Cooking Outdoors - The DIY Kitchen Box - The Details
In detail article about our DIY Kitchen Box for on- & offroad use, overlanding and camping. Custom-made, rugged design and great usability for cooking outdoors!
Being a ambitious person when it comes to cooking means also that you have to take a lot of things with you to cook similar good meals outdoors as you do at home.
To be happy, balanced and full of energy, even if camping and overlanding often means hard work and therefore it is essential to have access good and quality food! This also means, to be able to store your food accordingly in a cold and dry place.
This DIY Kitchen Box was extensively tested during our 4500 km overlanding trip in the wild Pyrenees.
Quality food means for me that it is organic and preferably locally produced or grown. Having veggies or fruits from far away means you cannot be certain about the circumstances it was produced, how the local farmer is compensated for their work, the environmental impact. You can get a better picture of the origin of your food if you buy local. Noticing this vividly, was when I went to a local store, which I have linked in this article, is when I bought locally grown garlic from the Provence in France. It looked and it tasted so much better than the ones you can buy, it was huge & it was really spicy!
Anyhow, that's enough for now about this topic ... back to the DIY Kitchen Box!
Field Demonstration
Here you can enjoy a quick introductory demonstration of the DIY Kitchen Box!
Introducing the DIY Kitchen Box
So, What's in the Box?
A lot of tools and cooking gadgets fit inside this DIY Kitchen Box. There have been some iterations to find the best overall packing and stacking method to reduce rearranging of parts to get to everything needed for cooking.
There are four main compartments, the bottom, the top, a hanging cabinet for storing spices and salt. Brushes and cloths for cleaning, a bottle opener can be stored in the lid.
There just is never enough storage space ...
The problem with all these little things needed for camping is that you need to put, hang or store them somewhere. You just don't want everything to lay around in the dirt, fly around when there is wind. You just need to store it somewhere ... This is one of the reasons I do not like campsites with lots of shower cubicles, this can be tricky. You might have a hard time keeping your things, shoes, towel, and soap dry and clean until you're done showering.
In the Top Compartment
- Connection for G1/2" water hose (back and front)
- Self-sewn organiser made from tear-resistant fabric
- Dishwashing brush
- Bottle brush
- Copper cloth for cleaning pans
- Bottle opener
- Lighter
- Tool for the Primus cooker to change adaptors
- Piezo igniter for the Primus cooker
- 3 Hooks for hanging towels etc.
- 2 Straws
- Hanging cabinet for spices (salt, pepper, chili grinder, curry, herbs, mediterranean spice) and soap
- Primus gas stove
- 4 knifes in a leather pouch
- LED lamp
- 2 boards, used as shelves in the underframe
- 2 ITEM crossbars for the underframe
In the Bottom Compartment
- 3 Gas cartridges of 450 ml each
- 4 Drinking cups
- 2 Drinking cups for hot drinks
- Rags and dishcloths
- 4 sets of cutlery consisting of a spool, a fork and a knife
- a stainless steel fire bowl with grill plates
- one bowl, four deep plates and 4 flat plates
- a stainless steel pan, a small pot and a large steel pot
- 2 washing-up bags
- zip-lock bags
- bottle with environmentally friendly detergent
- 6 grill starters
Practical Details of the DIY Kitchen Box
Using the Zarges K470 Box as the foundation for my DIY Kitchen Box has proven to be the perfect choice. This sturdy aluminium box, featuring extra durable die-cast aluminium corners, offers reliability and protection for all my kitchen gear. Its solid construction makes it an ideal companion for any adventure, ensuring everything stays organized and secure no matter where I go.
I use a self-sewn organizer to keep smaller items—like the piezo igniter for the gas stove and cleaning brushes—neatly stored and easy to find. For lighting, a USB lamp attached to the box with magnets provides convenient illumination for cooking after dark.
Tips For The Field
What I find important might be very different from what matters to you. The gear I pack and the features I value most may not be on your own list of priorities. For me, it’s essential that this kitchen box has a stable stand on any type of ground—whether I’m parked on gravel, grass, or sand. That stability means I can really enjoy cooking outdoors and just relax, no matter where I am. It’s all about making the experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.
I tried out the standard stands typically sold for kitchen boxes (link), but honestly, they’re flimsy and don’t hold up well over time. That’s why I decided to build my own stand using sturdy ITEM 20x20 profiles. I’ll be sharing the full build process and materials list for the stand in a separate article soon
FAQ
Does nothing rattle when driving?
No, when everything is nicely tucked inside the box, there is no noise. Of course, if the box is half empty, there will be rattling noise.
What about the weight?
The box is quite heavy, even thought its made of aluminium. Still, its a very durable and solid box.
Conclusion
This Kitchen Box is ideal for outdoor cooking in remote locations. It's even better to have a secure transport box for your cooking equipment that is portable and flexible, and that doesn't limit your options! This box will not disappoint you, even in rugged environments and under harsh conditions!
An article about the stand for the DIY Kitchen Box is coming soon! Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter!
Check out other articles in this series:
Sebastian Weiss