The Best Overland Camp Kitchens for The Camp Chef’s

For all the camp chefs looking to bring comfort & convenience to their adventures, we've put together a list of the best camping kitchen

Our Top Camp Kitchen Picks

Image of Coleman Pack-Away Portable Kitchen ► Best Overall Coleman Pack-Away Portable Kitchen
Image of GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Camping Kitchen ► Best Compact Camp Kitchen GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Camping Kitchen
Image of Ozark Trail Portable Camping Kitchen and Sink Table ► Best Budget Friendly Kitchen Ozark Trail Portable Camping Kitchen and Sink Table
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Stories around a campfire, breathtaking views and the peace and quiet of the great outdoors are just several reasons why we love Overlanding. Breaking your back while trying to cook on a cluttered  camp table… not so much. Nothing caps off a long day of sweat and sun like a freshly cooked meal. So why not make outdoor cooking more enjoyable for you and your family? For all the camp chefs looking to bring comfort and convenience to their adventures, we’ve put together a list of the best camping kitchen out there! With so many brands creating high-tech outdoor cooking accessories, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start or what you’re looking for. Don’t worry, we did all the research about camp kitchens, so you don’t have to. These portable kitchens are sure to meet all of your expectations and offer unique features you didn’t know you needed.

How to Choose The Best Camp Kitchen for Overlanding

Many components go into a quality camping kitchen. Do you need a sink? Extra storage space? Something different, light and portable? Using our guidelines, you’re sure to find the right camp cook station for you. We’ve deduced the essential factors that make a great kitchen stand out from the rest.

Durability:

Nobody wants to see their spaghetti in the dirt after a strong gust of wind. It’s essential that your camp kitchen has a sturdy frame and can hold the weight of all your supplies. A good camp kitchen should last for years and should be able to handle the wear and tear of travel.

Cook and Storage Space:

Counterspace and storage are the main functions of camp kitchens. You need enough space for your stove, fuel, tools, and ingredients. Every kitchen offers unique storage options, from cloth shelves to silverware hooks. Ensure you look through different options to find the setup that best fits your needs.

Portability:

Before you can enjoy your new camp kitchen, you have to get it to camp. While you’re shopping, make sure you ask yourself: How long does it take to set up? Does it fold up in one piece or come with separate parts that lock into place? And, most importantly, will it fit in my trunk? This article features everything from one-piece tables to removable sinks and drains. Make sure you pay attention to the weight, size, and storage of any camp kitchen before buying.

Cost:

Overlanding gear is an investment, and large pieces of equipment like overland kitchens can be expensive. We’ve listed camp kitchens in all different price ranges, so you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy outdoor cooking.

Our Favorite Camp Kitchen of 2024!

Coleman Pack-Away Portable Kitchen Image

Coleman Pack-Away Portable Kitchen

★★★★★ (4.7)

Price Tested: $129.99 USD

The Coleman Pack-Away Deluxe Portable Kitchen is a camp chef’s dream. Equipped with a removable sink basin, a food prep station, and even an extendable lantern hook, this portable kitchen brings all the comforts of cooking at home to your outdoor adventure. If you’ve got a lot of mouths to feed, this setup is a must-have. At a whopping 36 pounds, this is by no means a contender for backpacking. However, it’s perfect for BBQs, outdoor events, and group camping.

The food prep area is the perfect height so you can stop hunching over the picnic table, and the removable sink is ideal for washing dishes and pretty much anything else that will fit. It pops in and out, making it easy to clean and get ready for your next meal. The paper towel holder was a great idea in theory, but the suction cups don’t grip very well, especially if they get some dirt on them. However, there is so much storage space that this hardly seems to matter.

Did we mention the breathable mesh pouch, silverware hooks, and shelving for spices, condiments, and dish soap? Overall, the Coleman Pack-Away Deluxe is a sturdy camping kitchen with too many features to count. It does tend to be top-heavy, so it’s essential to set it on level ground. Weighing it down with a cooler or stove will also do the trick. The Coleman Pack-Away Deluxe Kitchen is on the pricier side. However, the design offers at-home comforts not seen on other portable camping kitchens.

Pros:

  • Great for group camping
  • Easy to pack and clean
  • Versatile storage options
  • Compact fits in car

Cons:

  • Bulky and heavy
  • The Paper Towel holder doesn’t work
  • Needs to be secured on unstable ground
GCI Outdoor Master Cook Portable Folding Camp Kitchen Image

GCI Outdoor Master Cook Portable Folding Camp Kitchen

★★★★★ (4.7)

Price Tested: $120 USD

The Best LED Lantern for OverlandingGCI is revered for its camping gear, and the Master Cook Portable Kitchen is just another example of their Overlanding expertise. The GCI Outdoor Master Kitchen makes you feel like you’re using your own kitchen! It’s sturdy and has a foolproof design. You don’t need to be a professional outdoorsman to put this baby together. The all-steel, powder-coated frame creates an incredibly durable table that will last for years.

The table is wide with plenty of space for a camp stove and room for other supplies. Not to mention the extendable counter space and hooks for a lantern, paper towels, and trash bags. The sink is one of our features that isn’t seen in other portable kitchens. It collapses for easy storage but is still sturdy enough to hold all your dirty dishes.

Even better than all the storage features are how compact this kitchen is. It’s hard to believe that this whole thing folds wholly flat and weighs only 22lbs! No matter what car you’re driving, the Master Cook Portable Kitchen is sure to fit in your trunk along with other essential supplies. GCI hit the jackpot with this camping kitchen. It’s light but durable and opens up like pandora’s box revealing storage space galore! Master Cook is also more affordable than other portable overland kitchens.

Pros:

  • Collapsible sink
  • Sturdy steel frame
  • Versatile, light, and portable
  •  Extremely well built

Cons:

  • The sink drain gets clogged easily
GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Camping Kitchen  Image

GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Camping Kitchen

★★★★★ (4.3)

Price Tested: $84.99 USD

Love Overlanding but have limited trunk space? Never fear, the GCI Outdoor Slim Fold Cook Station is here! This model is the best of the best when it comes to portable overland gear. It has similar features to GCI’s Master Cook Portable Folding Cook Station but folds down to the size of a camp chair! Light and portable, this setup is ideal for couples, solo trips, or even a picnic close to home. This camp kitchen is as handy as they come.

This whole setup is all one piece, so you don’t have to worry about losing parts. To set up this gadget, just fold out all the pieces and click them in place. Just 30 seconds and you’re ready to cook! Disassembling the Slim Fold Cook Station is just as easy. Completely collapsed, it is only 4″ thick and weighs less than 20lbs. It even includes a handle for easy transport. This model doesn’t have a built-in sink or lantern hook. However, there’s plenty of shelving to support accessories that are not included. It’s also half the price of most outdoor kitchens.

The lighter design makes this model more susceptible to uneven ground and strong wind. However, weighed down by a camp stove and a jug of water, this setup isn’t going anywhere. It’s a steel frame, and aluminum shelving is built to last and can handle Overlanding wear and tear. Overall the Slim Fold Cook Station is a fantastic addition to your Overlanding gear.

Pros:

  • Great for the price
  • Light and Compact
  • Easy setup
  • Durable and sturdy

Cons:

  • More susceptible to wind and uneven ground
  • Not as many features as other camp kitchens
AHB Camping Kitchen Table 2-Tier Camp Cook Table  Image

AHB Camping Kitchen Table 2-Tier Camp Cook Table

★★★★★ (4.4)

Price Tested: $125 USD

If you need a way to organize your camping supplies, look no further than the AHB 2-Tier Camp Cook Table. This genius design has a place for everything from silverware to potatoes! It’s built for convenience; this handy kitchenette is sure to suit all your Overlanding needs. The AHB 2-Tier Camp Cook Table comes equipped with a windscreen to protect your stove from the elements. That means no more wasted propane and no more gritty burgers!

Another unique feature is the cloth shelves that zip closed to keep your supplies safe from critters. These shelves collapse down to the size of, well, a piece of cloth. They also come with sturdy inserts that help the shelves hold their shape. We found these inserts also make a decent cutting board in a pinch. This model is slightly smaller than other kitchens, but its size is deceiving—the 2-Tier Camp Cook Table packs in 2 side tables that can hold up to 22lbs each. The main table can hold up to 46lbs, so there’s no question that this is a sturdy beast.

The aluminum is surprisingly strong, and this table has no problem staying put on uneven ground. All of this pops in and out of place in less than a minute, making setup and breakdown a breeze. All pieces fit snugly in the protective case included in your purchase. The AHB is a fantastic portable kitchen for overlanders everywhere. It’s sure to meet all your food prep needs.

Pros:

  • Easy setup and breakdown
  • Comes with a protective storage bag
  • Heavy Duty shelving
  • Lightweight and accessible storage for travel

Cons:

  • Multiple parts can be cumbersome to handle
Ozark Trail Portable Camping Kitchen and Sink Table Image

Ozark Trail Portable Camping Kitchen and Sink Table

★★★★★ (4.5)

Price Tested: $69.99 USD

If you’re an overlander on a budget but still need quality gear, the Ozark Trail Portable Camp Kitchen is a dream come true. This model packs in everything you need to cook like a pro for a fraction of the cost. This makes it an excellent pick for college students or anyone who can’t break the bank to buy camping gear. The whole kit and kaboodle come in a strong storage sack that keeps your kitchen safe from scratches and damage during bumpy car rides.

This bag opens up like Hermione’s bag to reveal a plethora of practical kitchen equipment. This camp table has a removable sink basin, wire shelving for soap and silverware, and four hooks for towels, trash bags, and anything else you can hang. The wire structure also leaves plenty of room to dry towels and swimsuits after a day at the lake.

In addition to all the tall features, the Ozark Trail Portable Kitchen has a strong aluminum shelf below the main table. This is perfect for heavier pots and pans or even propane. This shelf helps ground the whole structure so you can rest easy, knowing your kitchen won’t topple over or blow away. The hanging mesh bag is also super convenient for drying dishes or storing loose vegetables before a meal.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • High-quality materials
  • Removable sink

Cons:

  • Smaller than other models
  • Maybe top-heavy

Our Camp Kitchen Recommendation

Our Recommendation

When it comes to choosing the best portable camping kitchen, there are several things to consider, and with plenty of options, it can be challenging to decide where to start. Fortunately, there are many excellent choices. If you’ve decided whether you need a sink, more storage, something unique, and light and portable.
After sifting through the dozens of portable camping kitchens and narrowing our checklist to five products, we concluded that the Coleman Pack-Away Portable Kitchen can bring all the comforts of cooking at home to your outdoor adventure. Although they are other suitable options, the Coleman kitchen has more storage room, easy to clean, and the easier to pack up and store, which makes it easy to keep your food and utensils easily organized.
Whatever you decide, make sure it works for you and makes it easy for your family to get out and enjoy themselves while camping.

Camping Kitchens Precautions

Although portable camping kitchens are essential, some precautions must be taken while utilizing them. If you intend to use a cooker in your mobile kitchen, make sure it is situated on a level surface. This will assist in ensuring that the kitchen is not tipped off, perhaps resulting in a dangerous fire.
It is also critical to maintaining the camping kitchen clean after each usage to avoid attracting unwelcome wild animals to your campsite.

Frequently Asked Questions About Camp Kitchen

Can I construct my own kitchen?

Of course, yes! But why should you? Camping kitchens are pretty affordable, and if you get a high-quality table, you will get many years of usage out of it. A portable kitchen table is much more than a table. Many have been built to resist heat from a pan or grill, are portable, and are simple to construct and dismantle.

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