Building Camp Kitchen for Production - Need Feedback!!

[aslostasyou]

I'm sure everyone has seen Stumptaco's thread which I hi-jacked...

:jump:

My father and I are working on the designs for the portable camp kitchen and I will post the progress here. The plan is to produce something similar to a Drifta kitchen (or the like) that is easy to store inside your rig or on a hitch, can stand up to the rigors of travel and be sold in a CKD form for assembly by the end user to keep the costs down.

We will be using our CNC to crank out pieces so we should be able to keep the final product within budget for most of us!

I need feedback though....what do you guys want to see in a kitchen?

Some ideas we've come up with thus far are:

Small plastic oval sink (plumbed out the back with a hose)
Plastic sprayer nozzle (like on your sink) that connects to either a standard hose or a internal water tank. The water tank would be able to be pressurized with onboard air or c02 by way of a valve
Built in cutting board surface w/ slotted drains for racking wet dishes
Inlayed (removable) steel hot-rods for setting hot pans on the surface and not burning it
Spice rack slots for standard sized spice bottles
Optional fold out legs
Additional sides that can expand the work area to support several stoves, coffee maker, etc
Paper towel provisions

Hit me with your ideas!

, J

 

[Photog]

Looking at Campa's kitchen, I would say some type of cup, plate and silverware storage, in one of the open spaces.:sombrero:

 

[j_nigrelli]

well constructed carcass should be a priority as would some good coating (all surfaces) to insure water resistance despite the buyer's good intentions to keep it covered or otherwise protected.

kitted out is of little value if the box falls apart after the first season.

and use marine quality hardware; labor to buy & install is the same as cheap hardware.

and NO particle board of MDF!!!!

 

[overlander]

I am definitely in the market for a good functional expedition grade camp kitchen in a moveable/mountable box for the back of my 110. the ideal is the Campa kitchen unit style, with an integrated plastic sink as mentioned. Do that, and I'll buy it. You might want to start thinking about dimensions that would meet most needs to start with, and work from there. for me, it would have to fit in my fenderwell interior. I can provide dimensions when/if you are interested in polling.

 

[aslostasyou]

Hmmm... Two sizes rather than one size with two levels of functionality. That's a good idea. Shoot me the max dimensions for your 110. I envision a small box that'll fit on a fender well, under a bed cover or in an SUV'esk rig with one of the 60/40 seats down. Then a larger version that is hitch mounted.

Material life is a major concern - believe it or not I looked into powercoating wood today. Very cool process... Didn't even know it could be done.

Stay tuned and keep the ideas coming guys! Feel free to shoot out dimensions and your type of rig. This will help me get some averages.

, J

 

[ZR2nit]

If its anything really close to the other two kitchens you have mentioned (Drifta and STUMPTACO's) i'm definately going to want one: I like the idea of the buyer assemblying the kitchen for two reasons. 1)- keeps the cost down and 2)-I feel like I actually had some involvment with the kitchen

Something similar to anyone of these would be great.

http://www.drifta.com.au/CamperTrailerKitchens.php

I plan on putting one in my M416

 

[aslostasyou]

The Drifta is definately too large for fitting inside a 110 or most SUV's I think but perfect for a hitch and "basecamp" situations. I'm thinking two kitchens, one similar to this with our twist and then a shrunken version like this:

http://www.drifta.com.au/setDCB.htm

I think it could be a little bigger though to include some more functionality..

Again though - I need some dimension ideas from individuals and the vehicles they go with in order to determine a baseline.

, J

 

[lowenbrau]

I like the Drifta car back but they seem like they can get impossibly heavy once kitted out. Somebody should modify a ambulance stretcher so the legs and wheels will fall into place automatically and one person could maneuver it.

Other than that, whatever you do, make it obvious where things go. Plates, cutlery, cups, stove, a billie, pots, paper towel etc. Even if it makes it less universal. i.e. a specific nesting pot set. If everything has a distinct place, anybody can help pack up the kitchen and it will make considerably more useful.

It is probably true of life generally, but I'm learning in the expedition realm having "a place for everything and everything in its place" is the key to efficiency and reduced stress.

 

[the dude]

It is probably true of life generally, but I'm learning in the expedition realm having "a place for everything and everything in its place" is the key to efficiency and reduced stress.

This wouldn't have anything to do with your significant other would it? eepwall:

We have found the same thing. If it doesn't have a home, we make a home.

 

[lowenbrau]

This wouldn't have anything to do with your significant other would it? eepwall:

Very likely but it is more related to having a consistent travel partner than having a bunkmate. When you decide to finally stop for the night and you're trying to get the tent set up, and make a quick meal (perhaps the only one that day) before the light disappears and the bugs get into their post sunset frenzy, not knowing the answer to "Where did you pack the stove?" can become a point of contention. We don't even want to talk about the drama that can unfold when after a nice strong cup of Java from my French Press I can't find the TP!

Once you have a system down and one person does one thing while the other does another task and you work it out over a multi-week trip you begin to appreciate how automated things can become.

But, after ACT08, I'm guessing, you know that all too well.

 

[Photog]

The dimensions might depend on how it is to be oriented.

The available volume in the rear of the current generation of Toyota 4Runners is:
41" wide (between fender wells)
33" deep (up to rear seat)
24" tall (leaves space above for other gear).

I will have to measure the space where the 60/40 rear seat would be.

 

[Wagontrain]

Width isn't my greatest concern, but length is. Back seat to tailgate... 36". This is a Land Cruiser 60 series wagon. This would also fit nicely width wise in a 40 series LC.
WT

 

[ThomD]

I like double sinks. It is easier to wash dishes.
Water pressure from CO2 only seems very limiting. You'll need a hand pump too. I love my Coleman Hot water on demand. so I'd use that.

 

[cnynrat]

Something like the Drifta Car Back seems like a reasonable compromise that provides the basics but still fits in most vehicles.

I wouldn't vote for dedicated sink(s). Too easy to handle those chores with a couple of wash basins that can be set on a "counter" for washing dishes, and then put away so you can use that space for other purposes when cooking.

 

[j_nigrelli]

http://www.kingplastic.com/Products/StarboardAS.aspx


you are going to reach a point where labor & materials plus overhead & profit will exceed what folks will be willing to pay. just like the compared kitchens already being made, Joe & his brother with the power saw can make one sunday afternoon for a tenth of what you're charging.

not trying to be negative, but realistic.