Where do you cook your meals?

[Matlock]

Up till now I really haven't given it much thought because I'm still at my home base. Tonight I cooked out on the grill and paid attention to where the smoke was going and where the grease splatter went and tried to move everything when the rain began to fall.
I haven't started the kitchen part of my Cube build. I'm seriously considering cooking outside only and forgoing any inside stove top grease splatter/smoke mess. I really don't want a huge stove vent. It would never get the food smell out and in cold months a powered vent would suck all the heat out.

So where do you do most of your cooking, inside or outside ?  
Do you have a portable table to place your propane stove on?
Did you buy it or build one?
How do you block the wind and keep the rain off everything and the mud out of the Van?
I've camped in tents and cabins over the years without a second thought.  My soon to be Cube-dwelling brings a different set of decisions with it.
Why am I just now thinking of this stuff?

 

[akrvbob]

I always cook inside and it has never been an issue. Here is a $7 solution to splatter.
http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-2063-Nonstick-Splatter-Guard/dp/B0000CFP0F/

If some is getting away a pennies worth of aluminum foil over the top will solve that.
Bob

 

[anewbiewannabe]

Sumtin tells me I'll be able to keep vampires away although those who like Italian food or garlic might be drawn to my rolling domicile.

 

[rvpopeye]

COOKING inside unless it's too hot , then outside.
GRILLING , always outside !

 

[highdesertranger]

I cook outside whenever possible. I only cook inside in bad weather or extreme cold. when I build my trailer I will have a full kitchen, rv stove and oven inside because I will probably run into a lot more bad weather. I just want to add there is something I really love about cooking outdoors. highdesertranger

 

[wagm]

I do all my cooking inside, the vent hood is the bottom of the microwave and does a good job, plus there is a fantastic fan above the microwave. In the case of bad weather I make a chocolate malt. yesss Warren

 

[minimotos95]

Most of this year I have been using the fullsize propane grill sitting behind my van as my main cook/bake/grill area. The grill has given me 3 years of great service and was free. Even if I am not using propane I just set my butane stove on the side of the grill.
I will need a trailer t take it and my bike on the road once my van is trip worthy.

My butane stove I might use inside in the future but just for simple, clean stuff like boiling water.

 

[Bdog1]

Outside for me, unless weather is too bad. I just travel not live in my van. Couple of weeks at a time.

Wally World had a $22 light weight folding table. 26" square I'm guessing. Works and stores well.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

So where do you do most of your cooking, inside or outside ?
I do as much living (including cooking) outside whenever possible.  Cooking inside is limited to boiling water: coffee  :exclamation: , oatmeal, soup, freeze dried  :s  
Do you have a portable table to place your propane stove on?
I have a small table that I use both inside and outside and a combo propane grill/stove that is used for outside cooking.  Inside I use a 'Pocket Rocket' backpacking stove.
Did you buy it or build one?
The table I am currently using I built but I did look at a blow molded 2' x 4' folding table at WM for ~$30.
How do you block the wind and keep the rain off everything and the mud out of the Van?
I block the wind with a home made windscreen similar to the one Bob showed on Amazon (if I had known about that one, I wouldn't have made mine   :s ).

I use a tarp as an awning (attached to one side of my camper) or light rains.  For heavy or blowing rain, I'm in the camper.

Hard to keep dirt out of the camper.  I use an astroturf (plastic grass) mat that catches a suprising amount of dirt and is easily cleaned.  Shoes off at the door.  If dog's feet are muddy, they get soaked and dried before he is alowed in (or a least immediately after in)
I've camped in tents and cabins over the years without a second thought.  My soon to be Cube-dwelling brings a different set of decisions with it.
Why am I just now thinking of this stuff?
Because now, instead of a short trip or vacation, this is going to be your home.  Change of paradigm.

-- Spiff

 

[ZoNiE]

When weather is good or with a group:

for Grilliin:

Otherwise Inside on my 3 burner Attwood (travel trailer hob)

 

[highdesertranger]

so here is a pic of my typical kitchen.

and a little wider shot.

highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

zonie what kind of grill is that? highdesertranger

 

[sephson]

Here:

Or on this shelf I built in the back:

 

[LeeRevell]

I have a two-burner propane stove like Sephson's, and a different style folding table for outside cookery. A 10'X10' awning shelter gives a protected place during light to moderate rain. If necessary I can heat something up inside the van. Haven't got a kitchen rigged up yet.

 

[Matlock]

I've always cooked over the campfire and I now know that isn't always an option.  I've got Dad's old Coleman 2-burner portable and that's what I'm planning to use. The Coleman is about 60 yrs old I'd guess. See if I can find Bob's splatter guard with magnets on the bottom. Maybe I wouldn't need them inside but the wind blows stuff over outdoors.

"Sumtin tells me I'll be able to keep vampires away although those who like Italian food or garlic might be drawn to my rolling domicile. anewbiewannabe".
I've never been accused of holding back on the onion and garlic... Or the oregano, chives, peppers, well let's just say I make a pretty decent Salsa too.

"I just want to add there is something I really love about cooking outdoors. highdesertranger".
I totally agree. For me it's adds another important piece to the adventure.

 

[Matlock]

"I do as much living (including cooking) outside whenever possible.  Cooking inside is limited to boiling water: coffee    , oatmeal, soup, freeze dried. Spiff".
I'm gonna try this, cooking outside if at all possible. And thank you for the word of the day "paradigm".

Zonie has BRATTS  .... Those look good. (Homer) Bratwurst yummmmm

 

[wagoneer]

Guess you can call me a fair weather traveler, cooking outside primarily, same folding table thing with 2 burner coleman lots of cast iron. I am dreaming about a wood burner in the van. My Hvac experience may come in handy yet., Yah Zonie I don't see 3 burners wassup? looks more like catalyst..

 

[Matlock]

so here is a pic of my typical kitchen.

and a little wider shot.

highdesertranger

Can't get your pic to attach here... but....you have an Oasis...
Isn't that how Bogart got started in Casablanca....which way to the bar  

 

[Matlock]

Here:

Sephson, I like the table, where did you find it?
Also noticed the fresh water container, same question.

 

[janncoo]

We cook outside always. Use folding table, combination coleman propane single burner and grill or dutch oven. The coleman combo has wind guard. Jan