Which temporary kitchen type do you need?
Your kitchen is suddenly out of action and you need to keep cooking. There are a few types of temporary kitchen, and the right one depends on your space, your household, and how your kitchen came to be out of use. Compare the main options side by side below, then get free quotes for the one that fits.
If your kitchen loss is an insurance claim — a flood, fire or escape of water — the hire is often covered by your insurance. Check whether your policy includes alternative accommodation or loss-of-use cover. See our insurance claims page for how that works.
Pick 2 to compare
| Compare | Driveway PodDelivered to your driveway | Indoor CapsuleInstalled inside your home | Container KitchenSelf-contained, off-grid capable | Trailer KitchenTowable, no crane needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A fully equipped kitchen delivered to your driveway or garden while your own kitchen is out of action. | A pop-up kitchen carried in and assembled inside your home — no driveway needed, no going outside. | A converted shipping container fitted out as a complete kitchen — self-contained and able to run off-grid. | A towable, self-contained kitchen on a chassis that can be moved between sites without a crane. |
| Where it goes | Outside, on your driveway or garden. | Indoors — a living room, dining room or spare room. | Outside, on firm, level ground with crane access. | Outside, on level ground; towed into position. |
| Space / footprint | A driveway or garden space. Compact pods suit tighter spots and narrow access — some fit through a standard garden gate. | An internal room. Carried through your front door, so no outdoor space is required at all. | Room for a 20–40ft unit on firm, level ground, plus space for crane delivery. | Level ground with towing access. No crane required. |
| Suitable household | Family household. Large pods suit families of 4+; compact pods suit couples and smaller households. | Family household. Ideal for flats, apartments and homes with no driveway. | More commonly a commercial unit (around 200–600 meals/day) — suits larger or longer requirements rather than a typical home. | Commercial-scale (around 100–500 meals/day) — more common for events and multi-site catering than for homes. |
| Appliances included | Large pods: fridge-freezer, oven or hob, microwave, kettle, toaster, sink with hot & cold water, worktop and storage. Compact pods carry the essentials in a smaller footprint. | Microwave, mini fridge, kettle, toaster and a portable hob, with a built-in splashback and sink. | Full cooking line, extraction, refrigeration and hot & cold water. Exact fit-out varies by provider. | Full cooking equipment and extraction. Exact fit-out varies by provider. |
| Power & water | Connects to your home's mains electricity and water (some hobs run on LPG). | Runs off standard household power — all-electric, with no outdoor connection. | Can run off-grid — many have a built-in generator, water tank and waste system — or connect to mains. | Connects to mains utilities or runs from a generator. |
| Install & removal | Delivered by lorry and placed in position, typically within 24–48 hours. Low disruption. | Carried in and assembled in around 2 hours. Very low disruption. | Craned into position; allow 1–2 days. Needs crane access. | Towed in and set up the same day. No crane. |
| Typical cost | £350–800/week (£70–150/day), delivery & collection included. Broadly similar across pod sizes; varies by size and provider. | Broadly similar to a driveway pod — about £350–800/week (£70–150/day), delivery & collection included; varies by provider. | Commercial-scale pricing — usually more than a domestic pod. Varies by provider; confirm directly. | Commercial-scale pricing — varies by provider; confirm directly. |
| Best for | A kitchen renovation, extension or insurance repair when you have driveway or garden space. | Homes with no driveway, flats and apartments, or anyone who would rather not go outside to cook — handy in winter. | Off-grid, remote or emergency situations, or larger/longer needs where mains aren't easily available. | Situations needing a unit that can move between sites — more often events or commercial use than a home renovation. |
| Watch-outs | You go outside to cook, and you need suitable space and access. Check the fit first with the Driveway Fit Checker. | Takes up an internal room for the duration, and the worktop and appliance set is smaller than a large driveway pod. | Needs crane access and firm, level ground, and is usually more than a single household requires. | Event- and commercial-oriented; needs towing access and level ground, and is rarely the right fit for a home renovation. |
| Next step | Get quotes → | Get quotes → | Get quotes → | Get quotes → |
Specifics vary by provider — always confirm details directly. Hire is often covered by your insurance when your kitchen loss is an insurance claim (flood, fire or escape of water) — check your policy.
Want the detail on a head-to-head?
For a deeper look at the most common decisions, read the full driveway pod vs indoor capsule, driveway pod vs container kitchen and kitchen pod vs trailer kitchen comparisons. You can also browse every type of temporary kitchen or see all our side-by-side comparisons.
Worked out which type fits?
Tell us your situation and we'll match you with providers that supply it — free, no-obligation quotes.