The Stoke Voltaics Nomad Cooking System ($219) has inspired me to prepare more fresh meals in camp. That's quite a statement from someone who, for years, shied away from all but the simplest cooking on the road.
There are a few reasons for this change of attitude. The Nomad System has overcome the barriers that took the fun out of campsite cooking. I'll start with those obstacles, then explain how they no longer exist with the Stoke Voltaics gear.
What I Once Hated About Camp Cooking
Wind was my number one nemesis for preparing meals. I tend to camp along the California Coast, and there always seems to be a breeze. I love the fresh air blowing off the Pacific Ocean. It's invigorating - until that is, it's time to cook.
Even with the wind guards up, it's difficult to shield the flame in breezy conditions. Plus my previous cooking system seemed more messy.
Wind is difficult to block and makes it nearly impossible to maintain even heating on a pan. Plus, it wastes fuel.
Then there was the bulk. Too many pans not integrated with each other wasn't efficient for packing or cleaning up after the meal. If I wanted to cook anything that required more than boiling water, it felt like I had to pack an entire box of just pots and pans.
My third obstacle was messy cleanup. Open-flame cooking often left black-soot residue on the outside of the pan, and the uneven heat caused food-burning on the inside. When washing dishes after the meal, I often wondered if the food was worth the extra effort.
How the Nomad Cooking System Overcame These Difficulties
Instead of cooking on an open flame, the Nomad Kit is all-electric. There's a base unit that couples with either the sizzle pan or boiling pot. The pieces fit together smartly and are very stable.
Wind is no longer a concern, and the entire cooking experience is more tidy.
If you've ever cooked with an induction system at home, the Stoke Voltaics approach will feel familiar. Once you turn on the system, the base heating unit (called a cooking reactor), immediately begins to warm the connected pan. A dial lights up on the base indicating the voltage you've set - 200 watts to 1,000 watts - and how long the unit has been turned on.
Wind has absolutely no effect on the transfer of heat from the cooking reactor to the pan. You can choose between the sizzling pan or the bubbling pot. Eighty percent of my meals are prepared in the sizzling pan. It measures 8.65" in diameter with a 3.5" high lip and holds up to 45 ounces. When preparing meals for one or two people, this pan can do it all.
The kit is also very compact. The base heating unit, sizzle pan, bubbling pot, detachable handle, lid, and power cord all fit in a carrying bag that's about the size of a volleyball.
Stoke Voltaics makes a custom carrying bag for this kit ($29), and I highly recommend it.
Once the meal is over, cleanup is a breeze. The outside of the pan remains pristine because there's no flame to cause soot-ash on the exterior. The interior surface has a robust non-stock coating applied to the high-grade aluminum alloy material. Combined with even heat distribution, that's maintained through smart technology, food rarely sticks and is easy to wipe out.
OXO Outdoor Wash, Dry, and Stow System.
Speaking of cleanup, I highly recommend the OXO Outdoor Wash, Dry & Stow System. With its built-in dish rack and twin tubs, tidying up the kitchen after a meal is a snap. To conserve water, I use a pot of soapy water in one tub and then rinse there as well. This works well with the Nomad kit because I don't want to immerse the components anyway. Fortunately, they clean up so easily, I don't have to.
Powering the Nomad Cooking System
I did a lot of testing at home with the Nomad to get a feel for how much power I had to bring for a 3-day, 2-night camping trip. I learned that most of my cooking began at the 600 watt setting, then tapered off to 400 watts. There is some fluctuation with electrical draw because it's a smart system that will adjust wattage on its own to maintain an even heat.
My home test kitchen to practice before hitting the road.
The math worked out to my needing a BLUETTI Solar Generator AC70 per day for cooking breakfast (including coffee), lunch, and dinner. The AC70 is a 768 Wh unit. I like it because it stores lots of power, but it isn't too heavy to carry around.
With two AC70s, I had plenty of juice for cooking and hot water. I also brought a Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Power Station to run the BodegaCooler 38 Quart electric cooler. Additionally, I could power lighting and recharge mobile devices with the Jackery - plus it served as my backup if the Bluettis ran low.
Even though the power stations do take up some space in my VW ID.4, they are easier to pack than round propane tanks that bang around. They're also much cleaner.
Final Thoughts
Breakfast in the sizzle pan. All photos in this article by Derrick Story.
Both with my testing at home, and while camping, I had great success with the Stoke Voltaics Nomad Cooking System. In fact, I'm still using it after the trip because I like it so much.
All of the components are made of quality materials and feel long-haul durable. The design is good. I particularly like the removable handle that is both easy to use and sturdy.
I do have one suggestion for version 2: I would make the control dial bigger with an easier-to-read LCD screen. The current design works, but a larger display would definitely be better for this kit.
Some people have commented to me that the price seems high. I don't feel that way. This is a complete cooking system for $219 that includes the heating element, sizzle pan, cooking pot, lid, and handle. I do wish Stoke Voltaics included the travel carry case in the kit, instead of being an accessory, because I feel that it's necessary on the road.
Based on performance so far, and the quality materials, I'm predicting years of service from the Nomad. If you already have the power stations, and better yet, solar panels to go with them, you could run your kitchen off the grid indefinitely.
Highly recommended.
Key Specifications for the Nomad Cooking Kit
- Power Range: 200-1000 watts, adjustable in 200W increments.
- Weight: Approximately 7 pounds (3 kg).
- Material: High-quality, 304 food-safe stainless steel and food-grade, BPA-free plastic components.
- Nomad Reactor: 6.8 inches diameter x 2.5 inches tall.
- Sizzling Pan: 8.65 inches diameter x 3.5 inches height.
- Bubbling Pot: 8.65 inches diameter x 5.55 inches height.
- Sizzling Pan: 45 oz (1400ml) capacity.
- Bubbling Pot: 50 oz (2400ml) capacity.
Other Articles in This Series
The Bluetti AC70 Power Station Review - Off-the-Grid Freedom.
Perfect for SUV Camping - The Bodegacooler 36L Car Refrigerator Review.
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Review - Power Your Roadtrips.
Jackery 40W Mini Solar Panel for Your Cameras and Devices.
Roadtripping with the BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Fridge/Freezer - A Review.
Hot Coffee, Soup, on the Road with this Portable Electric Kettle.
A Hands-On Review of the TentBox Go Roof Top Tent.
The BodegaCooler Dual-Door 48-Quart Review.
The Hele Box Car Camping Platform Review.
Author's Note
The links in this article are included as a convenience for the reader. They are affiliate links, and they help support my research and publishing. Thank you for using them.
