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Post by hilldweller on Jan 15, 2012 9:19:50 GMT 10
I need to build the kitchen for my van. There's no trace of what was there before so I'm starting with a blank slate. The gap where the kitchen needs to go is in the usual place opposite the door, about 1300mm long, shallow window above the right hand end, and part of the wheel arch protrudes into the space at that end also. I've got an old falks 2-ring stove. I'd be interested in what others have found works particularly well  and anything you'd avoid. It needs to be reasonably easy to build. I am thinking the van will not have a fridge, partly to save space, and partly because I've spent a lot of nights in cheap motels with noisy fridges and inevitably end up pulling the plug in the wee small hours. Do you think I should reconsider? I think actual use of the kitchen for meal preparation will be pretty minimal. TIA |
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Post by robby1960 on Jan 15, 2012 10:06:38 GMT 10
Hi there
The kitchen layout is a dilemma I've had as well. Mine is a 1960's small 10ft (3.3m) Harris van, and originally the kitchen was just across the front of the van. It was originally suggested to me to put the kitchen "weight" over the wheel hub area/s for the purpose of distributing the weight more evenly. Considering my floor space is just 2m x 3m I've spent many hours with graph paper and pencil trying to re-design the floor plan. Having such a small van (2m wide), and with placing the kitchen on the side wall, basically means I have to really downsize the appliances and cupboards, however the fridge becomes quite a headspin. I also have a phobia about gas, and researching and reading about the 3 way fridges and the risks of having one in a van, particularly a small one... made me decide not to use a 3 way fridge. I still then have the dilemma of the size of fridge. Have considered a small bar fridge... but even those may stick out too far. I have also looked at the coolers, but that brings the dilemma of the way the top lids open.
If I had stuck with the original placement of the kitchen (across the front wall), that would have allowed plenty of depth for a small fridge.
And so while I still have some time up my sleeve before a final decision needs to be made, if I can't find a front-opening fridge small enough, it may well be an ice-box type which would be much easier to move and take out (seeings as it's highly unlikely a strong pair of helpful muscly arms will be available... (haha)).
My other appliances are compact... an electric 2 burner hotplate plus a small electric convection oven/griller. And so having my appliances all electric, I've decided not to connect gas to my van, but will still have the option of carrying a gas bottle for using a small BBQ outside (or use the easy butane gas type)... and so will have the best of both worlds (in my view anyway).
I've just continued to look through many many many photos of caravan interiors on the net to try and get ideas for design and using every bit of space that we can.
It's all a learning curve!
Robby
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 15, 2012 11:06:59 GMT 10
...Do you think I should reconsider? I think actual use of the kitchen for meal preparation will be pretty minimal. Hi Hilldweller, If you want my opinion based on a lifetime of caravanning, I think you should reconsider. I reckon you need some means of keeping your food (and drink) cold and safe from bugs, etc. You could either have a fridge or an icebox, but a fridge would be age appropriate for your van. But it depends how you are going to use your van. If you are just going to use it for weekends away, you may get away with using a chilly-bin (is that how you write it?), or a little portable fridge. Or if you're only going to use the van on the southern most tip of the South Island in the middle of winter, you can just leave your food outside.  However, if you're going to use your van for longer periods or for touring, as we do, my feeling is that a fridge or icebox is indispensable. We use our fridge all the time, but our stove infrequently. Regarding noise, that doesn't have to be a consideration. A caravan 3-way fridge (12v/240v/gas) doesn't have a motor and doesn't make any noise at all when it's operating on 240v. Don't ask me how it works without one, I'll have to leave that to one of the technical types, but you won't have to get out of bed to turn it off. Space could be an issue if you were retro fitting a fridge, but seeing you're starting with a blank slate you can design your galley around the fridge.  My thoughts, Don Ricardo |
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Post by seeshell on Jan 15, 2012 11:23:37 GMT 10
Hi Robby FRIDGES:I think these (or an icebox) are really essential. There are small 240v fridge drawers (think Fischer and Paykel dish drawers) that you can get singly. The "marine" ones (often in really lovely stainless) are ridiculously dear, but I did see smaller ones from a place in Ballarat for about $250 each. They're pretty small, but it might give you a bit of flexibility in where you place them as they are only 40cm deep (smaller counters?) You might be able to dress them up or disguise them if you wish to make them look more authentic? Here's a link - they have all other kinds of fridges as well - front venting too. www.aquarange.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=63&products_id=726GAS:Like you, I have a bit of a horror of gas in vans and we have removed the stoves in both vans we have. Following advice from another vanner (moderns) we put a gas spigot outside and now can connect our little coleman camp stove to it under the awing. Works a treat, and you don't get grease and cooking smells inside. I should also say for cooking a small crock pot (slow cooker) is brilliant - throw the stuff in and set and forget. You really won't miss standing over a stove to cook a meal. Similarly, an electric fry pan is also very handy - and both can be used out of doors on your camp table as well as inside if you don't want to carry gas. Very versatile (easily stored under beds etc), and mean you won't need to make much provision for them in your kitchen layout. Best of luck with your designs! Seeshell |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 15, 2012 12:03:52 GMT 10
... I also have a phobia about gas, and researching and reading about the 3 way fridges and the risks of having one in a van, particularly a small one... made me decide not to use a 3 way fridge.... Hi Robby, Just because you install a 3-way fridge in your van doesn't mean that you have to have it on gas. We have a 3-way fridge in our van but just use it on 12v when we're traveling and 240v when we're camped. Our van being an older one doesn't have gas installed - never has, never will - but our little fridge has been doing a fine job since we put it in as a "2-way" about 28 years ago. Obviously not having gas may place some restrictions on where you set up camp, but it hasn't been a major issue for the type of caravanning we do. Anyway what I'm trying to say is that you don't need to let your concerns about gas in the van stop you putting in a caravan fridge if you want to - just dont install the gas. A caravan fridge is probably more compact than a bar fridge as well. Don Ricardo |
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Post by hilldweller on Jan 16, 2012 15:15:21 GMT 10
OK so I do need to re-think the fridge decision, for those times when the van may venture north into warmer climes. Thanks for that link Seeshell. I didn't know such things existed. Also the crock pot idea (for when not in warmer climes!).
So, any other thoughts on kitchen layout? Cupboards, drawers, sinks etc?
The original kitchen in your van Robby must have been very big, if it went right across. I quite like the idea of that much bench space, but only to put 'stuff' on, no actual cooking involved LOL.
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Post by seeshell on Jan 16, 2012 16:34:35 GMT 10
My dear Hilldweller You take that back!  The crock pot is not just for cold weather. On fireban days you can still make something other than a salad. I made a beautiful chicken curry this year (peas, pumpkin, chick peas, carrots, raisins, coconut milk etc...!) on a 33 degree day and it was enjoyed by all. It's even good for dessert - I've even made the most beautiful rice pudding with orange zest (which also made the van smell amazing). I think the food tastes better when there's only one dish to wash. ;D As for layouts, make sure there are 2-3 drawers. There's often plenty of cupboard space and not enough for cutlery and utensils and you end up ratting around in the drawers and making a mess - pull it all out and make sure you have somewhere for it to go/fit! That's my lot! Seeshell |
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Post by barkpaint on Jan 16, 2012 21:53:29 GMT 10
I must concur with seeshell on the drawer issue. I have only two in the kitchen of my van, and one in the wardrobe, more drawers would be an excellent idea. Far too much room is taken up by the hanging space of the wardrobe. Although I do not want to alter things, some plastic drawers from a cheap store will help .
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Post by hilldweller on Jan 20, 2012 10:37:27 GMT 10
OK, drawers. Expect a 'how do you make drawers' post on here shortly LOL. Have decided I need to purchase fridge, water containers and sink first so it all fits together, but you've got me started in the right direction so thanks. Oh and re the crockpot. I can see why you Aussies would want to use your crockpots all year round, but where I live we have this thing called winter, when it gets cold, and rains, and sometimes snows, and you have the fire going every day and vintage caravans need to be tucked away somewhere safe from the weather. That's when we use our crockpots. In summer we like salads and BBQs |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 20, 2012 11:40:21 GMT 10
I think that if you ask around some kitchen makers over there, you can actually buy drawer innards premade in plastic and all you have to do is add the appropriate front to them. Maybe the big green shed even has them - that's if you have big green sheds over the ditch.
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and anything you'd avoid. It needs to be reasonably easy to build. 
