A
hot and crunchy slice of toast lavished in butter is the perfect breakfast item
around a campsite to go with a tin of beans and maybe some bacon. But how can
you make toast when camping? With a portable camping toaster of course! These
devices typically use heat from a campfire or stove and have sealable
compartments that you place the bread inside. The enclosed space and conductive
materials act as a grill and toast the bred evenly. When choosing a camping
toaster there are many considerations to make, and we have listed the main questions
below.
What is the power source of the toaster?
Most
camping toasters have no electricity and instead work by placing them over a
secondary heat source like a gas or electric camp stove or a campfire. The
compartments are made from heat conductive materials and mat have lined plates
inside that allow transferal of heat for grilling. You should check what heat
source they can be used with and what materials the bread compartments are made
from as this will determine how effective they are and how quickly they grill
food.
What is the toaster’s capacity?
Different
camping toasters will have a differing number of slots. Indeed, many designs
have closable flaps instead with grills that line the flaps that you simply
place the bread inside. Think about how many people will accompany you on your
camping trips. You can then choose a toaster with the right capacity and that
will allow you to cook enough toast simultaneously to feed everyone.
What are the dimensions of the toaster?
Portability
is important for any camping equipment, and you have to strike a balance of functionality
while still being able to store it easily both indoors and outdoors. Make sure you
look at the overall dimensions of the toaster to see if you can store it
easily. The dimensions will also dictate the toasting compartments and how big
the slices of bread are that you can fit inside. As many of these devices are
smaller than conventional toasters you may have to use toastie bread.
How easy is the toaster to clean?
Whenever
you make toast there is inevitably a mess! Even if you are incredibly careful
the crumbs will still seep everywhere. This problem can be compounded when you
are cooking in a small space like a tent or campsite. Therefore, make sure you
look how easy the appliance is to clean. The material of the exterior will also
determine how easy it is to wipe after use.
Does the toaster have any other functions?
Obviously,
the main function of a camping toaster is to make toast. However, that shouldn’t
be its limit. Many camp toasters are multi-functional and can be used as sandwich
makers, grills, or for toasting things like crumpets and paninis. Think about
what you would want to use the toaster for and what you and your family
commonly eats. You should then be able to pick an appliance that has suitable
functionality.
