The electric coil changed my life on the Camino!

[C clearly]

I once heated around 3 liters of water at once with my coil

If you tried this in North America, it would take ages, with our lower voltage.

 

[Luka]

Has anyone of you tried creative things with your coil? Like boiling pasta or rice, for example?

 

[HeidiL]

Pasta - by boling the water, removing the coil, putting the spaghetti in (broken in half so it would fit), putting a tight lid on the bowl (we've been using the same plastic bowl since 2004) and wrapping the whole thing in a sleeping bag to maintain the temperature. After half an hour the consistency was perfect.

 

[mspath]

Other than a smartphone of all the possible gadgets that one might consider carrying on the camino the most useful for me is an immersion water heating coil.

I first saw this in 2005 in the old Valcarlos albergue which had no kitchen. Late one rainy chilly autumn afternoon an older French bicyclist arrived. Discussing our philosophies and dreams he and I talked for a long time during the evening over several hot cups of tea which he happily prepared using his trusty coil.

For my next Camino I found one. Across the years mine became invaluable. Not only for early breakfasts but for hot tea or cups of soup in cold winter albergues where there was neither heat nor propane in the kitchen.

 

[Luka]

Hello Coil Club, greetings from Santiago de Compostela

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Has anyone of you tried creative things with your coil? Like boiling pasta or rice, for example?

Old question, but I see that you're using your coil. I used it on several occasions to heat some canned lentil stew. I added just a little water to make it more soupy, but it worked fine. The coil got dirty, but once it cooled off, I just rinsed it off.

Mine has a little clip on the side to hang on to the side of your pot or whatever container you use to heat in. I never tried to boil any pasta, but I may try this at home in case it ruins the coil. But why couldn't you just put it in a pot with water and pasta?
I'll report back!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

If you tried this in North America, it would take ages, with our lower voltage.

Seems odd.?. Back in New Zealand I kept a 12 volt coil in the glove box of my car, it used to heat a cup of water in about four to five minutes.
EDIT : sorry, just reread your post and saw that you were talking about 3 litres....

 

[C clearly]

Seems odd.?. Back in New Zealand I kept a 12 volt coil in the glove box of my car, it used to heat a cup of water in about four to five minutes.

My consultant electrical designer tells me that a 12 volt coil would be designed with different resistance so it can do its job. But you can't plug that into 120V or 240V!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

My consultant electrical designer tells me that a 12 volt coil would be designed with different resistance so it can do its job. But you can't plug that into 120V or 240V!

But neither can you plug something designed for 120v into a 240v circuit. Well, not more than once....

 

[C clearly]

But neither can you plug something designed for 120v into a 240v circuit. Well, not more than once....

Correct. The typical heating coils that I have seen are designed for 120-240V.
(I was thinking more of the question of why a 12V one would work at all, when mine is noticeably slower on 120 than on 240.)

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Correct. The typical heating coils that I have seen are designed for 120-240V.
(I was thinking more of the question of why a 12V one would work at all, when mine is noticeably slower on 120 than on 240.)

Interesting. Do you need to physically switch it over, or does it simply work on both?

 

[C clearly]

Interesting. Do you need to physically switch it over, or does it simply work on both?

It works on both. One just needs the simple plug adaptor.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

It works on both. One just needs the simple plug adaptor.

Curious. According to the internet, it’s no wonder it takes a whole lot longer
‘If a 220V appliance is plugged into 110V then the power drawn will be 1/4th of the intended amount and in general it won't work well if at all.’
Not saying it would damage it - there are no motor’s or other moving parts that could be affected, just that it doesn’t seem very efficient.
Of course, if it was designed for 110 and you plugged it into 240, life would- briefly - get interesting

 

[Marbe2]

About two years ago we bought a cheap rather light stainless steel pouring pot designed for about 2 euros in the Chinese store close to the route out of Sarria (not long after after crossing the rio). It weights 6.6 ozs and holds a little more than 750 ml of water. We fill the pot up almost to the top so the coil is well covered. We now buy a small supply of paper cups, as needed, and use them for drinking the tea we make. The heating coil works like a charm and we only need one tea bag to make two + cups. Making in the metal cups works fine too, but by the time the metal is cool enough for my lips to drink from it, our tea is cooler than we want to drink it. (Yes, I do I know there is piece one can put on the cup to protect one’s lips).

We have made instant mashed potatoes, rice and boullion. We made soft boiled eggs for supper (requires us to reboil the water ) put a lid over the pot and wrap a towel around the pot to keep the heat in. Repeat the process after 5 minutes. We only do this at night because we want to get an early start in the morning. Also, if you have eggs and they are cold (in off-season) and your have a radiator available in your room (with heat) put the eggs in hot water from the tap, and put them on radiator to get the eggs warm before you put them into boiling water. They will cook faster!

 

[Luka]

Hello Coil Club, greetings from Santiago de Compostela
View attachment 161206

That didn't last long... I lost my good old coil that I had for more than 10 years. Bought the one on the photo as a replacement. After one cup of tea it stopped working...

 

[unadara]

I Have just bought this Coil on amazon.de. I was concerned about buying a Chinese one so delighted to find this Made in Germany. It is super fast, has a Safety surround so it doesn't touch the sides of the Container and has a small clip to sit on the rim. As it says clearly it must be in liquid before it is turned on and left in the boiled liquid for 15secs after you switch it off. If using in EU I won't need an adaptor , if using at home I will need to use an EU/UK adapter. It weighs 200g. MY tumbler has a screw top lid and is very handy for carrying food items also but I generally use it as an additional food carrier/a fruit or tomato etc. I now carry a very light thermos and can use it for cold and hot drinks. I will report back on How many times I get to use it as I intend to try some of the less trodden paths this year and next (fingers crossed). I will also carry the coil with me on travels were I might not get access to a Kettle or Bar for a Hot night time/early morning drink. I truly value the advice given here and the stories about various purchases and uses. I often boil up food and wrap it in towels to continue cooking, or keep warm. If my friend is walking with me we'll try the boiled eggs tip.

 

[peregrina2000]

So glad to see that this very important thread has continued on into the new year. Coming up on year 12! I wonder if we could persuade @ivar to carry it in his store.

 

[ivar]

So glad to see that this very important thread has continued on into the new year. Coming up on year 12! I wonder if we could persuade @ivar to carry it in his store.

Interesting... what would be a good brand in case I find it? Also, wonder if I can ship white internationally without any problems (there are some limitations on shipping electronics internationally). But I guess it does not have much electronics...just a plug.

 

[Margaret Butterworth]

Bear in mind that this is a fairly heavy object, so the postal costs will be high. Better to buy one on arrival in Spain (or France or Portugal).

 

[ivar]

Bear in mind that this is a fairly heavy object, so the postal costs will be high. Better to buy one on arrival in Spain (or France or Portugal).

I think you might be right.

 

[peregrina2000]

Bear in mind that this is a fairly heavy object, so the postal costs will be high. Better to buy one on arrival in Spain (or France or Portugal).

I think you might be right.

The problem is that people have had difficulty finding a good one to buy in Spain. @unadara seems to have found a high quality coil made in Germany. I remember being unable to find one in ferreterías across Spain, but maybe things have changed. “Calentador de inmersion de agua” was what I asked for, and if they are readily available in stores there would be no need for Ivar to have them. And maybe I am overestimating their popularity as well, given that I am such a devoted user!

My coil, with its European adaptor plug taped on, weighs 111 grams. The Brierley Francés guide, almost 300.

 

[ivar]

In case people stop by Dechatlon before starting…

https://www.decathlon.es/es/p/mp/bo-camp/bo-camp-calentador-de-inmersion-de-viaje-230-voltios-350-vatios/_/R-p-2ca9866a-b9e8-4c77-8c44-40a39f91c57a?mc=2ca9866a-b9e8-4c77-8c44-40a39f91c57a_c14&LGWCODE=1&utm_source=organic_shopping&utm_medium=organic&srsltid=AfmBOopwU18zGGb07lvBd2Uvlc4zcxdUqPy_sJ_wz5DDdzUo9GlQ2yB--dU&gQT=1

 

[peregrina2000]

In case people stop by Dechatlon before starting…

https://www.decathlon.es/es/p/mp/bo-camp/bo-camp-calentador-de-inmersion-de-viaje-230-voltios-350-vatios/_/R-p-2ca9866a-b9e8-4c77-8c44-40a39f91c57a?mc=2ca9866a-b9e8-4c77-8c44-40a39f91c57a_c14&LGWCODE=1&utm_source=organic_shopping&utm_medium=organic&srsltid=AfmBOopwU18zGGb07lvBd2Uvlc4zcxdUqPy_sJ_wz5DDdzUo9GlQ2yB--dU&gQT=1

Thanks, Ivar! There were some posts earlier this year that stated that the coils were illegal in Spain. I never got any corroboration of that, and it’s pretty clear that was wrong, thankfully! If memory serves, in years past the only option was an online ferreteria, but that’s not so easy for pilgrims from outside Spain/EU who arrive just before starting their caminos. Glad to see that Decathlon has made it easier for Electric Coil Club members!

 

[unadara]

Thanks, Ivar! There were some posts earlier this year that stated that the coils were illegal in Spain. I never got any corroboration of that, and it’s pretty clear that was wrong, thankfully! If memory serves, in years past the only option was an online ferreteria, but that’s not so easy for pilgrims from outside Spain/EU who arrive just before starting their caminos. Glad to see that Decathlon has made it easier for Electric Coil Club members!

Yes Ivar that is the same Model and price I paid, super quality build. Amazon.de have it reduced but with postage it's 29Euro.
I didn't want to carry an adapter so the EU plug is a big bonus.

 

[trecile]

I didn't want to carry an adapter so the EU plug is a big bonus.

If you are coming from North America I believe that you would need a voltage converter with an appliance like that, and even then it could get fried!

 

[C clearly]

f you are coming from North America I believe that you would need a voltage converter with an appliance like that, and even then it could get fried!

No, they are a very simple device, good for 120-240 V (it says so on the plug). They heat the water faster at the higher voltage. (And maybe burn out faster if removed from the water too soon!)

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I just got this one from US Amazon, which even comes with an EU adapter plug. It's rated for 110 or 220. I fried the last identical one on my last Camino by accidentally pulling it out of the water before I unplugged it!

It worked quite well on 220, but it's useless on 110. Took forever. It was much smaller and lighter than a replacement I picked up in Burgos which I gave away because it was to heavy.