11 BEST Camping Kitchens for Easy Outdoor Cooking [2024] (2024)

Published on: October 6, 2023

Short on time? Our pick for the best camping kitchen is theGCI Outdoor Master Portable Folding Camp Kitchen.

The best camping kitchens for organized and easy outdoor cooking.

The camping stove setup my partner and I have is adequate.

We have a pretty well-organized camp kitchen box with our stove, mess kit, and even some spices and sauces. We also have a cute little camping table if we need it.

But then I saw our friend Erica’s compact camping kitchen and realized we’d lived without it too long. I could immediately see the benefits of her portable cook station.

Erica likes to take multi-week float camping trips in the Grand Canyon and is very well-versed in cooking for groups.

Even though we had a picnic table, it was so convenient to meal prep at the camp kitchen and leave the picnic table for games.

The lantern hanger was far superior to a measly headlamp, and having paper towels at hand made cleanup so much easier.

Plus, the extra storage space made finding the right pot much easier than diving into a messy box in the back of the camper.

In the spirit of Erica’s genius setup, I’ve created this list of the best camping kitchens so you can enjoy outdoor cooking easily.

Need a camping cooking kit to go with your kitchen? Check out our top recommendations!

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free recommendations.

#1 GCI Outdoor Master Portable Folding Camp Kitchen

Our Rating: 5/5
Paper Towel Rod: Yes
Lantern Hanger: Yes
Utensil Hangers: No
Multiple Prep Surfaces: Yes
Trash Bag Hook: Yes

There’s a lot to love about the GCI Outdoor Master Portable Folding Camp Kitchen.

The powder-coated steel frame folds down to 34.8″ x 21.7″ x 5.9″ (the size of a long pool lounge chair) and includes several side tables and a wire storage rack below.

The GCI camp kitchen also includes a trash bag hook, lantern hanger, paper towel rod, and collapsible sink to wash up in.

My favorite feature about the GCI Outdoor Master, however, is the wine glass holders on the side tables. This is a fun feature, although I rarely camp with stemware.

#2 Yoke Chuck Box Camp Kitchen

Our Rating: 4.7/5
Paper Towel Rod: No
Lantern Hanger: No
Utensil Hangers: No
Multiple Prep Surfaces: No
Trash Bag Hook: No

The Yoke Chuck Box Camp Kitchen differs from the other outdoor kitchens on my list because this is not a table setup. Instead, it’s a sturdy box with space for a camp stove and many storage compartments.

This is more like a camp kitchen organizer, but it’s perfect for keeping all your cooking supplies in one place.

The Chuck Box Camp Kitchen has molded handles for easy carrying, and the storage space is divided up with a silverware drawer and dedicated space for plates, cups, and bowls.

You can cook right on the box too, so it acts like its own camping table.

#3 Camp Chef Sherpa Camp Table and Organizer

Our Rating: 4.9/5
Paper Towel Rod: No
Lantern Hanger: No
Utensil Hangers: No
Multiple Prep Surfaces: No
Trash Bag Hook: No

Even though the Camp Chef Sherpa Camp Table and Organizer lacks components like a lantern hanger and hooks for utensils, it’s still one of my favorite camp kitchens.

The Camp Chef features an aluminum-topped cook station in a fabric storage organizer divided into four zipper compartments for camp supplies. One of the zippered compartments is insulated for a cooler or wash basin.

This camp kitchen storage organizer has telescoping legs for cooking on uneven ground and padded carry handles for easy transport.

One minor issue with the Camp Chef Sherpa is the table height. At 27″ tall, it’s a little short for tall people.

Additionally, the cooktop is just big enough for a standard Coleman camp stove without much room to prep food.

#4 GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold

Our Rating: 4.9/5
Paper Towel Rod: Yes
Lantern Hanger: No
Utensil Hangers: Yes
Multiple Prep Surfaces: Yes
Trash Bag Hook: Yes

My favorite feature of the GCI Slim Fold is the four folding side tables for maximum prep and storage space.

As the name implies, the Slim Fold packs down to a very compact, low-profile unit, making it easy to take on camping trips.

Like the other GCI camp kitchens on my list, each side table has hooks for trash bags, cooking utensils, or wine glasses.

The center of this camping kitchen has a heat-resistant aluminum cooktop, perfect for your camping stove, and a wire rack beneath that for drying.

Finally, the height on the GCI Outdoor Slim Fold is 32″, a pretty comfortable height for most folks. Last but not least, the Slim Fold is quite affordable and won’t break the bank.

#5 Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen Table

Our Rating: 4.7/5
Paper Towel Rod: No
Lantern Hanger: No
Utensil Hangers: Yes
Multiple Prep Surfaces: Yes
Trash Bag Hook: No

The Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen Table offers a nice mix of enclosed storage and working prep space.

The unenclosed portion of this portable camping kitchen table has one main cooktop for your camp stove and three side tables.

In the enclosed part, you’ll find two storage shelves with utensil pockets on the side and a zippered front to keep bugs and rain off the rest of your gear.

The aluminum frame weighs just 13 pounds and comes with a carry bag.

Although this camp kitchen lacks a lantern hanger or paper towel spot, I appreciate the comfortable cooking height of 31.5 inches.

#6 Cabela’s Deluxe Camp Kitchen

Our Rating: 4.8/5
Paper Towel Rod: Yes
Lantern Hanger: Yes
Utensil Hangers: Yes
Multiple Prep Surfaces: Yes
Trash Bag Hook: No

Cabela’s has made it easy to prepare a gourmet meal in the great outdoors.

The standout feature of Cabela’s Deluxe Camp Kitchen is the spice rack. Yep. You heard me. There’s a little rack next to the hooks and the paper towel hanger, and it’s just darling.

Aside from the darling spice rack, the Cabela’s Deluxe Camp Kitchen includes an enclosed zippered pantry under one of the three side tables and enough prep space for multiple camp stoves.

I like that this camp kitchen includes a towel rack and a removable wash basin, and the legs are adjustable.

The one thing I dislike about the Deluxe Camp Kitchen is that they encourage the user to store food in the fabric “pantry,” when in reality, you should never store food in a non-bearproof container while camping, even if you’re not in bear country.

Even squirrels and mice would rip through that thing in a second!

#7 Coleman Pack-Away Portable Kitchen

Our Rating: 4.7/5
Paper Towel Rod: No
Lantern Hanger: Yes
Utensil Hangers: Yes
Multiple Prep Surfaces: No
Trash Bag Hook: Yes

Coleman is known for affordable (eek, dare I say, chintzy) camp gear, but their Coleman Pack-Away Portable Kitchen has tons of excellent reviews.

The main benefit of the Coleman Pack Away Kitchen is the small packed size of just 32″ x 11″ x 4.5″. On top of that, it comes with a compact carrying case to make transport even easier.

The minimalist design of the Coleman Pack-Away Portable Kitchen gives you one food prep table, one place to put your camp stove, and a mesh shelf underneath for drying.

I also like that it has a lantern pole and hooks for utensils. However, I will note that the stove platform is several inches lower than the prep table, and some users find this uncomfortable to stand at.

#8 Camco Olympian Deluxe Portable Grill Table

Our Rating: 4.9/5
Paper Towel Rod: Yes
Lantern Hanger: No
Utensil Hangers: Yes
Multiple Prep Surfaces: Yes
Trash Bag Hook: Yes

I like the Camco Olympian Deluxe Portable Grill Table because it has a slim fold design and many features I want in a cook station, like hooks for utensils and a paper towel rod.

This camping kitchen sets up instantly. You can simply unfold it, attach the aluminum table top, and get straight to cooking.

This camping kitchen functions as a grill stand because it can hold a ton of weight. The main table holds up to 100 lbs, and each side table (of which there are two) can hold 20 lbs.

The Camco Olympian grill stand has a wire rack beneath the main table for drying or storing all the food out of the way.

The one thing I don’t love about the Camco Olympian is the low height. At just 19 inches tall, this may be uncomfortable to stand at for long periods.

#9 Stoic Portable Camp Kitchen Island

Our Rating: 4.5/5
Paper Towel Rod: No
Lantern Hanger: Yes
Utensil Hangers: Yes
Multiple Prep Surfaces: Yes
Trash Bag Hook: No

The Stoic Portable Camp Kitchen Island made it onto my list of the best camping kitchen gear thanks to its unique canvas storage bag on the side, as well as the oversized feet that add stability.

A small zippered canvas bag hangs off one of the side tables to provide storage for small cooking utensils.

The Stoic Portable Camp Kitchen is unique because it has a collapsible sink and drain tube. Although I love the convenience of this idea, the drain tube is thin, which causes it to clog easily.

This camping kitchen has an aluminum frame, making it heat-resistant and lightweight, but note that this one is bulky when it packs down.

Finally, one other downside is that many users found this cook station challenging to assemble and complained of shoddy construction.

#10 Browning Camping Basecamp Cook Station

Our Rating: 4.9/5
Paper Towel Rod: No
Lantern Hanger: No
Utensil Hangers: No
Multiple Prep Surfaces: No
Trash Bag Hook: No

The Browning Camping Basecamp Cook Station is perfect if you’re a tall person because it has a very high tabletop height of 44 inches.

Even though this cook station doesn’t have some of the frills I personally like in a cooking space, it has other redeeming features, like a built-in windscreen for your camp stove and a 600D polyester zippered storage cabinet below the cooktop.

I appreciate that the zippered storage space has shelves that provide easy camp organization.

The Browning Basecamp also lacks a separate side table, but the main cooktop is big enough to fit a stove and still has leftover room left for preparing food.

#11 CampLand Folding Cooking Table

Our Rating: 4.7/5
Paper Towel Rod: No
Lantern Hanger: Yes
Utensil Hangers: Yes
Multiple Prep Surfaces: Yes
Trash Bag Hook: Yes

Lastly, the CampLand Folding Cooking Table has almost all the features I like to see in a camp kitchen. This camping kitchen features a screened cooktop, two side tables, and a shelf below the cooktop for storage.

I love hanging things on the cook station, and the CampLand Folding Cooking Table has multi-use hooks for utensils, hangers, trash bags, aprons, or dishtowels.

Beneath one of the side tables, you’ll find a zippered, shelved storage cabinet for protected, easy access to your cooking accouterments.

One minor issue with this cooking table is that the prep spaces are lower than the main cooktop. While this is a common design feature for camp kitchens, I personally hate bending over to do prep work.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Camping Kitchen Set

What to Look for in Camping Kitchens

Foldable

First up on my basic camping kitchen list of requirements is foldability.

It’s non-negotiable that camping cooking gadgets need to be foldable and compact. Most portable kitchens are similar to your standard folding camp table; they just have more do-dads attached.

Ensure your portable camping kitchen will pack to a size you can easily pack in your vehicle.

Height

If you want outdoor meal-making to be physically comfortable, look for kitchens where the main tabletop is around 36″ tall. That’s the height of most kitchen counters, and the best portable camping kitchens will use this metric.

Lightweight

Don’t let your outdoor cooking station weigh you down–literally. Look for a camping kitchen with an aluminum frame for a good mix of strength and lightness.

Multiple Prep Surfaces

A good camping kitchen setup will give you plenty of counter space for food prep. Some camp kitchens have side tables, others fold-out shelves, and some have both!

Remember that most developed campgrounds have picnic tables available for food prep space, but space may be at a premium if you’re dispersed camping or boondocking.

Heat Resistant

Ensure your portable camping kitchen table has a heat-resistant countertop to avoid safety issues.

Many camping kitchens come with at least one safe aluminum countertop to use your stove on.

Lantern Pole

No one wants to do food prep in the dark! Pick an outdoor camping kitchen with a lantern pole.

Paper Towel Rod

As much as I prefer reusable dishcloths, sometimes you need paper towels while camping, so I like to see camping kitchens with paper towel holders.

Sink/Wash Basin

The worst part of camp cooking is washing dishes, so I prefer a portable camping kitchen with a sink. Some camp kitchens have a built-in wash basin; others have a dedicated spot for your to put a plastic wash tub.

Utensil Hooks

I love when a camp kitchen has utensil hooks because finding a clean spot to lay your utensils down can be annoying. And even if your prep space is clean, I don’t like laying dirty utensils on a table.

Drying Rack

One of my favorite kitchen camping ideas is putting a bottom wire rack or mesh shelf onto a camping kitchen to act as a drying rack.

Camp kitchens that include this feature eliminate any need to hand dry your camping utensils.

Adjustable Legs

If you need to prepare your meal on uneven ground, having a camping kitchen with legs that adjust can be a game-changer.

Carry Bag/Box

A portable camping kitchen needs a carry bag for easy storage. Ideally, the bag will have a strap for easy lifting.

For more tips about what to include in your camp kitchen from a professional chef, check out this video.

FAQs About Camping Kitchen

Are camping kitchens worth it?

There are many situations where a camping kitchen is worth it. If you camp frequently or need to cook for a large group, an outdoor kitchen comes in handy.

It’s also a useful piece of gear if you’ll be camping in a spot without a picnic table or have a compulsive need to stay organized in the great outdoors.

How much do camping kitchens cost?

A deluxe camping kitchen without camping cooking equipment will run around $200, while a cheaper setup will be under $100.

What should I have as part of my camp kitchen?

A good camping kitchen includes the following elements:

• Heat-resistant counter space
• Paper towel holder
• Trash bag holder
• Adjustable table legs
• Lantern holder
• Drying rack
• Utensil hooks
• Wash basin

Do camp kitchens have ovens?

No, most camp kitchens do not have ovens, although you can purchase portable camp ovens and use them with a camping kitchen unit.

How do you set up a camping kitchen?

For most camp kitchens, you simply unfold the legs like a standard camping table. You may need to set up a few extra poles or shelves with a portable camping kitchen table, but the setup will be straightforward overall.

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Camping Kitchen

Purchasing a portable cooking station certainly isn’t required for your outdoor adventures, but man, they make food prep so much easier.

I especially recommend a camping kitchen if you’ll be camping in one place for several days or cooking for a big group.

Additional storage and a place to store your cooking utensils can make a massive difference to your sanity if you’re like me and crave organization while camping.

The best portable kitchen on my list is the GCI Outdoor Master Portable Folding Camp Kitchen.

This is the perfect addition to your camping kitchen tent. The GCI Outdoor Master portable kitchen features a powder-coated frame and folds down to the size of a pool chair.

I like that all the prep spaces are the same height as the cooktop and that there’s a wire drying rack below.

This camp kitchen has all the frills, including a trash bag hook, lantern hanger, paper towel rod, collapsible wash basin, and even wine glass holders!

Finally, the GCI Outdoor Master is very affordable and well-rated.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Meredith Dennis

Meredith is a biologist and writer based in California’s Sierra Nevada. She has lived in 6 states as a biologist, so her intel on hiking and camping is chef’s kiss next level. One of her earliest camping memories was being too scared to find a bathroom at night on a family camping trip. Thankfully, she’s come a long way since then and she can help you get there too!

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