Sink Grate

[Steve L.]

I always seem to need more counter space when cooking. I'm jealous of the little folding extensions I've seen that have been added to the end of the cooking area some have built.

In the end, I just made a grate from a cheap cooking grill from the mega mart. I cut it down to fit. I bought some ¼" ID tubing to protect the end from scratching the faucet base. To keep the grate from slipping around I bought some fender washers, some round head machine screws, some nyloc nuts and plastic thread protectors so the thread ends wouldn't scratch the sink. The hardware is all stainless. I see the thread protectors as some local hardware stores.

I can set hot pots on it, I can pour through it and I can quickly set it aside if I need the full faucet height.

Lots of people have these. I didn't invent any of this, I just have an accumulation of pictures on a thumb drive in my briefcase. I'll stop now.

[Maggie O.]

I like this. I had found a grate that fit well but I never did think of a way to stabilize it. Does it stay put it transit?

[Steve L.]

So far. I expect I could bounce over a bump big enough to launch it, but I haven't done it yet. I've had it for a couple years.

When I travel I put the spritzer (I use it to rinse dishes while boondocking. Keeps fresh water usage and the subsequent grey water down) and assorted loose ends in the sink under the rack.

[Gary Lynch]

That's a great idea. Simple too. I will proceed to build one.............

[Gina D.]

thats not a great idea.

It's a GRATE idea, sillies.

I would do that, but it looks like it does a very poor job of hiding the dirty dishes.

[Steve L.]

Originally posted by Gina D.@Nov 15 2005, 11:02 AM
I would do that, but it looks like it does a very poor job of hiding the dirty dishes.

I'm on your wavelength. I store the dirty dishes in the dish tub which I set in the closet until ready to do dishes. People shouldn't be looking in my closet if their visiting!

[Mary F]

Here's the pic of mine. It's just a cookie rack, from Linens N Things. It has some kind of coating (paint?) so it doesn't scratch anything. I don't leave it in place when underway, however.

And, no, Gina. It doesn't do any better at hiding dirty dishes than Steve's version. (My dish tub full of dirty dishes hides in the shower.)



The pic shows my bar faucet, too.

[Pete Dumbleton]

Originally posted by Gina D.@Nov 15 2005, 08:02 AM
I would do that, but it looks like it does a very poor job of hiding the dirty dishes.

What are dirty dishes? Pot is teflon, wipe with paper towel and discard towel after wiping paper plate for reuse, lick fork/spoon clean, rinse cup if used...

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally posted by Pete Dumbleton+Nov 16 2005, 01:19 AM-->

What are dirty dishes? Pot is teflon, wipe with paper towel and discard towel after wiping paper plate for reuse, lick fork/spoon clean, rinse cup if used...

I like your way of thinking.

We learned a long time ago how to camp without the need to wash dishes.

[Larry B]

Pete
I use to use the dishwasher for all my dirty dishes
but the dog warden took him.

[Steve L.]

Originally posted by Pete Dumbleton@Nov 16 2005, 03:19 AM
lick fork/spoon clean...

Note to self: Bring my own utensils if invited to Pete's (or Byron's) for dinner.

[Suz]

I have one like Mary's and I just love it. Perfect fit. No adjustments needed.

You never realize just how many times to need just a tad of water, until you put a solid surface over the sink. This way, no problem.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally posted by steve L.+Nov 16 2005, 11:57 AM-->

Note to self: Bring my own utensils if invited to Pete's (or Byron's) for dinner.

Note: I said while camping...

Cooking pots, most of what I cook just requires hot water. Some stuff is cooked using a thing called a bake packer, cooks food in a plastic baggie. When done you just through the baggie away, no dirty pots.
Plates, bowels --- We use a Sierra Cup for plate, bowl, and coffee. When done a rinse in hot water along with any flat ware used and you're done.

For guests while camping I bring out another set of flat ware and another Seirra Cup that went through the dishwasher at home.

Upon returning home all pots, cups and flat ware go into the dishwasher, even if we didn't use them.



We'll see how much this changes as camping style will soon include fiberglass trailer camping.

[Per Walthinsen]

Our dishwasher usually camps with us, and she is extremely diligent and hard-working in doing her chores. However, when she got entusiastic enough to actually start to remove the Teflon™ from a pot, we had to limit her opportunities

We always finish up with REALLY REALLY hot water and soap so that my sometimes squeamish nurse wife will not need to gag.

[Steve L.]

Byron, (and Pete),

Just pulling your leg. But, since I'm only likely to meet you during camping I'll keep a weather eye out.

Most of my early camping was hiking a branch of the Appalachian trail (the Green Mountain Trail). The roar of the SVEA stove and dinner in a Sierra cup are still a powerful memory. Later, the squeak-squeak of priming a Coleman stove or lantern access the same memories.

They say that hearing, and more specifically smell are the most powerful memory evokers. The sweet smell of fresh cut pasture (summers of "haying") still get me off down memory lane.

[Gina D.]

Using the Canine Scrubber is known as "Pre Wash" at my house.

It really really works! (And THEY work cheap!)

[Brian B-P]

Originally posted by Suz@Nov 16 2005, 12:01 PM
...You never realize just how many times to need just a tad of water, until you put a solid surface over the sink...

I agree that this is an irritation, especially in a trailer with a bathroom but no bathroom sink: where do you wash your hands?

Camco's Sink Mate is a cutting board with a corner cutout - they say for scraps, but the same idea could work for water. I believe that I've seen another variation of this idea, which was part cutting board and part grate.

[Sharon Herman]

Here's an automatic dishwasher......you need one in every egg!

[Charlie C]

Diswasher in the Dog Washer 2 jobs accomplished at the same time.

We havn't tried that one yet