Calling all camp kitchen users....

I am SERIOUSLY thinking of buying a camp kitchen (ready to push the 'purchase button) so I can be streamlined more and achieve the elusive organization that I desperately long for. I have my eye on 2 in particular and am really leaning toward one more than the other.

grubhub model


cabela's model


I would like to know... do any sit-down painters use a camp kitchen? I need to know how convenient it is for sit-downers. They seem like they would be too high, but the measurements don't reflect that.

The middle table is too high for sit down. Honestly, if I was a sit down painter I would use my Fatmax and paint out of that. It's okay for me for birthday parties because I don't get too much strain from bending over but for fairs, where I am standing the whole time and work with Emma, the camp kitchen is a must.

Don't buy either if you are a sit down. They are meant as a substitute for a kitchen so are worktable height.

D.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who is wondering exatly how you are planning to use the setup....care to enlighten us?

PS...as a camper and a face painter I think the Cabela's model is more well thought out.

that's what I thought, Denise. But the lower sides seem to be the right height. I need to find out if it would be too much to reach to for my products from 3 different areas. They clearly scream ORGANIZED!!! to me. I can keep a lot of things within reach in the lower compartments.

I have outgrown my FatMax, "Maxine", for anything but birthday parties and my restaurant gig. Plus, she is way too hard to get in and out of the car , especially with my back being out of whack. Right now, for festivals, I work with things on either side of me. It's okay, but I don't believe it to look professional enough. I want to work on so many things; from my painting speed to my set-up... why does it seem never-ending?

Sorry I missed you in the chat room last night - we were cleaning out the garage all day and then had a very late dinner. I'll try to log in tomorrow night if I'm not to tired after two very long gigs tomorrow!!!

The Cabela is the one I am leaning toward because it seems to have more workable table space and more underneath storage.

I like the GrubHub mainly because it is on wheels and the douche bag.... er, I mean water bag (lol) works on gravity. (for those who are too young... that is exactly how the old douche bags looked and worked!)

Well, you know what. I'm thinking of saying good bye to my FatMax for that very reason. I'm a little afraid that it's going to break again too. So, I've been thinking again about the sewing/scrapbook route and maybe that table that OtterGirl posted. It's only 20lbs. That's what my chair weighs. I'm weighing my options because I do love that everything is ready to go and I can SEE that everything is there with the FatMax but it's so big. Heck, I might even cut out the chair for birthdays and have the children stand. Just thinking...always thinking.

In your case, where you've got a health issue, I would say less is more.

D.

Wouldn't the kids be more wiggly if they stand? Just wondering.

I'm thinking like you are, Rhonda. Except that I stand.
I like the idea of the fatmax for the organization factor, but there are some cons to the pros and I think I need to make a list to figure out whether the camp kitchen or fatmax comes out on top.

Whatever I get, I want to be able to make a single trip and be able to carry everything.
I like the idea of the camp kitchen's dual purpose (because I would definitely use it for camping). I also like the idea of working out of the L shape of the Grub Hub near the back (and therefore not opening the 'sink side table'). I like that you can use all or none of the table tops - not needing to open all of them up if you don't want to. That means you could use it in a big or small space. I like that it comes with a table, instead of having to rig one or strap it on. And though the organization isn't there in the same way as the fatmax, it does have a lot of storage space. (I keep thinking of putting glitter stuff up top in the 'spice rack' and ordering a few more 'garbage bins' to put my sponges, q-tips, wipes, etc. in and hang them off the sides - not to mention one for actual garbage. If I'm not using the sink as my in/out water dish or hand wash station with the gravity water bag, then if I set up my "Whitney paint trays" on top of it, I'd only have to leave a small area to access the sink to put my used wipes/trash etc. in there and keep my trash out of site. It just lifts out when you want to empty it, and it washes out easily, being a sink.

For a sitting painter though, it might be too high. I don't know. What's your ideal height for a table surface to paint from when you are sitting, 24"? How much work surface area do you think you need to feel comfortable? If you can't store things inside of the camp kitchen to transport it, then any old pop-up table at your preferred height might be a better (and cheaper!) option.

I know we shared a bit about our mutual back issues, Miss Ronnie. Does it hurt to lift your painting arm shoulder height repeatedly to reach your paints and water? I know it would really bother me in my neck very quickly. I prefer to stand - as long as I remember to bend from the waist and keep my back straight.
If the fatmax is too heavy to lift...the camp kitchens may be heavier.

I too love the GrubHub, or the idea of a camp kitchen (and want to live vicariously through your purchase of it) but want to make sure you get the right thing for you.

There are folding tables at 30" that have wheels [Click HERE for folding table with wheels info]
But you are still left with the kit transport issue.

Do you know how much your kit weighs? If you have a scale, weigh the loaded fatmax, and then subtract the fatmax weight (couldn't find an advertised weight, but you could empty it and weigh it). If you find the weight of your kit is considerable, what about streamlining and trimming it while making it more efficient and thus, lighter?
Do you carry water with you to gigs? If so, consider filling up when you get there to save your back.

Just thinking out loud, feel free to disregard.

Oooh. I stand to paint and have a shorter camp kitchen that would work fine for sitting....but I really like the pics of the ones you have. I'd much prefer a higher work surface.

I bought the camp kitchen I have at Kroger's/Fred Meyer, but I think you can also order them from Bass Pro:
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Basic-Camp-Kitchen/product/10207192/57262?hvarAID=shopping_googlebase&om_mmc=shopping_googlebase

I looked at that one, Julie... It does not have enough usable work space for me.

I really need the storage area underneath, too... just for when when I am set up at a festival.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

I was looking at something very similar to that second one from Canadian Tire... I'm dying to get it, but I'm going to wait until I rake in some more cash from all these festivals this summer. I like the sink and the cupboards...

I've loved the cupboards but ended up not using the sink. The tabletop covers it. It would be cool if you put a large enough hole in the table top to dump into the sink. I use one of those square wash basins but if you use a cup it could be a cup holder and then you could dump the water down when it was dirty.

D.

Perry Noia wrote:I was looking at something very similar to that second one from Canadian Tire... I'm dying to get it, but I'm going to wait until I rake in some more cash from all these festivals this summer. I like the sink and the cupboards...

Erin... I don't see the dimensions on their website.... do you happen to know how tall it is?

can't seem to find dimensions, but based on the picture with the woman, it looks standard table height. We had a good weekend at the festival we did, so I might be able to convince hubby that I can spend a little on this for the next one

I don't paint sitting though, I love my director chair

This may be the one!!! I will probably look at it 27 times today before deciding

http://www.rei.com/product/765279/rei-camp-kitchen#video-inner

I just pushed the "Confirm Order" button for the camp kitchen above... YAY!!! It will be arriving Wednesday, the 27th - just in time for next week's fair!

I am soooo excited!

Horray!!!

I can't believe that is the one you bought. After all that and you buy this one?

JK! I think it looks great & I am envious...can I have your fatmax?

Laskowski911 wrote:I can't believe that is the one you bought. After all that and you buy this one?

JK! I think it looks great & I am envious...can I have your fatmax?