Lets design a slide out kitchen...

[The Adam Blaster]

I was thinking about this on my drive into work this morning...
What about having a custom-cut piece of synthetic cutting board (or whatever you call it) made to the entire length of your counter? That way your whole counter could be a cutting surface, and then after you're done, just wash the whole thing down.
You could have little holes in the board mate up with location "bolts" that protrude out of the surface of the counter structure.

If you didn't want to have a single large piece, you could have 2 separate pieces.
I have also heard that you can buy these things in large pieces and cut it down yourself. I'm not sure of a source, but I think cutting would be fairly easy, just watch out for the amount of heat that was generated.

 

[Tucson T4R]

I was thinking about this on my drive into work this morning...
What about having a custom-cut piece of synthetic cutting board (or whatever you call it) made to the entire length of your counter? That way your whole counter could be a cutting surface, and then after you're done, just wash the whole thing down.
You could have little holes in the board mate up with location "bolts" that protrude out of the surface of the counter structure.

If you didn't want to have a single large piece, you could have 2 separate pieces.
I have also heard that you can buy these things in large pieces and cut it down yourself. I'm not sure of a source, but I think cutting would be fairly easy, just watch out for the amount of heat that was generated.

My experience with these cutting boards has the surface getting pretty cut up and rough over time. Unless you have a way refinish the surface once in awhile I would stick with a SS surface and a separate cutting board that can be replaced when well used.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

My experience with these cutting boards has the surface getting pretty cut up and rough over time. Unless you have a way refinish the surface once in awhile I would stick with a SS surface and a separate cutting board that can be replaced when well used.

Well, as long as there are places still making them, you could always re-order another set after a few years of use/abuse.
As well, unless you're living out of your trailer, most people are only going to use the cutting boards occasionally, so the wear and tear will probably take a number of years to cause issues.
I've got a couple of the plastic boards in my home, and they've been good for the last couple of years, and we use them almost daily. There are different degrees of quality though...

 

[westyss]

slide out kitchen

I have finally aquired two sets of heavy duty ball bearing slides that extend a full 47.25" and hold 100's of pounds each


Where did you find those slides???? Longest I found were 36".

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I got my 48" slides from www.leevalleytools.com but they're extra HD and rated at 400lbs.

 

[Rezarf <><]

If you're using a white gas lantern then the hook is the only way to go, but if you're using a propane lantern then you don't need a hook at all. Years ago I built a ~5 foot tall post from 1/2" pipe that attached to the bbq propane tank. Like those 'trees' that are sold, but a whole lot taller. The lantern screws to the top of the post and a 'T' down low allows coupling the stove via a hose. I plan to build a similar post for my pull-out kitchen. Propane connection and post mounting are still fuzzy, too many other details to work out first.

ntsqd- you happen to have a pic laying around of that set up? My only hang up with that is that my propane tanks are located at my rear corners of the trailer and I am not sure they would be in an ideal spot for lighting the kitchen. But I do like the idea, a screw in base of pipe in stead of a hose running up the pole.

I built some portable equipment racks a few years ago that had a slide-out keyboard/monitor drawer. I used bungee cord to pull the power cords and video cables out of the way when stowing the keyboard. Worked great, and a whole lot cheaper than folding raceways.

I am leaning this way more and more. It will only be one water line, and perhaps one power wire.

I was thinking about this on my drive into work this morning...
What about having a custom-cut piece of synthetic cutting board (or whatever you call it) made to the entire length of your counter? That way your whole counter could be a cutting surface, and then after you're done, just wash the whole thing down.
You could have little holes in the board mate up with location "bolts" that protrude out of the surface of the counter structure.
QUOTE]

Bingo! I have been thinking of this same thing. The Poly-ethaline (sp?) would be great for this application. I plan on using it as the entire counter surface. It cleans up easy, is pretty much impervious to liquids, and again can be used as a prep surface. I am not worried about the looks of it as it wears, that is just cool if you as me. And that would mean I am using the heck out it!

I have a local plastic supply house that carries it in scraps that will fit my counter without issue... and they sell it by the pound, so I should get it for a screaming deal.

x2 on The Adam Blaster's idea of using something like Starboard for the countertop - one piece would be both structure & surface - or use a 1/4" thick piece with ply backing. You can clean up cut marks with heat or sanding if they bother you - but you'd likely cut in one area so...what's the difference between that & having a dedicated cutting board - which also would get cut up?

I'm am thinking of using a 1/2" plywood substrate and skin it with a 1/4" of PE board. Now... what color? : Black would look hot, as my stove is black and my sink is stainless, but I bet white is cheaper.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I'm am thinking of using a 1/2" plywood substrate and skin it with a 1/4" of PE board. Now... what color? : Black would look hot, as my stove is black and my sink is stainless, but I bet white is cheaper.

Don't you mean black would GET hot?

You'll end up melting the tomatoes you're trying to cut up for the guacamole! lol

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I got my 48" slides from www.leevalleytools.com but they're extra HD and rated at 400lbs.

I had never heard of these guys, but my co-worker says there is a store right here in Edmonton. I will probably get lost in there one Saturday afternoon now.
Thanks for the link!

 

[Rezarf <><]

Don't you mean black would GET hot?

You'll end up melting the tomatoes you're trying to cut up for the guacamole! lol

Yeah, I was curious to how "hot" it would get... most of my camping is done in the Colorado high country with only a few trips to Moab every year or two... I dont think it would create that big of a deal heat wise.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I am leaning this way more and more. It will only be one water line, and perhaps one power wire.

I think if you run a couple wires, bundle them up together, maybe even add a piece of steel cable to help stiffen the whole thing, this would be fine. The actual cable trays are more for applications that require high reliability, and have many more movement cycles than you will ever do.

 

[ntsqd]

Drew, I looked for a picture and do not have one. It's a pretty simple thing. Tank adapter to 1/2" pipe 90* to close nipple to 'T' to close nipple to 'T' (two stove or stove & bbq taps) to ~4' pipe section to disposable bottle adapter for the lantern. About 2' up the mast I welded on a tab and have two simple straps that go down to holes drilled in the valve surround forming a bit of a tripod to stabilize the mast assembly on the tank.

Some propane patio heaters use a quick coupling like an air hose coupler, but intended for propane use. I've not yet gone looking for those, but I am expecting to be able to use one set for the lantern mast on my pull-out kitchen. Possibly even w/o any other supports.

I think if you run a couple wires, bundle them up together, maybe even add a piece of steel cable to help stiffen the whole thing, this would be fine. The actual cable trays are more for applications that require high reliability, and have many more movement cycles than you will ever do.

I agree, but wouldn't one of those cable trays be really cool!?!?

 

[Rezarf <><]

I agree, but wouldn't one of those cable trays be really cool!?!?

We all know that'd be really cool! I gotta' save some gas money to be able to get outdoors this summer somewhere though!

Drew, I looked for a picture and do not have one. It's a pretty simple thing. Tank adapter to 1/2" pipe 90* to close nipple to 'T' to close nipple to 'T' (two stove or stove & bbq taps) to ~4' pipe section to disposable bottle adapter for the lantern. About 2' up the mast I welded on a tab and have two simple straps that go down to holes drilled in the valve surround forming a bit of a tripod to stabilize the mast assembly on the tank.

Do you know of a source for those adapters, I haven't begun to look into yet, but I better get rockin' on it soon.

 

[ntsqd]

Not that it does you much good, but I got mine from:
Avenue Hardware
481 N. Ventura Ave.
Ventura, CA 93001
805.643.4744

For anyone near this Zip I highly recommend Ave. Hardware. They are an old school, real hardware store. They even stock Lodge Cast Ironware. I need to head over there soon and see if they also have the air coupler-like QD's that are specific to propane.

I have also found these adapters at places like Big 5, Cabela's, and Bass Pro Shops.

 

[Rezarf <><]

Great, here is what I am thinking is going to happen...

So I have decided on a design, thanks for all the imput everyone. My biggest missing link was deciding on whether or not the $$$$ involved in heavy duty drawer slides was worth it or not. Well, I was surfing on Ebay the other day and found a supplier getting rid of HUGE 48" full extension drawer slides, for $30 bucks a pair! I couldn't go wrong, so I ordered two sets and they arrived this week. I am stoked- they are not as nice as some of the accuride models but they are amazingly beefy for my needs!

Here is a rough sketch of what I plan on doing for the slide out kitchen. I will have a sink, faucet, stove, cutting board, extendable shelf, storage for pots, storage for utensils and other items too.

I plan on using polyethlene (cutting board material) to create the entire counter top/work space. It is anti-bacteria absorbing, easy to clean, sanitary, stable and easily worked with my tools. I will pick up the sheet I need early this week and start the build.

I am going to do one of two things with the sink (craigslist $15 find! ). I will either cut out the existing holes and reweld the edge of the sink back on making a square mounting surface, or I will open up the 3 holes into one elongated rectangle and fill it with a "pocket" that can store towels, soap, dish brushes, tooth paste, things like that.

I will have one counter accesable hatch that will store the pots and pans and other things that will fit, maybe some plates and the coffee press.

The stove is a cheap-o Coleman, that I can find replacement parts anywhere in the country. It will be bolted down to a slide out underneath the counter and will house its own slide out shelf for all the things we seem to keep out while cooking If I have learned anything about using my trailer it is that EVERY horizontal space in the trailer is usually in "use" before we depart from camp. I may still make a fold over counter like 24hours mentioned, but I feel like this is creating the space I have been longing for. That in combination with a fold out table, and I should be all set... for now

The kitchen slide out will be roughly 14" tall, leaving me at least enough room for 2-3 four inch tall drawers for storage.

Overall, I think it will be really nice. I am going to build the kitchen first then I will know exactly what is needed inside the trailer to make it work dimensionally.

 

[Lynn]

Do you know of a source for those adapters,

For anyone near this Zip I highly recommend Ave. Hardware. They are an old school, real hardware store. They even stock Lodge Cast Ironware.

Rezarf, I don't know where you are (the high country of CO?) but if you get to Cortez (45 mi w. of Durango), Slavens hardware is exactly like ntsqd described.