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How to make a D.I.Y. portable camp kitchen box

Fully assembled and kitted out camping kitchen box sitting on a tressle table ready to be used

Overview

Level up your great-outdoors holiday setup on your next camping trip with this portable camp kitchen box. Inspired by an American ‘chuck box’ (also known as a grub box), this camping storage box holds all your cooking and kitchen essentials. We’ve added handles, hooks and magnets to ensure equipment is secure when travelling.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Cutting list

    • On five sheets of 1220mm x 610mm x 12mm marine-grade plywood, cut a 600mm x 600mm back, two 600mm x 512mm sides, three 600mm x 500mm shelves for top, base and middle, and a 600mm x 50mm shelf lip. Mark a 624mm x 524mm lid, 624mm x 455mm front and 624mm x 120mm lid lip.
    • On the offcuts, mark 500mm width for a 300mm base divider, two 100mm middle shelf dividers and a 294mm short shelf. Cut two 200mm x 50mm packers. Label all pieces with masking tape.
    • Cut from large to small using a circular saw with a straightedge. Smooth the cuts with 180-grit abrasive paper to remove breakout.
  2. 2

    Cut plywood and drill

    Cut the plywood according to the cutting list (see above).

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: For all joints, use a framing square to mark a line for screws on the best face, pre-drill with a 3mm bit and finish with a 6mm countersinking bit. Apply adhesive along raw edges, secure with 25mm screws and clamp while the adhesive dries.
    A drill drilling a screw into a panel of wood
  3. 3

    Mark edges and base

    Butt the side pieces against the back. Mark a line 6mm in from the rear edges to secure with screws 20mm, 143mm, 255mm and 411mm down from the top. Mark 33mm up from the base to secure the base shelf through the sides.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: Use the position of the screws as a shelf guide.
    A panel of wood with two screws drilled into it perpendicular to another panel of wood
  4. 4

    Secure dividers

    Centre the short shelf against the base divider and secure, then position in the box, securing through the base and sides. Secure both dividers to the middle shelf from underneath, then position the middle shelf in the box, securing into the base divider and through the sides.

    A DIY camp kitchen box with panels of wood attached to create shelves
  5. 5

    Secure shelf and seal with oil

    Secure the shelf lip to the top shelf from underneath, position in the box, securing the shelf into the dividers and through the sides. At the back, mark lines to secure all the shelves, spacing the screws evenly. Use a cloth to seal all the plywood with two coats of oil, leaving to dry after each.

    A DIY camp kitchen box on a deck outside with panels of wood attached to create shelves and a lid.
  6. 6

    Secure lid and hinges

    On the lid, mark a line 6mm in from the front edge to secure the lid lip. On the inside of the lid, at the back, mark 60mm in from the side edges to pre-drill and secure hinges with 12mm screws. Position the lid on the box, with the hinges outside the back panel, and secure.

    A wooden box with a hinge attached to the side of a panel
  7. 7

    Secure inside front with hinges

    On the inside of the front, at the base, mark 60mm in from the side edges to pre-drill and secure hinges with 12mm screws. Position the front against the box, with the hinges underneath the base shelf and secure.

    A wooden box with a hinge being attached to the side of a panel with a screwdriver
  8. 8

    Cut chain, drill and attach

    Use pliers to cut two 580mm lengths of chain and open four eye hooks with a 2mm gap. Under the lid and inside the box, 150mm from the front and 30mm from the edges, pre-drill with a 2mm bit, twist in the hooks, loop on the chain and press closed.

    A wooden box with an eye hook attached to the side, with a black length of chain threaded through it
  9. 9

    Secure cabinet handle

    On the front, mark 200mm from the edges and 60mm from the top to pre-drill and secure a 224mm cabinet handle, snapping the supplied screws to fit. Position grab handles on the sides of the camp kitchen box, 190mm from the front and 75mm down, pre-drill through the holes, clamp packers inside and secure right through with 25mm screws.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: Packers allow for longer screws and add strength.
    A wooden box with a black handle being attached to the side with a screwdriver
  10. 10

    Install sash fastener

    Centre a magnetic catch on the underside of the top shelf, with the strike plate on the front, 45mm down, securing with the supplied screws. Centre a sash fastener on the lid lip, with the catch on the front, pre-drill and install 15mm pan head screws with a screwdriver to avoid stripping.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: We chose black hardware for our portable camping kitchen, spray-painting the grab handles to match.
    A wooden box with a sash fastener being attached to the side with a screwdriver
  11. 11

    Keep in mind…

    • Always wear the recommended safety gear to use power tools. Work in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask when using cutting tools and sanding.
    • If spray-painting, wear eye protection, a mask and gloves. Work outside or in a well-ventilated area. Cover nearby areas with a drop sheet to avoid overspray.
    • For maximum protection from moisture and UV damage, choose marine grade plywood, stainless-steel hardware and exterior finishes.
    • Enlist a second pair of hands to lift and move the camping kitchen safely. It is designed for transport and as a storage box only, and is not heat-safe or flameproof.
  12. 12

    Looking to create the ultimate camping set-up?

    Check out our guide to creating your comfiest camping trip ever.

    Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

     

    Photo Credit: Belinda Merrie, Sam van Kan

     

    *Timbers vary by region; contact your local store for further information.

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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.