Washing dishes!

[Andrewbutcher]

Hi all, without being rude to my fellow caravanners, i have this question which has niggled me for some time!

Why do some of us wander off pots in basket to the washing up area every evening?

We wash our pots in the caravan and i wondered what the reason was in these modern times! firstly, i thought it was familys with lots of washing up! but not so, as quite a few older couples make the trip each evening!

Kind regards, Andrew.

 

[Damian]

Hi Andrew,

In answer to your question, there are several reasons for washing up in the site facilities.

First, it saves extra trips filling the aquaroll and emptying the wastemaster.

Secondly it reduces the build up of food particles, grease and fat in the waste pipe of the van, hence reducing the risk of foul smells from the sink plug hole in the van.

Thirdly, there is normally more room at the site facilities to put stuff down and allow it to drain , very limited space in the van!

Lastly, it is a social thing, it is surprising who you get to talk to whilst washing up!!!

 

[Lutz]

We do the same as Damian for the same reasons.

 

[Oldfogey]

Caravan sinks are too small for serious washing up - OK for rinsing a mug or or sandwich plate. Much more room at the site sinks.

Our van doesn't have a water heater, so easier than boiling kettles.

The sink is a stupid round thing - ineffective, and plates can jam in the taper!

By the way, the best thing for carrying to the sink is a square bucket such as that made by Vileda.

 

[MikeP]

Similar for us, but especially in terms of available space. Our little caravan is not a "home from home", it is a very basic place with the primary function of being somewhere to sleep. Showers, toilets, washing up sinks ... we pay for their provision and maintenance through choosing to stay at equipped sites, and make full use of them.

 

[ValA.]

The washing up area is a meeting place, to discuss sites visited, sites to avoid, good places to eat, activities worth pursuing, caravans, cars, weather, politics, etc., in other words just like these Forums - a place to air your views, and listen to those of others. Usually they also offer more space, more hot water, bigger draining area, and avoid spills and wear and tear on your worktops in the van. Often a second hand van tells a sorry tale of water spilled around the sink, with faded and scuffed worktops. They save the daily trip to the disposal point with the waste water, as well - so don't generally add to the 'chores'.

 

[Jane_374240756]

Like all of the above it allows you to wash everything without having to keep drying up about 4 times. I use the sink in the van when we just have cerela and toast for breakfast but any big jobs gets done at the site facilities.

Jane

 

[Robert_374242026]

We also do the same thing as Damien/Lutz

 

[Guest]

Andrew,

Reading the responses seems to indicate most people think you are being antisocial, or your dishes are so old and cracked that you are ashamed to bring them out for inspection.

Seriously, try the communal wash area, as mentioned it can be very entertaining. Our European cousins use it all the time, it is just the Brits who are prudish.

 

[Mel]

I love the communal pot wash. Washing up is fun as you meet all sorts of interesting people. I especially like the verandah type of pot wash as it is like being outside.

 

[Angela_5076436]

We are only 2 in the van - but washing up is done in the Communal area - well most of the time.

I do Breakfast and lunch washing up and himself does the evening one [ well I cook it ]

The only time we wash up in the van is if it is simply p..........ing down and has been doing that all day.

Another reason is that it gives me time to clean cooker and work area before we settle down for the night . We have a 2 berth end kitchen and washroom job so things do tend to get stored overnight in that area .

 

[MrsRobinson]

The only time we have used the communal sinks is when we used to tent. There's only two of us and I aim to do as much "one-pot" or barbecue cooking as possible. Anything that needs soaking I leave in the awning overnight (though this past week I left pans outside in the rain - did a wonderful job)- and wash up once a day after breakfast. Maybe I'm anti-social, but I would rather wash up at leisure, talking to my OH, or listening to music, than traipse across a campsite with pots, detergent and cloths etc.

Query - those who wash up in the communal sinks - are you the same campers who use the sites showers (instead of the vans')?

 

[jennifer_374227268]

We use the on site sinks for the dishes especially after a bbq or if we have had friends over for dinner, not enough room in caravan to do alot of dishes, also we always get talking to someone and its a good way to meet new people.

Keith & Jenny

 

[gavin_5121842]

We only use the sink in the caravan to wash out the cups and teaspoons in between brews. All the rest is done at the wash area provided, for all the reasons Damian has given,

Gavin.

 

[ValA.]

We use the communal washing area, and yes, we do use the showers on site (never used the shower in our van at all, in seven years) but we caravan in France and the shower blocks there can be state of the art - better than we have at home on some sites. There are even sites where each pitch has its own private bathroom, including shower, WC, basin and sometimes bidet (and on some sites you don't even have to pay extra).

 

[JeremyClarksson]

From this thread I find it fascinating that the continental type van is not more popular over here, what is the point in having toilets, showers and kitchens if you do not use them?

As regular ralliers we use all our facilities, if we are on a site with facilities we make use of the showers and toilets but are just as happy to use the van.

When I have attempted to wash up in the sinks provided I tend to get put off because I frequently have to clear up after the last person there, even when a paper towel dispenser and bin have been provided.

 

[Alan Partridge]

There are just two of us but we tend to use the site facilities for washing up unless it's just a small bowl of cups/glasses/sandwich plates. Nevertheless I never cease to be amazed by the amount of water we have to tote back and forth - I think I would rather use site showers than cart all the water needed to shower in a caravan (although we do have hot water and a washroom we do not have a shower).

I've also had some great conversations while washing up at the communal facilities. I find that people are generally pretty good at leaving sinks clean on CC sites - the exception usually being when families send the kids to wash up. The sinks are invariably huge as well, and the water hot and plentiful.

 

[ValA.]

We have a 'continental' type van - door on wrong side, single large front window, no oven, (sold by Barrons and called the Swift Speedbird) based on the Dutch Swift Toscane. Its a fixed bed, corner toilet/shower compartment, and every other fixture and fitting like the Swift Challenger and we really love it. We're going to the Dusseldorf Caravan Show on 26th August to look for a replacement as it's now 7 years old. I wish you could buy such versions over here - but a lot of models are 'anglicised' for the British market, with three windows, ovens, etc., so it doesn't look like there's a market for the simpler models here.

Previously we had a Sterling (or Sprite and it was then) Europa, and when we bought it there was an 'options' package - so you could choose whether to have an oven fitted or not - we didn't. I'd choose not to have a shower, too, if that was an option - but must admit it does come in handy for giving the toilet a good clean!

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Reading some of the comments in this thread and others about people not using the caravan facilities I cannot understand why manufacturers don't make something that will be cheaper and accommodate the people who don't need them. Without a sink, shower, toilet, oven etc. there would be a considerable saving in weight and money. All thats needed is a plastic bucket for the middle of the night ablutions and an electric socket for boiling a kettle. Oh wait, they already have a model out, it's called a trailer tent :O)

 

[ThePlotter]

I don't know where she does the washing up I have never asked her !!

Just a question but how hygienic is it to use the communal sinks given that you dont what they have had in them before you use them.

 

[Essexeddie]

Reading some of the comments in this thread and others about people not using the caravan facilities I cannot understand why manufacturers don't make something that will be cheaper and accommodate the people who don't need them. Without a sink, shower, toilet, oven etc. there would be a considerable saving in weight and money. All thats needed is a plastic bucket for the middle of the night ablutions and an electric socket for boiling a kettle. Oh wait, they already have a model out, it's called a trailer tent :O)

They could always use a horsbox with a couple of hammocks slung across.

Nice big patio door at the back

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Reading some of the comments in this thread and others about people not using the caravan facilities I cannot understand why manufacturers don't make something that will be cheaper and accommodate the people who don't need them. Without a sink, shower, toilet, oven etc. there would be a considerable saving in weight and money. All thats needed is a plastic bucket for the middle of the night ablutions and an electric socket for boiling a kettle. Oh wait, they already have a model out, it's called a trailer tent :O)

Lmaaooooo .... great visual :O)

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Some aquaintances of ours have a 2007 mid range Bailey, a Vermont 4 berth I think it is. With this caravan, like the others they have previously owned, they don't use the sink for washing up, they don't use the shower, that's a storage area and the toilet is to be used only in an emergency like in the middle of the night. Then only for a #1s, tough if anyone wants to toot, it's over to the site toilets, even if it is piddling down with rain.

O.K. heres my question, why on earth pay

 

[MikeP]

Plotter - I've got no probs with hygiene and site sinks. If there is a plentiful supply of hot water and they are cleaned - even in a rudimentary fashion - between each person, then they are very low risk. Apparently finger nails can carry more bacteria than a toilet seat. And, in strictness, dishcloths should be changed every day.

Lord B - are your acquaintances just keeping up with the Jones? We're proud to be simple (read into that what you wish) - we have no bog, no oven, no heater (space or water), no shower, no TV, in fact not much. Our little caravan is not much more than a bed for the night, which is exactly what we want. When the kids have gone and we're wrinkly then we'll probably have some luxuries. And we'll use them. But not number 2s in the caravan bog ... that's just not nice!

 

[papafulton]

Everybody to their own. If we are on a site with full facilities then we would would use them, we are paying for them so why not.However we are just as comfortable using our own if there are no facilities available. As others have stated the chat at the washing up area is great and if you want to slag off a site you can go ahead without the fear of a moderator removing the post.

William