The Vango Scran hotplate is one of those pieces of kit that, once you’ve used it, you wonder how you ever managed without it. Whether you're whipping up a fry-up in the Peak District or a stir-fry on the coast of Cornwall, this portable non-stick cooking plate delivers solid performance, no matter where your adventures take you.

Weighing in at just 2kg with a cooking area of around 45cm x 25cm, it’s arguably a bit too big for one person as it often encourages me to put another sausage and rasher of bacon on - and whilst I’m at it, I’ll have another egg! My self control with breakfast food is next to zero. However, it’s the perfect size for Muddy Madam and I if we’re making a stir-fry or wraps.

On one end you will find the plug socket (detachable), and on the opposite end there’s a handy drain spout. Excess grease is encourage down the spout using the sneaky little foldable leg that sits underneath the Scran’s body.  With five setting the adjustable thermostat lets you set temperatures to your desired heat, from 80-240c, and the heat resistant handles make it easy to move whilst cooking.

It’s a breeze to set up and use, you simply plug it into either a large power bank, or wall socket in your camper. Once plugged in it takes less than a minute to reach cooking temperature, and it’s fairly quick to react to temperature changes, too.

The non stick surface, both flat and ribbed, means that it fries eggs effortlessly without them sticking.  I have noticed that there are a few cool-spots to be aware of, so it doesn’t distribute heat evenly, but once you know where they are you can adjust and distribute your food accordingly.

And once finished all it requires is a quick wipe down with a damp cloth and you are good to go.

Any drawbacks?

Not really, though it would be nice if Vango supplied the Scran with a protective bag to keep it safe and scratch-free whilst stored and in transit, I’ve kept it in its original box, which can be a bit bulky.  Also, it could also be argued that because it requires 1500 watts power you need to invest in a large powerbank, though not much of a problem if you have a camper van.

I guess at just 2kg it could be said that it fees a bit flimsy, but we’ve had the Scran since last December and it’s stood up to many camping trips and served too many meals to count, so perhaps ignore that last comment!

Overall the Vango Scran has proven to be a fantastic bit of kit that’s easy to use, and large enough to cook for a small crowd, or average family. While it’s not exactly backpacker-friendly, it’s perfect for car campers or those setting up base for a weekend of outdoor fun.  A few small drawbacks aside, it’s been a reliable companion, so if your idea of a good camp meal involves more than freeze-dried rations, the Scran is definitely worth considering.

price - £45

more at » vango.co.uk/scran