Please help me to find my mythical camping storage / transport solution!

[YellowDinosaur]

We are planning an extended camping holiday this summer in Northern Europe / Scandinavia. We are in the process of refining our kit so that repeated pitching / striking camp doesn't become a massive pain in the arse.

Step one was the purchase of a quechua pop up tent which was road tested successfully this weekend

Step 2 is where hopefully you can help. I'm looking for portable storage for our kitchen stuff so that we can lift out of our car ready to go. And I'm not sure that what I want actually exists.

One option is a plastic crate, like these really useful boxes. www.reallyusefulstorageboxes.co.uk/Mobile/MBSCCatalog.asp?gclid=Cj0KEQjwmpW6BRCf5sXp59%5FU%5FssBEiQAGCV9GsvzWXvFlDP7ACo52tJZK4SueBDsLASfA6bvBoRGXsoaAq5w8P8HAQ. Would be perfect to keep everything together for transport and easy to get in and out of the car but I could see it being a bit of a rummage to find what we're looking for, especially for the smaller bits and pieces. They do plastic inserts for the boxes which I'd thought would get round this but don't seem to do them for the larger boxes that we'd need.

Another option would be to buy a smaller camping cupboard, like this one or similar: m.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-elite-concertina-cupboard-p194381 Which would be great to keep everything organised but I'm worried it would be difficult to lift in and out of the car and wouldn't be robust enough to transport stuff (this looked to be one of the more robust ones I've found).

Basically the convenience of the cupboard but the strength of the crate would be ideal.

Any suggestions / comments will be very gratefully received!

[YellowDinosaur]

First link fail:

www.reallyusefulstorageboxes.co.uk/Mobile/MBSCCatalog.asp?gclid=Cj0KEQjwmpW6BRCf5sXp59%5FU%5FssBEiQAGCV9GsvzWXvFlDP7ACo52tJZK4SueBDsLASfA6bvBoRGXsoaAq5w8P8HAQ

[Ikeatears]

What about something like this? They appear to be only in America and quite prices but if you know someone who is handy, perhaps you could have something similar made?
mycampkitchen.com

[Ikeatears]

Or something like this? They're for tools really but you can get loads of sizes/combinations
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00AFOMKJK/ref=mp_s_a_1_26?qid=1465142703&sr=8-26&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=camping%20kitchen%20organiser&dpPl=1&dpID=41s-Yx5AwdL&ref=plSrch&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[YellowDinosaur]

That looks perfect. In fact I'd seen something similar a few years ago and paid to download plans and was all set to make one. Then we got a smaller car and it wouldn't have worked so I abandoned the idea. The problem was though that it would be fucking heavy if made from wood and also that we're going at the end of July so I was hoping to find something I could just lift off a shelf somewhere! (still have smaller car but also smaller kit hence why larger storage an option again)

[YellowDinosaur]

Cross posted witg your second suggestion, that certainly looks interesting so off to have more of a look!

[YellowDinosaur]

Those tool boxes look great. You may have sorted me out ikeatears! Now just to decide which variation will work best for us...

[Ikeatears]

Glad to be of help

[profpoopsnagle]

We have something like this from Lidl for cutlery/foil/gubbins and then another small plastic box with lid for plates etc. I arrange the box onsite so that it acts as a cupboard.

I like the idea of the trolley and it's reminded me of something else (I am not stalking you honest ) is that Danish campsites nearly always have a kitchen for campers to use. They can range from just a hob, to others with microwaves/kettles/toasters etc. You need to take plates/cutlery/pans with you as generally they are not provided and I would always travel with a gas stove anyway (if you wanted a brew at your tent) but the trolley would be ideal to trundle over to kitchens like that. There's usually a place to eat too. Saves on your fuel, plus is a good way to meet others.

[Thumbcat]

I have an Outwell kitchen storer. I'm not sure if they do them any more but it sounds like it would fit the bill.

[YellowDinosaur]

Ooh yes prof that would make sense to have that for Denmark (and loving having a mn stalker )

I've just checked out the Outwell kitchen storer though and that would have been perfect. It would even have kept dh happy add new thought a soft bag would make it easier to pack but I wasn't convinced! Gutted they don't make them anymore.

What they have led me to though is fishing tackle bags which look similar.

Clearly I have more options than I thought so will enjoy spending time researching it a bit more so thanks!

[YellowDinosaur]

I do have one of these m.gooutdoors.co.uk/gsi-outdoors-destination-kitchen-set-24-p263302 for my utensils which I've added to. What I'm looking for is for pots and pans, plates, bowls, mugs etc plus tin foil, ziploc bags, washing up stuff, and various other assorted shite...

[AnnPerkins]

You could try eBay, preloved and gumtree for the Outwell thing.

It might seem unlikely but I found the exact awning I was looking for on preloved. Almost new and only £30.

[poocatcherchampion]

How many of you and how much space in the car?

My worst thing is always rolling up Sims so if you can find a way to wedge them in it will help you!

[YellowDinosaur]

Already tried Ann...

Have found a fishing tackle compact station which has got little side tables into the bargain which could for the bill though. Will have to check them out in go outdoors to see if it will be big enough.

Nice idea about the sims, however it's not an option because of space. We've had to go for lightweight inflatable mats because sims for us all (which we've used before boys were big enough to need footwells) would necessitate a trailer! We've started doing a bit of back packing camping too, meaning this isn't a waste of money though...

[PopGoesTheWeaz]

I guess these are called "chuck boxes" in the US so there are a lot of DIY options if you google that.

We have a big trunk that we chuck all our stuff in and then we just have to pack and unpack one thing for everything other than bedding and clothes. Things aren't particularly well organised in there though.

[RaisingSteam]

We camp with 35 litre really useful boxes. Things can disappear a bit but we put small stuff like cutlery in "lunchbox" size boxes. Because they are see through you can see what's in the bottom. They also are v sturdy so double as seat or table.

[YellowDinosaur]

So for anyone who might be interested in the end this is what we've gone for:

m.gooutdoors.co.uk/compact-commercial-fishing-workstation-tacklebox-p195887&utm_source=Criteo&utm_medium=Retargeting&utm_campaign=Criteo

I think it will be perfect for what we need and has the bonus of mini tables on the side

Thanks to everyone for posting and showing me some creative options which helped to lead me to this

[AnnPerkins]

That looks brilliant. Let us know how it works out for you.

[Thumbcat]

That looks great. Far too good for fishing I would have thought!

[poocatcherchampion]

It looks great. So disappointing it is the inevitable green though.

Make sure there are no maggots in it

[YellowDinosaur]

Love that someone else is as shallow as me poocatcher, the only thing that didn't have me hitting 'buy' immediately when it war obvious it was perfect for what I wanted was the colour!!! (DOI proud owner of pink iceytek)

[SweepTheHalls]

I might have to buy one of those for camping this summer! When you get it report back on how much you can get in it!

[YellowDinosaur]

Here you go...

Front pocket - washing up stuff

Main compartment - oven glove, pan set (this is pretty big - 2 pans plus lids plus frying pan), 4 bowls inside pans, 4 plates, collapsible kettle, it will have a stovetop espresso maker once it arrives.

Top shelf - foil, ziploc bags, matches, foil bags for cooking food in on bbq / Cobb, plastic bags for boil in bag type stuff, 2 wine glasses, 4 Mugs.

All pretty easy to access. I have a separate small bag with utensils / cutlery etc.

Really pleased with it!

[YellowDinosaur]

It came with an assortment of plastic containers with dividers. Big pot (center and separate pic) could be useful for cutlery and utensils. You can remove some or all of the dividers. Other pots could be useful too. Soft divider on side of pic fits into the shelf bit if you needed it.

[YellowDinosaur]

The legs / tables on the side are removable and the tables fold down. But they are a bit of a pain to get on and off so hopefully I'll just fold the tables down and leave attached to pack unless we're really short of space