Is a camp kitchen worthwhile?

[Logoplanter]

I'm wondering whether it's worthwhile getting a camping kitchen? Just a basic one for somewhere to cook on. I've just bought a large(ish) roll top table which we could put the stove on but then if we did that we wouldn't be able to use the table to eat on

Any suggestions? Where do you put your stove to cook?

TIA

[WineGummyBear]

We use ours. The 'cupboards' below house our supplies and it provides a place for the stove. Lots of helpful pockets too.

(We are committed to the lots of stuff school of camping! Works for us)

[chipmonkey]

Ours is great. I initially bought it to go on a camping trip with DS3 and Ds4 with their Taekwondo group as we were camping in a field without even running water. The model I bought has a sink so I reckoned it would be helpful as there was no campers kitchen. It was very handy. The only think I would suggest is that you get a long hose for your gas cooker so you can leave the gas canister on the ground. We have since then got a trailer tent with its own kitchen and I still bring it to have additional work space. This is the one we have www.amazon.co.uk/Kampa-Chieftain-Portable-Camping-Kitchen/dp/B01B808SUE?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[reindeermania]

I love ours. Managed years without though and then was given it by a retired camper. If it were to give up the ghost I'd instantly replace it- it's so handy to have the cooking and kitchen away from the table where food is served- so that the hot zones etc stay away from the children.

[cropcirclesinthefields]

I love love love my camp kitchen, we use a gazebo and have 3 units for the cooker/kettle stove, flat grill, fridge and washing up stand. But we also use the space for dining and outside space. If you are going for more than a week and want to free up space then I'd say its definitely worth it.

[Logoplanter]

Thanks everyone, that is useful to know they are a worthwhile purchase.

What did you all do before you bought your camp kitchen?

[SmellMySmellbow]

Yes. We have one with a windbreak which is great for the gas stove, with shelves underneath and a zip up cover. We store all the dry food on the shelves and I'm glad for the cover as we've had a few wildlife break-ins trying to rummage for snacks.

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

We just used a table! What else would you use?

[User478]

We have a stack of really useful boxes, one of them has a cork board top. They can be used to store things and bring the stove up to height (and you can sit on them if you forget your chair) only issue is you can't do all 3 at once...

[reindeermania]

We used the table before, which seemed fine but once I had the kitchen I realised how useful the table is! Because previously it was used as a camp kitchen for all intents and purposes

[GwenFromBudgens]

Going against the grain here to say I no longer take mine. It takes up a fair amount of space in the car and is no more useful than a table, imo. But then I also never cook in the tent as I'm far too worried about gassing everyone/catching the tent on fire! I have seen lovely kitchen set ups in some tents.

We keep all of our cooking stuff in Really Useful Boxes, so can just leave everything outside under the table in my 'kitchen area'. Table then used for other stuff (board games, crafts etc) when not in use.

[PinkOboe]

We’re very basic campers, but yes, we always take a kitchen unit thing. Keeps hot stuff up and away from kids

[TheRedBarrows]

We put the stove on one of those little tables.

[MinniesAndMickeysNeedCounting]

We're new to camping ourselves but we've just bought a extra table to be able keep all kitchen stuff together.

Our thinking was it takes up less space and is more versatile but will be interested to see if most campers feel it's great.

Will watch with interest.

[ArtyFartyQueen]

We have the small one from Decathlon. It’s the same size parked up as our table so doesn’t take up a huge amount of space and as others have said, it’s a good place to put all the food or kitchen stuff and maybe a place for a kettle etc!

[ScampiLady]

I have four

All Outwell ones. Two with the side tables and two with just the cooking area so smaller. They are the unfold ones so quick to set up.

One of I use in the bedroom pod as my dressing table

I hated having to look for stuff in boxes on the floor, prefer having surfaces.

[cheeseypuff]

We love ours - my husband was initially very sceptical but even he came round to it. Find it very useful for keeping the stove safe with the kids around (ours has a removable screen you put round the cooking area) The cupboard bits underneath are great for all the food/ utensils. Before we just used a table & all our food was in bags/ boxes so not very well organised.