Having bought a new tent (Montana 6), I now realise that we are going to struggle to get all of our gear into the car for two weeks in Brittany (unless we leave kids at home!). Can anyone recommend a lightweight and compact kitchen stand? We currently have one of the heavy three shelf concertina units. We will probably be siting the stand in the extension, so should be able to manage without windbreak.
Do you have a roof box as well, or just the boot of the car? I've gone to France for long holidays with just the boot of the car for packing and it's not easy. I'f you're staying in one place you might be as well deciding to buy a very cheap plastic table (and chairs) from the hypermarche` as soon as you arrive, and dumping them before coming home.
We've stopped using our kitchen stand as we found it took up too much space packed and wasn't efficient as it took up lots of tent space but didn't seem to do very much. We now just use a table, it gives more space around the cooker with no irritating little shelves that don't do anything.
We take two tables (one for eating) and they just stack on top of each other for travelling. We use our good table for cooking as it has adjustable legs but you could buy a 10 euro one from Carrefour etc and donate it to someone when you leave. The other advantage of a table is lots of empty space underneath for plastic boxes, cool bags etc.
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 22/6/2008This any use? The Royal 2 kitchen stand from Riversway Leisure - folds completely flat, is reasonably lightweight, and has it's own carry bag
We have this one and does fold up quite small. Can't quite work out the use of the holes though. Mugs don't fit in and I want the space for dishing up not sticking my glass of juice down. Maybe they are for ketchup?
I could be wrong, but I would asume they would be for the type of mugs you get in a melamine set as they're smaller than normal mugs. Any other suggestions anyone?
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
I think the idea of buying a cheap table when you're there sounds like a really good one. I tried one of those aluminium fold up kitchens like the Royal in the pictures above and thought it took up more room packed than it was useful when up, if you see what I mean. Sold it! A table would give you more useable space on top and underneath and take up absolutely no room in the car if you weren't lugging it there and back.
We used a table for cooking for a long time and would again. As we use a suitcase stove for cooking we do though use one of these now http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/ishop/877/shopscr2015.html as it folds away to nothing and weighs even less! MT
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 22/6/2008
We've stopped using our kitchen stand as we found it took up too much space packed and wasn't efficient as it took up lots of tent space but didn't seem to do very much. We now just use a table, it gives more space around the cooker with no irritating little shelves that don't do anything.
We take two tables (one for eating) and they just stack on top of each other for travelling. We use our good table for cooking as it has adjustable legs but you could buy a 10 euro one from Carrefour etc and donate it to someone when you leave. The other advantage of a table is lots of empty space underneath for plastic boxes, cool bags etc.
I second the tables ,more room to keep things handy by the cooker.I had one of the concertina stands and sold it.
Ahh yes, good thinking MT, we use a couple of these as well and they are great - we use them for all sorts of things, washing up, BBQ, cooking, space for dishing up, next to the table, as a stand for the shower and lots of other things in between - cheap and cheerful, they pack up small and pack with your tables (we wrap them in blankets to avoid damaging the table surfaces).
One of these and a table would do you fine, much more useful than a kitchen stand.
Thanks for so many good suggestions. I think I am favouring the "get a cheap table" in France approach (as we will be in one place). I find having the cooker on the floor fine for weekends, but not so good day after day. Having said all that, the Royal looks good although I expect, space wise, it may be still be just one thing too many!
I think it's the Royal that we had that we've given up on! The legs are too close together to get plastic boxes underneath on one section, the other section has the concertina mechanism and the shelves are too small as as said what ARE the little holes for?
Quote: Originally posted by Dianne249 on 22/6/2008
Thanks for so many good suggestions. I think I am favouring the "get a cheap table" in France approach (as we will be in one place).
Before you go to the shops for one, check out the area where the recycling is on the campsite. I've been in several where there's a general "depot" area where it's suggested campers leave all sorts of perfectly good things that they don't want to drag home...BBQs, plastic chairs, cheap bodyboards and yes, plastic tables, all left on a general help yoursef basis.. We got a fishing rod and two extra chairs for guests for a few nights...as soon as the guests left I put the chairs back into the depot and within an hour they were at someone elses tent. We've still got the fishing rod..we use it as a flagpole.
Alternatively, ask at the campsite desk. They often have picnic tables and such to borrow.
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 22/6/2008
I could be wrong, but I would asume they would be for the type of mugs you get in a melamine set as they're smaller than normal mugs. Any other suggestions anyone?
That might be true. We have a couple of plastic mugs from a picni set which are quite large. But we took some of those ready filled cups that you just add water to and they fitted in fine!
Ahh yes, good thinking MT, we use a couple of these as well and they are great - we use them for all sorts of things, washing up, BBQ, cooking, space for dishing up, next to the table, as a stand for the shower and lots of other things in between - cheap and cheerful, they pack up small and pack with your tables (we wrap them in blankets to avoid damaging the table surfaces).
One of these and a table would do you fine, much more useful than a kitchen stand.
Piglet, I think we are at cross puproses here! The stand I put the link to is a purpose designed stand with windshield for suitcase stoves, I'm guessing you are talking about a general purpose X-leg folding stand? MT
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Ahh yes, good thinking MT, we use a couple of these as well and they are great - we use them for all sorts of things, washing up, BBQ, cooking, space for dishing up, next to the table, as a stand for the shower and lots of other things in between - cheap and cheerful, they pack up small and pack with your tables (we wrap them in blankets to avoid damaging the table surfaces).
One of these and a table would do you fine, much more useful than a kitchen stand.
Piglet, I think we are at cross puproses here! The stand I put the link to is a purpose designed stand with windshield for suitcase stoves, I'm guessing you are talking about a general purpose X-leg folding stand? MT
Whoops yes, sorry, that's what I get for speed surfing!
Yes, we have the generic X-leg folding stands and not the ones in your link. Highly recommended thought!
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Topic: Compact Kitchen Stand
