Our Vanstead

What do you think of this one for a vanstead?

In other posts, I've mentioned returning to Port Angeles in the spring and starting work on the vanstead.  My old van (Charlie) was to be transformed.  He would become a project van complete with wood floors, a pantry, and a wood stove.  Mike and I are very happy with, and will remain in Taj, our Roadtrek 170... it's our projects that need more space!

Charlie (a.k.a Van Dodgeram) and Taj

I've slowly been coming to the realization that Charlie will just not be a good fit for the vandstead... too many alterations are needed.  For one thing, without changing his motor to diesel he can't contain a wood burning stove... else BOOM!  My heart is set on wood burning cooking and heat.

The Halibut from Navigator Stove Works

So after talking it over with my very understanding husband, the decision has been made and we'll be selling Charlie and getting something that will meet all of the needs of a vanstead... including a small mobile garden.


Just for kicks I looked up diesel vans on craigslist in our area and I found what to me would be the perfect vanstead/project van.  A 1977 Mercedes Van - $5000 130,000 miles.  Runs excellent and ready for road trips! 


Isn't he cute... just tons of character!~ I love the lines and the possibilities are endless!

I'm sure this one will be gone by the time we get back and get around to deciding on the perfect vanstead/project van, but by this I will measure all others! :)

Another addition to the Vanstead Wishlist

LP gas, 110V and 12V Chest Freezer (click here)_ 

Just beauteous!

Cooking Method 2 - Thermos Cooking

I've had some success with thermos cooking.  I prefer cooking in the crockette, but it's nice to have options.  The benefit of using the thermos cooking method is that you only need to use enough energy to bring the food to a boil.  I've cooked noodles and white rice several times. However, my first attempt at cooking brown rice was not successful. Difficulty in cooking brown rice is a frequent complaint of thermos cooking folks.


During a recent visit with Captain Vandweller, he set out to show it could be done.  This is what we learned:

• Only use one cup of brown rice in a 48oz thermos
• Bring the water *and* the rice to a boil (don't just add rice to the thermos of boiling water)
• Using a funnel made from cutting the top off of a plastic milk jug makes for less mess

We opened it after 3 hours and it was fully cooked - we think it may have been cooked in as little as an hour.  With some experimenting, you may find that thermos cooking is a fun and fuel-friendly cooking alternative.


If you want to try thermos cooking, make sure your thermal vessel is up to the task.  I've tried several brands and types, but many just can't do the job. This is the one we like: Thermos Bottle

Vanstead Cooking Method 1

Today we went to visit Michael's 91 year old granny.  We had a wonderful visit!  She grew up on a Georgia farm with 13 brothers and sisters.  Her mom taught her to make the family biscuits when she was 12 years old because another baby was on the way.  She (and all her siblings) also worked in the fields.  We'll be visiting again tomorrow and I'm looking forward to learning more about life on the family farm in the 1920's. 

Granny with her siblings, her mother, and her grandmother.

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Life in a vanstead can be much easier than it was for a large family on a farm in the 1920's... much easier indeed!  When I want to make chicken and dumplings I turn to the crockette.

I keep the crockette in the sink where I can use it while we're driving.  All I have to do is put a boneless-skinless chicken breast in the crockette and let it cook until it easily falls apart (several hours).  Add a little chicken bullion and Bisquick dumplings to the crockette and let them cook another hour.

When we're ready to stop driving for the evening, dinner is waiting to be served! 

I also use the crockette for doing dishes.  It heats water very quickly.  I've used it for many casseroles, heating soups,  making coffee and teas with reusable tea bags... and more.

We got our crockette at Walgreens and it runs off 110.  We're going to switch to the 12v version very soon.  I had one before and it was great!

You can find the 12v model here: 12v Slow Cooker

Perennial Foods

Today we're leaving Kentucky and traveling to Virginia.  I'll be working on a post about my current-favorite-vansteader-cooking-method.  So today I'm *finally* *really* *truely* going to make the long-in-coming "perennial foods" post.... now.

This is the one of the vansteader gardening methods I intend to start this spring.  


Perennial herbs, vegetables, fruits and legumes can be planted *once* and enjoyed for many seasons to come.  First, I need to know which plant hardiness zone I intended to grow my plant in:

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

I'll be planting in zone 8B. The following is my list (in progress) of desirable perennial plants, herbs, and trees:

Herbs 

Basil

Mint

Oregano

Rosemary 

Sage 

Thyme

Vegetables

Artichokes

Asparagus

Broccoli
Garlic
Horseradish
Onions (there are several desirable varieties of perennial onions)
Rhubarb

Spinach

Sweet Potato

Fruits

Apples

Blackberries
Blueberries

Cherries

Strawberries

Legumes

Beans
***I'll list the specific varieties once I decide upon them.


I'll need to check each perennial variety to make certain they'll grow in zone 8b (some have already been eliminated from the list).


Once I have my list of perennial plants, I'll be able to start the seedlings indoors in early spring.  When they get large enough, I'll be using the guerrilla gardening technique of planting them along one of my favorite trails (out of sight). The area I'll be planting in does have enough rain that they won't need supplemental water.  These unattended plants should provide food for years to come. I'll also be planting my "annual" non-hybrid squash varieties in this fashion.  I'll be able to harvest while taking a bike ride, when staying in one of my favorite areas.

Seed Starter Greenhouse

I do need to be careful about the areas I'm planting in... I don't want to introduce invasive species into a protected or native planting area. I also need to be watchful of private property.


The companion post to this one will be on non-hybrid seeds. Year before last, I collected my non-hybrid seeds and will be able to plant them in my community garden patch as a complement to the perennial food plants.

Wood stoves for your vanstead

Thank you for taking the time to answer the poll regarding your preferred topics.  When I started writing today's post (early yesterday), the wood stoves topic had the most votes.  I'll keep the poll up so you'll have a say in our content.

The Sardine

The mini wood stoves at http://www.marinestove.com are amazing!  My explanation could not do them justice. If you're looking for a wood stove for your vanstead, I'd suggest browsing their install pictures:

http://www.marinestove.com/sproducthistory.htm

You can even get the alcohol drop in burner accessory for hot weather cooking use: http://www.marinestove.com/Accessories.htm

Here's a link to a man who used a tent stove in his motorhome: Full Time Living

Keep in mind that he sells these stoves and they aren't designed for motorhome use.  That said, I will most likely go with this option in my vanstead, until I can afford one of the marine stoves (above).  The link below the picture will take you to amazon where you can see the same stove for $60 with different pictures that show scale.

$60 Camping Stove

My install will most likely be on a passenger side hinged door.  This will allow me to open it to the outside and use it as an outdoor or tented stove.  I'll go into more later when I discuss my vanstead design.

There are many other options in small vanstead sized wood stoves.  Please list *your* favorites in the comments.


Note: wood stoves should *never* be used in a vehicle that runs on gasoline.  If you're vanstead is a diesel, then you're in luck!