What to do for camper kitchen.

[Nay-DMAX]

Hi
I am not sure if I am putting this in the right section and I know there are plenty of posts on here about camp kitchens but none that have really answered my Q's. At the moment we have different set ups depending on where and how long we are going and we haven't been out alot since we got the new camper.  The cooking options we have are butane cooker, 2 burner gas cooker and 2 burner flat plate gas bbq.  The bbq is usually used if we bush camp for more than couple nights.  The thing I dont like is that we have so many tables/put together canvas type kitchen things to put up.  Again if you are going for more than few nights this is not as bad but still time setting up/packing up.  So we are unsure if we should look at a tailgate kitchen or one that comes right out of the trailer or is it better to just build something ourselves.  The other thing we thought about was perhaps a tailgate table that folds down so we had more bench space and less to have to set up.  We also have HWOD unit so that has to sit somewhere too.  The thing is that we already have these things tables and free standing canvas kitchen that has aluminium fold away top for cooker and shelves underneath for food but cannot store anything in it as it has to pack right back down.  So do we try sell these things or perservere with them till we get set up right.  I am sure others have been in the same situation. 

Thanks for all the great info that is already on the forum.

[Nay-DMAX]

I forgot to add to this that we chose not to have tailgate kitchen on ours when it was built as we didnt want it that close to the camper.  A family member had CT with 3 way fridge his daughter had cooked toast on cooker turned it off came out said she could smell gas he went in to check it and gas line to cooker must of had leak hit pilot light on fridge and caught fire he got out thank goodness but with some burns to his legs.  Very quick from almost new camper to burnt to the ground.  He has camped for years so wasnt first trip out for him.  So I guess that leaves us a bit skeptical about that so if anyone can give feedback on cooking that close to the camper that would also be good.

[Crisp Image]

I think Drifta make a removable kitchen set up. Try looking there. If they don't make one I am sure they would do a custom Job.
Regards
Crisp Image

[Kit_e_kat9]

You do have a delema don't you?  I hear what you are saying with tables, cupboards and the likes. 

Sounds like you need to head the K.I.S.S method (keep it simple sweetheart), which to me means:  If you use it, put it away.  If you dirty it, clean it.  If you want it, you unpack it, use it, clean it and repack it.

Using this method, we dumped a whole heap of crap within weeks.  All this stuff to find a spot for that you really don't need.  EG:  Why take a couch if you never use it?  If you do really need one ... pick one up cheap from Lifeline and donate it back upon exit.

As for kitchens, our setup is simple.  It's stored on the camper, comes with a pantry we've never filled yet (one day though), it's a 4 burner but we don't often use it (we have though), we have a suitcase style table we use to put stuff on (yes we have used it to eat off), fridge/freezer (we use both all the time), but mostly we take our OzPig to cook with.  It heats our water for showers (bucket & cup), is our cooking facility, provides warmth and gives us something great to gaze at come night time.

Check out my blog link below to see how we do it every other week.

Kit_e

[Nay-DMAX]

Thanks for the replies.  Have had a bit of look at drifta I guess it is more should we keep going with what we already have or condense all that into one.  Kit_e we have looked at the Ozpigs at caravan shows but again we have cooking things already have you had many places where you couldnt light it and do you have to have it a certain distance from camper when lit.  I have already taken some stuff out of trailer and there is more that will go maybe we need to do few more trips before we go.  Just we are looking at going for containers for some of our stuff but if we go for something like drifta then that would change what we did. Am sure we will come up with a solution. Hopefully

[Kit_e_kat9]

have you had many places where you couldnt light it

Only 1 so far ... a national park that required us to use fuel stoves only ... that's where the heat bead basket would have come in handy (which we now have) ... thought it was ironically stupid that the picnic area had fire places and the camp ground didn't.

do you have to have it a certain distance from camper when lit.

Well we can't put it under the awning naturally, but we usually have it 1/2 the distance of a pole rope from the awning.  On occassion we do get smoke under the awning, but that adds a used smell to the canvas ... love it when we open it and can smell wood smoke.  In warmer weather, it's outside the ropes ... on occassion further away again ... depends on the site, the weather, where the wood box ends up ... one time we've had it about 200mtrs from camp sitting right beside a creek.

They might not be for everyone, but we absolutely love ours.

Kit_e

Seen here in both wet and cold weather:



Warmer times:

[Nay-DMAX]

Ok Thanks for that yes I can see you have it pretty close there and I would be happy for wood smoke smelling canvas love having a camp fire.  Another thing to think about.

[blueblade900]

Couldn't agree more. We had the same dilemma with our ct about the amount of crap taken, storage and set up / pack up times. We started with the plastic tubs / crates and have since graduated to a drifta dpor. No comparison. Beautiful unit with so much space that stays packed and ready for use within a minute. So much easier now. We also have an ozpig which we absolutely love ! It gets used often and we always get curious people who wander over wanting to take a closer look. We have never encountered a place where we weren't able to use it. Has been used in caravan parks and bush camping. The initial outlay seems a lot but what price can you put on the ease of a quick set up / pack up and the serenity of a wood fire whenever and wherever you want. Over time it will pay itself back tenfold. 

[Nay-DMAX]

Yes blueblade900 that is where we are at and I dont want to buy the tubs then find we want something like drifta. Is yours the unit that goes on tail gate or the one that you take out I must have a better look at them.  The ozpig is something that if we did outlay the money for we would use it at home as well I think.  Has anyone with the kitchen near the camper encountered a problem with it being to close to the camper?  I mean if we went ozpig this would not be the case. Better start saving again I guess.

[blueblade900]

Hi Nay-Dmax,
Our Drifta is a slide out. ( DPOR - Check www.drifta.com.au for pics and specs ) I went for this option as it has heaps more bench and storage space than a tailgate mounted one but it all comes down to personal preference. I've got four kids but a mate has three little ones and is adamant that he will only need a tailgate mounted drifta. This debate has ranged over a number of hours and more than one or two beers. Only time will tell ! Also, I had to get a pull out as I have my evakool mounted on a fridge slide in the trailer that would have been a bugger to move.
As far as the kitchen near the camper goes, it really does come down to personal preference. We cook under the awning and have never had a problem with smells, smoke or the canvas being marked. As said before, we absolutely love our ozpig and always cook on it whenever we can, both when travelling and at home. If you go with the drifta / ozpig  combo, you won't regret it. Let us know how you go.
Cheers,
Jarrod.

[Nay-DMAX]

Hi Nay-Dmax,
Our Drifta is a slide out. ( DPOR - Check www.drifta.com.au for pics and specs ) I went for this option as it has heaps more bench and storage space than a tailgate mounted one but it all comes down to personal preference. I've got four kids but a mate has three little ones and is adamant that he will only need a tailgate mounted drifta. This debate has ranged over a number of hours and more than one or two beers. Only time will tell ! Also, I had to get a pull out as I have my evakool mounted on a fridge slide in the trailer that would have been a bugger to move.
As far as the kitchen near the camper goes, it really does come down to personal preference. We cook under the awning and have never had a problem with smells, smoke or the canvas being marked. As said before, we absolutely love our ozpig and always cook on it whenever we can, both when travelling and at home. If you go with the drifta / ozpig  combo, you won't regret it. Let us know how you go.
Cheers,
Jarrod.

Thanks again there is just the 2 of us and our engel doesnt fit in the trailer without lifting it over top bar where tail gate closes as clearance isnt enough to slide it in so we put it in back of dual cab.  I think since Brother in law camper burnt down it put us off kitchen near canvas but then on here read plenty of people who have no issues at all with it.  I will look at some more pics of them all.

Cheers Renee

[Nay-DMAX]

Hi Nay-Dmax,
Our Drifta is a slide out. ( DPOR - Check www.drifta.com.au for pics and specs ) I went for this option as it has heaps more bench and storage space than a tailgate mounted one but it all comes down to personal preference. I've got four kids but a mate has three little ones and is adamant that he will only need a tailgate mounted drifta. This debate has ranged over a number of hours and more than one or two beers. Only time will tell ! Also, I had to get a pull out as I have my evakool mounted on a fridge slide in the trailer that would have been a bugger to move.
As far as the kitchen near the camper goes, it really does come down to personal preference. We cook under the awning and have never had a problem with smells, smoke or the canvas being marked. As said before, we absolutely love our ozpig and always cook on it whenever we can, both when travelling and at home. If you go with the drifta / ozpig  combo, you won't regret it. Let us know how you go.


Cheers,
Jarrod.

A bit of a late reply sorry just found my post from another search on ozpig.  Late last year we ordered the Drifta tailgate kitchen and also got the table that goes over end of bed and the head rest/reading light set up.  The kitchen is great I would of liked the slide out but the gas struts would not allow, we got the one with 3 drawers and have used it twice now so simple.  We have the coleman hot water system but in 2 and half days this Aus day weekend it didnt come out of the bad, I love the idea of it but we talk about if we would prefer the Ozpig which if we had nothing would be an easy decision but since we already have it feel like we should stick with it. Hard as if you want a shower with the unit have to have it near shower tent and someone to turn it on and off, this weekend used the 12volt and bucket of water. 

Very happy with the Drifta quality the table over bed is great for sitting things like keys watch torch phone etc and the one plus fan if needed.