buying electric coil water heater in Spain?

[fiona]

It isn't possible to buy an electric coil water heater in the UK. I have found only one source that imports them from the USA but the P&P is £14.95! Has anyone seen them for sale in Spain?

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Your'e right it appears to be no longer possible - I was in my fav equipment shop today and they confirmed it although they were sportng a 2 cup kettle - far too heavy. I've looked around the electrical depts of the obvious web pages in Spain to no avail ...perhaps a specialist shop when u get there - maybe others can advise.

Buen camino sin electric coil

John

 

[Trudy]

You can also buy the coil heater through Korjo http://www.korjo.com/, an Australian company who also sell by mail order, although I have no idea of the cost of buying from the UK, and you'd also need a converter plug.

Trudy

 

[sillydoll]

There is a selection on this website - one for $5.99
http://www.nextag.com/immersion-cup-heater/search-html

Here they have one for $6.99:
http://housewares.hardwarestore.com/38- ... 05162.aspx


In South Africa they are freely available in most travel shops, Automobile Association shops and appliance stores. The plug is a two-prong plug that suits the Spanish system without any need for an adaptor. If anyone would like one, I'd be happy to find the cost of the plug and postage and send one to you.

 

[NaKwendaSafari]

I bought an immersion water heating coil in the High street in Barnet North London in a small hardware shop for 10 Quids, we had to buy a European type 2 pin plug adapter to be able to use it in Europe. This is also available for US$5.19 or less plus postage from USA, see below. I remember some of the catalogues from Argos and the like sometimes have them in their catalogue. The AA sells the units which can be plugged into the cigarette lighter socket in the car.

http://www.amazon.com/NORPRO-559-Instan ... 67-9663947

Most are dual voltage but it is worth checking as the 110volt equipment used in US is not compatible with the 230 volt used in UK and Europe.

You could use the photo in the website to show to your hardware or camping supplier to indicate what you want, they usually charge over 10 Quids in UK. We found on the Camino that the coffee we bought was excellent, so you will have to balance the need for a coil cup heater to buying hot drinks on the go with the 10 pounds you need to spend if you do a coil heater.

Buen camino
Kwaheri

 

[MikeB]

But then again, are you really sure you'll need one?

I took one this winter for 10½ days from Leon to Santiago (20 - 30 Dec) and used it only at Samos, and that was to try to make Gluhwein . All we got was warm wine with orange bits in (Memo to self - if I go again in winter, buy some mulled wine sachets).

There were, and now there will be many more cafes open. When I wanted it, apart from Samos, the albergues had a stove and pots.

I did find the mug useful (90g from Decathlon), but now the 'pilgrim season' is fast approaching, I would consider the extra weight you'll be carrying, around 130g, against the availability of hot drinks.

Just my thoughts
Mike

 

[fiona]

Thanks guys for these thoughts - I think the ones in shops must be old stock. Buying from the USA would be the best idea but only if there was plenty of time left because the p&p is v expensive for airmail.

My aunt's elderly neighbour found one in the back of a cupboard - so i have it on loan. But now I am wondering (thanks Mike B) if I will need it after all. It was more for keeping warm in the evenings - and using it to fill my metal water bottle to use as a source of heat for my toes in my sleeping bag. Hmn decisiions.

I am about to set out for a 15m (24km) hike with my full pack - i may reconsider this evening.

 

[sillydoll]

Hi Fiona,
Its a personal choice. I don't go anywhere without mine. The first time I walked the camino my two companions were absolute coffee addicts. They could hardly talk in the morning - let alone walk - without their caffiene fix!
If you stay in a hotel/hostal there is nowhere to make a hot drink. If you start walking early, chances are that nothing is open until about 8h30am. Most refuges have kitchens and even those that don't usually have electricity so you can make your early morning coffee. We also used it to make cups of soup when we didn't feel like cooking.

 

[peregrina2000]

I've never carried one of these, but have decided to add it to my gear this year. On my recent caminos like the Invierno, Vadinienese, Madrid, I frequently left town before things opened and had to walk a long way before caffeine. This seems like a good use of extra weight.

I have searched around on US websites, and it's easy to find a 110/240 immersion heater, but none that are too highly reviewed. Are times of 18 minutes to boil a cup of water consistent with your experience?

Does anyone have any personal recommendations for this item?

Thanks, Laurie

 

[sillydoll]

Laurie, I always carry an immersion heater with me and fortunately, the plug voltage in South Africa is the same as in Spain.
My little heaters boil water in less than a minute. They don't have an on/off switch or any safety features so you have to be very careful when handling them.
This photograph was taken in a campsite dorm in Martigny on the Via Francigena.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I've never carried one, but decided I will take one on the next Camino.
Sometimes it's nice, especially if staying in a hotel, to have something hot before setting out on a cold dark morning or even to have a cup of herb tea before sleep.

 

[peregrina2000]

Looks like I have the cup and coil problem solved. Magellans has a dual voltage coil on their website:
http://www.magellans.com/dual-voltage-h ... coil-22260 It gets decent reviews.

The one thing to remember seems to be that it's very important to immerse the coil in the water before plugging it in, and to make sure it's still in the water when you unplug it or you run the risk that it will short out.

Back to more interesting Camino topics, like walking the Salvador in January! Thanks everyone.

 

[Tigger]

Looks like I have the cup and coil problem solved. Magellans has a dual voltage coil on their website:
http://www.magellans.com/dual-voltage-h ... coil-22260 It gets decent reviews.

The one thing to remember seems to be that it's very important to immerse the coil in the water before plugging it in, and to make sure it's still in the water when you unplug it or you run the risk that it will short out.

Back to more interesting Camino topics, like walking the Salvador in January! Thanks everyone.

Yeah yeah yeah!
I was able to buy a Korjo cheaply on ebay ( which is to strict Australian standards) and although I will need a European plug( which I have as my daughter has lived in Europe AND here, Australia)
is it worth the extra weight?
My question therefore is,
What percentage of albergues have heated showers ( yes if it means a cold shower I will heat some water and do a top and tail, thanks very much...this little black duck is NOT a cold shower type of duck/bouncing Tigger person)

AND
some of us need a hot cuppa of anything to start the peristalsis in the morning ( if you know what I mean(wink) )

Percentages to decimal point not required.

 

[Kanga]

I was going to give you a hard time @Tigger with something like "Hot water? She's dreaming!"... but that would be misleading. Although fun.

All the albergues have hot showers with a couple of well known exceptions, such as San Anton, on the Camino Frances. You will never need to go for longer than 24 hours without a hot shower (in fact, your walking companions will insist on it!)

The albergues are usually villages houses, that have been converted, and they have normal modern bathrooms.

There are almost always kitchens where you can prepare a hot cuppa - except that sometimes the kitchens have no equipment and improvisation is necessary. Hot coil aficionados are often those who walk in winter when cafes do not open until late, or on the more remote routes. Not to stop you from taking your coil - everyone takes some small comfort - I will carry an umbrella and my own little pillow.

 

[Tigger]

I was going to give you a hard time @Tigger with something like "Hot water? She's dreaming!"... but that would be misleading. Although fun.

All the albergues have hot showers with a couple of well known exceptions, such as San Anton, on the Camino Frances. You will never need to go for longer than 24 hours without a hot shower (in fact, your walking companions will insist on it!)

The albergues are usually villages houses, that have been converted, and they have normal modern bathrooms.

There are almost always kitchens where you can prepare a hot cuppa - except that sometimes the kitchens have no equipment and improvisation is necessary. Hot coil aficionados are often those who walk in winter when cafes do not open until late, or on the more remote routes. Not to stop you from taking your coil - everyone takes some small comfort - I will carry an umbrella and my own little pillow.

Thanks cuz for the re-assurance. Perhaps I will leave my coil at home and instead carry some eyeliner and my sparkly mirror? since you assure me that I won't have need of a coil?

 

[gerardcarey]

It isn't possible to buy an electric coil water heater in the UK. I have found only one source that imports them from the USA but the P&P is £14.95! Has anyone seen them for sale in Spain?

I bought mine in the first little hardware store I went into in Pamplona. That would tend to make me think they are not too hard to find in Spain.
Regards
Gerard

 

[Tia Valeria]

It isn't possible to buy an electric coil water heater in the UK. I have found only one source that imports them from the USA but the P&P is £14.95! Has anyone seen them for sale in Spain?

We bought ours from Amazon (UK) but it is made in Germany so has 2 pin plug which is OK for Spain. This coil is similar although more expensive, but there may be others if you check out Amazon. Watch the pins are Spanish style as some are US style.

 

[Jo Jo 1]

It isn't possible to buy an electric coil water heater in the UK. I have found only one source that imports them from the USA but the P&P is £14.95! Has anyone seen them for sale in Spain?

 

[Jo Jo 1]

Hi Fiona. Yes I bought one in Pamplona this year.
I blew up the one I had bought from Amazon. I switched it on before putting it into my cup of water, on day two of my walk.
I took a photo of it, showed it to a gentleman in a hardware/electrical shop, and to my surprise he had one. Lots in fact! The shop is in St Nicholas' Square Pamplona. It is invaluable. Makes such a difference to early mornings. Cheers Jo

 

[Ronald Boivin]

It isn't possible to buy an electric coil water heater in the UK. I have found only one source that imports them from the USA but the P&P is £14.95! Has anyone seen them for sale in Spain?

Make sure it is the right voltage. I burned mine from Canada on use once in Spain.