Here is a new approach to the classic camp box or chuck box. I wanted a box that stored all of my cooking gear including my stove, was light enough for one person to carry and easy to build.
There are two big changes from most boxes. First the top is open, this allows easy access to the stove and reminds me of the old Volkswagon buses that had built in stoves. Second, the front doors open to the side instead of dropping down. Most people think that it is nice to have a work space in front of the box but I think the drop down table makes it hard to reach the stove. When this box is sitting on a picnic table, I use the table as a work space and can easily reach the stove.
The the sides of the box are made from 1/2" plywood with a 1/4" inner shelf, doors and back panel. Everything is held together with framing brackets. No glue or nails.
The box holds everything I need to cook, clean and serve for 4 people. At camp, the pots hang on the left hand side to dry and the spatula and other utensils hang on the right. There is a spare propane canister behind the stove and the plastic tubs are used for washing dishes.
There are two big changes from most boxes. First the top is open, this allows easy access to the stove and reminds me of the old Volkswagon buses that had built in stoves. Second, the front doors open to the side instead of dropping down. Most people think that it is nice to have a work space in front of the box but I think the drop down table makes it hard to reach the stove. When this box is sitting on a picnic table, I use the table as a work space and can easily reach the stove.
The the sides of the box are made from 1/2" plywood with a 1/4" inner shelf, doors and back panel. Everything is held together with framing brackets. No glue or nails.
The box holds everything I need to cook, clean and serve for 4 people. At camp, the pots hang on the left hand side to dry and the spatula and other utensils hang on the right. There is a spare propane canister behind the stove and the plastic tubs are used for washing dishes.
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Signing UpStep 1: Construction / Framing
Materials Needed:
Side pieces =1/2" plywood 16"x18" Qty 2
Big shelf / Bottom = 22"X16" 1/4" Qty 2
Back Panel = 23" X18" 1/4"
Front Doors = 13 1/2"X 23" 1/4" (Cut in Half)
Thin Shelf = 22"X18" 1/4"
Outside corner brackets Qty 4
Inside corner brackets Qty 4
Brass cup hooks
1/4" X 1/2" Round head sheet metal screws
Shelf brackets = 1"X2" strips 17" long Qty 2
Small hinges Qty 4
Small L brackets Qty 4
Small bolts with Nylock nuts and bolts.
The main structural shape of the box is an H with a bottom piece. The two sides, main shelf and bottom of the H are 1/2"
One of the problems of working with plywood is how to attach the pieces because you can not nail or screw into the end pieces. I chose a simple solution that only uses screws and sheet metal brackets. The brackets were attached with galvanised sheet-metal screws while the 1/4" plywood was attached using bolts, nylock bolts and washers
The box is made up of two side pieces and two main shelves from 1/2" plywood. The front doors, second shelf and back panel are 1/4" plywood. I used deck stain to protect the plywood.
The top shelf is attach using inside angle brackets. These provide support and also fit flush under the shelf.
The bottom piece is attached to the side pieces using large angle brackets.
The back panel is attached with small angle brackets. The panel is important because it make the box stronger and prevents the box from bending side to side.
The doors open to the sides on hinges.
Strong metal handles were attached to either side.
Side pieces =1/2" plywood 16"x18" Qty 2
Big shelf / Bottom = 22"X16" 1/4" Qty 2
Back Panel = 23" X18" 1/4"
Front Doors = 13 1/2"X 23" 1/4" (Cut in Half)
Thin Shelf = 22"X18" 1/4"
Outside corner brackets Qty 4
Inside corner brackets Qty 4
Brass cup hooks
1/4" X 1/2" Round head sheet metal screws
Shelf brackets = 1"X2" strips 17" long Qty 2
Small hinges Qty 4
Small L brackets Qty 4
Small bolts with Nylock nuts and bolts.
The main structural shape of the box is an H with a bottom piece. The two sides, main shelf and bottom of the H are 1/2"
One of the problems of working with plywood is how to attach the pieces because you can not nail or screw into the end pieces. I chose a simple solution that only uses screws and sheet metal brackets. The brackets were attached with galvanised sheet-metal screws while the 1/4" plywood was attached using bolts, nylock bolts and washers
The box is made up of two side pieces and two main shelves from 1/2" plywood. The front doors, second shelf and back panel are 1/4" plywood. I used deck stain to protect the plywood.
The top shelf is attach using inside angle brackets. These provide support and also fit flush under the shelf.
The bottom piece is attached to the side pieces using large angle brackets.
The back panel is attached with small angle brackets. The panel is important because it make the box stronger and prevents the box from bending side to side.
The doors open to the sides on hinges.
Strong metal handles were attached to either side.
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One customization I added is for my gas bottle, if you zoom in the picture, I used a jigsaw to cut out a half-circle to hold the bottle upright. When the doors are closed, it can't tip over, so no risk of leaks. We camped for 5 days, and cooked a lot, and had enough gas for the trip.
Lots of fun to build, and even more fun to use- thought you'd enjoy the photo- Thanks!
This was actually my second attempt, the first prototype used 1/4" panels with long wooden stringers at each of the edges. The design was a little flimsy and it took forever to build. Using the 1/2" in an H shape with metal brackets and the rest 1/4" gave the best balance between weight and strength. Several of the 1/4" pieces were reused for the second generation and there are many small holes along the edges.
The biggest challenge with working with plywood is joining two edges at 90 deg in a simple fashion.
I think I might make one of these! Thanks for the idea wgreunke..
I could think of so many things I can add to one of these to do alot more than just cooking but it might just get too heavy.. =) But the again sometimes simple just might better.
I do have two small cutting boards that slip inside.
One of the requirements is that everything can be washed in the tubs. I am a firm believer that a mess in the kitchen expands to fill all available counter space. By limiting the space, I minimize the amount of things that have to be cleaned while camping.
The other solution is a set of hooks that you can remove. When you get to the campsite, just clip the hooks on the side and you are ready to go.
Now that I think about it, this actually might work because the table top space that is lost is gained from the open cover. This gives you more counter space when the box is on the ground.
Thanks for the idea.
The Boy Scouts have similar kitchen boxes too.
THAT would be something nice for my '78 Westy too.
Also, to keep the stove in place while driving or the box being moved, do you have a strap over it to keep it in its spot. I can see it bouncing out - yikes!
I DO like this! Compact, usable - thumbs up!
No problem yet with things bouncing around, first because this is for family camping in a mini-van so speed bumps in the parking lot is the closest we get to off road. Second, the car gets a little full so the box usually has other stuff on top of it.
BTW keep weight in mind when you select your supplies, or else you might need more than 2 handles to carry it and all of it's contents! ;)
I like the story of traveling in the station wagon. I designed this to serve a similar purpose in a mini-van, the modern equivalent of a station wagon.
Try to find an impermeable material, such as a resinous material, like Corian or a knock-off.
Use continuous aluminum angles for all connections, with through-bolts.
The 1/4" shelf is already sagging, without any load. For thin shelves like this, apply a continuous aluminum angle along the long edges, as well.
Consider adding a top of galvanized or aluminum sheet metal for added rain protection.
I like the idea that others mentioned of having fold-out tables on either side, supported by the doors.
Lots of luck with your project!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11864290
I like the idea of the fold out lids. The side is one area where the box can extend without running into ergonomic issues. The original intention of the box was to set it up in a mini-van similar to a Volkswagon camper bus. Eliminating the lid makes it easy to get to the stove without having to move other things nearby.