new fifer s

[colgil]

We are (hopefully) about to hear of the imminent construction of our new East Neuk Fifer S. I would be grateful for any tips regarding any mods

or additions that you might suggest we ask for at this pre-build stage,we are having an awning and a bike rack fitted,also a Smev oven,does anyone have any views on these? Thanks in advance and best wishes. C

[Derek Uzzell]

I do wonder about your opting for an oven in such a short motorhome, particularly as the Fifer S's standard kitchen already appears to include a grill. Personally, I actively don't want an oven in my motorhome, nor a grill either, but I'm well aware that these are must-haves for many UK motorcaravanners.

 

A Smev oven doesn't seem to be on the conversion options list for this East Neuk model, but it's likely to be more a 'plate warmer' than a 'turkey roaster'. Your choice, of course, but I'd much rather keep the original kitchen storage space than lose much of it to an oven with a well-recognised limited cooking capability.

 

Regarding other extras, you'll need some means of providing insulation and privacy for the cab windows and the electric-step on the Fifer S's options-list may be worth specifying. I'd want a passenger air-bag and cab air-conditioning on the Citroen base vehicle, but I'm not sure if those are available to you. Otherwise, the standard specification is very comprehensive.

[colgil]

Hi Derek, Many thanks for your welcome observations,we have included a

passenger airbag but the aircon was a financial step too far

for us, we may live to regret that call, (on an Italian motorway

perhaps). With regard to the oven I take your point regarding

the loss of storage, we see it as losing only half of the storage

but gaining an alternative cooking facillity, time will tell. The

problem is making decisions for situations that may or may not

arise in the future. Best wishes. C.

[Mel B]

Hi and welcome to the mad house!

 

I'd too suggest you reconsider your choice of an oven, which will be just to warm things up as Derek has suggested. Instead, in such a small van, I'd suggest looking at getting a hob-top oven (double skillet), much more versatile and doubles up as a couple of frying pans too.

 

Having had full motorhome ovens I wouldn't want one again, but I'd certainly have a double skillet again in a flash - I've only had mine since April and wouldn't be without it. Note that the Smeg grill isn't brilliant either - I've got one of those and whilst I've now got used to it, if it hadn't been part of the standard spec I'd have done without it (I can do wonderful toasted sarnies in the double skillet) and hob-top toasters are cheap and very good (NOT the pyramid ones though).

[colgil]

Hi Mel,

Many thanks for your welcome,my sons would suggest that I

have all the qualities to fit right in to the 'mad house'.

I was on the brink of buying a 'pyramid' toaster, I shall

look elsewhere,thanks for that. Best wishes .C.

[David Dwight]

Hi.

We have a Smev oven in our van its certainly more than a plate warmer. Last Christmas we were away for nearly 2 weeks, Christmas lunch was cooked in the oven the full works and it works just as good as the one indoors and as quick.

If you dont have an Oven or grill what do you cook with?

Oh we dont do Micro waves, theres one in the kitchen and gets used about once or twice every few months.

[colgil]

Thank you David your information is most helpful. Best wishes .C.

[spospe]

We find an oven most useful for heating ready meals, such as Mousaka, Quiche, Cottage Pie and Pizzas.

 

It all depends on your diet, what you like to eat / cook / heat-up etc as to whether an oven is worth it or not; for us it is.

 

[tyreman]

we wouldnt be without an oven and see it as a must have option...all depends how you use your van.

[PJay]

I have an oven in the van. Do use it occasionaly, but I also use it as storeage, as long as what you store in it does not rattle!!

[colgil]

Thanks for your input.We intend to use the oven a lot, among other

things we feel it will broaden the range of meal options so saving

money on dining out. I am a hopeless cook,fortunately the senior

partner is both accomplished and enthusiastic. Best wishes .C.

[colin]

We have passenger airbag in spec for new van, but only because it came as part of a package, IMO a passenger airbag in a van is much less likely to save you than in a car.

The chaps at Fifer seem to be very genuine and if they had a layout to suit us we would have used them.

p.s. we did consider specifying an oven but as most times we grill food we felt the larger door would impede movement in van, not be much but enough.

[Mel B]

spospe - 2010-11-15 9:34 PM

 

We find an oven most useful for heating ready meals, such as Mousaka, Quiche, Cottage Pie and Pizzas.

 

It all depends on your diet, what you like to eat / cook / heat-up etc as to whether an oven is worth it or not; for us it is.

 

You can do all of that in a double skillet too. :D

[colgil]

You may well be right Mel,having watched the lady demonstrating

the skillet at many shows it amazes me that we require a kitchen

at all. Colin, you are right about the chaps at fifer and their willingness

to please,we ordered the van in July and are to collect it on the tenth

of January, I must say, it has been a long wait,I am sure the senior

partner will be pleased when I stop asking endlessly''how much

longer do you think it will be''? Best wishes .C.