Had started fixing up an old cargo trailer a few years back to serve as a budget camper, but got sidetracked with other stuff and the project got pushed to the back of the line. Nothing fancy was ever intended, the trailer's primary function is still for hauling toys, just wanted the basics of a bed/cot, toilet, some lighting/ventilation, and be able to brew coffee or heat Spaghetti-O's if I ever wanted to use it as a temporary shelter.
Anyway, our propane BBQ grill finally bit the dust and was replaced yesterday, and the reason the old one had been purchased with a side burner (which we rarely use) was to use it as part of the portable kitchen for the trailer someday. So with the old grill now dead I picked up the project again. A cupboard from a garage sale, and flexible propane hose, regulator, and side burner stolen from the old grill.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tRLkSQP2/IMG-1786.jpg)
Capped one side of the propane "T" I wouldn't be using (yet?), and a male-male fitting to mate the two hoses.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sgzczYTW/IMG-1792.jpg)
Ran out of spray paint... Still a work in progress, and not even sure exactly what I want the finished project to look like, but generally happy with the results so far and will post updates as it progresses.
I'm excited to see the outcome. And I'm interested in the rest of the trailer build whenever you feel like posting some pics.
Do you plan on putting a hot pan right on the wood? Or will there be a buffer between the shelf and the hot pan? I picked up some cork boards randomly and they have become coasters and something to put hot pans on. I don't think I've put anything over 212 F on them though? I don't remember.
Interesting, I look forward to following.
But now the scoutmaster and chef are going to come out and offer my $0.02...
*Kitchen advice:
Are you planning to use it like a chuck box? When you set the burner up at a comfortable height, the bottom shelves will be awkward to reach in/out of, so put stuff down there you wont need often. Maybe pot/pan storage or your cleaning setup (3 dishpans, soap, sani) or the eventual breakdown legs you'll add. Table cloth...
Think about adding some heat/fire resistant cloth under the burner. Ditto what woods said for the area to the side of the burner - add something to keep the heat away from the wood.
Any way to enable the reg/dial to swing inside and be protected from bumps, snags, etc?
Shoeboxes or bungee cords inside to keep foodstuff, spices or whatever from sliding around when being moved.
Fire extinguisher...
WATCH YOUR WEIGHT. If you will be carrying this, the overall weight will build up quickly.
*scoutmaster advise follows:
Keep in mind how you will transport this. My troop used to have nice large solid wood chuck boxes. And while there was a good distribution of 16-18year olds, it was fine. When the ages started trending downward, the 13/14yr olds had issues moving them, and we were forced to reconsider the chuckboxes. We eventually sold them to another troop, and bought rolling toolboxes from Home depot that worked well for everything.
That's a kitchen fire/accident waiting to happen. Setting that burner pan assembly directly in contact with the wood is going to cause heating/charring of the wood when it heats up with a pot or fry pan on it. It needs to be set into something that will act as a thermal barrier between the burner pan and the wood. I'd go with maybe insetting a piece of heavy gauge stainless or, better yet, covering the whole top surface with a sheet of stainless and cutting the wood back from the burner pan 3/4" on all sides. The stainless then gives you a food prep surface that's easy to clean and keeps that Krylon seasoning off the food. Not to mention how much that stuff will stink if the burner gets it hot.
The other issue is a lack of stability, especially while cooking. That's going to be impossible to level in the field without adjustable legs, and far too easy to tip over when it gets top-heavy with a pot on it. Adding adjustable legs to it isn't difficult and I'm sure you can think of a dozen ways that work for you, but getting stability is going to be harder. The problem is a need to increase the stance front-to-back and to lower the center of gravity. CoG could be done with a couple of 25 lb bags of rice and/or flour in the bottom but increasing the stance while keeping it easy to work on and without a tripping hazard will be tough. Maybe a couple of side storage shelf box structures hinged so they can be swung forward and perpendicular to the main box?
It'd be a larger cost, but I might forgo the open-flame burner entirely for a griddle.
My parents even up with a Blackstone griddle in their RV, which basically supplanted any other cooking surface; it was nice enough that dad actually bought a larger non-portable for use at home.
These days there seem to be a number of other good options, due to the popularity of the Blackstone ones.
You could get one of those, and run a hose from the fuel source through the counter top, and possible y remove the griddle's feet to anchor with bolts run through the top. Then put the gas canister in the bottom of the cabinet to help lower the CoG.
Quote from: boskone on June 20, 2021, 12:11:19 PM
It'd be a larger cost, but I might forgo the open-flame burner entirely for a griddle.
My parents even up with a Blackstone griddle in their RV, which basically supplanted any other cooking surface; it was nice enough that dad actually bought a larger non-portable for use at home.
These days there seem to be a number of other good options, due to the popularity of the Blackstone ones.
You could get one of those, and run a hose from the fuel source through the counter top, and possible y remove the griddle's feet to anchor with bolts run through the top. Then put the gas canister in the bottom of the cabinet to help lower the CoG.
Plenty of room up there to do both. The burner is going to be needed for things like making soup, boiling pasta/rice, things not generally done on a griddle.
Interesting, but I gotta agree with everyone else, seems like the wood/burner idea could end badly. If it lifted up a bit so the heat wasn't directly on the wood it would probably be safer.
I'd be really interested in seeing the res of this build and what you do to the trailer!
We should probably confirm what that shelf countertop is made of. Looks like wood to us. Is it? If it is, I'm also wary. But many of us might be jumping to conclusions.
This is going to be installed in the trailer right? Sounds like some people are concerned about the weight of this, and I'm not sure where that concern is from. Will it just be carried in the trailer and set up outside when used?
If I am correct that this is going to be installed in the trailer, will you add a vent in the trailer? Or have this mounted by a door or window that will remain open?
Quote from: woodsghost on June 20, 2021, 08:53:02 AM
I'm excited to see the outcome. And I'm interested in the rest of the trailer build whenever you feel like posting some pics.
Do you plan on putting a hot pan right on the wood? Or will there be a buffer between the shelf and the hot pan? I picked up some cork boards randomly and they have become coasters and something to put hot pans on. I don't think I've put anything over 212 F on them though? I don't remember.
Thanks, the trailer ('95 Pace, single axle, 8x12) isn't much to look at, inside or out, but will clean it up a little and get some pics. I'm thinking about a heat resistant cutting board, but not sure yet if I want to afix it to the top permanently or just stow it. Leaning toward just stowing it though.
Quote from: SCBrian on June 20, 2021, 09:22:04 AM
Interesting, I look forward to following.
But now the scoutmaster and chef are going to come out and offer my $0.02...
*Kitchen advice:
Are you planning to use it like a chuck box? When you set the burner up at a comfortable height, the bottom shelves will be awkward to reach in/out of, so put stuff down there you wont need often. Maybe pot/pan storage or your cleaning setup (3 dishpans, soap, sani) or the eventual breakdown legs you'll add. Table cloth...
Think about adding some heat/fire resistant cloth under the burner. Ditto what woods said for the area to the side of the burner - add something to keep the heat away from the wood.
Any way to enable the reg/dial to swing inside and be protected from bumps, snags, etc?
Shoeboxes or bungee cords inside to keep foodstuff, spices or whatever from sliding around when being moved.
Fire extinguisher...
WATCH YOUR WEIGHT. If you will be carrying this, the overall weight will build up quickly.
*scoutmaster advise follows:
Keep in mind how you will transport this. My troop used to have nice large solid wood chuck boxes. And while there was a good distribution of 16-18year olds, it was fine. When the ages started trending downward, the 13/14yr olds had issues moving them, and we were forced to reconsider the chuckboxes. We eventually sold them to another troop, and bought rolling toolboxes from Home depot that worked well for everything.
It'll be used inside the trailer only, but not permanently mounted in case I need to remove it for added cargo space, but I do need to add carrying handles both as an easier means to move it in/out of the trailer and as anchor points for straps/rope to hold it in place during transport/use. I did order some elastic net fabric that I plan to stretch across the front openings, in place of doors, so the items won't fall out during transport. Was thinking the same thing on the knob protruding, but decided to just go with a high-vis knob. Fire extinguisher - check!
Quote from: NT2C on June 20, 2021, 09:59:41 AM
That's a kitchen fire/accident waiting to happen. Setting that burner pan assembly directly in contact with the wood is going to cause heating/charring of the wood when it heats up with a pot or fry pan on it. It needs to be set into something that will act as a thermal barrier between the burner pan and the wood. I'd go with maybe insetting a piece of heavy gauge stainless or, better yet, covering the whole top surface with a sheet of stainless and cutting the wood back from the burner pan 3/4" on all sides. The stainless then gives you a food prep surface that's easy to clean and keeps that Krylon seasoning off the food. Not to mention how much that stuff will stink if the burner gets it hot.
The other issue is a lack of stability, especially while cooking. That's going to be impossible to level in the field without adjustable legs, and far too easy to tip over when it gets top-heavy with a pot on it. Adding adjustable legs to it isn't difficult and I'm sure you can think of a dozen ways that work for you, but getting stability is going to be harder. The problem is a need to increase the stance front-to-back and to lower the center of gravity. CoG could be done with a couple of 25 lb bags of rice and/or flour in the bottom but increasing the stance while keeping it easy to work on and without a tripping hazard will be tough. Maybe a couple of side storage shelf box structures hinged so they can be swung forward and perpendicular to the main box?
To everyone that mentioned the possible fire hazard, haven't secured the burner in place yet, but going to use aluminum foil (actually the disposable type aluminum pie tins, cut and folded into shape around the edges, maybe double thickness) between the wood and the metal. The metal pan surrounding the burner itself doesn't get overly hot during operation, on the new BBQ it's in a plastic shelf, but better safe than sorry.
Quote from: boskone on June 20, 2021, 12:11:19 PM
It'd be a larger cost, but I might forgo the open-flame burner entirely for a griddle.
My parents even up with a Blackstone griddle in their RV, which basically supplanted any other cooking surface; it was nice enough that dad actually bought a larger non-portable for use at home.
These days there seem to be a number of other good options, due to the popularity of the Blackstone ones.
You could get one of those, and run a hose from the fuel source through the counter top, and possible y remove the griddle's feet to anchor with bolts run through the top. Then put the gas canister in the bottom of the cabinet to help lower the CoG.
I considered stealing the side burner from the new grill and making a double burner stove, have a stovetop griddle that would straddle the two for bacon, eggs, etc, but wasn't really looking to do any real cooking but just brewing coffee in a percolater, warming canned food, or maybe Mac and Cheese at the most extreme.
Quote from: RoneKiln on June 20, 2021, 02:34:21 PM
We should probably confirm what that shelf countertop is made of. Looks like wood to us. Is it? If it is, I'm also wary. But many of us might be jumping to conclusions.
This is going to be installed in the trailer right? Sounds like some people are concerned about the weight of this, and I'm not sure where that concern is from. Will it just be carried in the trailer and set up outside when used?
If I am correct that this is going to be installed in the trailer, will you add a vent in the trailer? Or have this mounted by a door or window that will remain open?
Right, only to be used inside the trailer or possibly just outside it on a pleasant day. I have a roof vent/fan, it's sitting on a shelf behind me right now in fact :) One of the last things I did before the project stalled out was to wire the trailer hitch 12v AUX power from the junction box under the trailer to bus bars inside for battery charging and to run the exhaust fan/vent, but haven't purchased a battery yet either.
Finished the paint job and have the burner knob bracket in place, clearly I'm not much of a woodworker :smiley_nah:
(https://i.postimg.cc/d0N6JcRr/burner-bracket.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/L8r3n3Y0/prog-2.jpg)
Just so you're aware, there are Federal and state regs governing using and storing those larger propane tanks inside a building or structure. I don't mention this to be a hardass, I do it out of safety concerns for you. While those regs may or may not apply here I think it might be prudent to consider the reasons they exist in the first place.
When I was setting up my comms trailer and adding a propane heater I purchased a metal tank holder that could be bolted to the outside of the trailer and a longer hose to go to the heater. Then I installed a simple pass-through for the hose to be put through and I could safely use the heater inside the trailer. Perhaps that would be a viable option for you?
Shore Power Hatch (https://smile.amazon.com/BRAND-CAMPER-TRAILER-MOTORHOME-POWER/dp/B017KWL4IM/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=shore+power+cord+hatch&qid=1624285696&sr=8-5)
Propane Tank holder (https://smile.amazon.com/Stromberg-Carlson-2020JR-Bottle-Rack/dp/B003VAUQFA/ref=sr_1_24?crid=3RNMSYUH5B2SB&dchild=1&keywords=rv+propane+tank+holder&qid=1624285830&sprefix=rv+propane%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-24)
Hose w/regulator (https://smile.amazon.com/12ft-Big-Buddy-Hose-Regulator/dp/B000UC7966/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=mr+buddy+hose&qid=1624285956&sr=8-9)
Having the regulator by the tank means the gas hose is at reduced pressure and less likely to leak.
As I said, these are just things you might want to consider in the interest of safety.
I built something similar for car camping during Covid:
(https://i.imgur.com/FcnChOJl.jpg)
In the field on a roadtrip someplace in Wyoming:
(https://i.imgur.com/Rq1T2LL.jpg)
Quote from: NT2C on June 21, 2021, 09:36:39 AM
Just so you're aware, there are Federal and state regs governing using and storing those larger propane tanks inside a building or structure. I don't mention this to be a hardass, I do it out of safety concerns for you. While those regs may or may not apply here I think it might be prudent to consider the reasons they exist in the first place.
When I was setting up my comms trailer and adding a propane heater I purchased a metal tank holder that could be bolted to the outside of the trailer and a longer hose to go to the heater. Then I installed a simple pass-through for the hose to be put through and I could safely use the heater inside the trailer. Perhaps that would be a viable option for you?
Shore Power Hatch (https://smile.amazon.com/BRAND-CAMPER-TRAILER-MOTORHOME-POWER/dp/B017KWL4IM/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=shore+power+cord+hatch&qid=1624285696&sr=8-5)
Propane Tank holder (https://smile.amazon.com/Stromberg-Carlson-2020JR-Bottle-Rack/dp/B003VAUQFA/ref=sr_1_24?crid=3RNMSYUH5B2SB&dchild=1&keywords=rv+propane+tank+holder&qid=1624285830&sprefix=rv+propane%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-24)
Hose w/regulator (https://smile.amazon.com/12ft-Big-Buddy-Hose-Regulator/dp/B000UC7966/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=mr+buddy+hose&qid=1624285956&sr=8-9)
Having the regulator by the tank means the gas hose is at reduced pressure and less likely to leak.
As I said, these are just things you might want to consider in the interest of safety.
Thanks. I'd been thinking about securing the 20 lb'er on the trailer tongue and running in either copper tubing or a flexible hose. Have plenty of the 1 lb'ers too, and plenty of spare propane parts/fittings. I could probably attach a 1 lb tank to that 3/8" flare fitting on the burner using a different regulator and some copper tubing without needing to hit the HW store. I always tear apart old grills and propane appliances for spare parts.
Quote from: the_alias on June 21, 2021, 10:44:03 AM
I built something similar for car camping during Covid:
(https://i.imgur.com/FcnChOJl.jpg)
In the field on a roadtrip someplace in Wyoming:
(https://i.imgur.com/Rq1T2LL.jpg)
That looks great, beyond my woodworking proficiency. Haven't really started considering the other accessories yet, other than a saucepan and a coffee pot but that gives me a few ideas.
Crosscut: I'm asking from a place of ignorance. Is there a possibility the plastic that burner was mounted in was some sort of high temperature resistant plastic? I don't know if that's even a thing in BBQs. I'm just jittery about mounting flame things in wood. And my survival instincts have never been all that great.
Alias: That looks awesome. Are the shelves to the side attached with hinges? Does the whole unit close into a box?
Quote from: RoneKiln on June 21, 2021, 11:01:15 PM
Crosscut: I'm asking from a place of ignorance. Is there a possibility the plastic that burner was mounted in was some sort of high temperature resistant plastic? I don't know if that's even a thing in BBQs. I'm just jittery about mounting flame things in wood. And my survival instincts have never been all that great.
That's a good question, and honestly no idea. Looking back at the original post and pic I should have made it clear that it wasn't attached yet and was still considering how to do it.
A bit more done, a couple coats of polyurethane on the top, utility handles on the sides, and some burner work.
(https://i.postimg.cc/76gxqW2R/burner1.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gJPWtHTH/burner2.jpg)
I never liked that burner grate even when it was on the grill, have one that I can steal from an old propane camper stove but it might require some modifications first assuming it'll work at all. Hoping to finish that today so I can test it tomorrow morning brewing a pot of coffee.
The burner grate from the miniature-sized camper stove was a near perfect fit, the original grate was so high the flame would barely touch the bottom of a pan placed on top of it. I like this one much better. Took about 15 mins to bring 8 cups of cold water to a boil on high, then 12 mins of brewing time on low heat.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gp3kKHws/k1.jpg)
Some minor bubbling of the polyurethane noted just under the lip at the edge of the metal pan of the burner assembly and just in this one location, might be hard to see in the pic but it's the tiny bumps along the edge, not the larger rough/bumpy area which is just a lack of sanding and proper cleaning on my part prior to painting. Some more heat shielding is needed though so I'll need to pull it apart again.
(https://i.postimg.cc/1zYNKBrL/k2.jpg)
Next need to get a dedicated stainless steel coffee pot for this, the tin one makes the coffee taste, well, tinny. And found my camp pot/pan set so it has a new home here, an old thermos to keep the coffee or soup warm, and need some small storage containers for the dishes/utensils and misc stuff.
Are you sure that's a tin coffee pot? It would be very unusual if it was, given its relatively low melting point. (450 F vs ~1220 F for aluminum)
To me, it looks like an aluminum alloy or maybe 18/10 stainless
Quote from: NT2C on June 27, 2021, 07:33:33 AM
Are you sure that's a tin coffee pot? It would be very unusual if it was, given its relatively low melting point. (450 F vs ~1220 F for aluminum)
To me, it looks like an aluminum alloy or maybe 18/10 stainless
You're probably correct on the aluminum, got tin on the mind looking at the 'tin' foil. Might be an old style Coghlan's or other discount manufacturer, very thin and with plastic for the perk indicator. This was a cheap backup purchased years ago, the stainless steel (Cabela's branded) one in the house doesn't produce the same tinny/alumininny ( ;) ) flavor.
My guess is either SS or cheap aluminum. Also note - Percolated coffee tastes different than a slow drip. based on the cooking methods. Kinda like onions taste different steamed than the do sauteed.
If the aftertaste bother's you, a cheap green/blue Coleman pot might help, those are coated and don't really allow the metal to contact the coffee. But keep in mind, it could be the preparation method as well. I find "boiled" coffee, either through a percolator or old fashioned cowboy coffee tastes a LOT better than drip. Tends to remove a lot of the bitter taste coffee has...
Quote
Alias: That looks awesome. Are the shelves to the side attached with hinges? Does the whole unit close into a box?
Yes, exactly, shuts into a box!