Cooking on board the smaller compacs

[Cruzin]

In the Small Craft Advisor issue #71 which is from Oct/Nov 2011 they have a nice feature on a DIY Cockpit Cook Box. The design is pretty cool if you have the skills and tools necessary for construction. This is the same issue that has the review of the Compac 23. The article is nicely done and includes detailed drawings with a parts list. A cool little all in one portable galley!
Dale

[Billy]

Mike,
If Slowshoes doesn't want it, I definitely I do. How big is the pot?

[Citroen/Dave]

Pete,

I had an earlier version of the Florespar Mini Gallery Stove from backpacking days. It was of French manufacture and may have been a different brand- I loved it.  

If you purchase one, I would recommend that you make a broader base. A simple slip-in plywood board could be devised with a hole or mounted support frame to help prevent the stove can from tipping over.  

My supply of cans was purchased from a 'back packing' store; they are much shorter than the fuel cans pictured above. They too seemed to last a very long time but for one apatite.

Citroen/Dave

[Greene]

Mike,
If Slowshoes doesn't want it, I definitely I do. How big is the pot?

I'll take a picture and get measurements tonight.

Mike

Later that night....





Pot is 5 1/2" in diameter and 9" tall.  I don't have a gas cylinder to try it out, so it is untested.  I'll pull the two mounts out of Wrinkles that go with it as well.  $50.00 and whatever it costs to ship it. 

Mike

[Saluki86]

I also saw the article in Small Craft Advisor that Cruzin mentions.  If I remember, I will scan and post for anyone interested.

[Pete H]

Good morning Everyone,

Wow!   What a helpful bunch of people.  Thank you all for all the information. 

I have bought one of the butane stoves and will use that in the cockpit, under the boom tent. The Legacy cabin is too small too cook in anyway. If you were younger, smaller and more agile than me it might be possible. My culinary ambitions while cruising are not great any way, a hot drink, something warm to eat and that is all I'm after. Then a cold beer or a nip of Highland Park and snuggle down with a good book. Bliss!

Thanks and best wishes,

Pete H

[Bob23]

   I still use the original 2 burner Origo alcohol stove that came with my 23 although I rarely use the second burner. Heats enough water for the french press (3 cups of java) in 8 minutes.. I do plan to make a much longer sliding table for it so it can extend out further.
   Outside its a propane grill in the stern rail.
   I do like that little Butane stove though.
Bob23

[Lafayette Bruce]

Sounds like the single burner is the tool of choice and I use one as well, but no one has suggested a rail mounted grill.  Not too outrageously expensive, propane fueled and wow what a way to go for grilling steaks, kabobs, fish, whatever and sooooo tasty.
Lafayette Bruce

[Billy]

Sounds like the single burner is the tool of choice and I use one as well, but no one has suggested a rail mounted grill.  Not too outrageously expensive, propane fueled and wow what a way to go for grilling steaks, kabobs, fish, whatever and sooooo tasty.
Lafayette Bruce

Bob just said he likes his.
I have a rail mounted grill. However, it is not propane. I figure, if I don't need gas to propel my boat, I don't need gas to cook my food. Charcoal for me!

Plus, with propane, all you are doing is adding heat, and you might as well use the stove and a skillet. There is no flavor added w/ gas, well except some of the old left over meat from last time that got burn and a little charred. I don't use any lighter fluid or instant light charcoal either. I use a chimney. And it works just fine.

However, I will agree that propane is much easier to deal with 

To each their own.

[brackish]

I've got the two sliders on my 23, so room not an issue.  The stove is a single burner butane, and I really like it.  It wouldn't do if you were a live aboard or did very long cruises, but for a weekend cruise a couple of cans of butane go with me and I rarely go into the second can.  Starts quick with no fuss, burns hot but can be regulated, low profile so no tipping issues.

I have both the charcoal and propane Magma stern mount grills.  Charcoal I've had for 40 years, have a stand for it so I can use it without the stern mount bar.  It is just the right size for just my wife and I so I use it at home year round.  I take it to the boat often, preferring it over the propane.  The propane came with my 23, and I've used it, but it is a lot heavier and more complicated to set up than the charcoal.  Easy to cook on though and more versatile.

[tholepin]

Cooking on board during a cruise becomes more important as your appetite catches up with your "cruising attitude."  My solution is a single burner Origo stove which handles most of the cooking / water heating.  As food prep becomes more important to me, I use the Origo Heat Pal as a second heating station.  Its bulk, for me, is a fair trade-off, as the weather gets cool during the beautiful October and November months in the NE.

I have found that most anything is possible in a small boat.  Just do one thing at a time and stow it away in a gunny sack (labeled) when finished. 

[Saluki86]

I have scanned the article about the cockpit cookbox but it is in PDF format and I can't figure out how to upload it to Photobucket to share.  If anyone wants it, send me an email to <tjpalek@bellsouth.net> and I will send it.

sorry
Saluki

[Tim Gardner]

Saluki,

Save the pdf file as a jpeg and then load it up.

click file, save as, select jpg. done

tg

[crazycarl]

slowshoes,

we bought the cheapest vacuum sealer we could find.  a genuine "seal-a-meal" from walmart.

it was about $50.  i've seen units as high $300.  i'd rather put the $ towards new sails.


carl

[Smier]

After much debate, I opted for the dual burner butane stove.  It was cheap(I paid around $35 online with free shipping), low profile, and slightly safer than propane in my opinion(Butane rises and disperses, propane will sink and collect in the hull).  I love it so far!  Its big enough for 2 huge pots, and doesn't require a match to light.  I bought it for use in the boat, but also for a backup in case we lose power at home, which we have had 3 major storm events in the past year here.  My only complaint is the dual burner doesn't come with a storage case... Which would be nice, but it will be strapped down in the galley of our new boat for trips, so I just store it in its box at home.  The body is made of pretty thin metal, but for $30 what would you expect?  I bought a 12 pack of butane cans for $23 shipped, and I'm still on the original cans after several uses(I probably have enough to last several years).