4 Ways To Save On Propane While Camping
Whether you go camping in a tent, trailer, or motorhome, you likely rely on propane for a variety of purposes. It can be used to heat up your stove, the water tank, or fuel the generator for power.
These are some of the ways that you can make your propane tanks last longer, and more importantly, save money in the long run.
1. Switch to solar power
Solar power has many benefits over propane-fueled generators. They’re quieter, more sustainable, you can camp in more areas, and best of all, they don’t require any extra fuel.
Lensun 100 Watt Flexible Solar Panel by RVWithTito.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0
You can learn more about the benefits of solar power in this article, and the different types of solar kits in this post. I recommend making sure your solar panel setup is portable so you can also park in the shade.
2. Use electric power to heat your water tank
Using electric power to heat your water tank can be very useful in conserving propane. These Hybrid Heat Conversion Kits allow you to switch back and forth between propane and electric power by the flip of a switch.
The kits are made for both 6-gallon and 10-gallon RV hot water heaters. They come with an on/off switch as well as an adjustable thermostat.
3. Avoid preheating your stove/oven for long
If your stove/oven uses propane, limit how much time you allow the unit to preheat. Having a camping stove turned on for an excessive amount of time will quickly waste your valuable fuel.
Be ready to throw your food on the grill or on the oven rack as soon as it’s the right temperature. When you’re done cooking, remember to turn off the stove/oven and propane right away.
4. Cook over the campfire more often
Rather than turning on the stove, go back to the old-fashioned method of cooking your meals over the campfire. You can get a wide assortment of tools like a cast iron skillet and folding steel grills, or you can even make quick meals in aluminum foil packets.
Using your campfire to cook won’t require any propane, won’t heat up your whole trailer like a stove/oven would, and it gives your food an amazing smoky flavor.
