Obtaining the Optimum Camp Kitchen Setup

There wasn't a general "camping" forum to drop this one in, so I'm just going to leave this here and see where it goes.

I want to see the setups you all have for your camp kitchens. I've got my gear storage locked down for now (tents, tarps, mattress, tools, etc.) but the cook gear is my current pet peeve that I just can't get right. I currently have a simple plastic tote where I store a coleman stove at the bottom, a couple REI wash basins, 2 smaller totes containing utensils, spices, cleaning supplies, and cups and bowls. Then I've also stuffed in my percolator and plates and a few other miscellaneous items.

I always have to rifle through the whole bin to access what I need and it always feels like the thing that I need has made its way to the bottom of the tote, so I'd like to know what you all do to alleviate this pain?
I've seen many chuck boxes (we used them in scouts back in the day), and I've also seen others using tool cases or totes or truck bed cabinets. I'm looking for a way to concisely pack all of my kitchen gear in one place that also makes it easy to access and use and store away again.

Please share any photos, designs, or thoughts on this!

 

This may not be optimum and it's out of the back of our micro camper , however, the same principal could be used as a pull out for a sleeping platform or storage area in the bed. My wife is usually always trying to find more ways to make this more concise. she tries to buy collapseable bowls and as many cooking tools as she can find that can be used for multiple tasks.

It's a 4" pull out drawer where you can store all your cooking gear and the stove inside.




I mad a few more modifications to not only store the stove but when it's removed give you a nice prep area






I made another little hinged mod that while covering the gap in the back also allows me to open it and reach in and grab utensils and stuff we need


Or you can turn the stove around and cook from the back side


used in conjunction with a small table and a small shelf system it's quick to set up and provides good prep, cleaning, and storage space.


IDK if this is exactly what your looking for but it could easily be incorporated into a truck bed

 

This is awesome! I love that your stove AND water jug can be stored in this. I've been looking into costs of 48"-60" drawer slides for this type of unit specifically. Its a bit of work and could get pricey quick i'm sure if I get carried away with it. But I do really like that you have a prep area in addition to storage solution. This isn't bad!

 

When I made the changes to create the prep and cooking area I had to expand the lid some and in the later pictures you can see I chose not to keep the water jug in there any more. We found it easier to just keep it out so we could put it where we wnted and it gave us more storage space. It's a challenge trying to fit everything in there so compactly but it works

 

Ya need a decent stove.
Duane

 

Here's my setup. It's a work in progress, but you can get the general idea. This can get costly very quickly, but I feel is a game changer for convenience levels.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/project-diy-truck-bed-pullout-kitchen-and-bs.507185/

 

That’s awesome Arlaghan, what did you do for your drawer sliders? Those tend to be pricey for a long travel distance and decent capacity. I really like what you’ve got going there! I’m planning on getting a shell soon so I think I might look into this

 

I ordered a set of 58" locking slides (since the locking levers add an additional 1.5"). They are quite expensive, but super heavy duty - 500lb capacity. I have two independent pullouts, but I don't see any reason why a single full-width pullout wouldn't work (with the proper support to keep the middle from sagging).

As a side note, mine is open bed. I used marine plywood and spar varnish which seems to do well, but I could use some better sealing for the doors.

There are definitely some things I would do different now, but for the most part, we like it a lot. Being able to pull over and cook in a few minutes is pretty awesome.

 

Yeah I just scrolled through the first page of your build thread. I know there’s lots of options on slides so I might shop around for those to save a bit if possible. But the fact that they are locking closed/open is awesome and being able to have everything at your hands with just a slide is really convenient.
Do you think it would be possible to build this only on one half of the bed and still have it lay flat on the bed? I don’t have a fridge, just an rtic, but I really just need a slide for my stove and cooking equipment.
The marine wood, that’s mainly bc it’s open bed? I might also skip out on that for some savings since I’m hoping to keep it enclosed.
Awesome job! I’m going to keep going through your thread on this though, love the schematics as well

 

You'll find the biggest challenge is where/how to bolt it down to the bed. Doing only one side is definitely doable. If you're getting a topper (or don't have a bed rack and can use a tonneau cover) you can skip the marine plywood as well. I'd still finish it with spar varnish or something like that, though.

My biggest regret comes in as not planning for some plumbing from the start. I have to build a complicated slide to retrofit it now. If I were to do it all again, I'd have some room where the stove is for a faucet, then just have a pullout tray for the collapsible sink. Oh well.

 

That is really cool

 

Where did you get your utensil/cutlery holder?

 

Here's a pretty cool setup.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pull-kitchen—-tacoma-based-kitchen.657657/

 

I had a big bed drawer that I built that held a bunch of gear, skis, cooking stuff etc. But the lady and I are travel RNs and it wasn't practical for toting stuff around AND using as an adventure mobile. So I sold that and we picked up a Drifta camp kitchen. Cool little unit made by the Aussies down unda. Packs up into itself and holds all your kitchen necessities. Unpacks and gives you a bunch of prep space as well. The biggest thing for me is it isn't fixed in the truck so I can use the bed for other things as needed. Comes with a hand pump/hose as well which when paired with a 5 gallon water jug beneath makes a nice little wash station.

 

Dannnnnng. That's sweet.

 

It's pricey, but cool. I followed his thread when he was making the first one. Dude has some skill.

 

Definitely pricey. But for what it is and as you said the craftsmanship that goes into them I'd say worth the price (if I didn't already have a camp kitchen and have more lights to buy)

 

how much are these?

 

https://www.drifta.com.au/camping-kitchens-car-backs/

 

I paid $950 USD. Again these are built in Australia and shipped over in batches. We by chance are in Washington for a work assignment and there is a distributor located outside Vancouver. Drove up and bought it on site.