Cooking outside is a big part of Australian caravanning. From bacon and eggs in the morning to dinner under the awning after a long drive, a slide out kitchen gives you a practical outdoor cooking space without needing to set up loose tables, burners and washing gear every time you stop.
A caravan slide out kitchen is designed to pull out when needed and pack away neatly for travel. It keeps the cooking area outside the van, creates more room to move and gives you access to key cooking features such as a burner, sink, preparation area and storage in one compact setup.
This guide covers what to look for in a caravan slide out kitchen, why a camp kitchen with sink is useful, the difference between short and long slide options, installation considerations and how the CAN Slide Out Kitchen range suits different touring setups.
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Why choose a caravan slide out kitchen?
A slide out kitchen turns the side of a caravan, camper trailer or RV into a practical outdoor cooking zone. Instead of cooking in a compact internal galley, you can prepare meals outside with more airflow, more room and easier access to the campsite.
- Creates a practical outdoor cooking area.
- Helps keep heat and cooking smells outside the caravan.
- Reduces the need for loose tables and portable cooking gear.
- Packs away neatly for travel.
- Works well under an awning or sheltered campsite setup.
- Suits travellers who prefer open-air cooking and easy cleanup.
Key features of a slide out kitchen
A good slide out kitchen should feel stable, practical and easy to clean. It needs to handle travel vibration, outdoor use, dust, moisture and repeated setup without becoming difficult to operate.
Cooking surface
Many slide out kitchens include a gas burner cooktop or dedicated cooking section, giving you a fixed area for everyday meals without setting up a separate portable stove.
Integrated sink
A stainless steel sink makes it easier to rinse utensils, wash fruit, clean hands and manage basic food prep without walking back inside the van.
Strong runners
Heavy-duty slide runners are important because the kitchen needs to glide smoothly, support weight and lock securely during travel.
Easy-clean surfaces
Stainless steel surfaces are popular because they are lightweight, rust resistant, easy to wipe down and suited to outdoor caravan use.
When comparing slide out kitchens, check the overall size, slide length, mounting requirements, water connection, gas connection, weight and whether the unit suits your caravan tunnel boot or external storage space.
Types of caravan slide out kitchens
Compact slide out kitchens
Compact units suit solo travellers, couples and smaller caravans where space and weight matter. They give you the basics without taking over the storage area.
Full-length slide out kitchens
Longer slide out kitchens provide more usable cooking and preparation space. They suit families, extended touring and travellers who cook most meals outdoors.
Camp kitchen with sink
A sink adds everyday practicality by helping with food prep, utensil rinsing and keeping the cooking area cleaner during longer stays.
Portable slide out kitchens
Portable slide out kitchens offer flexibility because they can suit different trips and layouts without needing to permanently take up indoor kitchen space.
Why choose a camp kitchen with sink?
A camp kitchen with sink is more than a convenience feature. It helps keep the cooking area cleaner and reduces the number of trips back inside the van for water, rinsing and food preparation.
This is especially useful for families or longer trips where there is more washing, more food prep and more utensils being used. Stainless steel sinks are preferred because they are easy to clean, resistant to rust and suited to outdoor cooking setups.
Food prep
Rinse fruit, vegetables and utensils directly at the outdoor cooking area.
Cleaner cooking
Keep mess outside the van and make basic cleanup easier during meal prep.
Less back-and-forth
Reduce trips inside the caravan when washing hands, tools or cooking gear.
Better campsite flow
Create a more complete outdoor kitchen zone under the awning or beside the van.
CAN Slide Out Kitchen range
CAN Slide Out Kitchen Short Slide
The CAN Slide Out Kitchen Short Slide is suited to caravans, camper trailers and RVs where a more compact slide length is required.
It is a strong option for travellers who have a tunnel boot or external storage compartment but need a shorter slide to suit the available space. It still delivers the practicality of outdoor cooking while keeping the setup easier to manage in tighter layouts.
CAN Slide Out Kitchen Long Slide
The CAN Slide Out Kitchen Long Slide is better suited to travellers who want more pull-out reach and a larger outdoor cooking setup.
It is ideal for bigger vans, longer trips and travellers who frequently cook outside. The extended slide design gives better access and helps create a more complete outdoor kitchen zone when set up beside the caravan.
Short slide vs long slide kitchen
Both CAN Slide Out Kitchen options are designed for outdoor caravan cooking, but the right choice depends on your available storage space, how much reach you need and how often you cook outside.
| Option | Best for | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| CAN Slide Out Kitchen Short Slide | Compact spaces, tunnel boots and travellers wanting a practical outdoor kitchen without needing maximum extension. | Check available storage width, depth and clearance before choosing the short slide option. |
| CAN Slide Out Kitchen Long Slide | Larger vans, more regular outdoor cooking and travellers wanting greater pull-out reach. | Requires more available slide-out space and should be checked carefully against your caravan layout. |
Common slide out kitchen options
| Type | Best for | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact slide out | Solo travellers, couples and smaller vans. | Lightweight, space saving and easier to position. | Less preparation room than a full-length setup. |
| Full-length kitchen | Families and extended touring. | More bench space, better access and stronger outdoor cooking flow. | Requires more storage space and may add more weight. |
| Sink and hob combination | Space-conscious layouts needing dual function. | Combines cooking and cleaning into one compact setup. | Cooking and sink space may be smaller. |
| Portable slide out | Flexible travel setups. | Can suit different trips and be packed away when not required. | Still needs suitable mounting and storage space. |
Installation and mounting
Proper installation is important for safety, usability and travel durability. Slide out kitchens are usually mounted on heavy-duty runners inside a caravan boot, tunnel boot or external compartment. The unit needs to be secured properly so it can handle vibration, weight and repeated slide operation during travel.
Gas and water connections should be installed by licensed professionals where required. In Australia, gas work must be completed by a licensed gas fitter to meet safety and compliance requirements.
Measure first
Check the available storage opening, internal depth, runner clearance and surrounding obstructions before choosing a short or long slide model.
Secure the runners
The runners need to be mounted to a strong surface that can handle the loaded weight of the kitchen and the movement of travel.
Plan water access
If connecting a sink to onboard water, confirm pump, hose routing, drainage and access for maintenance.
Use safe gas fitting
Gas appliances and fittings should be handled by a licensed installer to ensure safe and compliant operation.
Maintenance and durability
A slide out kitchen is exposed to dust, grit, cooking residue and outdoor conditions, so regular maintenance helps keep it working smoothly. Stainless steel surfaces should be wiped clean after use, and the sink and plumbing should be flushed with clean water after trips.
Check gas fittings, hoses and burners regularly for wear. Slide runners should be kept clean and lightly lubricated where recommended, especially after dusty trips or coastal travel. Dust and grit in the runners can make the kitchen harder to slide and may shorten component life.
Buying checklist
- Measure your storage opening and available slide-out space.
- Choose short slide for tighter spaces or tunnel boot-friendly setups.
- Choose long slide if you want greater reach and more outdoor kitchen access.
- Check weight and payload before installing a slide out kitchen.
- Confirm water, drainage and gas connection requirements.
- Use licensed professionals for gas work where required.
- Keep stainless steel, sink plumbing and runners clean after travel.
FAQs
What is a caravan slide out kitchen?
A caravan slide out kitchen is an outdoor cooking unit that slides out from a storage compartment, tunnel boot or external mounting area. It gives travellers a practical cooking space outside the caravan.
Do slide out kitchens add much weight to a caravan?
Weight depends on the size and construction of the unit. Compact setups are generally lighter, while full-length slide out kitchens may add more weight. Always check your payload capacity before installing.
Can I connect the sink to my caravan water tank?
Yes. Many slide out kitchens can be connected to an onboard water system, although pump, hose and drainage requirements should be checked before installation.
Do I need a licensed installer for gas fittings?
Yes. Gas installations in Australia must be completed by a licensed gas fitter to ensure the setup is safe and compliant.
Should I choose the short slide or long slide kitchen?
Choose the short slide if your storage space is tighter or you need a more compact setup. Choose the long slide if you have more space and want greater pull-out reach for regular outdoor cooking.
Can a slide out kitchen handle off-road travel?
Quality slide out kitchens are designed to handle touring conditions, but correct installation, secure mounting and regular runner maintenance are important for rough-road travel.