Looking for opinions: What do you have/need/want in your cooking area

[colonel00]

Long story short, I have another project started that was born out of boredom. I had accumulated some metal store fixtures and other materials over the winter so I decided to build another cooking cart. The purpose of this is to have more of a modular design that can accommodate multiple cooker setups. It is not quite to the "reveal" level of completion but I want to get some opinions before it gets cleaned up an painted in case I need to do some more welding. On the right and left are areas that will house whatever cookers I want at that time and there will be removable doors like the left one shown below. Also, I should point out that the back of the cart will be peg board or some other way to hold commonly used items and all the work surfaces/cutting boards are removable and interchangeable. Total money invested so far: $23.

Current Project Codename: Colonel and the cart of many colors

Now, here is where I need some opinions. As you can see I have a permanent area in the middle that is a blank canvas. The current plan is a drawer up top and some cabinet doors and probably shelving. However, I want to do a little more and make this a self-contained, mobile cooking environment.

One thing I am thinking about is this battery operated, 4.8 gallon sprayer from HF. With a little modification I think it would work as an on-board rinsing system. Obviously its not going to rinse a bunch of meat. I am more thinking about when you need to rinse your hands or a cutting board quickly.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-rechargeable-backpack-sprayer-94573.html

I was also thinking about mounting a car battery in there to power silly extras like lights, fans, ipod/mp3 dock, street glow :-D, etc. I have also thought about fitting a cooler in there but that almost seems like a waste of usable space. Although, one of thoseAmazon.com: Koolatron P9 Traveler III 9.8-Quart Electric Cooler/Warmer, Grey: Home & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/418y-7lG5cL.@@AMEPARAM@@418y-7lG5cL you see for cars and semi's at a truck stop would be interesting. Let it run cook during the cook to keep the bee...um, soda cool and then warm it up a bit to rest meat.

So anyway, now I open it up to the brethren. What would you want or need during a cook of anything from a long cook on a UDS or WSM to grilling to cooking a pizza? I think I have most of the common sense stuff already in mind but feel free to list stuff anyway. Thanks in advance and thanks for looking.

 

[K-Barbecue]

Definitely need a fridge full of beer !! :clap2:

 

[AUradar]

garabage can?

 

[Butt_Pirate]

fire extinguisher

 

[Skidder]

A tall blonde, a ticket out of here or maybe a huge bag of $100.00 bills all would work except for the tall blonde!

 

[colonel00]

Definitely need a fridge full of beer !! :clap2:

Yeah, unfortunately even a small one would not fit.

garabage can?

Definitely will work in some sort of sanitary containment system (trashcan).

fire extinguisher

Good call. This is one thing I had not thought about.

A tall blonde, a ticket out of here or maybe a huge bag of $100.00 bills all would work except for the tall blonde!

Sadly those are quite elusive. Usually it's more like a short, round blonde, a speeding ticket and a bag of bills.

 

[chad]

I want a big farkin' sink and HOT water. :mrgreen:

 

[Garyclaw]

I don't know if 12 v. is going to be enough for ya. Think bigger volts baby! you're gonna need'em!!

 

[Boshizzle]

A permanent cover overhead to diffuse the sun's rays and block rain.

 

[smokeyokie]

Tall Blonde!!!! I cant get past that....sorry guys that threw me off track:shock:

 

[Brian in Maine]

I want a big farkin' sink and HOT water. :mrgreen:

Me X2.

 

[colonel00]

I want a big farkin' sink and HOT water. :mrgreen:

Yeah, I thought about a sink. However, since this is always outside and I won't have large volumes of water, the ground should do fine. Hot water is easy, just put the water container close to a cooker :thumb:

I don't know if 12 v. is going to be enough for ya. Think bigger volts baby! you're gonna need'em!!

I will probably wire main lights with 120V and have a reverse outlet where I can connect an extension cord. Mostly I am just thinking of the battery as a backup and aux power supply

A permanent cover overhead to diffuse the sun's rays and block rain.

There will definitely be something. My initial plan is a "lid" that can lift up with those nifty suv back window shocks. I also have a 10' x 10' canopy if things get nasty.

Thanks for the suggestions. Now if only I can work out the plan for an automated foot pedal UDS lid lifter...

 

[chad]

Yeah, I thought about a sink. However, since this is always outside and I won't have large volumes of water, the ground should do fine. Hot water is easy, just put the water container close to a cooker :thumb:

Nope. I'm getting old and TIRED of stooping over a wash tub or bus tub to wash grates, pans, etc. I do the wash tub/turkey fryer water thing now.

I reiterate: I want a great big farkin' sink with HOT water. I don't want to boil the water. I don't want to have to pick up a container. I want to open a tap and have it flow out -- geez modern plumbing in the back yard...who'd have thunk? :mrgreen:

YMMV, but the question was what did I want/need!! :-D:-D

 

[colonel00]

Nope. I'm getting old and TIRED of stooping over a wash tub or bus tub to wash grates, pans, etc. I do the wash tub/turkey fryer water thing now.

I reiterate: I want a great big farkin' sink with HOT water. I don't want to boil the water. I don't want to have to pick up a container. I want to open a tap and have it flow out -- geez modern plumbing in the back yard...who'd have thunk? :mrgreen:

YMMV, but the question was what did I want/need!! :-D:-D

Oh, I hear you loud and clear. Whenever I do build a built-in area in the back yard it definitely will be plumbed and have a HUGE sink :thumb:. Unfortunately the premise behind this cart is something that can be used at home sure. But its also something that I can haul up to work and do a cook or to a buddies and cook in the cul-de-sac or maybe even comps someday if I should ever care to do them. You are correct though, the question is what do YOU want. It definitely gives me perspective on how other people function during their cooks.