PHP Warning: Use of undefined constant VBA_SCRIPT - assumed 'VBA_SCRIPT' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in ..../includes/functions_navigation.php(802) : eval()'d code on line 1 'Drifta' camp kitchens
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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]
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.
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.
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 ?????????????
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