Couple of camp kitchen questions

[jleiwig]

Not sure if it should go here or in the overland chef section.

Anyway, right now until funds permit my wife and I are car camping out of my grand prix. I currently lug around the tent, 2 older footlockers (similar to action packers), the two camp chairs, fishing poles, and a matress topper stuffed tightly in the trunk.

I currently borrow my brother in laws roadtrip grill if we're not camping with another couple who has cooking supplies. When I take that, I have to put one of the foot lockers on the back seat, and the cooler on top if it which is a less than ideal situation in a car.

So I'm looking at adding a new camping stove and I was thinking about this one for it's size and portablility due to my space constraints:

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2-Bur...ove/dp/B000F7T2MU/ref=acc_glance_sg_ai_-1_t_2

Sams club online has it for 59.99, so I'd probably order it there depending on shipping. If not, Gander Mountain is right down the road.

I'm also looking for a decent camp kitchen that folds down flat, and I really like that the REI one has the windbreak built in, which would really help with the above stove since it doesn't have a built in wind break.

http://www.rei.com/product/765279

However I also like the Gander version, which has a built in wash tub for doing pots/pans, as well as a second pantry.

Does anyone sell a metal windbreak similar to the REI piece that I could add to the Gander Version?

Any opinions on these products? I'm open to suggestions and nothing is set in stone.

 

[Corey]

The first camp kitchen looks similar to the Cabelas one I reviewed in my camping gear thread in the Camping section.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...at20075&parentType=category&parentId=cat20075

On sale too.
Cabela's Instant Cooking Station

I bought two Sterlite drawers to fit inside, they hold all of my plates, silverware, pots/pans, ect...

Lots of choices out there, I am very happy with the one I bought.
Mine indeed folds flat too, and I stack gear on top of it in the rig.

 

[KSJeep]

We used that stove on a Rio Grande Canoe trip, difficult cooking when breezy/windy. Went home a bought a regular Colman stove.

 

[jleiwig]

We used that stove on a Rio Grande Canoe trip, difficult cooking when breezy/windy. Went home a bought a regular Colman stove.

Did you have a windbreak?

 

[mudbutt]

I don't think that stove will fit that camp kitchen....

From REI's website:

"Three-sided windscreen shelters your stove for optimal fuel performance; stove shelf measures 26 in. x 13.5 in. (24 in. x 13.5 in when using windscreens)"

I think the stove measures about 28" handle to handle when opened flat. I'll measure mine tonight after work and let you know for sure.

I have that same stove and a camp kithen that is very similar to the REI one.

The stove works great as long as there is not much of a breeze. It folds compactly and burns hot. The pezio lighter is great also. If you get the stove, spend the bux and get the carry bag. The carry bag has two pockets for propane bottles and I believe a pocket inside for accesories... I bought my stove used off of ebay with the carry bag for I think like $70.00. It was only used a couple of times and was in near new condition.

(There are a couple on ebay right now for less than $50.00)

The camp kitchen I have was another ebay purchase. It's almost identical to the one from REI. Being a machinist and fabricator, I have access to the tools I needed to modify the windscreen. I simply used a sheetmetal nibbler and cut slots in either side of the windscreen to allow the handles of the stove to fit thru...

HTH...

Edit:
Wow, the stove's have really come down... I think they were going for around $80.00 new when I got mine..

 

[KSJeep]

Did you have a windbreak?

Had to come up with a makeshift one. My friend had just bought it and we wern't thinking about needing one until we needed one.

 

[mudbutt]

Had to come up with a makeshift one. My friend had just bought it and we wern't thinking about needing one until we needed one.

Don't use a plastic ice chest as a wind break.... How do I know?

 

[rynosurf]

The good thing about that stove is that you can put a large skillet on one side and it doesn't block the other burner but it is a pain in the wind if you don't have something to shield it.

 

[jleiwig]

Thanks for all the advice so far guys. Modding the wind sheild wouldn't be difficult at all for me. I'll have to discuss it with the wife and go from there.

 

[ETAV8R]

Shopping for tables and kitchens...the Gander Mountain Deluxe Camp Kitchen is pretty good. Anyone have it here on the portal?

 

[kai38]

We used that stove on a Rio Grande Canoe trip, difficult cooking when breezy/windy. Went home a bought a regular Colman stove.

I had the same problem too. I used it on one trip, because of no wind guard I used more fuel then I did on the older style Coleman stove. I returned it when I got home for the style with the folding wings.
Coleman said it was designed more for tailgaters & home use.
For the table look at the lifetime folding tables sold at WalMart you can use it to cook on and then to eat at.

The legs fold & the table folds in half

 

[Fireman78]

We used that stove on a Rio Grande Canoe trip, difficult cooking when breezy/windy. Went home a bought a regular Colman stove.

What part of the Rio Grande did you do?

 

[Ludedude]

I have the REI one and love it. Definitely make sure your stove fits in there or you've defeated the windbreak idea. The windbreak on the REI camp kitchen is not adjustable as it comes.

 

[Sawyer]

I have the REI one and love it. Definitely make sure your stove fits in there or you've defeated the windbreak idea. The windbreak on the REI camp kitchen is not adjustable as it comes.

Exactly! I have one and love it! But, I have never used the wind screen. I have been using a grill/stove combo like this:

Link

the stove and fuel bottle do not fit within the wind screen. Another thing to note... The side tables do not take heat well. I (in a morning hangover) set a hot skillet down on the right side and the heat deformed the surface a little.

 

[ETAV8R]

For those of you with the REI kitchen, does the cloth storage area detach? Is it used as a storage/caddy for cooking gear?