We do not cook in our pop up either, and ours is an 81 Coleman. I don't like
the smells that linger, Its just so much easier to cook outdoors on the
Coleman camp stove. Theres really no room to move around, the heat build up
is outrageous, unless of course its winter time. In the winter we will boil
water for coffee or tea, but thats it.

Searcher1

Jeff,

Congrats on the new camper.  I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

I cook in mine when its cold and windy outside and when its raining and
when I want jiffy pop at 1:00 am!  I open the flaps and let it air out,
no smells.  Mines 6 years old.  Did the same thing in the old one.  I'd
of course let your SIL cook in it, but thats your call.  If you don't it
sure won't kill her to cook outside for a few weeks.  Tell her the
pioneers did it.  I've got a little dinky fridge in mine.  I never use
it because I have to pop the thing all the way up to pack it since my
galley folds down in front of it.  I just pack the cooler.  If I'm gonna
stop for a picnic or have a drink (maybe I should have said soft drink)
on the way up and back I like having the cooler in my tow vehicle.  I do
use the fridge about once a year when I stay for a whole week.  And then
its not big enough so I still end up using the cooler.  If you think
you'd use that Coleman fridge/freezer more than the stove then go for
it!  I wouldn't, but thats just me.  Everybody is different.  Everybody
has different methods, systems of doing things and likes and dislikes.  
Do what works for you and makes you happy!  

Happy Camping!

Chris

I cook in my 2001 Taos all the time. I slip down the door panel, unzip
part of a window above the stove. No odors, no grease, no mess. At the
end of the season, I wipe down with a mild bleach solution and mop, and
that's it. You might consider just asking for no cooking foods with
strong aromas (like fish).

I cook inside my 2005 Fleetwood Niagara every day when I am
using it. It has a 3 burner range and a microwave oven and
of course they get used.

Cooking  inside is OK or NOT OK?

Jeff, we have a Coleman with the inside stove (3 burner) and outside high
pressure stove (2 burner).  We use the hp stove much more than the other,
but I do not sweat cooking inside.  Crack a window and have at it. The
camper is set up outside enough that it airs the odors out (woodsmoke
usually is the smell anyhow).  Honestly, IMHO, there are bigger things to
worry about than cooking inside the PU.  A bottle of febreeze may help, as
would a good scrubbing of the canvas from the outside if odors really
persist.  My only concern would be FRIED food cooked inside..... those
spatters are hard to clean up.

YMMV

--
Gerry and Robyn
99 Mesa
01 Sporttrac

Cooking is usually OK inside, although not a good idea if you
frequently camp in bear territory.  We found cooking on the inside
stove to be a bit frustrating at times, though, because the inside
stove in our 2000 Bayside just doesn't put out enough heat.  I'm not
sure which pop-up you have, but I have heard the same complaint about a
few other brands, so your in-laws may find it easier to cook outside
anyway.

We used our pop-up continuously (on the road) once for 8 weeks.  About
1/4 of our meals were cooked in the pop-up at that time (42 meals).  We
also lived in the pop-up for 5-6 weeks when waiting for our house to
close, with about 1/8 of the meals being cooked in the pop-up (about 15
meals).  Neither I nor PJay have found any negative effects from it.
But like another poster said, spatters from heavy fat frying can be
very difficult to get out of the canvas and should be avoided.

Austin

I have a 1988 Coleman.  Never have cooked a meal in it.  We do boil
water in it for tea.  The cooking smoke, odor, grease what ever you
call it will affect the resale or the longevity of the "Evolution"
(canvas). We also have never had allowed smoking in it...

It's OK, especially if it is the preference of the person doing the cooking.

Always remember:   There is a special place in heaven for women that camp.

If they want to cook inside the camper, more power to them.  In the 13 years
we had our popup, we probably cooked OUTside fewer than a dozen times.

Always remember:  This is CAMPING.  If it doesn't hurt BADLY and/or CO$T a
lot, you can sweat it later.

(For Sale ads for used RVs regularly mention "non-smoker(s)" and "no pets".  
They NEVER say "never cooked in".  It's not a big deal.)

            :)
JR

It depends on the person. We've had our popup for 3 years. Cooked literally
hundreds
of  meals in it, no problem. I like the convenience of cooking inside, near
the fridge,
and there's no bugs buzzing around you and landing on your food.

Some people obviously prefer to cook outside and more power to them. I doubt
it
would cause any damage to the trailer or affect it's resell value as popups
are designed
to be cooked in.

My 2 cents,

Rockett Crawford
2002 Coleman Westlake