Cooking out the Back of my NEW Van

I give my new van a test run in preparation for doing a full van camper conversion. I go foraging wild mushrooms and cook up a tasty snack in the back of the van!
Check out my Instagram - / alex_smith1809
Support the Just Alex Channel on Patreon - / justalexsmith
Business enquiries - [e-mail]
Fried Chicken of the Woods Recipe - foragerchef.com/chicken-fried...

[@preownedpreloved7039]

Me and you couldn't be further apart in who we are hobbies and lifestyle etc but i have watched every episode so far something about your videos that keeps me coming back never thought id find mushrooms interesting or watching someone walking in the woods but here we are lol

[@magnetic_beacon9138]

Yeah I know, it’s really interesting how his perspective on life is.. seems like a really innocent young lad. Best of luck to Alex!

[@just_alex]

Thanks for these comments. Means a lot to know people are enjoying them!

[@joemaskelyne3755]

Same w me I’d be classed as a “road man” but I can’t stop watching either

[@novicetheaf]

Same I'm getting a new found respect for mushrooms as well and I've never thought of camping in my car but Alex got me thinking

[@lukejay7638]

I was the same found fishing and now obsessed with nature and wholesome things get out there and try it!!!!

[@gazihabib4543]

there is just something so engrossing and mesmorising about watching Alex's videos

[@tonydonny7886]

Always look forward to you posing something. Thanks again 👍🏼

[@ReifStuartMMA]

yo ive never been this early. big fan and cant wait to see more of the van

[@Robi.95]

The mix of butter and oil is for the butter to not get smokey, the smoking point of butter is really low so the oil helps out with that :D

[@hughjarse2909]

@@CarpMan34 😂😂😂😂😂 😎

[@Robi.95]

@@CarpMan34 you must be fun at parties

[@joetrp-3553]

Oil prevents the butter from burning

[@tubeMonger]

@@joetrp-3553 yeah, the oil prevents the milk solids in the butter from burning.

[@runerune-_-9727]

@@CarpMan34 hahaha

[@JamesFosterSailing]

Your videos are really calming and wholesome. Thank you for helping me relax!

[@just_alex]

Thanks so much :)

[@hughjarse2909]

@@just_alex Hey ,so the fungess that grows on Silver Birch trees is really good for keeping midges and mosquitoes away from ewe, just put it on top off the gas burner or build a fire and fling it on .Great video as usual ,getting more views than your bro 😂😂😎 check out "Mav" on KZbin he's just done a conversion on the back off his van

[@Welzh]

You know its going to be a good morning when Alex uploads a video

[@geoffvalenti]

That van will run on regular diesel, Alex. You don't need the expensive V power stuff, certainly not every tank full. If you want to give it a treat maybe use it one in every 4 times you fill up. Chicken of the woods looks great, I'll definitely be on the lookout for some of that in the future. Thanks for another interesting and entertaining video.

[@benjaminhaagen2267]

Only important thing to know: always check on What type of tree the mushroom grows! "Toxic tree" = toxic mushroom (even if its an "eatable one"). Greetings from Germany - love your content.

[@natureisallpowerful]

Yeah I wouldn't touch mushrooms growing near yew trees. I always check out the surroundings.

[@andyelliott8027]

@@natureisallpowerful Also if you get it wrong with wild mushrooms and eat a poisonous one there is NO antidote, even a hospital can't save you.

[@christopherstorey7005]

You are such a calm and happy chap.

[@jasmijnariel]

14:15... And its still spring. The first thing i saw was the color and my reaction was *oooh no* 😂

[@jamesbarritt4595]

This content is like nothing else, I don’t have much in common in the respects of keeping bees and mushrooms but I’ve watched every videos of urs so far there’s something encapsulating about the way you video your videos and I love it keep up the good work

[@mattgrazia]

Great video Alex. Have been enjoying your posts very much. Thanks for letting us come along.

[@jasmijnariel]

You did a great job with buying it... i have one and love camping/fishing with it. My bellyboat fits easely inflated

[@Jcoxy2k10]

Fantastic Alex ! Really pleased you got a van, it’s awesome ! Excited about your adventures to come !

[@Gaz-D-Projects]

Van looks really well Alex. Looking forward to seeing the conversion 👍

[@gcarpmad]

keep it up. You are doing fantastic. love the way you just start rambling on about something. Your energy is perfect. you are what is needed to get people out and about. can't wait for next upload.

[@matthewpatterson9184]

Another great instalment, Alex. Looking forward to seeing the camper conversion over the next few months.

[@lelandpeck4585]

I really like your talk as you share your food, stories etc. Very entertaining and informative. Good Stuff, Alex!

[@jefftucker201]

Good vid Alex, really enjoying seeing your journey through life mate. all the best.

[@proskipper1]

Adding oil helps stop the butter burning so tastes better....

[@TheCraftyCarper]

I just want to say thanks for all the amazing videos and effort you put into make them

[@chrismids51]

Awesome 👌. Looking forward to the van getting all sorted so the adventures can begin. Happy days!

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@krisk4513]

Very cool how you found sustenance and consumed it - living off the land!

[@pip5461]

I've watched most of the vlogs with you and Carl... it took the boredom out of having to stay in due to covid. I remember the first fish I caught, a Perch. Only I didn't know how to handle it whilst de-hooking it. I learned the hard way... The first time that I went night fishing was worse still, as the only thing I caught in the dark was a Bat whilst casting out.The first time I did any sea fishing, was off a pier in W-s-M, once again all I caught were eels and crabs. I don't think I'm cut out for fishing, I'll stick to my rallying...it's much more fun and I don't get hurt too often. Looking forward to following your ventures in the van, once you've done your carpentry and wiring.

[@philaitch8586]

The fishing camp bed is a great idea, they are so comfortable. If you make a rooftop box for it's storage during the day, it will help to maximize space in the van. The rooftop box could be used to keep all your kitchen stuff and stove at night. A tailgate awning and table could be your kitchen, allowing you to keep the humidity in the van to a minimum when cooking. If you try to build a folding bed and internal kitchen and fixed storage, you will reduce the available space. Being able to change the back of the van's use between bedroom and living room by swapping the equipment from the rooftop storage box, will keep clutter to a minimum. Don't forget the ventilation and insulation. So excited for you and good luck on your adventures.

[@Nshuzoo]

This is a great idea having space is great and somewhere to pack it away keep this idea in mind roofbox for storage 👍, Let's wait and see which way he goes and look forward to the build starting 👍😀

[@ianberry1713]

Another quality video Alex. I’m now going to get a book on wild mushrooms and go foraging! Your videos are so uplifting, thank you for taking the time to film, edit and upload for us.

[@AdventureswithaaronB]

Looking forward to ur adventure mate

[@Rich..]

Great videos Alex, keep them coming! Looking forward to seeing this channel grow!

[@mantisman760]

Another very interesting and relaxing video. Really pleased your so happy with your new van. X

[@Abeyptfc]

great video man, good to see you testing out the new whip!

[@jacquesrose9289]

Get some bulkhead covers as that really helps with audio quality in the front and keeps it quieter when driving. Carpet covered ones are a reasonable cost but they are so worth it.

[@IanMchale]

Loving the channel mate.Can’t wait to see you van finished .👍👍

[@1dowsey]

Cannot wait to see the conversion

[@leedavis8832]

I have the caddy and there is a huge difference in heat and sound if you get the bulkhead blanking covers. 👍

[@scottwilson7403]

Ok so just watching your vids. I have travelled all over the world pre internet. Love what u are doing. Just moved to Wales so i have started exploring again. Soo much to see and do in Wales.

[@deepwoodguy2]

New van looks really great...Wild garlic. i was watching " History With Hilbert" Uk u tube.. and he would eat some wild garlic that was growing in abundance along he's path from Uni...First time i ever heard of "wild garlic"...USA here... thanks Alex for the video...👍👍

[@DDLovett]

Loving the videos. I have found frying food inside so much easier with no splatter since I bought a ridge monkey. Absolute game changer. I got the small one but if I was buying again I would get the XL.

[@mr.magnussen1289]

I really enjoyed the peaceful and clean video. Very relaxing and sets a vibe of the nature.

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@jonappleseed5270]

just want to say congrats on your new van. and love the videos, wishing you the best and success

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

That mushroom looks tres bon. Wen't out looking for wild garlic with the missus this weekend, failed miserably, but did see some deer and some orchids, which will be up and flowering soon. It was a lovely time, and I'm looking forward to the next foray (successful, or otherwise)!

[@EFTProf]

Hi guys and welcome to Suffolk! You may not be passing by us, as we !I've in the West of the county - HAVERHILL! You at see it on sign posts pointing to the left..... Unless You've taken a wrong turn along the way! Good luck with the trip, we will be following your progress!!

[@markemm6416]

love you you carl, hope it all goes well

[@team3383]

Walking is good for you. Keep it up ! Was going to mention that. Some kind of ventilation on the roof/one side of the van to keep it cool and fresh air would be useful and also paint the roof white because it'll be cooking when you travel Europe ! You can easily cook eggs on a car during summer.

[@grahamhill2267]

Hi Alex, what a great video! I took early retirement two years ago and my plan was to buy a van, which I did last year! My plan is to use it for my hobbies of fishing and WW2 military re-enactment. I got a long wheelbase Renault Kangoo, I’m not going to convert it to a camper van as such, I just need it to get my fishing gear in the back or sleep in it on a camper bed if I can’t pitch a tent on re-enactments!

[@James-su1dc]

For a bit of extra room support your tailgate with a couple of long storm poles and throw a tarpaulin over for a cheap awning. I used my partner van to fish 24&48 hr sessions for 3 years. Keep up the good work

[@ETYSURF]

Love your honesty alex

[@stepaulucci9954]

Brilliant once again mate look forward to the next one 👍

[@glebeboi]

Driving the van feels different, it makes me feel bigger, I feel stronger. That's because - a) it is bigger than your previous car, & b) most likely due to its seats being positioned higher means you are viewing the road ahead from a new perspective, seeing more ahead in distance as well as what is more directly in front of you - almost as if your hovering. You'll love this van over your car as it'll be more of what you want & need your camper to be. Now you can start to really enjoy your journeys

[@MrWrob32]

The van looks massive next to the polo. Great to see you so happy and excited 👍👍

[@just_alex]

Cheers!

[@chambers326]

Adding oil and butter keeps your butter from burning. Its that simple. Love your content!!

[@Carlfishing]

I love the honesty of the driving skills, your bang on as how many vans have you seen with the side smashed after poor parking.. I’m guilty too of this.

[@KieranIsRealLife]

I resonate so much with Alex, you are exactly what I want be in my future, cant even describe it.

[@jaa7286]

Gotta love hanging w/ Just Alex! I've been looking forward to that gloriously satisfying Veg segment. The endless sight of bluebells was truly a sight to behold and I could hear Alex say cilantro... I mean "coriander" all day

[@iEryx1]

The camera and editing work In these videos is incredible. Makes it a great watch. Keep up the good work.

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@harrietmay2971]

Hi Alex I love your videos you look like your having so much fun which makes me happy thank you for making all of these videos, keep up the good work

[@robsta6332]

Nash folding table for cooking 🥘 🎣😎👍

[@darrenmaunders4196]

I am so jealous. What a perfect 👌 day you just had. Keep up the great content Alex

[@Biking4Fun]

Hey Alex apparently some trees have a mast year where the produce an overabundance of sap and whatnot that's when you are more likely to find mushrooms growing on them, that's why you when back to the same place and didn't find the chicken of the woods, all trees have different mast years. The one you have found seems to have a 3 or 4 years wait between mast years. Hope that helps 🙏 🙂

[@Boomstruck123]

love seeing you live your dream getting this dope van! keep up the good work

[@Dave64track]

Enjoyed the video so relaxing to go out in the woods. Even for a short walk in the woods with nature all around is a real mind and body healer from stresses of everyday life and it's free. The van is a real game changer it looks really good cant wait until you start fitting it out bit at a time. Petrol or Diesel is expensive but like you said no good getting stressed about it I guess what you save in wild camping will more that pay for the fuel and your enjoying what life about seeing and doing new things. That meal looked really good you could do with a fold up table and chair to put just outside the van to cook on that would be good. Thanks for sharing your journey with us and enjoy the weekend.

[@just_alex]

Thanks for watching David!

[@cjshake]

I love it because we have the same out look on life and I can relate so much to you 😎 keep going man!

[@just_alex]

Cheers!

[@MrLeesv650]

Nice van Alex, i cant wait for the adventures ahead

[@deustezza323]

yes brilliant videos Alex keep them bud 👍

[@ilijakavedzic517]

Chicken of the woods is one of my favourite shrooms, they grow quite fast so go back to check them in a 2 or 3 days. I boil them first then(thats how older people told me I should do) then I fry them or whatever. Cheers from Croatia

[@KevinJones-bt7ib]

I usually use butter and oil when making omelettes, I just tried it one day and it tasted really good.

[@yoloface131xxxx]

Keep up the good work Alex

[@gordonmculloch4904]

A tarp fixed with magnet hooks to your tailgate will give you shelter while cooking, as well as a wind shield. A 3 x 2 meter tarp will cover about half. Two of these size tarps will totally enclose the back area under the door. This will give you privacy for showering etc. 👍

[@michealadderley9081]

Just a tip. Regarding cooking with that style cooker. There are. Fold up guard's to protect from wind and help stop splatter from oil too there are also fold up racks / stands that sit above that style of cooker that support kettles. And especially ridge monkey toasters without them slipping or falling off. Leaves you hands free to do other things . I keep my guards & racks along with kitchen roll in a biscuit tin .

[@ajinkyam94]

Just waited for this it’s early here at this end of the world love it keep it Alex you make my day Peace ✌️

[@natureisallpowerful]

I've been out foraging, everything is shooting up now. I've been getting st George's mushrooms and spring field / pavement mushrooms. Loving the van life / foraging and cooking nature stuff. My type of thing 👍🌳🌿🍄⛺🐟🌍🥕

[@just_alex]

Great to hear. Plenty more of this coming soon!

[@ryanrichardson9044]

If u want abit more room pull the bulkhead out can slide seats forward n creates a fair bit more room

[@pc-yx9uh]

i was against the van initially, but you make some strong points. great video! oh, and take the screen out between the front and the back.

[@dannymooren9160]

A Tremendously awesome video, always so fun to watch!!

[@greggtilghman6349]

Acoustics in a van is worse because it's boxy inside. They make a screen with a handle that you lay over the top of a frying pan when you're frying that stops the splatter of oil. It's one more utensil to wash but it protects the wood.

[@jonnykeeble7029]

I was having such a bad day till I seen this, your videos always bring light, glad you got yourself a van aswell.

[@just_alex]

Happy to hear that! :)

[@thekoichannel264]

Keep the conversion simple, cover the ply with stretch lining and the floor with rubber checker plate. Fit power points for charging. Carp bed to one side with boxes underneath for clothes, cutlery ect and a big plug in cool box trapped in the passenger side footwell 👌

[@jasmijnariel]

I have a rubber base, but lines alone ... it has amazing grip, most of all rubber flooring you can buy. I tested a lot, cause i have to transport wheelchairs in my caddy maxi

[@lees9401]

Nice one Alex. Looking forward to upcoming vids. Great channel

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@Bo88y22]

The good thing about your Van is that you will be able to use it in city centres. You can park…..stealth camp in multi story car parks cheap.

[@HoneyandMe]

Hello Alex from Canada! I discovered your channel while doing research on car camping, which I will be doing this summer in my little car. I'm hooked! You are such a breath of fresh air and I am loving your videos! Guess I'll spend the day binging as it is a dull grey rainy sort of day here in BC. Take care!-Sue

[@just_alex]

Thanks so much. Happy to read this comment! Glad you enjoy the videos. Plenty more coming soon! 😊

[@footdoc4235]

Awesome video mate. Will have to see if we get that in Australia as would love to try it.

[@donevans1884]

love the video , the van is fantastic

[@hammartid]

Love that I’ve stumbled on your channel, you make great videos

[@chrisandsamlivingthedream]

Awesome buddy awesome… cheers Chris & Sam

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@trevorcornes1056]

Another Great interesting watch Alex. And a Lovely van too 😄👍 keep um coming .

[@just_alex]

Cheers!

[@clarissategido5154]

Another great vedio Alex 🥰 looking forward to the next adventure 😘

[@madformorgan7848]

Great vid. Looking forward to the van build. Great hat by the way.

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@laygord6157]

Another great 20mins+ content. Thanks Alex!

[@jasmijnariel]

Not complaining... i love the longer vids🥰

[@fiskefritid]

Awesome! 😍🙌🏻 I've never ever eaten a mushroom I've harvested myself, and never really thought of it... BUT NOW!?! HELL YEAH! 💯😍 Thanks Alex! 🙌🏻

[@jasmijnariel]

Plz plzzz be carefull... go for lessons first. You can do a lot of stuff wrong😬😬 It takes people a few years to know the basic species etc

[@fiskefritid]

@@jasmijnariel Oh yes, I'll start with the most common mushrooms in my area. 😁🙌🏻 There will be no shroom-eating without 110% knowing what it is and how to prepare it! 💯👍🏻

[@jasmijnariel]

@@fiskefritid when you doubt it, leave it

[@fiskefritid]

@@jasmijnariel Sure thing! 😉

[@CichlidSat]

Great channel, mate. Keep it up!

[@torchandbucket4214]

Great vid 😘 Using oil and butter together prevents burning 🔥

[@joeltaylor2830]

That van is a serious unit. Nice work on the 'shrooms too. Some foldable bowls could be a good addition - I've just got one for washing up / mixing food when outdoors. Could be useful and save space. It's a Dutch army foldable bowl and they're quite cheap. Might be useful to have even as a backup or just for washing up, as they're less fragile than glass or ceramics.

[@just_alex]

Cheers for the tips! :)

[@NamesJustJack]

You should make a extension with back door. Using like tent material to drape down when the door is open. Maybe use it as a place to cook when it is raining?

[@just_alex]

Good idea. :)

[@runerune-_-9727]

That meal looks really good!!! I could eat those mushrooms with some salsa to it and some Rice! Or Even go a step further, I imagine a sauce of fried onions and garlic, cream and tomatoes, salt and pebber and some of the paprika and cayenne pebber and then with the fresh herbs would make a delicious sauce for Rice! And with the fried mushrooms to get some crunch, damn drooling!

[@FatGucciBaby]

You're an infectiously positive guy mate, love the videos thanks for sharing :)

[@just_alex]

Cheers!

[@joetrp-3553]

That's an awesome dinner Alex!

[@thegeneral7594]

I'm lovin this new venture Alex, channels doin well contents great ,thanks for the hours editing and uploads keeping the dreamers dreams alive big love the general

[@just_alex]

Happy to hear you appreciate the editing hours! :)

[@thegeneral7594]

@@just_alex lol I know the pain keep up the great work young man

[@sionedsart337]

Really enjoyed this video x

[@colinbailey6236]

Brilliant video Alex..my wife and I really enjoy these ❤️ keep on keeping on 👍

[@just_alex]

Good to hear that Colin! :)

[@user-nl7vz4wt3t]

Hi Alex. One tip buddy... Don't buy fuel from Shell petrol stations. They're generically higher than everywhere else. My tip for cheaper prices would be to buy from a superstore like Tesco (They usually track lower than the main suppliers) and make sure you have a club card so you get points off for food to put towards your road trip. (it's not much, but more savy way of buying fuel than from shell!) Asda fuel is cheaper still sometimes if these stores are nearby to you? 👍😎