PDF《DIY Camp Box Makeover》

10 Iowa Outdoors ? january / february

2008 Together ~ halfa day on $50 DIY Camp Box Makeover Transform your cluttered camp box into an organized and functional campside "must-have.

" For a great winter do-it-yourself project, build this custom camp kitchen to keep camp cookery handy and ready to go. Well- organized compartments make finding needed items a snap. The camp kitchen doubles as a perfect off-season storage unit ready for future outings. Place the camp kitchen on picnic tables, so items are within easy reach. The hinged flaps fold over for easy access to interior items. The bottom front panel is finished with salvaged kitchen counter laminate to make a convenient and easy-to-clean food preparation area. Load side handles with dishtowels and place paper towels on the side holder for quick cleanups and washing. The Problem Using a large box for camp cookery gear presents problems―small items settle to the bottom, creating endless rummaging, unpacking and repacking. Contents constantly shift and space is wasted. The solution Build the camp kitchen to custom fit cargo areas for upright storage in station wagons, SUVs and minivans. Design the unit to fit your cooking gear. Small amounts of scrap, ?-inch plywood and hardware can create a kitchen away from home for tailgating, camping, picnics, and hunting and fishing trips. www.iowadnr.gov

11 Dimensions Measure your vehicle to build box accordingly. As shown,

13 1/2 inch exterior depth,

23 inch width, and

26 inch height. ? Plate and cup shelves are10 ? inches wide. Construct height to custom fit cup or mug heights (4 inches shown here.) ? Shelves and drawers keep uten- sils, cups and plates at easy reach. ? Utensil drawer front is ? inch thick wood. Drawer interior mea- sures

11 x

20 ? inches. ? Store a large plastic tub inside for hot dishwater for post-meal cleanups. A small plastic margarine container makes a good matchbox holder. Nest pots and pans to maxi- mize storage space and store in the plastic tub. A tablecloth, dishtowels, sponges and hot pads can keep metal pans from rattling during transport. ? Reinforce interior corners of box frame with ? x ? inch wood ?

11 6/8 inch tall bottom storage section is large enough to store camp stove griddles. Storage for two coffee pots allows one for the morning brew, the other to heat up dishwater. Load up the interior with a small bottle of dish detergent, coffee, hot cocoa and cans of soup or beans. utensil drawer keeps spoons, forks and knives organized with added corkscrew, can opener, spatulas, tongs and measuring spoons as handy tools. Boxed aluminum foil fits nicely in the back of the drawer. Adjust- able metal marshmallow and hot dog roasting sticks fit inside, too. The plate shelf sits atop a ? x ? inch runner of wood, allowing shelf removal for cleaning or to store tall items. Use wood molding for top edges. Finish with wood stain. ? Heavy-duty latch keeps front panels secure. illustration by studio Z