Coleman Pack-Away Deluxe Kitchen Review

The Coleman Pack-Away Deluxe Kitchen is a fully featured table with everything you need to port your kitchen to the campsite. This table comes complete with a removable sink, condiment or spice rack, utensil hooks, a lantern holder, a lower wire stand, plus a fold-out side table that houses a stove on top with a cooler underneath. The Deluxe Kitchen also unfolds to a counter top measuring 32 inches in height. However, a multitude of amenities also comes at a price. This table is very heavy and has one of the largest packed sizes.

Performance Comparison

Stability

The Deluxe Kitchen overall has a sturdy design; however, it is a bit top heavy, especially with the top completely unfolded. Our reviewers had to pay careful attention when on uneven ground, especially with the top unfolded, to make sure the table wouldn't topple over during a weight shift. That said, the extra wire stand and the weight of the table make for a pretty stable station to both store and prepare food.

Portability

This table is heavy by any measure and therefore did not receive a high score for portability. Although all of the features included in this table are rather handy, they end up making the table heavy and difficult to move. We had to use two hands to carry this 31-pound table from car to campsite, whereas other models, like the GCI Outdoors Slim-Fold Cook Station, could be carried with only one.

This model is also cumbersome when completely folded. We tested these tables while traveling cross-country in a large vehicle. We had ample storage space, but others using a compact car will find it difficult to transport such a bulky table.

Durability

This table did not receive a high score for durability either. Upon arrival, several of the wire pieces were bent during shipping and required adjustments to properly fit into the kitchen system. Even though a few bent metal pieces were the only issue experienced during our testing period, our reviewers were concerned that durability could be problematic in the future.

Ease of Setup

After the initial out-of-box installation, this table only takes about a minute to both setup as well as deconstruct. It is a self-contained unit in which everything folds up into a tight bundle. Even the wire stand folds up and locks to the other legs so it doesn't flop around during transport. However, the utensil hooks are a bit tricky to get to lay flat while folding everything up and require you to take the time to fiddle with them to latch the table top closed.

Best Applications

This camping table is ideal for large groups, especially RVers with the space to store it. It is fully featured, with ample tabletop surface area for simultaneous preparations while cooking, as well as roomy storage.

Value

While this table provides a great kitchen away from home, it presents a low value for anyone with limited space or someone on a budget. The GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Cook Station has the same cook station idea (albeit less featured) at a fraction of the cost. However, this is a great value for families needing an all-in-one kitchen where you can both cook, prep, store food, and utensils, as well as wash your dishes in a single space.

Conclusion