Looking back at that cheap 'all-in-one' camp kitchen kit I bought

I think it was about five years ago, I spent close to $150 on one of those kits that has a stove, sink, and table all in a single box. The first trip out, the plastic legs on the table snapped when I put a full pot on it. The stove worked, but the pump failed after maybe three uses. In my experience, you're better off getting separate, solid pieces instead of a fancy bundle that looks good online. Anyone have a go-to brand for a simple, sturdy camp table that won't fall apart?

2 comments

2 Comments

danielh811mo ago

You spent a hundred and fifty bucks on that thing? That's the real crime here. I would have been mad about the broken legs, but a failing pump after three trips is just insulting. They really sold you a box of hopes and dreams. My rule is if it looks too good to be true in a single package, it definitely is. I've had the same basic metal camp table from a hardware store for a decade now, and it's outlived three tents.

wesley_hart1mo ago

Heard a camping gear reviewer on a podcast say that these all-in-one table/stove combos are basically designed to fail just past the warranty window. They said the pump is almost always the first thing to go because they use these cheap plastic valves that can't handle the pressure. Makes me wonder if they know exactly how many trips that pump will last before it gives out. Your hardware store table sounds like the smarter move honestly, stuff like that is built to last and doesn't have fifty points of failure built into it.