Washing up bowl wanted !

This seems a very trivial problem but I can't find a washing up bowl small enough, or the right oblong shape, to fit into the sink of our new Broadway.  The sink has a glass lid so the bowl must be no taller than 13 cm if the lid is to close with the bowl in place.  My current bowl is round and won't fit at all.  I've tried the Outwell silicone folding one but that is ever so slightly too big all round ( as well as being rather expensive).

Can any kind person point me in the right direction please ? 

Q

Thanks Peter: It's so irritating when a seller doesn't put the dimensions on their website. We've got to find one that will fit a space 36 x 27 x 13 cm.  I'll contact them to ask as that is a good price and colour choice.

They do:
PLASTIC WASHING UP BOWL SQUARE
STRONG BUT LIGHT WEIGHT PLASTIC
SIZE = 29CM SQUARE X 13CM HEIGHT
PLEASE CHOOSE COLOR OF YOUR CHOICE

FAST & FREE POSTAGE

Doh ! We've only got 27 cm width so ever so slightly too wide.

Many thanks though, I didn't find that and you've saved me much scrabbling around to find my e-bay password without which I can't contact them.

Q

Just curious (killed the cat!) as to why you need a washing up bowl to fit in the sink??

If we wash up in the van, we wash up in the sink.   

We used to carry a large washing up bowl in a cupboard, to carry dishes to the sinks, if using the site facilities, however we have now bought a couple of natty collapsible canvas buckets which our local Robert Dyas store were selling off for £3 each.

Lots of reasons really Roger. I tend to wash up as I cook ( my only instance of being organised and tidy !) and you can't drain anything into the sink if it is full of water. I also have an absolute ban on putting any water that's drained from rice, pasta or boiled eggs into the tank as it's the quickest way to make it smelly, so that water goes in the bowl to wait until it can be got rid of elsewhere if possible. 

Also, from bitter experience, I find that the satin-finish stainless steel rapidly stops being both stainless and unscratched and the best way to avoid this is to use a plastic bowl to wash up in. Fewer things get broken by being clashed against a metal surface too. We don't use site facilities much, especially in wet or cold weather, so tend to wash up in the van usually. We do have a bucket to take things to the sinks in or, more often, use the washing up bowl and a tea tray with a bit of non-slip matting for draining onto.

I've also never found sink plugs, as supplied for van sinks, stay in when you are washing up. They come out and so you lose all your precious hot soapy water.

Looks like I might have to learn new tricks however if I can't find a bowl !

Q

OK, I get it now!

Agree with taking care over what gets drained into waste tank - we used to use a spare plastic bowl; now one of the natty little canvas buckets will do.

We have an enamel sink and draining board so that doesn't scratch.

The little sink plug that came with the van was rubbish.  Just as you got a nice hot soapy sinkful of water, it decided to come out.  We've since tried several replacements and this is the best universal one, which is also handy for campsite sinks with no plug (we bought a few since SOMEONE has a habit of leaving them behind!): 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Highlander-Universal-Worldwide-Fit-Travel-Bath-Sink-Plug-Camping-Youth-Hostel-/191137368581

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Highlander-Universal-Plug-White/dp/B003TWIGVG/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400278563&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=Highlander+Universal+Worldwide+Fit+Travel+Bath+%26+Sink+Plug

All good fun!

Looks a useful plug Roger.

About the canvas bucket...I bought a garden centre folding canvas bucket in a bag some time ago and we've carried it with us- just in case ! - but never used it. Does it clean up well after all the smelly water you put in and how long does it take to dry after use and before folding up ? Is the handle OK for carrying a bucket full of water any distance ?

In the cheap shops (Poundland, Home Bargains etc) you can buy mats for £1.99, like the non-slip ones you put in the bath, for putting in the bottom of the sink.

I also like to use a washing up bowl in the van but keep it in the corner by the back doors, or in the shower, when I'm not using it.

Also they do towelling-covered mats for draining which I also find useful in the van.

Nora

Thanks Nora. I think this is the way we will have to go though I'll keep looking in the hope of finding something small enough. I think the washing up bowl is going to have to travel in the shower room or, perhaps, I'll treat myself to a folding one and it can squash into a cupboard.

We're just about to go off on our first trip in the new van so I'll see how we go.

Q

Here's a link to the folding buckets we bought:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Summit-9lt-Folding-Bucket-camping-hiking-/191037486170?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 

They are more rigid than the canvas ones, they stand up on their own no problem even when not full but they still fold flat so take up very little room when stored.  The inside is lined with a waterproof coating, the top ring and base are plastic.

Although we got them for £3 each as a clearance bargain, I'd still happily pay £5 for them if I needed more.

They'll also be ideal for use as bait/catch buckets on my little boat. 
                                                                                               

EDIT:  Just found a couple of cheaper sources for the same thing:

http://www.campingworld.co.uk/en/Summit-9L-Folding-bucket/m-10770.aspx?gclid=CLjKqqeNs74CFZShtAod5VgAvg&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom

http://www.biggrassfield.com/index.aspx?partid=SUM-090431&aff=froogle

Off subject but- I have never seen a washing up bowl anywhere other than in the UK.
I heard that many years ago the idea was marketed globally ,but did not "catch on" , maybe an urban myth.

Hi
This might help you
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=folding+washing+up+bowl+camping&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=XNN3U8uQHIXuOpzqgfAP&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAjgK&biw=1366&bih=599

A round fabric one could be used to line your bowl and would let you lift it out when you need to pour water down the sink and also let you strain the dishwashing water thro a strainer.
Louise

Doris wrote:Hi
This might help you
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=folding+washing+up+bowl+camping&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=XNN3U8uQHIXuOpzqgfAP&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAjgK&biw=1366&bih=599

A round fabric one could be used to line your bowl and would let you lift it out when you need to pour water down the sink and also let you strain the dishwashing water thro a strainer.
Louise

Thanks you very much. One on there- from Peak accessories- looks just the job and will fit. £1.99 as well ! I'll send for one next week. They've got some other good stuff too !

Thanks Rogerblack; worth knowing that the buckets are useful. I think we'll have to start using ours.

I've seen washing up bowls being used by Germans and Dutch but big ones that are more useful for carrying things to sinks than for washing up in so I suppose strictly not washing up bowls...if you see what I mean. I shall keep my eyes open.

Again, thanks all for you help.

Q

Mine is 26.5cm diameter x 10cm high,  had it my my Topaz, now I have room for a larger one, I bought it from a caravan /motorhome dealer.

I never use the washing up facilities on site, can do it in comfort, rather than traipse about. why have a sink if you don`t use it, plus some folk leave bits/food behind after they have finished ukk, not me thank you.

Just an update after our shake-down trip: I was fussing too early ! Our existing washing up bowl sits neatly in the Broadway sink for washing up and then travelled under the bucket in the bathroom. I do like the small chrome draining rack which hangs off the glass sink cover. That, in addition to the grey plastic draining board, is a much more sensible answer to dish draining than we had in our last van.

Incidentally, we went to Broadway and, browsing in the excellent ironmongers on the Oxford Road ( Cotswolds Building Supplies I think it was called ) came across the very small £1.99 washing up bowls mentioned above.

I agree daisy mae that you sometimes get grot left in the sinks but, in summer anyway, you can't beat a good gossip over the washing up ! You meet some nice people and it's useful to exchange information. It's a different matter on a winter night or in wet weather and then I am glad we are completely self-contained.

Thank you everyone for your help and information.

Q