Community Forums

miller806 · 03-18-2021, 11:32 AM

The wife and I were watching Going RV the other day and it seamed that a lot of people wanted an outdoor kitchen. We have only been RVing for a few years now, but I don't recall ever seeing anyone using one. I personally don't see the need for one, but to each his own. When we cook outside it is on our grill or sometimes an open fire. We were wondering if anyone actually uses them, or are they an option that looked good but is seldom used.

ttowntrouble · 03-18-2021, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miller806

The wife and I were watching Going RV the other day and it seamed that a lot of people wanted an outdoor kitchen. We have only been RVing for a few years now, but I don't recall ever seeing anyone using one. I personally don't see the need for one, but to each his own. When we cook outside it is on our grill or sometimes an open fire. We were wondering if anyone actually uses them, or are they an option that looked good but is seldom used.

We agree, grilling outside is the only outside cooking we will do when we get our RV. To me, one of the benefits of having an RV with an indoor kitchen is that you can get away from the flies and other bugs. We just recently ordered a Winnebago Ekko which offers an outside kitchen, and we eliminated that option. I guess if you were using your coach for tailgating or entertaining a crowd, it might be different. Just depends on your needs.

puttin · 03-18-2021, 01:22 PM

Personally, I like them a lot (although our rig didn't come with it). My knees and ankles are in bad shape but I love cooking outside. So, I bought a small fridge and microwave and put them in my baggage compartment next to the entry door. I also got a folding table that stores near the door that I can easily reach in and slide it out. It serves as a meal prep area and a place where my grill sits. I'm popular in the rv park when I invite guests over for a burger, hot dog, and maybe some beans...and maybe steak. Where we go I've seen guys (never women) using their outdoor built in kitchens and they seem to like them very much. It's a real convenience being able to keep condiments, drinks, snacks, and whatever outside...as well as utensils. I even have a couple of large disposable tin pans to wash dishes afterwords. Never a need to go up and down stairs to get anything.

Just my 2 cents- maybe not for everyone but it's great for us.

TXTiger · 03-18-2021, 02:00 PM

My Class A is all electric and has a two burner induction stovetop inside and one outside with a mini fridge outside. They call it the Tailgator package. I have used the mini fridge to get a beer or soda without the need to go inside but have never used the cooktop. Why transport everything outside to cook and then transport the dirty dishes, pots and pans back inside to wash them. If I do cook outside it’s on my Blackstone grill.

Unicorn Driver · 03-18-2021, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttowntrouble

We agree, grilling outside is the only outside cooking we will do when we get our RV. To me, one of the benefits of having an RV with an indoor kitchen is that you can get away from the flies and other bugs. We just recently ordered a Winnebago Ekko which offers an outside kitchen, and we eliminated that option. I guess if you were using your coach for tailgating or entertaining a crowd, it might be different. Just depends on your needs.

I really like the look of the outdoor kitchen the EKKO has.

PS56 · 03-18-2021, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miller806

The wife and I were watching Going RV the other day and it seamed that a lot of people wanted an outdoor kitchen. We have only been RVing for a few years now, but I don't recall ever seeing anyone using one. I personally don't see the need for one, but to each his own. When we cook outside it is on our grill or sometimes an open fire. We were wondering if anyone actually uses them, or are they an option that looked good but is seldom used.

There are a lot of things you see on that channel that I very rarely see or see a real need.

Outdoor kitchen
Outdoor TV
Waste disposal bin with counter access with outside door.

Dutch Star Don · 03-18-2021, 04:58 PM

It's a personal choice. I no longer carry a BBQ, as I'm too lazy and impatient to BBQ anymore. My convection microwave can brown and cook any meat I want and it stays juicy. In our younger days when we were camping at a lake for two weeks at a time, an outdoor kitchen would have been great. The way we camp now, as older adults, has changed and I'm not interested in an outdoor kitchen.

We have friends that bring a pellet stove/smoker and BBQ. They love to cook and will hang around camp all day making delicious meals.

Both our daughters own fifth wheels. They both have outdoor kitchens and use them all the time. They open up the kitchen door and leave it up all day, so the kids can get drinks from the refer and they serve food on the counter.

Soooooo.........EVERYONE camps differently. Just because one person likes to cook and another doesn't, it doesn't make having an outdoor kitchen a bad thing. Sometimes people are too close minded to see that not everyone camps like they do.

PS56 · 03-18-2021, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Soooooo.........EVERYONE camps differently. Just because one person likes to cook and another doesn't, it doesn't make having an outdoor kitchen a bad thing. Sometimes people are too close minded to see that not everyone camps like they do.

An outdoor kitchen makes it Glamping. We're talking about camping. There's a difference.

baraff · 03-18-2021, 05:43 PM

Our outdoor kitchen consists of a small gas grill, a Coleman gas stove, and Coleman gas lantern on the table. Has worked great for many years.
But then, I'm old school.

atreis · 03-18-2021, 06:13 PM

My last three trailers have all had gas stoves in them, and I never used them except as a way to prime the propane system before lighting the water heater. I do all my cooking outside on a coleman propane stove, or over the fire. I did decide that with my new RV I'm going to start using the inside gas cooktop. Not sure how I'll like that change. I still have the coleman stove though, in case I want to go back outside.

Jayco19 · 03-18-2021, 06:24 PM

We have the so called outdoor kitchen and like it but not for cooking. I removed the gas grill (never used it) and replaced it with a drawer for outdoor cooking utensils. Like the fridge for drinks and the space as my coffee bar. Keep salt-pepper and my cooking spices and such there for outdoor cooking. Sure beats going in and out of the rv for those things.

Bobby F · 03-18-2021, 06:31 PM

In my experience, outdoor kitchens are great when you're camping with a pile of kids. You're outside with them as you cook, the massive piles of steam and smoke that cooking for lots of big eaters generates doesn't fill the RV, the mess stays outside . . . .

For one or two people, I think I'd just cook inside.

JaytheDJ · 03-19-2021, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS56

An outdoor kitchen makes it Glamping. We're talking about camping. There's a difference.

Not sure why having and using an outdoor kitchen puts me in the category of glamping?

To each their own but to answer OP's question:

I specifically bought my rig because it had an outdoor kitchen. When we go glamping camping we like to be outside with family, friends, the great outdoors. Having an outdoor kitchen with fridge, sink, griddle, and stovetop enables me to do cook while being with everyone. As an added bonus, the rig stays cleaner and smelling fresher without me exclusively cooking inside.

**Spdracr39** · 03-19-2021, 04:44 AM

I didn't think I would use mine. As it turned out it was a great place for storage for outdoor stuff without crawling into the bay and the little grill was a great supplement for cooking side dishes while using the main grill. The fridge would hold an amazing amount of drinks without having to go back in the 5'er to retrieve a beer for the group.