Finding Tables

• Look for lightweight folding tables in department or thrift stores. Most camp kitchens have two work surfaces; one staging area for bowls and food prep items, and another that is taller and used for cooking and preparation. Select a taller table with expandable legs for the prep surface and a shorter, standard table for the staging table.
  
  

Materials

• Consider the activities that will be performed on the kitchen's surface, such as food preparation and the use of a table-top camp stove. Select materials that will not melt under the heat of a camp stove or be damaged by extreme elements. Plastic tables and standard wood composite tables hold up well in mild conditions. Neither plastic nor wood tables should be used with a camp stove on top, as they could be damaged or catch fire from the ambient heat. Instead, look for aluminum tables for use with a camp stove.
  
  Use plastic or aluminum tables when camping in areas that are prone to rains and snows. Stapling a heavy-duty vinyl tablecloth to a wood-topped folding table adds an additional barrier, but keep in mind that wood tables may warp or deteriorate with prolonged exposure to moisture.
  
  

Adding Storage

• Screw a length of board to the underside of the table to provide an area to install hooks for cups, utensils, pans and towels. Small canvas storage pouches can be affixed with Velcro to the edges of the table for seasonings, paper towels and any other items you'll want nearby when cooking.
  
  

Lighting

• Many camp kitchens come equipped with a lantern hook that extends up the back of the work surface for cooking after dusk or before dawn. Having light nearby is important, but if you use torch-type battery or solar powered lights, you will not need an ungainly brace for a lantern and will save precious lantern fuel. Move the lights after food preparation to illuminate the door passage to the tent or to mark the edges of your camp.
  
  

Sanitation

• Use two or three small plastic tubs for washing dishes: one for hot soapy water and scrubbing the dishes, and another for rinsing. Use a small plastic dish rack for drying the dishes. After camping, use the plastic tubs to store the dish rack, plates and utensils and other camping items.
  
  

After Camping Season

• When you make a camp kitchen out of ordinary tables, you can use them when the camping season is over for temporary storage in the garage, or for bake sales or additional seating at holidays. Before you modify your tables for your camp kitchen, consider their use as regular tables. Changes should be temporary or unobtrusive and avoid impacting their ability to function as regular tables throughout the year.