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I’m an Industrial Designer at Sheffield Hallam University and I’m in need of user research to help me with the development of a camping cooker.

The cooker is aimed at the recreational camping market (camping in tents, not in caravans) and it would mainly be used by families on campsites.

I would like to know what people like to cook and what cooking facilities they would prefer to use. Is there need for an grill or oven for example?

I think it will be quite a large unit that will fit snugly in the back of the car, probably about 400x400. "This is large", I hear you say, but I’m hoping that it will also hold most of the equipment that people already take with them, cutlery, pans etc.

I am considering including some type of workspace for preparation of food.

I want it to provide a comfortable working height.

I would like to know whether electric power is common when cooking on sites, or whether gas is a more sensible choice.

It would be good to know what people take with them in terms of cooking.

Any other thoughts on campsite cooking would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

I think you need to consider the weight - a unit that contains pots pans cutlery etc as well as the hob and possibly a grill or oven is going to be very heavy to be humping it in and out of the car.

Or were you thinking that it could be used in situ? Open the boot/hatchback and there's the kitchen all set up ready to use?

This is how the Americans do it!

Outdoor Camp Oven

<   Combines compact size, portability and cooking power Features stove-top cooking and a baking oven Matchless ignition system Corrosion-resistant stainless steel construction Nonstick enamel cooking surface Additional Info •  Buyer's Guide This Camp Oven has just what every camp needs to enjoy superior eating in the outdoors – compact size, portability and raw cooking power. Don't let its compact size fool you. The Outdoor Camp Oven features more than 14,000 total BTU of cooking energy. Twin burners and a spacious oven have plenty of power to get your cooking/baking done the way you like it, right there in camp. The unit uses a disposable 1-lb. propane tank, or it can be adapted to use a 20-lb. tank for increased cooking time. The range's dual burners put out a whopping 5,300 BTU per burner. The oven heats at 3,500 BTU per hour with a maximum temperature of 400°F. Two oven racks allow you to cook your main meal and dessert at once. An oven thermometer helps keep heat constant and monitors your meal's cooking progress. The matchless burner igniters mean you won't have to fumble for a lighter or matches while in the field. The stove's folding lid and carry handles were designed with portability in mind, so it's easy to get into and out of camp. Stainless steel construction resists corrosion for years of cooking without problems. Nonstick enamel cooking surface makes cleaning swift and easy with just soap and water. Top burner dimensions: 12" x 21". Oven dimensions: 16"W x 10"H x 8"L. Weight: 35 lbs.

Thanks for your replies.....

The "American" version does look very American,

I want my product to have a certain level of sophistication as i have found that many of todays campers would like to add comfort to the experience.

As it is aimed at the family camping market, It would be prefered if it looked like a camping appliance rather than something you'd get out for a party....like the American.

The car boot kitchen is a nice idea....and i understand that it may be difficult to get it out of the car if its too heavy, but it would only replace the box of kit that people take with them anyway.

What stuff do people take with them? Cutlery, pans, what types....?

Keep 'em coming guys, these are helpful!

It sounds like a TT kitchen unit ........

Which we would all have if it was practical 

Now a unit that can sit on a tow-bar hitch, Like a bike rack so that it will not take any room up in the car might work.

So to the question

Gas

Suitcase stoves very popular now

Twin burner with or without grill still seen in most tents

Party grills etc

Then you now have EHU becoming more popular and campsites putting in the electrics.  So many now are all electric using low wattage items.  Or even mixing the two together Gas two ring stove with a George Forman Grill.   There are as many options as campers.

So which end of the market are you after Camping non or little EHU ....or as we refer to it on this site Glamping.... EHU  kettle, microwave,mini oven, electric ring, toaster. and anything else you can think of.

A trip to your local camping shop and asking which is now more popular gas stoves or EHU,  maybe the way to go.

Either way size and weight and cost will still be an issue, 

Set up time also an issue ( when you need a brew you need a brew )  I carry a standard 2 ring gas stove which needs setting up and connecting to the gas bottle always the last job, but I need a brew when I get to the site after a long drive so I also carry a suitcase stove for instant brew and then it's used for day trips. 

For camp kitchens take a look here,  most of use would love these set ups but how on earth would we carry them  Kitchens       Stove

I am in love with an oven... yes... the American one...

But oh no! I can see my current old, reliable campingaz stove on here too! Don't worry little two burner with grill! I still love you!

If you could do something like the campinggaz double burner (pic above) which currently incorporates a grill but give it an oven as well I think that would be pretty good I think that is the one thing that is lacking from most peoples set up, with people either buying an electric oven or something else to mimick this and if it was combined with a hob & grill then all to the better!

Although I have EHU I would probably suggest gas as the way to go as it is more practical in that you can use anywhere with EHU you can be restricted as not every site provides ehu, you also have to watch your power in case you trip the site!

I think something very like the american one but with more portability, its not a biggy for me to store pots & pans & things in fact sometimes it works better for them to just get squeezed into the nooks & cranny's.

Jubilee TBA-
July - Blue Dolphin

What sorts of things would people cook in an oven whilst camping? if i were to suggest the need for an oven, it would be good to find lots of campers that were keen.....

I would like to know whether other people agree with Elaine's opinions.... Do you not see the need for a storage section within the product?

Quote: ..I want my product to have a certain level of sophistication as i have found that many of todays campers would like to add comfort to the experience.

As it is aimed at the family camping market...

My favourite thing to cook on is the Notebook Folding bbq...

Here is a Coleman folding oven which is really to be placed on top of the stove.  Only thing is if you have this on top how do you cook anything else ? and then you have a large hot metal box what do you do with it.

So how about making  it part of the stand  so that it still folds down for transporting runs from the grill section so that you can still have your meat and two veg.  Now that would be something I could use from pies to pizza ( and very occasionally oven chips which would definitely get my boys vote).