The Crafty Car Camping Kitchen Solution You Can Buy On Etsy

Car camping is one of the most convenient ways to camp. All of your things are in one place, you don't have to worry about lugging a heavy backpack to a campsite, and you have your very own customizable shelter on wheels. However, cooking at camp can get quite complicated without a designated kitchen space. You may have to awkwardly chop vegetables in your car's backseat or juggle multiple plates at once to avoid putting them on the ground. 

With all of the hassle of cooking while camping, it may make you want to leave the ingredients behind altogether, but you shouldn't have to sacrifice an impressive camp-cooked meal for a just-ok canned dinner. For people who don't want to leave their kitchen at home, it may be worth investing in a convenient cooking item to upgrade their car camping setup with what they have been missing.

A variety of shops on Etsy sell portable kitchen table setups, or chuck boxes. These setups can make cooking while camping so much easier, whether you need more storage, counter space, or simply a place to sit. But how do you decide what box is right for you?

Chuck boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with different features based on demand. Some of the ones sold on Etsy are handcrafted, like this box by CSCarpentry, while others may be professionally manufactured, like this one from clothNcraftboutique. Some come with cabinet space while others prioritize countertop space, so it depends on what you want to bring along for your trip. If you want to prioritize bringing loads of pans and cooking supplies, opt for a model with several storage areas. If you simply want more table space for your camping trip, opt for a model with less storage, but more surface space. The best part about these chuck boxes is their portability. Most models compress down into a small box, that is easily fit into the trunk of a car. One model, like this one from ElkKingLLC can be directly built into your car to make setup simple.

Prices range from $250 to the upper $1,000s. If you don't want to spend hundreds on a chuck box, you can also level up your camp cooking with blueprints on Etsy that show you how to make your own, like these from DOEMShopCreations. This is perfect for crafty folks on a budget, as you can completely customize it to your personal needs without the hefty price tag, as long as you're willing to put in some work.