Outdoor Kitchens

I thought it was interesting when outdoor kitchens started showing up a few years ago in new campers as if it were a novel innovation. I have added an outdoor stove to every camper I have ever owned and I carry an outdoor kitchen normally used by tent campers. After all, you go camping to be OUTDOORS.

While I like the new outdoor kitchens, I also like small travel trailers that allow me to go more places. Small trailers just don't have enough space for two kitchens, so I make my own outdoor kitchen.

Nearly every camper made since 1995 has an outdoor propane connection. If not, it's easy to add one. So it's easy to add a portable stove and/or grill. Then you can bring an extra ice chest or small refrigerator, which are quite cheap. You can even buy a portable ice maker for a reasonable price. A jug of water and dishpan have always served as a sink, but obviously less convenient.

So my opinion is that an outdoor kitchen is essential for enjoying camping. If your RV can accommodate one, that's great. If not, make one using the equipment that tent campers have always used.

Hey Harley, looks good. Can you explain how you connect with those clips and how are you connected along the trailer? Did you cut the tarp or have one made? I have a tarp that I use but it does not look as good as your set up. I used Velcro to connect to the awning and the trailer but my tarp is a foot too long and comes out off the trailer too far so I fold it under.

I have seen a few that come with an awning over the kitchen so there are actually 2 awnings on the trailer.

harley4275 wrote:

yes there is a way...

Very clever sir!

Dadoffourgirls wrote:
I just wished that there was a way to put an awning over the outdoor kitchen..

yes there is a way...

I just wished that there was a way to put an awning over the outdoor kitchen.

Based on our style of camping, I absolutely like it.

Guess I have to weigh in...

I would never EVER under ANY circumstances buy another RV without an outdoor kitchen. It is worth it's weight in gold 10 times over. It's the single greatest thing that has happened to RV's since slide outs. It's absolutely without question a MUST HAVE for me.

Then again, I tent camped my whole life, we always set up our own outdoor kitchen. We cooked everything outside, 2e had no other choice. Now that I have a TT, I also cook outside. I prefer it. If it's raining and cold, I'll still cook outside, that's half the fun for me. I've never used my inside kitchen, other than the fridge.

Havi ng a sink outside, AMAZING. Having a fridge for drinks outside, AMAZING. Having cabinets outside for random items, AMAZING.

Not sure if I made myself clear... I love my outdoor kitchen.

Have it, Love it, didn't buy the camper because of it and probably wouldn't be a deal breaker without.. We probably cook more in the outdoor kitchen than indoor but that's more of a preference of enjoying the outdoors and monitoring he cat on his leash :)

I think and by the sounds of other posts they think as well that it depends on your 'likes' and your situation.
1) our camper is ALWAYS plugged in except when towing and we rarely travel longer than 1-2 hours for weekend camping so 'fridge on road' doesn't matter as everything is still cold or frozen when we get there.
2) It's a his/hers thing. :)
3) If we had kids, it would be a completely different review because it would be stopping the in/out camper all day.
4) It really is nice to have snacks, cold wine, sink, drinks at your finger tips when you are kickin' it by the fire.

I can confirm both the pros/cons mentioned in other posts... Have had non-level sites and at 6'4" i have to squat to fit under the open fridge door. We have had fridge defrost on the road during longer roadtrips as i forgot about it, etc.

When they first came out, I thought they were silly, but it didn't take me all that long to realize that, at least for the way we camp, they make a lot of sense. We never, seriously never cook in the trailer. We always cook outside, so the dishes outside, etc. No cooking odours inside either, which may or may not contribute to the fact that after 40 years of trailer camping, we have never (knock on wood) had a mouse in the trailer. We have a great setup to cook outdoors, but if I were buying another trailer, I would seriously look at a built in outdoor kitchen. It would have to have a propane fridge though.

After looking at the (very beautiful) signature photo for 6.7 tow rig, it reminded me that I camped in a lot of sites last year that would not allow me to use that outdoor space comfortably.

I'm (hopefully) a few years away from deciding on my next RV, so this is something I'll keep watching for.

We wouldn't own a camper without one. On our model it takes absolutely no space from the interior and actually makes for a nice entertainment stand in the bunk room. it keeps the mess outside and the interior clean especially on those muddy trips. It's a must for us along with the exterior door straight to the bathroom.