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Old 08-01-2020, 11:27 AM   #1
DutchmenSport
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Level eggs!

Everyone knows how important it is to level the camper and we all do it. But I also am a bit OCD when it comes to leveling the picnic table. Unlike some states and even some higher end campgrounds, Indiana State Parks and most private campgrounds provide a picnic table that is not anchored down in concrete. And, especially in Indiana, you never have a perfectly level picnic table.

With that said, I spend a bit of time initially setting up the picnic table by placing short 2x4's under the feet and use a small carpenter's square to get the top as close as possible.

But then, when using our Coleman gas stove or our electric flat griddle, or the electric skillet, it's still not completely level, at all the best attempts.

Well, when cooking eggs especially, who wants their eggs to slide around? Or off? So years and years ago, I took some 1/4 inch plywood and cut into small pieces to use to fine tune the flat griddle to a perfect level, both directions. Place them or stack them under the feet of the griddle until perfectly level. .... But, even that, after over 35 years of camping with my wife and kids, it's not truly perfect.... until about 2 weeks ago when an idea hit me .....

Shems! Yes, Shems! The same ones a carpenter would use to make cabinet counter tops perfectly level, or cabinets, or even wall framing. So, I picked up a package of shems from Ace Hardware (I wasn't near a Lowe's when I had this brainstorm) and tried them. And 2 weekends in a row, they work great! A $2.50 package of 20 short shems ... and ... why didn't I think of this sooner!

So, today, we are at Shakamack State Park (Indiana) and I thought I snap some photos of my preparation for breakfast! And ... eggs did not slide! Perfectly level on top of a rickety picnic table:











Eggs did not run all over the griddle. Nice! AND yummy!

Another tip? What do you do with the bacon grease? Try using a can opener on the top of a Pepsi or Coke can and cut off the top. Pour the grease in the can. Once it turns hard, throw it away. Or save it and use for additional cooking or flavoring. Or save it, remelt it, and pour it over your wood in the fire pit to start a campfire!

So, if you use a portable cooking device on top of a picnic table, including a Coleman stove, the shems work great to keep the pot from sliding round on the Coleman stove top too.
 
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Old 08-01-2020, 11:45 AM   #2
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And i thought i had heard everything
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Old 08-01-2020, 12:46 PM   #3
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What time's breakfast?
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Old 08-01-2020, 12:55 PM   #4
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yep, OCD
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Old 08-01-2020, 01:00 PM   #5
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I believe they are called Shims
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Old 08-01-2020, 01:16 PM   #6
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I honestly applaud you for having the self confidence to post his topic. It's kinda like watching a trailer to an episode of "MONK" with Tony Shalhoub.
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Old 08-01-2020, 01:48 PM   #7
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You clearly have too much time on your hands.
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Old 08-01-2020, 01:57 PM   #8
rohrmann
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That must be why at some rally’s, we do baggie breakfast with eggs in a ziplock bag and boil them in a big pot of water. The water is level and the bags don’t slide😜
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Old 08-01-2020, 08:22 PM   #9
bleedmichigan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DutchmenSport View Post
Everyone knows how important it is to level the camper and we all do it. But I also am a bit OCD when it comes to leveling the picnic table. Unlike some states and even some higher end campgrounds, Indiana State Parks and most private campgrounds provide a picnic table that is not anchored down in concrete. And, especially in Indiana, you never have a perfectly level picnic table.

With that said, I spend a bit of time initially setting up the picnic table by placing short 2x4's under the feet and use a small carpenter's square to get the top as close as possible.

But then, when using our Coleman gas stove or our electric flat griddle, or the electric skillet, it's still not completely level, at all the best attempts.

Well, when cooking eggs especially, who wants their eggs to slide around? Or off? So years and years ago, I took some 1/4 inch plywood and cut into small pieces to use to fine tune the flat griddle to a perfect level, both directions. Place them or stack them under the feet of the griddle until perfectly level. .... But, even that, after over 35 years of camping with my wife and kids, it's not truly perfect.... until about 2 weeks ago when an idea hit me .....

Shems! Yes, Shems! The same ones a carpenter would use to make cabinet counter tops perfectly level, or cabinets, or even wall framing. So, I picked up a package of shems from Ace Hardware (I wasn't near a Lowe's when I had this brainstorm) and tried them. And 2 weekends in a row, they work great! A $2.50 package of 20 short shems ... and ... why didn't I think of this sooner!

So, today, we are at Shakamack State Park (Indiana) and I thought I snap some photos of my preparation for breakfast! And ... eggs did not slide! Perfectly level on top of a rickety picnic table:











Eggs did not run all over the griddle. Nice! AND yummy!

Another tip? What do you do with the bacon grease? Try using a can opener on the top of a Pepsi or Coke can and cut off the top. Pour the grease in the can. Once it turns hard, throw it away. Or save it and use for additional cooking or flavoring. Or save it, remelt it, and pour it over your wood in the fire pit to start a campfire!

So, if you use a portable cooking device on top of a picnic table, including a Coleman stove, the shems work great to keep the pot from sliding round on the Coleman stove top too.
I carry plastic shims for this task. Our griddle is a pain if the grease doesn’t have a level path it just pools everywhere.
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Old 08-01-2020, 08:29 PM   #10
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Breakfast does look good.
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Old 08-05-2020, 01:59 PM   #11
Steve W
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I like my table so off kilter that the eggs all slide to one side and stay away from my bacon, they can never ever touch until in my stomach, and in there I try to separate them with sourdough toast!
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Old 08-05-2020, 03:51 PM   #12
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I have a large 2 burner lpg cooker. It has adjustable legs. I had a stainless steel 16”x16”griddle top made for it with a grease tray as well. It fits over one burner so I can use a skillet for hash browns or eggs to order on the other burner.
I don’t consider myself OCD at all but when cooking for a large group having a level cooking surface is nice.
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Old 08-05-2020, 04:28 PM   #13
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I'm one of those guys that put sugar packets under table legs that rock at restaurants, so I understand. Think I'll start carrying shims. Thanks DutchmanSport for the tip!
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Old 08-05-2020, 05:41 PM   #14
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DutchmenSport you are talking my language now. I’m a little OCD, I
think 20 years in the military gave that to me. I’ve tried darn near everything to use as a leveler, but the eggs still creep to one side. Got to get to Lowe’s. Thank you for solving that aggravating issue.
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Old 08-05-2020, 09:05 PM   #15
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You are making me hungry for a campsite breakfast. Nothing better than having a breakfast outside in a nice campsite. My plate is ready for bacon and eggs!
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Old 08-06-2020, 07:26 AM   #16
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I'm so glad to see this. Now I can sleep again!
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Old 08-06-2020, 09:12 AM   #17
432bartman
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I've bought those Shims from Home Depot.......lol. This is a funny topic. I too would not want my eggs running all into one corner.
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Old 08-06-2020, 06:15 PM   #18
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Shims, what a GREAT idea. Pat yourself on the hea. Thank you.d
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Old 08-07-2020, 05:40 PM   #19
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I ordered a set of plastic shims and a bubble level on Amazon. I always use it when I set Up my griddle. Just a slight bit pitched forward to keep the grease moving.
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Old 08-08-2020, 06:35 AM   #20
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Lippert will soon have a 4 point auto-leveling package that will fit all griddles. $2495.00 for the kit or $3495.00 installed. Appointment required. Can be controlled with your smart phone. $995.00 for the app.
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