Lightcap 200 is Camping Gadget of the Week

I do like this gadget of the week.    It's fun and simple and not technical at all.  

Our Camping Gadget of the Week  is the 

 LightCap 200 by SolLight.

Basically, all of us camping and hiking enthusiasts have a water bottle.    

So this LED camp (2.6oz) fits onto any ‘standard’ waterbottle eg. Camelbak, Nalgene etc.   The ones that have a 2” wide mouth.

We have every Camelbak bottle on the market judging by our kitchen cupboard, so finding a bottle wouldn’t be a problem.

The cap has high output solar panel and holds 4 bright LED lights.    Charge up your bottle cap during the day, and the light illuminates the water in the bottle...and voila, we have a lantern (with a built in auto daylight sensor).   

 

Or even a torch if you need it.

No batteries at all needed!

The cap seals on tight onto your bottle, and all crucial elements are protected and sealed!

And the manufacturers have also created the LightCap 300 which is a renewable lantern, a one liter water bottle and a waterproof container  - with 4 white lights and a red LED for a nightlight.  How cool is that?

Have not seen them in Australia yet, but full details on how you can get one can be found at this site here 

What do you think?   Hit or Miss?    Let us know in the comments below.  

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What is a Campicurean?

Do you know what a Campicurean is?   No?   Don't worry.  Nor did I.

But this week I found out it's another term, possibly to sit side-by-side with the term Glamper (which I only learned about in 2011).

A campicurean is someone who can really cook on a campfire.

Urban dictionary has its own definition:   its someone who can cook better on a campfire than at home.

In fact there was even an American national competition to work out who was the best Campicurean. The winner was Lisa Williams from Plano,Texas.  Her campfire gourmet dish was swordish a roux “turtle packs” capturing  47% of the vote.    See her winning recipe here.

Do I think I could be up for such an award?  Not any time soon. 

We have discovered and made some yummy dishes on the campfire, but we know that we still have a way to go in campfire cooking.    And as you can see from my experience with S'Mores (read that experience here), you can tell that whilst we have mastered some of the camp cooking recipes, others need more work.

But the beauty of campfire cooking, that everything seems to taste better when you have sat around a warm fire and watched it cook (even though sometimes you have placed it on too-hot embers, or allowed the ash to seep inside the foil) - it still is way more enjoyable than sitting around the oven at home!

What campfire cooking have you mastered?    Or yet to succeed with?   Let us and others know in the comments section.

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Glow in the Dark Toilet Paper for Camping

When nature calls in the middle of the night, a new product is available to help make that run to the woods a happier experience.

It is Glow in the dark toilet paper.

Never fumble around looking for that crucial paper again.   It's unnatural glow will ensure you can always find it, no matter how dark it is.

Your thoughts (keep it clean) welcomed below!!!

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Gig Backpack is Camping Gadget of Week

The Camping Gadget of the Week is the Gig Pack - for  the hiker and camper who can get a little tired of trekking through the great outdoors.

Here's the scene:

You are out on a walk – ideally not a bumpy one - and begin to  feel a little weary, and want to get back to camp quickly.   

Never fear, you have the Gig Pack, created by Gustavo Brenck.

You turn your backpack into a scooter, and ride off down the path (very quickly if it is downhill), and before you know it, you are resting by the campfire, whilst your companions slowly make their way back to the camp the conventional way - on foot.

How is this so?   Read on..............

Yes, this Camping Gadget of the Week  is a knapsack with a scooter built in!    

The scooter is made out of aluminum while the backpack is fashioned out of nylon. 

The scooter is incorporated into the design of the backpack and with a few minor adjustments, you are ready to go whizzing around the place.

Day hikes with the kids (and adults) will never be the same.  

Think of the looks you will get as you whizz past fellow hikers on the trail!  (chances are, the looks you are getting are not exactly full of goodwill  and admiration, but with the speed you could be travelling, you won’t be around long enough to hear their comments!)

Whilst I believe its designed more for the scooter-lover around town, well, why stop there?  Camping folk might want to look like complete twits too!

What do you think of this gadget of the week?  Leave us your thoughts below!

Whilst here, check out our other camping gadgets which are also backpack related are:

Offgrid Solar Backpack

Backpack that turns into a tent

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Camping, Bacon and Zombies

A highlight when camping is at the end of the day, sitting down to eat something delicious.   You have had a busy day walking and exploring, so its like a reward when you return to your campsite and know that you have a scrumptious meal ahead of you.

And as all campers and hikers would discover from surfing the ‘Net, there are thousands of recipes for camp meals and snacks.

There is no excuse these days for not eating yummy and nutritious food when you camp.

We have a couple of favourites, but this next camping food, is NOT going to be on our list any time soon.

It is the Tac Bac – Tactical Canned Bacon  (I think they are targeting people who wish to stock up their homes before an imminent zombie attack and/or people who have no idea how to cook).   

The ad below will give you an idea on the target audience for this product!

The manufacturers also they do suggest this would be great for campers and hikers, because it has a shelf life of 10 years!

Bacon that keeps for 10 years?  Imagine the preservatives that are needed to keep it on the shelf for so long.   

I love bacon - but not like this.......

Still hungry?    If so, don’t forget to try the bacon flavoured popcorn....... or how about some bacon flavoured gum?

 And if still peckish, there is always the Candwich (read about that delicacy here)

So, which one will you be trying on your next camping trip (or when zombies attack)?

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Zippered Vents Sleeping Bag is Camping Gadget of Week

If you get too warm in a sleeping bag (and that is definitely not me), this Camping Gadget of the Week might appeal (or not).

It is the  Zippered Vents Sleeping Bag.

As you can see from the photos, the idea is that the sleeping bag only covers the part of your body that needs warmth, and you unzip where you are too hot.

Four zippers going across the width of the sleeping bag give you that choice.   With a built in pillow and flannel lining, the makers also suggest that you could use this around the house to keep warm. eg. watching TV.


Personally, if I ever get too hot sleeping, I would either remove one of the multi layers I am wearing, or open up my ONE zip on my sleeping bag to let some warmth out.     It's not that tricky.     

At US$119 this might appeal to those of you who sleep warm.     Available here at Hammacher Schlemmer

So, anyone going to be buying this soon?   Leave us your comments!

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S'mores Australian Style

S'Mores.  After reading many US websites regarding camping, the term S'Mores comes up a lot. 

You might be mistaken for thinking this is the the staple diet for Americans   (FYI: it’s not).     

But for camping, it seems no American camping trip is complete without partaking in the ritual of having a S'More.   So, I bravely decided to venture into unknown cooking territory, and try to replicate this traditional dessert here in Australia.

   

Wikipedia says they are a “traditional night-time campfire treat” and made up of “roasted marshmallow and a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker”.

The marshmallow and chocolate – no problems – a trip to my cupboard and we have them.

The graham cracker – what is that?         

The Campy Mom (another blogger on camping - see her site http://alittlecampy.com/) seems to know her stuff on S’Mores.    I asked her about Graham Crackers which are a mystery to me and you can see the reply here

Website “Smitten Kitten” gives us a recipe to make your own, if you are so inclined - click here

Photo credit:  D.Niblack

Either way, we in Australia, are going to have to find substitutes if we want to make this S’More.  

McVitie Digestives seem to be the closest.  I have also heard that Arnotts “Marie” biscuits are worth a go.

So  we decided to try to make an Australian S’More.   Here was "the plan":

1. Gather around a campfire
2. Get a Marie or McVities biscuit and put a piece of chocolate on it.
3. Cook a marshmallow over the campfire using a stick or whatever preferred method is.
4. Place the browned marshmallow on the biscuit that has the chocolate on it
5. Create a sandwich by putting the another biscuit on the marshmallow, let the marshmallow spread a bit eg.ooze
6. Wait 30 seconds for the warm marshmallow to melt the chocolate
7. Eat and enjoy

Well, let me tell you that after our first experience with a S’More, it needs some refinement.     We hit a couple of problems

• Choice of biscuit – Marie by Arnotts.  It seemed a bit too thick and sweet.  It was like sugar overload and not in a good way.
•  Chocolate that goes on the biscuit – we used a Cadburys Twirl broken in half.    When the marshmallow went onto this chocolate, it just did not melt.   I waited 30 seconds but that chocolate stood firm long after 30 seconds.
• Marshmallow – to get it really gooey, I sort of set it on fire, so it was all blackened (not sure if I am meant to do that), but it didn’t seem to retain heat to melt chocolate.

Where did I go wrong?  (apart from not using a microwave)

My kids enjoyed this new camping treat, but I was a bit disappointed.  

I think it comes down to my biscuit choice.   

Or maybe my chocolate choice.    

Or then again, maybe my marshmallow cooking!!!


We tried our own version at Easter.     You can see Easter S'Mores here

Searching for S'Mores information is impressive for a newbie to the world of S'Mores - there are sites dedicated to recipes; how-to cook them; bizarre S'More alternatives; and even a Facebook page dedicated to S'Mores.   

This site, had a delicious sounding recipe for Peanut Butter S'Mores.  Makes my mouth just water thinking about that combination.

 Or maybe you want to make your own S'More in a virtual experience?  

Yes, at the Hersheys site you will be able to pretend you are making a S'More and create your own ultimate S'More without ever leaving your computer........Unless your computer keyboard is a giant S'More (see below)

So, despite there being a lot of info out there for beginners, my S'More experience was not a huge hit.   I am not planning on giving up any time soon - all those Americans can't be wrong - but I think the key elements to make a good S'More needs a small re-think on my part.

Or maybe this gadget is an alternative to outdoor S'Mores - Indoor Roaster!!

And if all else fails, adults, you need to seriously consider this drink - S'Moretinis.

If you have any tips or suggestions or your own S'More experience, let us know below!!  

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A Tale of 2 Stoves - Camping Gadgets of the Week

Cooking is a big deal when you are outdoors.       

After a day hiking, fishing or exploring with the kids, coming back to camp and having something scrumptious is high on our agenda.

So for the Gadget of the Week, we are going plural.    

Yes, it’s TWO gadgets of the week. 

Both are stoves and they couldn’t be further apart in terms of practicality, size and weight.

For you today we have the Stove in a Can  and the Coleman Outdoor Oven Stove.

Stove in a Can is being marketed as the Ultimate Emergency Cooking Solution. 

It is a can that with the use of some fuel cells (made of natural and recycled materials) can boil water in 5 minutes.  You set the fuel cell on a ring inside the can, set the cell alight, put the cook top back on, and away you go.

Selling points include that it has indefinite shelf life, and i'ts great for emergency kits.

It is a very easy to use product, nothing fancy or technical about it.  It is as the name describes:-  a can, with fire and and a stove top.

That’s it.   Nothing more to say on that one!!

Then, we have something that is totally different in every way from the simplistic concept just mentioned.    Good luck fitting this one in your backpack.

It is the Coleman Outdoor Oven Stove.

It's a propane oven/stove combination, weighing in at 41 pounds or 18.4kg.

“The large oven bakes up to a 12" pizza, holds a standard 9" x 13" baking pan and produces 3,000 BTU of raw cooking power”.

With a view-through oven door with thermometer this camping oven is designed for the camper who has everything and wants to act like they are home.

This oven has fully adjustable temperature control, fold-down windscreens  and made of steel, all complete with carry handles so you can carry it around the campsite and impress all fellow campers with your strength and totally inappropriate cooking choice for a back to the bush adventure.

Which one would we choose?

I personally can’t see us using either.    Some more thoughts on the above include:

• The Stove in a Can is very simplistic and I can see how it might appeal to those who haven’t really investigated a lot of camping stove options, and not aware of the alternatives.       

• Stove in a Can is a lot more portable than the Coleman Outdoor Stove, which I don’t think is really for campers.   Maybe as a backup for those in caravans, or people who need an oven in their home – but I don’t know of one camper who would take this along with them.    

• You don’t need a fancy oven to cook a pizza when you are camping (we have cooked them in Dutch ovens or on top of a BBQ plate with a saucepan over the top to help with the toppings cooking).     And a simple 2 burner stove is going to accomplish many of your cooking needs.  

Still wanting cooking options?   Think about MSR products like the Pocket Rocket or MicroRocket, Jetboil range, Honey Stoves, Primus Omnifuel............well, the list is endless.

If you want to have a say on anything above, or just in regards to camping and cooking, we would love to hear your thoughts below.   

If you liked this article, Tweet it, so others know about it as well.   Thank you.

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How many camping checklists are in the world?

A while ago someone said to me   "You should have a camping checklist on your site".  

So I did some homework (using the Google search engine, so not that scientific or tricky) and this is what was discovered:


919,000 results for "Camping Checklists" 

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

710,000 results for "Camping Checklist"  (making it singular, lost 200,000 results)

96,000 results for "Camping Checklist app"

401,000 results for "Camping Checklist Essentials"

112,000 results for "Camping Checklist Australia"

and this is the impressive figure........

24,900,000 results for "Best Camping Checklist app"



And that is why on our website you won't find a camping checklist.   The volume of lists out there in cyberspace is overwhelming.    And everyone has the 'best checklist' or 'ultimate list'. 

It's amazing anyone ever leaves home because they are so busy ticking off their checklists.

Mind you, we DO suggest that you check out this list on the bare necessities of camping....it's not a checklist, more helpful hints on some key purchases.   Have we missed something on that list?  Let us know below.

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