Camp kitchen suggestions please?

[madkatz1]

Hello all,
 
I have used a lot of your tips and suggestions since I was a new pu owner in Feb. My friends and family are so impressed by the products I'm using in new, creative ways.
 
My new quest: I need a stable, folding-portable, good-for-the-outdoors, table or rack thingamagig to put next to the Road Trip grill. On our last camping venture DH asked about 150 times "Where's this? Where's that?"... drove me crazy!
Since he does most of the cooking this would be used for food prep, washing dishes, blender drinks, etc.  I already have a sterlite drawer for all the cooking utensils and it goes on the picnic table. If he can find all his stuff in one place and stops bugging me then I won't have to hurt him badly and go to jail - would really ruin my weekend!
 
I've seen the Portable Camp Kitchen at Camping World for about $75 (incl s/h) but I'm wondering if I can use some other product to achieve the same goal. For example: outdoor floor mats. Griffsmom (I think) gave me a wonderful tip for a dog exercise mat at Cherrybrook.... bought it and LOVE IT.... and a lot cheaper than the mats sold at camping stores.
My own "mod" I came up with... rather than keeping the pu table inside, I bring it outside. It goes on the very spiffy Cherrybrook, weaved mat under the awning. The camp chairs go next to the table and I have a wonderful new outdoors "room". Great place for early morning coffee/contemplation/meditation and I don't disturb the late sleepers. It's somewhat protected from the elements with the awning and, of course, I have a neat tablecloth to protect it further.
Inside the pu I replaced the table with a smaller $10 plastic folding table. Much more room inside the pu and easier access to the underseat storage areas. It works very well!
So, any creative, cost effective suggestions for a working camp kitchen? I need to save my shekels for gas!  

[Shawsee]

We use a camp kitchen made by Northwest Terrotory and we bought it from Kmart on sale for $39.99. It is sturdy enough where we can put our small gas grill on it and our two coleman propane stoves on it also. it has a shelf in the middle for extra stuff and it even has a paper towel holder along with some S hooks for hanging pans or whatever.

http://www.kmart.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=122369&No=12&Ne=1353&Nao=12&pCategoryId=1353&N=1867&Nty=1&categoryId=1867&gpCategoryId=1152

[flyfisherman]

The only "cooking" we have ever done inside the camper would be related to boiling water - just heating something up like a soup or stew or making perked  coffee. All serious the cooking is done outside. Although the camper came with one of those indoor/outdoor cooking stoves (low pressure), it just says in the camper to handle those "boiling" events.

For the outside I have a two burner Coleman L/P stove (high pressure), which can use those 16oz disposable tanks or can be attached to main camper L/P tank, and this is where all the serious cooking is done. Picked up from Camping World one of those 2' X 3' aluminum folding tables and this is where the outside stove sets on, just under the awning. When packed for travel, the table folds and lays on the camper floor just under the regular inside camper table which is also folded for the travel mode.

That folding table has been one of the most useful items I ever purchased for the popup. And as I recall, got a $5.00 cupon from Camping World, good for anything on my first purchase (I think for over twenty bucks). Also, at the time, that aluminum folding table was on a special price for something like $19.95. Got the table plus a dish drainer that just fit the itty-bitty sink - used the five dollar cupon and got out of there for twenty bucks.


Fly

[Trailman]

I hope to make my camp kitchen.
I ordered a book of plans from these people
http://www.blueskykitchen.com/

[bkfdwife]

all of our cooking is done outside, enough so that I took our stove in the PUP out so we'd have a bit more floor room when folded.  I have the Cabella camp kitchen now..and in hind sight wish I had just stuck with my lighter, more storable Coleman kitchen. http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2142A700  
(I didn't pay that price for the Coleman! LOL..mines a bit older) The Cabella is a nice unit, but is heavy, and actually doesn't fit in the camper! http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0019854515450a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=camp+kitchen&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=camp+kitchen&noImage=0 This was on sale for $99 last year.  I have to carry it in my van.  I still have the Coleman, and for short trips would take that one instead...The big advantage and buying point to me for the Cabella was the storage units on each side.  They are waterproof, sturdy canvas.  One side holds all my pots, pans, plates, cups, silver and other misc stuff, it always stays packed with just those.  The other side holds all of our food and paper products.  Again, these get heavy and tend to take alot of room.  It all is about what you are looking for I guess!
Lisa

[fiveaday1975]

Hello all,
 
I have used a lot of your tips and suggestions since I was a new pu owner in Feb. My friends and family are so impressed by the products I'm using in new, creative ways.
 
My new quest: I need a stable, folding-portable, good-for-the-outdoors, table or rack thingamagig to put next to the Road Trip grill. On our last camping venture DH asked about 150 times "Where's this? Where's that?"... drove me crazy!
Since he does most of the cooking this would be used for food prep, washing dishes, blender drinks, etc.  I already have a sterlite drawer for all the cooking utensils and it goes on the picnic table. If he can find all his stuff in one place and stops bugging me then I won't have to hurt him badly and go to jail - would really ruin my weekend!
 
I've seen the Portable Camp Kitchen at Camping World for about $75 (incl s/h) but I'm wondering if I can use some other product to achieve the same goal. For example: outdoor floor mats. Griffsmom (I think) gave me a wonderful tip for a dog exercise mat at Cherrybrook.... bought it and LOVE IT.... and a lot cheaper than the mats sold at camping stores.
My own "mod" I came up with... rather than keeping the pu table inside, I bring it outside. It goes on the very spiffy Cherrybrook, weaved mat under the awning. The camp chairs go next to the table and I have a wonderful new outdoors "room". Great place for early morning coffee/contemplation/meditation and I don't disturb the late sleepers. It's somewhat protected from the elements with the awning and, of course, I have a neat tablecloth to protect it further.
Inside the pu I replaced the table with a smaller $10 plastic folding table. Much more room inside the pu and easier access to the underseat storage areas. It works very well!
So, any creative, cost effective suggestions for a working camp kitchen? I need to save my shekels for gas!  

Hi - LLbean puts out a great folding kitchen. We bought one about 5-6 years ago and it has been tremendous. Folds up to take out no space at all and when unfolded has abundant room for cleaning, food prep etc. Enjoy.

[DoubleD]

I have one of these:

 http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTarget=search&hvarTextId=45401&hvarAID=bizrate&cm_mmc=Shopzilla-_-Camping%20%26%20Hiking-_-Camping%20%26%20Auto_General%20Camping_Hammocks%20%26%20Camp%20Furniture-_-Folding%20Picnic%20Table

It is lightweight and folds up to about 15" x 4" x 33", can be carried like a suitcase and is fully self contained.  I sometimes wonder about the sturdiness of it, but can put a Coleman 2 burner stove with cast iron pans on one end, my table top charcoal grill on the other, 5 gallon water jugs on each of the 4 seats, and more.  You can get this for about $40 and I have seen it at more and more stores.

[madkatz1]

Thank you all for replying. I ended up getting a mini picnic table with 2 stools at Rei.com. It looks nice, weighs only 14 lbs and folds up to a sm case. Check it out:

 http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47794036&parent_category_rn=4500555&vcat=REI_SEARCH

[GrizzlyTaco]

Thank you all for replying. I ended up getting a mini picnic table with 2 stools at Rei.com. It looks nice, weighs only 14 lbs and folds up to a sm case. Check it out:

 http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47794036&parent_category_rn=4500555&vcat=REI_SEARCH

Ahhh, very nice........ :Y

[griffsmom]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier.  

 
I do all my cooking outside in DOs and use a Campmate kitchen that I bought online from Sportsman's Guide.  My twin brother Moose was the :Z on my left shoulder that made me do it. The lid doubles as a dish-washing basin when not being used as the lid on top of the kitchen.  Unfortunately, SG is sold out, but here's the description page. I bought the green version--not because I needed or wanted the dishes and utensils that come with it, but because the green coordinated with my camper than the blue did. :cool: :rolleyes: IIRC, when I bough tmine, the green version was running about $69.99 and the blue was about $10.00 cheaper.
 
LL Bean also offers one at a bit higher cost.  
 
Here's my kitchen in use (look to the right of the most adorable child I'm sure you've ever seen ) I also bought a portable table from Costco to put it on.  You can also get them at Target.  I love my kitchen and get a lot of compliments on it.  For me, it was well worth the cost.
 
HTH!

[GrizzlyTaco]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier.
 
I do all my cooking outside in DOs and use a Campmate kitchen that I bought online from Sportsman's Guide.  My twin brother Moose was the :Z on my left shoulder that made me do it. The lid doubles as a dish-washing basin when not being used as the lid on top of the kitchen.  Unfortunately, SG is sold out, but here's the description page. I bought the green version--not because I needed or wanted the dishes and utensils that come with it, but because the green coordinated with my camper than the blue did. :cool: :rolleyes: IIRC, when I bough tmine, the green version was running about $69.99 and the blue was about $10.00 cheaper.
 
LL Bean also offers one at a bit higher cost.  
 
Here's my kitchen in use (look to the right of the most adorable child I'm sure you've ever seen ) I also bought a portable table from Costco to put it on.  You can also get them at Target.  I love my kitchen and get a lot of compliments on it.  For me, it was well worth the cost.
 
HTH!

Griffsmom, i like that!! I never really wanted a camp kitchen set-up or table, until just now. I'm going to contact LL Bean after i get done here and order the blue one. Thank you very much.........Ed C. :sombraro:

[madkatz1]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier.
 
 
I do all my cooking outside in DOs and use a Campmate kitchen that I bought online from Sportsman's Guide. My twin brother Moose was the :Z on my left shoulder that made me do it. The lid doubles as a dish-washing basin when not being used as the lid on top of the kitchen. Unfortunately, SG is sold out, but here's the description page. I bought the green version--not because I needed or wanted the dishes and utensils that come with it, but because the green coordinated with my camper than the blue did. :cool: :rolleyes: IIRC, when I bough tmine, the green version was running about $69.99 and the blue was about $10.00 cheaper.
 
LL Bean also offers one at a bit higher cost.
 
Here's my kitchen in use (look to the right of the most adorable child I'm sure you've ever seen ) I also bought a portable table from Costco to put it on. You can also get them at Target. I love my kitchen and get a lot of compliments on it. For me, it was well worth the cost.
 
HTH!

Griffsmom, please excuse my newbieness, but what is DOs and IIRC? Now, I think your child is as cute as a button and your little, green camp kitchen is just superb. You just close it and go.
Your green mat is nice. With your rec I got the 9x9 mat from Cherrybrook and I love it. It's very party friendly! If you know anyone with a blue motif and needs a mat, I found one for $21 plus shipping. The price was good so I ordered 2 of them. Will let you know about the quality later.
 
Cherrybrook mat: http://www.cherrybrook.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemClassId=0&parent=yes&productID=68753
Blue mat: http://www.dog.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=101269+002+BLU&Cat=

[cyclone]

I have that same camp kitchen (green) and love it.  Blue would match better, but at the time I got it I still had the tent and green was the only color available.  Sam's had them one year and we got it when they were clearanced to around $35.  Great deal!!  We also do most (all) of the cooking outside, so the kitchen remains part of the pu set-up.  It rides on the floor of the pu and comes out just before we put the door in place.

[Calstate361]

I also had not seen this thread earlier.   But here is my two cents.  First we purchased the one from Cabelas that bkfdwife mentioned.  We purchased it for $99 a couple of years ago and also found it heavy and cumbersum to put up.  We limited setting it up only if we were camping for 3 or more days because of the hassle.  Then we purchased a smaller one from Cabelas like the one mentioned by shawsee purchased from KMart.   This one is much lighter and easy enough to set up I and take down, can do it myself.  Even with the 5er, I still do most of our cooking outdoors.  Just don't want that "grease" film all over everything in the trailer.   If you want a camp kitchen, I suggest the one we purchased from Cabelas for about $35.00, or like the one at KMart.

Joan

[griffsmom]

Griffsmom, please excuse my newbieness, but what is DOs and IIRC? Now, I think your child is as cute as a button and your little, green camp kitchen is just superb. You just close it and go.
Your green mat is nice. With your rec I got the 9x9 mat from Cherrybrook and I love it. It's very party friendly! If you know anyone with a blue motif and needs a mat, I found one for $21 plus shipping. The price was good so I ordered 2 of them. Will let you know about the quality later.
 
Cherrybrook mat: http://www.cherrybrook.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemClassId=0&parent=yes&productID=68753
Blue mat: http://www.dog.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=101269+002+BLU&Cat=[/url]

Hi Madkatz,
 
Sorry about the shorthand. DO= dutch oven and IIRC=if I recall correctly. PUT member Tim5055 has a greatc amping site and he includes a page with most of the message board shorthand you'll ever need. You can find it here
 
Glad you like the mat (and thanks for the compliments on my monkey boy ) We never camp without the mat (or the monkey boy, for that matter). We bought our mat from PUT's store and it was more than $21.00, but it has definitely paid for itself ten-fold on its usefulness and quality of materials and construction.
 
One caveat about the camping kitchen--it is a little on the heavy side as Joan mentioned--but weight will depend on how much you put it in.  Mine is ramma-jamma full of anything and everything I think I may need when cooking. Although I can and do lift it myself, I prefer to have griffsdad do it for me. Not that big of a deal and I find the convenience of not having to run in and out of the camper to prepare a meal, not to mention having all the spices and condiments even though I may not be in my my well-stocked kitchen at home, well worth any weight concerns. It is also beyond easy to set up--just open the doors, flip up the shelves and you're done--it takes all of 10 seconds. Reverse the process for packing up. I set it up whether we're staying a week or only a weekend.