Is a Gas-Free Camper Possible?
Introduction
Did you know that when camper vans first emerged, gas was the only option for cooking and heating? Yes, it was the standard, so most RVs, including our beloved Edouard, adopted this solution. But now, with advancements in solar panels and powerful batteries, it’s entirely feasible to say goodbye to gas. In this article, we’ll explore how to transform the different systems in your RV — cooking, heating, hot water, and refrigeration — to run on solar and electric power. Is it possible?
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Key Takeaways on Eliminating Gas in a Camper Van
- Improved Safety: Eliminating gas reduces the risks of leaks and fires, thereby increasing onboard safety.
- Practicality and Compliance: Avoiding gas eliminates the hassle of refilling bottles and dealing with various certifications required in different countries.
- Space Savings: The installations needed for gas storage take up precious space that can be better utilized.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Using cleaner energy sources like electricity reduces the ecological footprint of your nomadic lifestyle by removing one of the fossil fuels.
- Heating: Diesel heating (which you will need for driving) or electric solutions like heated blankets offer a safe and efficient alternative to gas heating, avoiding fire risks.
- Hot Water: Solutions like electric water heaters and heat exchangers provide hot water efficiently, offering increased autonomy during travels.
- Cooking: Using induction cooktops and, to a lesser extent, electric multicookers, eliminates the need for gas for cooking.
- Refrigeration: Compression refrigerators operate without gas and are energy-efficient, suitable for battery or solar panel systems, thus minimizing the risks associated with gas leaks.
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Why Replace Gas in Your Van?
Safety: Using gas in a camper van comes with significant risks. Leaks and fire hazards are major concerns and can unfortunately happen.
Convenience: Beyond safety, convenience is a key factor. Refilling gas bottles and getting installations certified can be a real headache. Each country has its standards and connectors, and finding the right adapter can be frustrating.
Space: Storing gas requires substantial space and specific installations, including sealed compartments to ensure safety. These constraints take up valuable space in an already limited area like a camper van.
Environment: Lastly, and importantly, is the environmental impact of gas. Given the greener solutions available today, continuing to use gas seems counterproductive. Green technologies, such as lithium batteries, offer a cleaner and more sustainable alternative, reducing our ecological footprint during our travels.
Our Personal Experience
During our travels in the camper, the positioning of the gas bottles always worried us, even though we never experienced any incidents. Placed near the passenger seat on the side, they pose a significant risk in case of an accident. Imagine a simple failure to yield resulting in a direct impact on these bottles: the consequences could be disastrous.
Beyond safety concerns, gas also presented issues during our international trips. For instance, when we arrived in Portugal, finding a suitable adapter turned out to be a real headache. We had to buy a specific bottle that ultimately wasn’t even certified. For greater peace of mind, we switched to LPG, but even with an adapter kit, each new country, such as the UK, required the purchase of additional adapters.
How to Heat Your Camper Without Using Gas
Proper insulation is crucial to maintain warmth in a camper. Effective insulation minimizes the need for heating, regardless of the climate. However, when winter arrives or if your travels take you to colder regions, heating becomes essential. So, how can you avoid gas and opt for effective heating solutions?
Diesel Heating
Diesel heating is a robust option, often more cost-effective in the long run. Plus, it has an incredible advantage: your vehicle runs on diesel, which is far easier to find than gas. Particularly suited for very cold environments, this system requires a significant initial investment but proves economical compared to the continuous expenses of gas. If you’re concerned about odors or diesel vapor leaks, simply install your heater outside (under your van, for example), and only let the hot air duct enter.
Electric Solutions and Traditional Methods
- Heated Blankets: Simple and energy-efficient, these blankets are ideal for chilly nights. They consume little electricity and can be powered by lithium batteries, ensuring comfort and warmth without the complications or dangers of gas.
- Moisture: As we explain in our article on living in a van during winter, perceived cold can be more unpleasant than the actual cold, often caused by humidity. Don’t be afraid to frequently ventilate your van to expel moisture generated by your body and breath.
Opting for electricity as the main or supplementary source of heating offers notable advantages: cleanliness, safety, and ease of management.
Our Personal Experience
A rather effective tactic to reduce the need for heating is to adopt the strategy of migratory birds: follow the sun, it’s good for your health! By heading to destinations with mild temperatures, you not only reduce your heating expenses, but in summer, you also avoid the need for air conditioning, which is rarely compatible with vanlife. For those who aren’t fond of icy winters, choosing warm and sunny countries during the winter months can be an excellent decision.
This method is particularly relevant if you use a 100% electric system. And the icing on the cake, it’s a more environmentally friendly solution, minimizing the ecological footprint associated with your nomadic lifestyle, as detailed in our article on vanlife and ecology.
How to Have Hot Water Without Gas in a Van?
Even though nomads may have a reputation for not showering much, they do bathe like everyone else, preferably with hot water. Typically, you find a small water heater or RV boiler that combines heating and hot water, but there are indeed 100% electric water heaters.
Electric Water Heater
Electric boilers, though still somewhat pricey, stand out for their reliability. While the initial investment may seem high, it is worth it, especially with the advancements in lithium batteries.
Mini Domestic Water Heaters
For moderate hot water needs, why not opt for a mini 10-liter water heater? Adapted from residential to nomadic use, these little gems can be easily installed in your camper and represent an economical solution, especially for those who don’t want too much hassle.
Boat Heat Exchange Systems
A lesser-known system is the heat exchangers, popular in boating but equally effective in a van. They use the engine’s heat to warm the water, which is not only clever but also energy-efficient since it requires no extra energy while driving. Well insulated from the outside, these systems can keep water at a pleasant temperature for several hours.
Our Personal Experience
In our camper, we are equipped with the original 15-liter Truma boiler (which goes to show that the equipment from back then, as the camper is over 20 years old, was incredibly durable). This setup perfectly meets our daily hygiene needs. Clearly, this aspect, along with heating, consumes the most energy, while cooking uses significantly fewer resources. Efficient management of water and energy is essential for an effective nomadic lifestyle.
What to Use Instead of Gas for Cooking?
This might be the most crucial aspect – food, lol. Even in the city, this question arises because cooking with fire offers a precision that is hard to replicate with other types of energy. However, we are not in a “Top Chef” scenario; we are traveling. For daily cooking, gas can indeed be replaced by induction cooktops.
Induction Cooktops
Induction cooktops are at the forefront of cooking technology without gas. Their main advantages lie in their enhanced safety and energy efficiency. They heat faster and with more precision than traditional cooktops, thus avoiding energy waste and reducing accident risks. Additionally, they are easy to clean, a crucial advantage in a confined space. While the initial cost may be higher than gas equipment, long-term savings make them a wise investment. For example, a 1500-watt induction cooktop theoretically consumes only 20 amps for 10 minutes of full-power use, but in practice, actual use is often much lower, making the energy cost very affordable. Finally, an important detail: if you want to get your vehicle certified as VASP (a certification system in France, check if there is a similar system in your country), make sure to get VASP-compatible induction cooktops!
Multicooker
Slightly less recommended, electric multicookers and steam cookers can be alternatives. They allow for a wide variety of preparations without constant supervision, ideal for those who want to enjoy their travels without spending hours cooking.
Diesel Cooktops
Yes, as strange as it may sound, diesel cooktops do exist. Similar to the heating systems discussed earlier, you only need your fuel reserve to heat your food (that rhymes). Unlike solar, diesel cooking takes longer, which will extend the cooking time and increase the cost.
Our Personal Experience
In our van, preparing meals in larger quantities proves to be energy-efficient. Additionally, cooking during cold periods helps to heat the space, thus optimizing energy use. This practice, simple yet effective, helps maintain a comfortable temperature onboard while preparing delicious dishes.
Which Fridges Work Without Gas in a Van?
If you’re considering adding a refrigerator to your camper van, you might be wondering whether to choose an electric model or a three-way fridge (12V, 220V, gas). Here’s some information to help you make an informed choice.
Electric refrigerators stand out for their enhanced safety and energy efficiency. Operating either on 12V or 220V, they integrate perfectly with a system powered by solar panels or batteries, minimizing the risks associated with gas installations. Moreover, their energy needs are mostly noticeable when temperatures rise or during frequent openings. Fortunately, their modern design with efficient compressors significantly reduces energy consumption. For instance, a typical model might use about 2 to 3 amps per hour while running, but this usage can drop considerably by keeping the fridge closed as much as possible and using it in a cool environment.
Electric Coolers Fridge
There are now battery-powered electric coolers, like the Ecoflow cooler we’ve previously discussed on this site. Coolers have the advantage of being less bulky, and this particular model can even make ice while running on its battery, which helps alleviate the electrical load while keeping your products fresh at a comfortable temperature to avoid any issues.
Our Personal Experience
In our vanlife experience, food storage requires adaptation: preserving fresh animal products becomes more complicated due to their sensitivity to temperature fluctuations. In contrast, canned goods and plant-based products are much more resilient to temperature variations, making them ideal for prolonged storage. We often preferred fresh vegetables from the market for salads and canned goods to ensure we didn’t risk food poisoning. Opting for these types of foods can greatly simplify meal management on the go while limiting the risk of rapid spoilage.
Conclusion: A Nomadic Life Without Gas Is Possible!
So, you see? Completely ditching gas in your camper van is not only doable, but it can also simplify your life. Of course, it requires careful calibration of your electrical consumption. You need to properly size your installation, be somewhat frugal, and smartly manage your energy use. But in return, you gain in safety — no more fire hazards or gas leaks! Think of it as an investment not only for your comfort but also for your peace of mind. And who wouldn’t say yes to more safety and fewer hassles, right? So, are you ready to take the plunge?
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