Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Toilet Paper - We All Need It, But What Kind Is OK For Your RV?

    OK, it's time to have a serious talk about TP. Toilet paper. RV sanitation is always a touchy subject. Heck, if you watch many RV scenes in movies you'll notice they usually show the disastrous results of your sewage system. Don't believe me? Watch Robin Williams in the film "RV." Yes, it's funny if it's in a movie, not so much if it's real. Don't be afraid of your RV toilet. Use it! If you follow some simple rules and be kind to it, it will give you years of trouble-free service. So, what can you do to make sure everything, umm, comes out OK? Well, a good start would be keeping your RV Black Water tank clean. This is a very important part of getting the full measure of enjoyment from your home on wheels. What you put INTO the black tank is critical to its survival. With the exception of what comes out of you....you should only put TP into that tank. Trouble is....what kind? And Why?


Typica "RV" Toilet Paper
There are quite a few schools of thought on this subject, but they all agree on one point. TP needs to dissolve easily and quickly. OK, TWO points... The quicker and more completely it will break down the easier it will be to get out when you dump the tank. There are many commercially available toilet papers out there and many of them work just fine. How to choose? Well. Let's begin by talking about ply. Single or Double? Well, RV paper comes in both styles from the major manufacturers so that's a start. Personally, I dislike single ply. It's fine if you double it up, but that defeats the idea of single ply! Double ply can be OK as long as it will break down quickly. This gets confusing.

FAIL!!
How to figure it all out? Easy. Do your own tests. Get a piece of the paper in question and drop it into a container of water for a few minutes. Pick up the container and swirl it (maybe a little bit of a shake too!). If the paper is completely broken down to the point it will flow out of the tank through your hose -- Bingo! You are good to go. If, on the other hand, you are left with a semi-solid mass...I wouldn't recommend putting it in your black tank. It will likely clog the tank, collect on the bottom and probably get stuck on your tank sensors giving you false readings.


I tested quite a few brands, both RV and regular store bought. I was VERY surprised at the results. Be Careful! Sometimes a manufacturer will change their paper and what worked in the past might NOT work in the future. Be safe, test each time you buy a new batch. Always use a good amount of water with each flush. I know conservation is important, but a solid mass of dried matter at the bottom of your tank will be very difficult to clean out! With prices of RV toilet paper (and the fact they are not all that comfortable to use!) so high per roll, why not experiment a bit and find one that you'll like using. After all.....it's your bottom, treat it nicely!

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com

##RVT796

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

When Entering Text Gets Frustrating, Fight Back With A Bluetooth Keyboard!

My 19" Monitor
    Bluetooth is everywhere. Well, almost everywhere. It's installed in my phone, my laptop, my tablet, my set top box, my TV, even my stereo. It seems that almost any device can be used to e-mail or text or search through a list of TV shows or movies. With my Digital media player it's a no-brainer to find something to watch. Most of the time, clicking on an on-screen keyboard is just fine. But sometimes, it can be VERY frustrating to navigate with a remote control. There IS a solution; the battery powered Bluetooth keyboard with touchpad. I'll never go back to fumbling with the remote again!

With Function Keys Too!
I tested quite a few of these at several price points. From 7.99 up to 49.99. They all work similarly. You pair the keyboard to your device and you can type. GREAT for tablets with no keyboard to start with. You want to make sure you know what you are getting, since many of them look great until you receive it and realize the keyboard is about the size of a large remote control. Not easy to type on. OK for a few words in a pinch, but not what I wanted at all. There are also all sorts of shapes and colors to choose from, but the basic rectangle in basic black suits me just fine. You can use them with any OS that supports Bluetooth connections.

Cool TouchPad/Numeric Keypad
The best I found was the  iPazzPort KP-810-25BTT. It matches a fully usable keyboard with a large touchpad on the right that, when switched, doubles as a regular number pad. It's very thin and small enough to store easily but large enough to type on comfortably. Just to be clear, this is NOT a full size computer keyboard, rather a 1/2 scale version with real keys that depress when you touch them. I wouldn't write a novel on one, but e-mail, texts, searches...even setting up new devices...it's perfect! The added numeric keypad is a great time-saver as well.


Cute Little Rubber Feet
Bluetooth keyboards come in a wide variety of types (no pun intended!) so your typing preferences should help you decide on one. I would recommend one with some kind of mouse substitute. This one has a touchpad, but you can find ones with pointing sticks or even a hide-a-way mouse. What about power? The one I have runs on two AAA size batteries. I've used it for many hours and haven't noticed a problem yet. This particular one has an actual ON/OFF switch on the bottom. That should help save power when in storage. The little rubber feet hold it from slipping on any flat surface, while the battery compartment acts as a stand to place the keyboard at a better angle.

It's nice to be able to do an online search or select something on screen while I'm far away, comfortable on the couch. You can even pair it with your cell phone and type emails and messages, albeit on a small screen...unless you have one of those giant semi-tablet phones! Try it...you'll like it!

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"


Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Even The Simple Things - Cheese Lovers Amazing Adjustable Slicer

The Freshly Cleaned Galley
    I love cheese. There are only a few things that keep me on my low-carb diet and cheese is in the top two. Normally, I just use a sharp knife to cut pieces (usually big ones!) off a block, but sometimes thinner is better. More surface area equals more flavor. Besides it will melt faster if it's thinner. Yes, I know, more cheese equals better! But several thin slices will equal a thicker slice AND melt better. The main issue I've had with wire cheese slicers is their non-adjustability. No, seriously, have you ever used a wire cheese slicer and not been able to get a uniform slice? Or it was too thick or too thin? I have. Well, this little gizmo is adjustable AND easy to use.

See The Little Thumb Wheel Adjuster?
Cheese lovers rejoice! OK, it's not that earth shattering a moment, but it does make me happy. I have been eating block cheese (Cheddar, Muenster, Colby, etc.) on my low-carb diet (NOT Atkins!) for over a year now and have lost almost 40 pounds for good. I feel better and my bad knee doesn't hurt any longer in the mornings. I guess less weight on it, day in and day out, helps. Well, cutting the block with a knife works fine, but trying to slice really thin pieces (like for a garnish or salad add-in) was tough. Especially if you want it uniform. The regular wire cheese slicers worked, but you have to be careful if you wanted an even slice. If you wanted uniform, multiple slices...even more careful. Too stressful for a simple task!

Such A Deal!
The slicer is built from mostly plastic, but uses a metal adjustment wheel and adjustment shaft. Obviously the wire is metal as well! There are a set of rollers on the thickness bar so the slicer slides easily along the cheese block. I got lucky. I found this beauty in a soon-to-be-defunct chain drug store at a deep discount. 75% off. The total? $1.12. But even at full price (or better, found online!) I would want one. Now I can easily, and uniformly, cut the cheese. All my friends will be so pleased! Hmmm...bet this would be great at shaving Parmesan for salad topping or with thin sliced salami or prosciutto. All in all, a great little gadget.  Give it a try... I know I'm getting hungry.

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com