Are Slide-Out Kitchens Worth It?

Determine the cost, weight and space savings before you buy.

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Words by Steve Fennell

Stepping up your game for extended overlanding trips takes commitment and expense. After all, time is precious and added convenience off-the-grid comes at a price. There are countless items on wishlists among hardcore overlanders and slide-out kitchens often rank at the top for their ideal function and efficient use of space.

After learning about the cost, space required and added weight, you may just ask yourself “why shouldn’t I keep using my traditional cooler and tried-and-true portable Coleman propane stove?”

The short answer to that is you can. But after a long day at the wheel, preparing meals can be an ordeal all its own. The conditions in which you prepare them can also be demanding and in all reality, two items to unpack for meals usually turn into four or five, given the use of utensils, cookware, beverages, plus all of the ingredients. So why not have them in all one space that takes less time to access, organize and use?

Slide-out kitchens are nothing new to overlanders but they have increased in popularity given more enthusiasts are going further off the grid for longer periods. It’s a space where a stove (like your trusty two-burner Coleman cooktop), fridge, cooler and more can quickly be accessible in one compact, secured area.

If you have found yourself commonly checking them out at the recent overland shows or even during your travels, there are many pros (and cons) to know about before investing in one.

Give Yourself a Break Off-Road

If you’re considering a slide-out kitchen, there’s little doubt you have many overlanding kilometres under your belt. But if you’re new to the pastime, you’ll be happy to know they can be used anytime, practically anywhere, and even be removed when not needed if your rig serves a daily driver. If anything, they are a handy tool to enhance your off-road adventures.

“Pull-out kitchens are essentially designed for those who are constantly on the move and want an easy way to prepare meals in little time and with little effort,” says Alan Smith, owner of Overland Kitchen, a Victoria, BC-based company that designs and manufacturers a range of custom slide-out kitchens for a variety of Wrangler trims and most 4x4s. “It takes about 15 seconds to pull out and set up, and then another 30 seconds to start preparing meals. That’s why people consider them. They want to save time on set up and increase their travel time.”

What Model is Right for You?

Many styles are available and range from simple compact cabinets that conceal a stove or cooler (with additional convenient storage and function) to large-scale models for truck beds that can fit all of your cookware and needs. One feature that remains constant (among most quality models) is an innovative, retracting telescoping design. which can roll out one, two, or even three free-standing platforms vertically (some even horizontally) from a low-profile housing. They simply mount in a bed or cargo area using tie-downs or existing mounts.

Of course, the size of your rig dictates the model and how much you can load up, but just think how easy it would be to access a cooler, sink, stove, prep area, cookware, a pantry (or all five ) by simply pulling on the cabinet face. What’s more, after a quick clean-up, you can then close it up just as fast and be on your way - no more repacking or combing through unorganized storage bins.

Having gear in one designated space also means it’s accounted for during packing, allowing you to be more selective about bringing extra recovery equipment, tools, safety gear and more. A good example is The Original Nomad Kitchen from the Nomad Kitchen Co. that’s based in Alameda, CA. It measures a compact 63 cm (25 in) deep, 36 cm (14 in) high and 51 cm (20 in) wide, has a clean exterior and stays secure by using your vehicle's existing anchor points or other tie-down systems.

It includes storage, a stainless steel washbasin, bamboo cutting board drying rack/storage basket, drawer for a two-burner stove, support for a .5 kg (1 lb) propane tank, and space for a water tank.  It also has a travel-friendly height so you can mount a cooler or other cumbersome gear on its surface during travel.

While some slide-outs are made of quality wood or composites, other manufacturers like Victoria, BC-based Overland Kitchen, offer models with stainless steel construction.

For instance, its Drawer and Stove Cabinet model has a stacked three-drawer system to securely house a stove, cookware and even a counter/surface area measuring 30 x 57 cm (15.5 D x 22.5  W in) to prepare meals, clean your catch of the day and other tasks. But if you run a Tacoma or other larger 4x4, the company’s Truck Bed Expedition Kitchen is another option. It’s specifically designed to fit truck beds of 1.5 m (5 ft) or larger.

Some features include its all stainless steel, food-grade construction that measures 151 x 53 x 57 cm (59.5  x 21 x 22.5 in), dual 33 x 40 cm (13 x 16 in), and washable metal dust filters. It also has a prep surface area plus space to support a fridge, 22″ stove and ample storage.

But not all slide-out kitchens are equal when it comes to features and benefits. Some manufacturers don’t include appliances and have limited features while others like ARB’s integrated Slide Kitchen come with a three-burner Thetford stove, a large prep area, tempered glass lid/backsplash, 12 L collapsible silicone sink, and even a spice rack. LED lighting, portable power, a water heater and additional water storage are other unique add-ons that may be available.

However, adding your own appliances is not a bad thing. It allows you to potentially use your existing fridge and stove, or choose one to your preferences. If you need to purchase them separately, be sure to do proper measurements beforehand. A Coleman Cascade 18 one-burner stove can set you back about $100 CAD while more premium units cost upwards of $300 CAD so you’ll want to factor in the additional cost(s)

Weight, Price and Final Thoughts

Despite all of the benefits of 4x4 pull-out kitchens, there are some compromises. The most significant one is the added weight. Luckily, there are many models offered by several manufacturers to accommodate your rig and preferences.

For instance, models range in weight from 23 kg (50 lb) to a little more than 90 kg (200 lb) for fully-featured units. Fortunately, larger 4x4s can naturally manage a bigger load than say, a Jeep JL. Regardless of how much space your rig has, perhaps opt for a smaller design if weight is a concern. If it isn’t, then you may feel the benefits are worth the added pounds.

“Having an organizational structure in the back of your rig can outweigh the extra weight,” says Smith.  “Considering gear like a stove, fridge, cooler, and all of the other necessities are in your Jeep or overlander anyway, it’s best to have them organized and easy to access.”

Smith is the first to admit that price is also a huge consideration. He adds that while they can be expensive, the price is worth it for some given the time savings, added convenience and having a properly engineered and functional system on the road.

Similar to weight, prices vary and expect to pay from approximately $700 CAD for a compact model to $4,000 (some without appliances and/or options) for a fully-featured custom design. While not exactly cheap, there is a happy medium depending on the size you want and the features you need.

“If you want a specific, custom model for your rig made of stainless steel, the price can be pretty steep compared to those that are made of wood or composite,” says Smith. “No matter what design you consider, they make your truck more organized so you can bring more gear as they provide efficient use of space.”

For more information on choices and specs visit www.overlandkitchen.com, www.nomadkitchenco.com or www.arbusa.com