Dry camping

mdgalusza wrote:
3 gallons a day...is that right Jim?

Yes, I have averaged that day after day. Drinking alone uses about a gallon per day in hot weather.

Another gallon goes for cooking and washing dishes. I don't use disposables so that takes some technique. Basically I use a paper towel to wipe off the dishes and pans. I heat a small amount of soapy water in a cooking pan or pot and use it to wash all the dishes and flatware. I then rinse everything under a trickle of water. I usually only eat breakfast and dinner as cooked meals. It does take some practice to conserve on the dishwashing.

The shower is pretty easy. I time the propane heater, in the range of about 20 minutes. The temp will then be just right for a shower. I waste about a quart getting the warm water from the tank to the shower. It takes very little water, certainly less than a quart, to wet down and then lather up. My water conservation head works well and I can easily rinse off thoroughly with less than a half gallon. Both my wife and I have fairly short hair so washing and rinsing is not bad. Figure at least another gallon for a woman with long hair.

I have not counted the water for the toilet. I have a cassette toilet that uses very little water and has a separate tank. I would guess it uses about 3-4 gallons per week. It holds 6 gallons total and I rarely need to fill it more than about half way when the main water tank runs low.