's right in the top photo, wet the rubber seal and press down gently about a quarter of an inch and maintain that pressure for 20 to 30 seconds until the plunger bottoms on the coffee. "Gently" is important to get the best flavor.

If you have made more than one scoop, you'll want to take out about 1/4 cup of the brew to make an Americano. Put the syrup or brewed espresso in a cup, then add more hot water. Add a bit more syrup and hot water for a larger cup. Save the rest of the syrup for another cup. You can also make a latte by adding hot milk instead of water.

You can turn the chamber and plunger upside down and keep it on the stand while you enjoy your espresso or coffee. (below)

To cleanup, remove the cap, hold the plunger over the trash can or your compost container and press the plunger. Out comes a very neat "puck" of spent grounds. You can save the filter for reuse. Extra filters can be purchased from the company online or a store that carries the product.

You can see this coffee maker is small, compact and easy to use. The grounds pop right out into the trash, making cleanup easy. If you only want one cup of coffee or don't want to let it sit around, it is very convenient to brew just one, it only takes a few minutes. If you pull into a rest stop with your RV, you could easily go back to the kitchen, heat up a little water and have a quick cuppa. There are no glass parts so that is good for the RV lifestyle too. It's perfect for boondocking since there are no plugs; just heat water on your propane stove and you are ready to go. And, it takes little storage space. We recommend it! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Should RVers use nitrogen in their tires?

Ron and Ginny, fellow New Horizon 5th wheel owners who also went to Alaska this year, replaced their truck tires in Grand Junction, CO on their way back to Florida. Ron did not realize that Big-O Tires filled them with nitrogen. On the way home, Ron let out a little air for a smoother ride while not towing the 5th wheel. However, when he went to add air, he was told they were filled with nitrogen and he should not add air. The green valve stem caps indicated nitrogen.

Back in Florida, there is no nitrogen readily available, at least in their area, and so, to put air back in, Ron has to have the tires removed, cleaned and dried before doing so. 

Pros and cons

Using nitrogen in your truck or RV tires is supposed to have some advantages. Having nitrogen-filled tires will increase fuel mileage by about 3 percent since leakage is less. Under-inflated tires don't get as good fuel mileage. The lack of moisture in nitrogen also helps tires to maintain a steady pressure. Tires have normal leakage -- estimated by some at 1 to 2 pounds per square inch a month - and most drivers don't check the tire pressure. Nitrogen could make a difference for these drivers.

Nitrogen is less flammable, though some would question how often a regular automobile or RV would be used in such a way to catch fire. Now an airplane or race car- that's a different story.

However, as Ron found, getting your tires filled with nitrogen can be a hurdle. If it is available, there is usually a $10 per tire charge to fill it.

Many experts don't feel that nitrogen makes a significant difference, though it could be cool to have those green valve stems!

Two articles that go into more detail about the pros and cons are at Bankrate.com and The Straight Dope.

I don't pretend to be an expert on this topic. In fact, hearing from Ron and Ginny was my introduction to using nitrogen in tires. Anyone want to share knowledge or experience on this topic? Would this make a difference for RVers. Would it save money in the RV lifestyle? Please join in by leaving a comment. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Camping chair keeps your b___ warm!

I came across the Tempachair tonight. For RVers who like to sit outside their RVs or in front of the campfire, this chair could be for you. The Tempachair provides comfortable warmth of 120 degrees or 140 degrees for up to 4 hours at a time through a micro fiber heating element sewn directly into the chair’s seat. The embedded heating element is warmed by a portable rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

It has a side tray with drink holder. The other side has three outside pockets and one hidden inside pocket. It weighs under 9 pounds and supports up to 275 pounds. Folded dimensions are 36” x 20“ x 6.5”. The seat is 21" high, dining room height. Cost is $99.95 at their Website and includes chair, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC charger, and car charging unit. It comes in burgundy, green or navy.

This chair fits in well with camping and the RV lifestyle. It would be especially good for happy hour gatherings and potlucks. I get cold easily so this chair looks like a very good deal for me! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Trying out "Happy Bowl "

While at Bakersfield Palms RV Park in Bakersfield, CA, I picked up a free copy of RVing Women. Inside was a sample of "Happy Bowl," a new product. These are biodegradable toilet bowl liners. You put them in your RV toilet before using the toilet to keep it clean and prevent skid marks. The used liner flushes along with the contents.

I tried one out. They are tissue-thin paper much like toilet seat liners found in public restrooms. When unfolded, they are cone-shaped and fit right in the bowl. They cover most of the bowl, though do not reach all the way up to the top, at least in our toilet. Part of the bowl is not protected, but for the most part, they seem to work as promised.

Though I don't particularly like having a toilet brush in the small confines of the bathroom (our toilet is separate from the shower/sink area), I'm not sold on using them yet. Perhaps for boondocking or dry camping, they would help conserve water. 

What I suggest is that you send for a free sample at the HappyBowl.com Web site.That way you can try them out and decide for yourself whether they make your RV lifestyle easier. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Strattec locks- their time has come

Reading RV Daily Report today, I saw a product review for a lock that will be popular for many applications. What this lock does is align itself to your vehicle key on its first use so your vehicle key then opens it. Strattec Security Company makes code-able padlocks but is also making work trucks with code-able locks as well. One key then fits all.

The automotive-grade lock cylinder has spring-loaded plate tumblers that move until they match exactly your key. They lock into place when you first turn and remove it so only your vehicle key can open the lock.

RVers can use these locks for hitches, securing bikes or boats on their RVs or tow vehicle, for securing a free-standing generator to their RV  - any application that requires a lock. If Strattec could convince RV manufacturers to put similar locks on the outside compartment doors of their RVs, keyed the same as the door or even the vehicle, think how much easier life would be. One key would suffice where now we need a key ring with several keys. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Ever lost a kid?

Have you ever lost your child or grandchild? It is a scary experience. Now a new product, Spot Me ID can  save the day.

Spot Me ID makes safety products to help reunite children with their caregivers. At campgrounds, amusement parks, games or shopping - any place where there are crowds or you could get separated - the child wears a lanyard, bracelet or temporary tattoo with your cell phone number on it. If they become separated, another adult can easily contact you. While it doesn't mean you can turn a child loose without supervision, a leash isn't necessary either.

The lanyards and bracelets are animated so they are fun to wear. The character is a cute spotted dog in various scenes, based on the theme you choose. The tattoos are waterproof and last several days.

One suggestion they make at the site: If you are taking your child or grandchild out somewhere-- "take a picture of your child that morning. With the technology of digital cameras, you will have a very accurate description of your child - what they are wearing, eye color, hair color, weight, height and any other distinguishing marks. This can be a big help in ensuring a quick reunion. We also recommend dressing your children in bright and unique clothing."

What a great idea - especially for toddlers who can be off in an instant or where you will be in a crowd. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Dutchmen goes Superlite

Dutchmen RV manufacturers have started production of the Superlite line. These models have been reduced in weight so they can be pulled by a 1/2 ton or one ton truck.

According to the press release, Denali SuperLite features seven travel trailer floorplans and two fifth wheel floorplans that are designed to be pulled by ½ ton and 1 ton pick up trucks. Six of the floorplans weigh less than 7,500 pounds.

Denali SuperLite features a 6-way welded aluminum cage superstructure with a lightweight laminated floor and walls. The roof structures features a walk-on, aluminum framed, truss style roof with an EPDM rubber finish. In addition, Denali SuperLite’s aerodynamic front profile is designed for enhanced fuel economy.

According to Brent Stevens, vice president of sales and marketing for Dutchmen Manufacturing, "We have eliminated over 800 pounds from previous models by incorporating our new aluminum framed wall, floor and roof structure. This weight savings makes Denali SuperLite towable by most ½ and one-ton trucks. In addition to the lightweight superstructure, Denali SuperLite includes all of the high impact features of our standard Denali product line including flat screen HD TV’s, solid wood cabinet doors, enclosed and heated underbelly, r14 roof insulation and a premium sleeper sofa with air mattress."

Driving by Tom's Camperland, where we bought our Lance camper, I saw small towable A-frame pop-up trailers. At first I couldn't even spot any Lance campers, but they turned out to be in back. A couple of weeks ago, we drove by Beaudry's RV, just south of I-10 and the 202 loop in Phoenix. Their small TAB trailers were featured prominently in front of the larger motorhomes. Apparently small is selling. Dutchmen might have good success with these lighter units. At least the industry is responding to the loss in sales by trying new things.

I don't see these as full-time models, though they do have enclosed tanks. They could be an affordable way to get into RVing. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak