another camp kitchen

[big sky trapper]

I picked up one of these today from SAM's club (yuk) in great falls. 90 bucks. (aaaaa ok not too bad). Built pretty sturdy. Had to try it out in the house for some quickie eggs bacon and the trimmings covered in choke cherry jelly.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q18/bigskytrapper/100_4831.jpg

Overall pretty strong started stacking cast iron it. A 14" dutch and a 10" dutch on one side, it self balances out pretty good. a 10" dutch and a few 12-14" iron skillets on the other side dosent get tippy or saggy yet.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q18/bigskytrapper/100_4829.jpg
Built in sink uses standard garden hose connections. and drain pipe extensions are pretty cheesy at best. But I would use it as a basin to be refilled from a water container than try an pump a pressured water source any way.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q18/bigskytrapper/100_4832.jpg


plenty of room to work with for its size and completly folds down into its self for storage. Weight!!! wow its heavy...45 pounds empty easy.

mostly stainless steel construction, held together by some decent sized pop rivets and nuts bolts ect. could be easy fixed when the time comes.

its real test will be in two weeks when black bear season opens here in montana and the whole familly packs up for a week long trip in the little belt mountains. cooking for seven off the tail gate can be a chore. Esp since its still kinda winter here.

Ive allways kinda wanted one of these, but my "keep it simple stupid" ways finally got out of the way haha so

enjoy ....

[flyingwil]

Lewis and Clark make some pretty good stuff. Keep us posted how it holds up.:D

[hattrik21]

I almost got this exact stand the last time at Sam's. I would definetly like to see your review after real world usuage.

[Rezarf <><]

I almost got this exact stand the last time at Sam's. I would definetly like to see your review after real world usuage.

x2

Rezarf <><

[offroadchef]

Might get one for my birthday. keep fingers crossed....

[big sky trapper]

couple more days then some desperatly needed woods time....

[Bella PSD]

I was also tempted by Sams club:mad: Not a big fan of that place but this looks OK. I was about to get the Coleman Exponent Outfitter Camp Kitchen (http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2142A700&categoryid=10020) BUT this may be better and about $100 less!!

Louie

[big sky trapper]

our trip posponed till next weekend...

[Bella PSD]

I just picked one up at Sams. But I think this one will go back to Sams. Not sure....How does the lantern pole fit? Mine is kinda loose. Other than that it looks good. Heavier than I thought it would be. But its big. Fits the width of my full size truck.

Louie

[big sky trapper]

I've had so many Iron's in the fire so to speak I havnt really had much of a chance to get back to anything. (getting this out in the woods and finishing my alternative pull pal and many more, heck ive even got an ome lift and a ARB safari snorkel sitting in the shop waiting on me as well....) One thing after another...

The lantern rod hole is big on mine as well. But i dont see it causing any serious problems. But my lantern is one of the minis so to speak.

The drain and water conections would be my only "complaint" they seem kinda cheesy but the rest seems ok, just a little heavy, but For me I would only be using something like this for large base camp type setup any way.

when its just me and the misses the tail gate or regular campfire is fine.

[MountainBiker]

How do you think this will work on non flat surfaces? Seems like most backcountry camp sites don't have that much flat ground.

[Bella PSD]

I will open mine up in the morning and see how it does on uneven surfaces. Good question!!

Louie

[RoundOut]

I had one similar, without the sink, that we used to set up for Cub Scout family campouts. We used to assign a Den or two of parents/Cub Scouts to cook specific meals. They would come to my campsite, under the EZ-Up and have all of our resources, plus whatever they brought for the meal they were cooking. Setting it up was simple, but fitting it all into its pouch after take-down, was a bit more difficult. Mine was more of a chromed wire frame construction, rather than a nice stainless steel type. When my son became a Boy Scout, we donated it to the Pack, since the Boy Scout Troops favor the chuck-box setup.

For Expedition camping, I would have to have a base-camp type setup in order to want to use one of those. Setting it up for a single meal was just too much trouble. If we were base camping and doing trail rides or hikes from a central point, it would be a great thing.

The benefit of the chuck box, is that you store your stove, a lantern, some cook-wear and your non-perishable staples in the box and leave them there. With the camp kitchen, we always had to carry a rubermaid tote with all that stuff in it, in addition to the kitchen. The kitchens are more spacious, but require more effort in setup and take down. They are, however, nicer if you have more folks to cook for, because there is more surface room to do stuff.

Just my $.02. Enjoy!

[Bella PSD]

I tried it out on unever ground. It was fine. But the camp stove kept sliding off. I will have to make a little lip on the edge of the camp kitchen to kept the stove from sliding off.

Set up only takes about 2 min. tops.

As far as holding up, I would say the most likely time for something to break or bend would be opening or closing. If you know how it goes and do not force it, This camp kitchen shouuld hold up ok. Has a nice zipper case/bag too!

Louie

[adventureduo]

Reviving a old thread. Can you use the center section only? or does it all have to be setup? Im thinking about possibly getting this setup for our basecamp.

Also the ebay seller says they come with a hand pump for the sink,... is this what yours has?

[big sky trapper]

The smaller sides do not have to be extended, the'll just lay flat down the sides of the center section.

Mine didnt come with a pump, just a garden hose attachment.

Its a good unit but it is HEAVY! The few times we've used on some outting its been just right sized, and very stable, But the weight and bulk leave something to be desired esp if your in a smaller rig....

[adventureduo]

Thanks for the quick response Sky Trapper.

[Robert Bills]

The benefit of the chuck box, is that you store your stove, a lantern, some cook-wear and your non-perishable staples in the box and leave them there. With the camp kitchen, we always had to carry a rubermaid tote with all that stuff in it, in addition to the kitchen.


I, too, am partial to chuck boxes ("patrol" boxes for scouts). The "camp kitchen" tables are just too bulky and heavy for my purposes. I use a simple folding table, stove stand and chuck box.

There are many "patrol box" and "chuck box" plans on the Internet. Here are a few:

http://www.troop168.net/forms/patrolboxa.htm

http://www.troop679.org/patrol_box_plans.html

http://www.grayowl.org/pdf/T12_Patrol_Box_Plans.pdf

http://www.troop42.com/patrolboxes.htm

Here is a commercially available kitchen box sold by Campmate:

http://image.sportsmansguide.com/image/7/71905.JPG

And another sold by Cabella's:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Pod/00/38/39/p003839vr01.jpg

And one by BlueSkyKitchen.com (available assembled, in a kit, or as plans):

http://www.blueskykitchen.com/images/wt_PICS/WT-setup_web.jpg

Here is a photo of the chuck box mounted in my Bantam trailer (the box was made by my father in the early 1960's):

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/924/medium/HPIM0146.JPG