Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping and Caravanning Equipment
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: A-Level Design Project Post Reply Post New Topic
21/9/2015 at 2:26pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View sushiroll's Profile View Profile   Reply to sushiroll Reply   Quote sushiroll Quote  
Joined: 21/9/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   2

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hey campers,
I'm designing a product that aims to help make cooking much easier for you. It's basically a portable kitchen (shaped like a box) equipped with its own hob, storage, and a chopping board. It should be able to fit in the boot of the car so that it's easy to transport. I was wondering what sort of problems you have with cooking outdoors? e.g. unpredictable weather/cooking utensils use up lots of space in the car/van, etc.


21/9/2015 at 3:14pm
 Location: Dartford Kent
 Outfit: VW T6 conversion
View morepints's Profile View Profile   Reply to morepints Reply   Quote morepints Quote  
Joined: 06/5/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   978

Site Reviews Total: 48
Site Reviews 2024: 7  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 21
Site Nights 2023: 2
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 14
Site Nights 2018: 2

Have a look at chuck boxes on Pinterest - most of them are large American ones for what they call tailgate barbecues; or big ones for use by scout packs, but there are a few 'domestic' designs there. For economy, I'd build around a double 'suitcase' stove, but include a windshield. Most campers will keep it outdoors, albeit under cover, so it need to be resistant to damp. Height off the ground should be adjustable, and able to be levelled.

Having had a go at this, the big issue is weight. If you set 25kg as an absolute top, it's quite difficult to get the materials down low enough to be useful. Even that would be a health and safety hazard! I did see a commercial one made out of a twin wall acrylic sheeting board, but it looked flimsy.

The camp kitchens you see in camping shops tend to be designed to unfold onsite. I did wonder about some kind of modular solution. We used a plastic drawer unit in the end - better than plastic boxes because of side access.

If you can sort it, take it to one of the big brands to get it made in China - there should be a market, assuming you can hit the right price point. Good luck with your project!


21/9/2015 at 3:33pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View SGThomas's Profile View Profile   Reply to SGThomas Reply   Quote SGThomas Quote  
Joined: 16/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6707
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 116
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 4  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 15 
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 40
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 98

How are you considering fuelling it?


21/9/2015 at 5:00pm
 Location: Derby
 Outfit: Bailey Pegasus II Milan & Honda CR-V
View Alphonso De Lard's Profile View Profile   Reply to Alphonso De Lard Reply   Quote Alphonso De Lard Quote  
Joined: 03/6/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1655
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 24
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Problems with cooking outdoors? Well, without stating the obvious an outdoor kitchen will need to cope with the weather. No just the wet stuff, but wind can cause issues too, with both stability and keeping the gas burner lit. Storage - for me, and you're the designer here, it needs to be both well ventilated but also built to deny access to insects, (100% ant proof when closed). Chopping board needs to be both removable and washable. Multi fuel wood be a bonus, but most campers use gas. If it's to be outside, maybe you could include a solar panel to power maybe some led lights around the top of the kitchen to shed some light on any late night cooking? Or perhaps include a solar powered phone charger? It needs to be as lightweight as possible, but also sturdy enough and well built enough to survive getting packed in a boot of stuff, or chucked into the back of a trailer. If you could crack a way of packing down the kitchen, but leaving all the utensils pans etc inside it, then you'd be onto a winner.

Good luck with your studies, you've made a good start with the research into your product, hopefully the kind forum folk on here will help you out as much as possible.



-------------
2019:
Wye Meadow Camping
Dornafield
Wyatts Covert
Chestnut Meadow


21/9/2015 at 8:43pm
 Location: High Peak
 Outfit: None Entered
View wxyz2's Profile View Profile   Reply to wxyz2 Reply   Quote wxyz2 Quote  
Joined: 13/8/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   2

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

As a tall camper I'd like to give a +1 to the adjustable height suggestion.


Advertisement



21/9/2015 at 9:16pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4530

Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Its already been invented, google 'bootjump'.


21/9/2015 at 11:24pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Some of those pictures of the bootjump made me smile, I want to title them howto go from an upright human into the Hunchback of Notre Dame in 2 weeks.

I think one was in Peugeot Partner? Obviously not enough room to sit upright in one of those.

Space/Space/Space and the weight I assume?


You may want to source some old camping magazines and see whats been released before, the issue is ask 20 people what they want and you may get 20 different answers.

Will it fit in the back of a Ford Focus or VW Golf sized estate car and still leave room for say 2 decent sized suitcases?



20/10/2015 at 11:49pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Cabanon Guadeloupe Zephyros3
View foggers's Profile View Profile   Reply to foggers Reply   Quote foggers Quote  
Joined: 06/5/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3891
Tent Reviews:   12

Site Reviews Total: 22
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 2
Site Nights 2022: 4
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 9

Windshield, adjustable height, compact size so that it will fit in an average boot alongside all the other gear you need for camping, and some kind of fold- down chopping board area, and storage for the bigger utensils like knives, spatulas etc, and I agree with the idea of basing it on two suitcase stoves, as they are easy to use and the fuel cans are readily available.


Think that's about it!


22/10/2015 at 6:23pm
 Location: Isle of Mull
 Outfit: 2 x Outwells Kairos 400 Caranex
View ficklejade's Profile View Profile   Reply to ficklejade Reply   Quote ficklejade Quote  
Joined: 28/9/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2192
Tent Reviews:   3

Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Don't know if this is any help to you but late hubby made for me a camping "kitchen" 40 years ago. We had a propane gas dual burner stove with grill (propane). Essentially it had a wooden base for the stove and spacers to create a second shelf beneath but would sit flat for travel. It had folding metal windshields on 3 sides to the base for the stove. It stood on strong legs and he made the legs adjustable both for height and uneven ground. It only died some six years ago when the big shed got damaged and the legs disappeared. Basically, it was a heavy forerunner to the modern camp kitchens but much heavier. However, I would take it on our weekend trips and after trying a couple of modern options, I wish I still had it!! BTW cost next to nothing as the bits all came from skips!!

Think you need to determine whether you're looking at the short break (w/end) tenter or the longer holiday tenter. For example, as a weekender, I have knives, cutlery etc., in plastic boxes and put these with my pots/pans on the lower shelf, stove above, but only take basics. For a longer holiday, I'd take more by way of utensils. Maybe a basic and a de luxe model?

BTW, I'm not averse to the dual suitcase stove option but do bear in mind the fire safety issues with these mentioned on other threads.

Very good luck with your project - your post was better written and more informative than some from third year first degree students - and, if you're allowed to give feedback, that would be good to have in due course.

-------------
" When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














8674 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder