Camp Kitchen?

[Seth Kendall]

I am looking into getting a new camp kitchen setup for the Suzuki, and as such space is a bit of an issue. So, I have found some potential products and was wondering what some of your thoughts or experiences were with either or both, or some other similar item.

Coleman Pack-Away

REI Camp Kitchen

 

[SpeedAgent]

Rei

I really like the REI kitchen. I have not used it, but it looks very functional. Also, check Costco's website. They had a pretty cool kitchen for under $100 last time I checked, but their inventory turns over pretty quick on some items.

Chris

 

[greybrick]

We like using a lightweight aluminum and wood fold up 'ironing board' modified to our needs. The surf board shaped top has been replaced with a wider square piece of light plywood covered with a thin cutting board type surface, the bottom horizontal 'feet' have been extended to give more stability and the unit can be height adjusted depending on who's doing the cooking; probably weighs about 10 pounds. Rocks, logs or anything else heavy can be set on the horizontal feet for extra stability.

.

 

[Seth Kendall]

I really like the REI kitchen. I have not used it, but it looks very functional. Also, check Costco's website. They had a pretty cool kitchen for under $100 last time I checked, but their inventory turns over pretty quick on some items.

Chris

Both my girlfriend and I thought the REI one looked really functional, plus I have $25 gift card, and a 15% off coupon which makes it only about $65. It is a little bit bigger packed and weighs about twice as much, but it is still only 30lbs. At Costco's store they have the Colemon Pack-Away for $70. I haven't checked the website yet.

Greybrick, I would love to see a picture of your modded ironing board. Sounds really interesting.

Thanks for the info.

 

[greybrick]

Greybrick, I would love to see a picture of your modded ironing board. Sounds really interesting.

Not ours but the photo gives an idea;

.

 

[Colorado Ron]

I would NOT recommend Colemans. Its flimsey and worthless. I dont like products I have to spend so much time being delicate with.

 

[Seth Kendall]

I would NOT recommend Colemans. Its flimsey and worthless. I dont like products I have to spend so much time being delicate with.

That's what I was wondering about. I thought that the REI looked more robust, but I am going to need to see it in person. Hopefully I will be able to get out to REI this week and get a hands-on trial.

 

[dirtysouth]

That's what I was wondering about. I thought that the REI looked more robust, but I am going to need to see it in person. Hopefully I will be able to get out to REI this week and get a hands-on trial.

I was looking to get a camp kitchen since my wife decided that her and the girls will start camping with me so I stopped at REI yesterday on the way home and set the REI camp kitchen up in the store and realized pretty quick it wasn't worth the $100 IMHO. It was real flimsy, wasn't tall enough for me (mid thigh and I'm 5'10"). I don't think the Colemans will be any better so I thought about is a 5' table at wally world that folds in half for $40. Don't take my word for it but you may want to set it up and see for yourself.

 

[Seth Kendall]

I was looking to get a camp kitchen since my wife decided that her and the girls will start camping with me so I stopped at REI yesterday on the way home and set the REI camp kitchen up in the store and realized pretty quick it wasn't worth the $100 IMHO. It was real flimsy, wasn't tall enough for me (mid thigh and I'm 5'10"). I don't think the Colemans will be any better so I thought about is a 5' table at wally world that folds in half for $40. Don't take my word for it but you may want to set it up and see for yourself.

I had looked at fold-in-half option too. That's actually what got me started on this quest. I teach, and saw one in a different classroom and it clicked. They are quite light and fairly inexpensive. My main concern with that is the heat off of a stove. I would just need to make sure that I was either protected or that my stove wasn't hot enough to melt the plastic below it. I was worried that the REI table would be flimsy. I'm about the same height also so that may be an issue for me.

I just realized that you might have been talking about the Coleman fold-in-half table. The one I am referring to is like this except that it folds in half becomes a 2'x2'x4" tote.

 

[Photog]

My main concern with that is the heat off of a stove. I would just need to make sure that I was either protected or that my stove wasn't hot enough to melt the plastic below it.

Use one of the insulated cookie sheets under the stove, to protect the table top. It could be screwed or glued tothe table top, or just stored loose, with the table. Mark the spots where the stove-feet touch the surface, and use a ball peen hammer, to make a set of dimples for the feet to rest in. This way the stove will not slide around. This one is 14"x16", but they are made in larger sizes too.

 

[SpeedAgent]

Coleman

Is this the Coleman model that is flimsy?

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2664697

That's a shame since it looks pretty sturday, at least more so than the REI model.

 

[computeruser]

I use a chuck box and one of those 6 foot long plastic tables. They do come in shorter lengths if you require it.

Nice setup. Bummer it would take up 1/2 of the usable storage space in my TJ! I seriously envy the truck crowd when it comes to packing for trips. We practically have to pack like ultralight backpacker people if we're taking the dogs with us...

 

[SpeedAgent]

Coleman

I think the Coleman kitchen I just found will be more sturdy. I can't say for sure since I don't have one, but in case you are looking I found the cheapest one at http://www.campingstation.com/exponent-outfitter-camp-kitchen-p-2161.html

They have it for $169. I don't have any affiliation with this company or any other selling kitchens, just thought it seemed like a good deal.

Or what about this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Gear-Camp-Kitchen/dp/B000F3GD4E/

Chris

 

[burke]

Kermit,
Where did you get that chuck box? That thing is sweet!

 

[Hangtowncruzr]

I use a chuck box and one of those 6 foot long plastic tables. They do come in shorter lengths if you require it.

That looks really cool, where did you get it? All of the box's I have seen open from the top I really like the side access with the tailgate down.