'Drifta' camp kitchens

[twistedlane]

hi there fisher camper people!!

Just wondering if anyone out there has one these and what is there opinion of it, bad points, best aspects, problems whatever, I want to hear it all (I'm not spending big $$$ without some research).

BTW if you don't know what they are and want a look try
www.drifta.com.au

Thanx in advance

Michaela the twisted lane(yrie)

[Derek Bullock]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Looks a bit gimmicky for me. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

If you are going to spend that much money look at the Coleman Kitchen (http://www.colemanaustralia.com.au/Product,1117,2142A700.aspx). It even has a sink. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Cheers


Derek

[Gorilla_in_Manila]

Michaela,
Welcome aboard Ausfish.

Think there are a couple of other brands around that are a similar concept.
My brother saw a mate who had something like this, then had a look at a couple of others in shops and just knocked up something similar out of plywood; cost him around $100 I think. He obviously thought it a good idea and is happy with it. He's single without kids, so he just tends to drive straight to a camp spot (pie and can of coke on the way) and settle in for a week or more. So that type of setup suits him.

When I looked at it though, I couldn't help thinking it isn't quite as niffty as it first appears. Its heavy (fully loaded with all the cooking gear) and bulky. You still got to wrap up any ceramic crockery or glass (ie coffee cups, sauce bottles etc) so they don't break. Either that or you go for the old tin mug, or all plastic. Knives and stuff rattle around and fall out sometimes when setting up unless you are able to keep it upright all the time.
For the amount of space it takes up, I think you could have a similarly comfortable set up with two or three camp tables and a couple of crates to pack all the utensils in. Price seems way over the top as well. It is esentially just a sheet of ply cut up and screwed together and a few hinges.
Good idea and all that; but it ain't rocket science. ;)

The impractical part comes when you start thinking about pulling over and having a cup of coffee or lunch or stopping to feed the kids on the way to a camp spot. You end up having to keep the coffee utensils at least separate. If you also start needing plates, kids cups, sugar, salt, pepper or sauces, etc. you end up keeping them separate as well.

My initial thoughts upon seeing it, was that it would be great to have all your cooking stuff in one box that you can just load in and be comfortable that you had everything. But then it isn't really all that efficient for space if you end up keeping half the stuff outside it. Then it becomes esentially the same as a small chest of drawers and couple of fold up tables which you could probably pick up at a garage sale for less than $100.

Not real practical to pack up and carry around for day trips etc, and I probably wouldn't bother lugging it to camps that have free gas BBQ's. So I'd find a couple of tables and boxes of utensils more flexible and practical.

Just my thoughts anyway; probably suits others very well.
Don't know what style of camping you do, how much other gear you have,etc but I'd be having a long hard think about its suitability.

Cheers
Jeff

[twistedlane]

Yeah I was pretty much thinking that it would be too big.
Checked out coleman and found a tent I like while I was there so now i have something else to think about.

Michaela

[cooky]

i had a look at the drifta web site via your link and some nifty stuff, but I really do wonder when camping doesn't become camping anymore ???

Is the definition loose enough to be "utlisation of a space for temporary accommodation not previously containing a shelter or accommodation facilities"

So when someone turns up in a campervan complete with airconditioning, 2pac kitchen, toilet, shower, spa, dvd, leather lounge - can they say "I went camping on the weekend"

I think other peoples definition is different to mine. I believe in being comfortable, but not ridiculous. It's not meant to be just like HOME. making do is half the fun.

[Derek Bullock]

Ahhhhhhhhh when I was young and in my prime ................. you know how it is.

I am one of the baby boomers just over 50 and I like my creature comforts these days.

To me the whole thing about camping is actually being somewhere in the bush. If I can do it in comfort than all the better.

Cheers.


Derek ::) ::) ::) ::)

[SCOTTYGC]

i have seen these at a camping show and thought they looked good but very $$$$ for what they are
I made my own with a sheet of ply and a old kitchen sink from the 2nds yard , all up think it cost me $60
scotty

[cooky]

derek agree completely with comfort - I now have a bigger car (dual cab 4x4) and therefore ability to take more stuff, and last weeks camp site resembled a mini township....

but as more people turned up with every gadget, shelter, etc under the sun (we had to transport family to camping spot by boat) I started to think "this is ridiculous!!"

Seriously - large foam mattresses, gazebo (flyscreen), camping tables (multiple), more food / drink than needed by 500%, etc, etc

I think most people seem to empty their house contents into a trailer / car and off they go without any thought about 'setting up' or more importantly 'packing up at site and then at home'. I swear we felt like we were removalists for 4 solid days.

[nomad]

I agree with you "cooky". A mate and myself ( who I have been camping with for years and years ) went to the camping leasure fest. in Melbourne last weekend. We agreed, that camping nowadays is not like it used to be. Where does it stop-, what you take away with you ? There was - showers,toilets,fridges,satalite navigation equipment,12 volt tv and dvd players, caravans and camper trailers ( off road ) with everything in them that opens and shuts(including the kitchen sink), cooking equip. that uses only water to cook food, fishing bait that is plastic (not made by nature ), satalite mobile phones, uhf radios, hf radios,e-perbs, 12 volt microwave ovens, inverters, self inflating mattreses,swags that looked like tents,tents that looked like the Hilton Hotel. Where do I stop ?? But with all that equipment you need something to tow it with, or put it in !! Oh yea, A 4 wheel drive- it has to be Turbo, with long range tanks, water tanks, diff locks ,winch, snorkal ,bull bar, driving lights, wide wheels, solar panels, roof rack, after market suspension,air compressor, OH, and I nearly forgot--- DVD Players in the headrests, and I shouldnt forget the one on the dashboard ( What would the kids do without them ???) Ahhhh, the good old days, when we went camping, and played games together, and talked to each other. We did it a bit hard, got dirty, and smelly, but we really RELAXED, then went home to all the comforts. Can anyone remember what its was like, after a weeks camping in the bush, or at the beach and then having that first, long, hot shower when you got home ?? You dont need to take your house with you when you go camping. Live simply, relax, and enjoy yourself. [smiley=laola.gif]

[cooky]

well said. I think it's different for people who live in cities though (it must be). They are really after living in nature, where I am after the whole camping experience (different to home).
It was great not having a shower for a few days (only salt water baths) and being covered by insect repellant, sunscreen, salt, bait, petrol, smoke from the fire, etc.....
I really enjoyed that first shower, but I live cleanly (have an office job) and I WANT that camping experience.
I noticed that family members who bought everything seemed busy all the time - zipping gazebos, pumping things, sliding draws out, cleaning, tidying, adjusting, tightening......
Where myself and father in law had simple tents each, 2 chairs, aluminium folding table, eskys (and that's it) - and we were there for the WEEK - the most anyone else was there was 2 days for christs sake. I didn't even have a mattress - slept on the ground with a sleeping bag.
We were the more relaxed - sitting next to fire, cooking on fire, plenty of beers, gas lamp - happy / content.

[Derek Bullock]

Hey folks

Dont know if you have The Warehouse store nearby but in the catalogue I receioved today they have a folding aluminium Camping Kitchen Table for $199.95. Comes in a carry bag and has a sink and drain, hose, wire hooks shelves and caddy. When the lid is down it even has a checkers/chess and ########## game set on the lid.

An excellent little unit that used to be listed for $249.95 so a bargain at the current price.

Cheers


Derek

[nomad]

I have even seen people with a Laptop while camping ! What is going on nowadays ?? Something must be wrong with me ! Years ago I used to walk into other peoples camps, have chat and a beer ( or 20 ), sit around their camp fire, talk about where we have been, what we have done, share storys, and generaly have a bloody great laugh. Times have changed. People nowadays dont seem to want other campers in their camp, or if they do, it seems like a competition -- Whos got what?, whos been there?- (the most),ect, ect. I spend all of my spare time in the Victorian High Country, (or fishing at the beach) I have been in the bush and people (in their Toorak Tractors ) have asked me how long it takes to get from point A to point B, and I answer I dont know ? because ( I may have done the trip 100 times ) I dont time the trip. I dont care how long it takes, I am there to relax. They then think I am new to the bush and start TELLING me how long it takes to get to Point B, or how to drive my 4wd.--- Very, very, anoying, and frustrating. - But then again, I did say -- Something must be wrong with ME ?????????????

[Derek Bullock]

I'd be lost in the bush without my laptop [smiley=computer.gif]

[smiley=oops.gif]


Derek [smiley=idea.gif] [smiley=idea.gif] [smiley=idea.gif] [smiley=idea.gif]

[nomad]

Derek, you are a camp cook legend, --- Ever heard of the Dream Pot,? ( from Queensland ) and if so , what do you think ???????

[Derek Bullock]

Unlike a camp oven you cant put it on a bed of coals. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Some things in the bush should never change and camp oven cooking is one of them.

Only know what I have read in magazines. Wrote to them once and didnt get a reply. ??? ??? ??? ???

Cheers


Derek

[Gorilla_in_Manila]

Nomad, have a look here.
http://www.dreampot.com.au/moreinfo.htm

Ongoing debate amongst my Dad's grey nomad brigade on what's best; dream pot, camp oven or cobb.
See here if you haven't seen the cobb.
http://www.cobbaustralia.com.au/index.shtml

Simple answer, each have their merits.

Gotta say, the cobb does a brilliant roast.
Had a family get together a while back at my Grandparents house:
Mum puts the roast on to cook in the cobb at her house,
hour later I pick it up whilst still cooking and carry it in the car around to gramps place,
park it on the plastic table out back to cook for another hour,
knock off a few beers in the mean time .... bog in. [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

Bet you can't do that with a camp oven.

Cobb can be used during fire bans as well. Gets my vote.

Cheers,
Jeff

[cooky]

there i was a couple of posts ago talking about how people take too much stuff and luxuries.

I have been known to take my laptop. However usually to download the photos from my memory card - digital camera.

The other week I took it, but it didn't get out of the bag - I couldn't bear the thought in the end of anything connecting me to work.

I have a web design co. so laptop or pda usually stuck to me.

In the past I've been camping and been in mobile range still able to download and send emails - I don't think I'll be that silly again. I go camping to relax.

[zedjack33]

"Drifta" camp kitchens look like they are made of 'drifta wood' [smiley=jester.gif]

Cheers Zedjack33

[gunna]

You people have probably all seen something similar. A couple years back I was camped at Pt Macquarie. There was a tent nearby which not only had the guys double bed - but also his bedhead and bedside draws with a TV at the end of the bed. In a tent for heavens sake. And its where he spent just about all of his day. On his back watching the teev.

[nomad]

Gorrilla, I saw the Cobb at the Victorian Leasure Fest., and thought that with the "coals" it may not be safe while 4wding. With the dream pot, it uses hot water to keep the food hot ( for up to 10 hours ) after the initial 15-20 min. cookup. I had roast lamb last week, 10 hours after the initial 20 min cookup and the food was fully cooked and still hot. I am open to all knowledge from anyone, who can tell me the pros and cons about all these cooking methods. ???

[Gorilla_in_Manila]

Nomad,
Don't think you supposed to take the cobb 4WDing. ;D
When I mentioned about carrying it in the car, I meant that I physically carried it in my hands whilst someone else drove the car.

Haven't used the dream pot (nor seen it used), but looks to me like its just essentially an oversized thermos. 10 bloody hours for a roast :o. is that cooking time, or just that how long you kept it hot?
Guess if you mainly eat soups and casseroles, dream pot would good.
Trouble with dream pot and camp ovens is you always need a separate heat source, whereas the cobb has its own.

You can smoke fish in the cobb; just add water soaked hickory chips to a couple of heat beads and block off most of the vent holes. Tried some this other bloke did once, wasn't all that great, but he was still learning (only the second time he tried it).
You can bake bread etc, and they are coming out with different fittings for on top like pizza trays and woks, so cobb is pretty versatile.

But as I said, each has its own merits. A lot depends on how you camp and what style of cooking you normally prefer.

Be interested in what you have done in the dream pot and what situations you think it is good or better than other systems.

Cheers
Jeff

[nomad]

Gorrilla- The roast and veg. are placed in an oven bag. They are cooked in about 3hrs, but will stay hot for up to 10 hrs, but will not dry out because the roast is sealed in an oven bag. The idea is to make the food up in the morning, place it in the pot, and when you get home at night your food is ready to eat. You can cook just about anything this way.-- Roasts, soups, pasta, seafood, ect. The heat source is the boiled water ( the pot must have incredible insulation to keep the food hot for 10 hrs) I am not an expert with it yet, because I have only done 2 cookups-( Roast and stew) I think a negative point with it would be that there is not a sealed seperate compartment between some of the food being cooked (ie -stew, cassarole, ect ) and the boiled water. This would not be a problem if the pot was in a stationary position, but I could see a problem in a 4wd situation. I suppose if you were on a 4wd weekend, and had a base camp, you could leave it there. [smiley=disappointed.gif]