2 Solo Senior Women Discuss How to Use a Power Station with Electrical Appliances In Van Life or RV

[@janetfolkerts5827]

This was very helpful, I have watched others, but actually live plugging in and answering questions back and forth was THE BEST HOW TO..THANK YOU for sharing.

[@mylifeinavan]

Janet, I'm SO GLAD to hear that! I had the idea, asked Ellen and we just jumped in.

[@DottieStanley]

Great video ladies! I have a no math brain, so this kind of information, along with the spreadsheet is going to be very helpful to me when I get ready to adventure out. Thanks for posting! Happy trails and best of luck on your first camping trip this weekend!

[@mylifeinavan]

Dottie - so glad this was helpful for you! I'm learning this step by step, with Ellen's help.

[@bettytuohy9875]

I just love watching your videos.

[@mylifeinavan]

Betty - you're the BEST!

[@heyjude5759]

What a wealth of info and inspo! 💕💕

[@mylifeinavan]

So glad to hear that @heyjude5759!

[@HBuck-l4e]

So informative, I just started using a bluetti power station and learning. I like the spread sheet.

[@mylifeinavan]

Really glad the conversation and spreadsheet are helpful to you.

[@karinhart489]

Good luck on your 1st camping trip. Looking forward to your report back on how using all your gizmos goes. One power saving tip is to pre-cool the fridge at home down to temperature. Once a fridge is to temp it doesn’t use much power

[@mylifeinavan]

Thanks for the good wishes! Yes, I somehow had the good sense to pre-cool my fridge at home. I even froze some freezer packs and used them to help keep the fridge and freezer cold overnight and when I went for a hike the next day. I figured I use minimal power that way. Worked!

[@karinhart489]

@ did you get a chance to use your induction stove? I’m curious on your power draw if you cooked anything at 600w or 900w. And could you cook like you wanted to on it?

[@mylifeinavan]

@@karinhart489 I did use it briefly to heat up some corn tortillas. I was freezing and starving so I wasn't as attentive to the draw as I might have been. I tried to use it on 600w (low or medium low on the settings). It was slow to heat up (super slow relative to my gas stove at home). It seemed to draw way more energy than the instant pot did and in a much shorter time. It would be good to do an experiment with them both at home, where I could pay better attention and take notes.

[@karinhart489]

@ I have a high walled 8” skillet that works on that induction stove. I had the stove delivered to me while cat sitting for a friend in Oregon (land of no sales tax) and experimented on just how to cook with it. And I did the “how long does it take to boil a cup of water?” with stove set at 600w, 900w, then 1300w. The time was close to identical for 900w & 1300w, and only a moment longer at 600w. Next I’m looking at a small sauce pan with a skillet set with removable handle that nests for storage says it works on an induction stove.

[@mylifeinavan]

@@karinhart489 I love your experimental nature! Great to know water boils at about the same time for all 3 settings. SMART on the nesting pans!

[@susanaustin4809]

Good job ladies. I’ve got to download that work sheet

[@mylifeinavan]

Yes, for sure! It's a super helpful worksheet.

[@joellynparks7805]

Is there a certain extension cord recommendation/ link for powering your little heater?

[@mylifeinavan]

Here's the one I just bought, approved by Ellen: amzn.to/3PigMti

[@foxbodcom7993]

Hi fellow Element builder. How can i get that great spreadsheet. How soon before you hit the road?

[@mylifeinavan]

Hello E builder back! Here's Ellen's spreadsheet: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jOxKK2zpOrANZw-nW0SyjH6lX3PaoBWCjc9wwUOplMk/edit?gid=0#gid=0

[@tasaman]

Get ridof the microwave!!! Get a air fryer.

[@mylifeinavan]

Yep, ditched the microwave. What do you cook in an air fryer? Which do you have?

[@tasaman]

@ there are many videos on choosing them for life on the road. I am glad you decided against them. Microwaves are extremely harmful to your in the long run.

[@karinhart489]

@@tasamanwhat do like to make in your air fryer while car camping? No way would I have a microwave. When traveling I usually slow cook in my 12v HotLogic Mini.

[@mylifeinavan]

@@tasaman It's so interesting cuz I've avoided microwaves MY WHOLE LIFE for just the reason you say. Just recently got one and started using it. Happy to let it go. Thanks for the health nudge.