Camp kitchen / chuckbox checklist

[NevetsG]

Anyone?

I understand everyone has a different take on what is important to them, so I don't expect there to be one list to rule them all. I'm just doing a sanity check before I outfit the chuckbox I'm building (using a Craftsman toolbox), and I might get some ideas I didn't think of.

I'm surprised when I did a search I didn't get any hits for "camp kitchen checklist".

 

[jacobconroy]

I'll play! Though I'll make some assumptions of what you may or may not carry in the chuck box. Hopefully this will catch on and we can all get some good ideas.

• stove
• paper towels (1/2 roll for space)
• 2 washcloths (1 for dishes and 1 for gross stuff)
• 2 small towels (1 for dishes and 1 for gross stuff)
• spatula
• large ladle or spoon
• plastic plates
• pots and pans of choice (nesting if possible)
• plastic scraper for pots and pans
• space-efficient colander (flat for a pot lid)
• knife for slicing
• forks/spoons
• dish soap
• cooking oil (for cooking and/or cast iron coating)
• assorted spices in small, labeled containers
• assorted ziplock bags for leftovers, etc.
• coffee kit
• coffee
• tea (if that's your thang)
• drinking cups
• small tongs

That is what I can think of off-hand. Probably forgetting a bunch of small stuff.

 

[PhulesAU]

Spices in resealable containers
spacers for cast iron
legs that have some adjustment
tie downs

 

[gringo m]

I'll add; Can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew, long lighter, matches, leather gloves, collapsible wash bin, hot sauces...

 

[SnowZone77]

I’ll add:
Fuel bottle
Garbage bags on a roll
Cheap slip joint pliers for moving pots/grill around on the fire/stove
Water purification (filter/tabs/etc)
Small measuring cup
Plastic cutting board(s)

 

[NevetsG]

I wasn't planning on adding food items to the list except for spices and condiments.

 

[NevetsG]

Spices in resealable containers
spacers for cast iron
legs that have some adjustment
tie downs

What are spacers for cast iron?

 

[NevetsG]

So here is the combined list so far, plus a couple of things I added, and YES you helped me remeber some things.

• stove
  • wood and/or gas
• paper towels (1/2 roll for space)
  • industrial strength
• disinfectant towels
  • pulled out of the dispensor and put in a zip lock bag for space
• hand sanitizer
• 2 washcloths (1 for dishes and 1 for gross stuff)
• plastic scouring pad
  • or steel wool
• 2 small towels (1 for dishes and 1 for gross stuff)
• mesh dish drying bag
• paracord
• laundry spring clips
• spatula
• large ladle or spoon
• campfire roasting forks
• plastic plates
• plastic bowls
• plastic serving bowl(s)
  • collapsible
• pots and pans of choice (nesting if possible)
• flat gridle
• plastic scraper for pots and pans
• space-efficient colander (flat for a pot lid)
  • or collapsible
• knife(s) for food prep
• cooking scissors
• knives for eating
• forks/spoons
• butter knife
• dish soap
• cooking oil (for cooking and/or cast iron coating)
• Olive oil - food grade - non-cooking or combination
• assorted spices in small, labeled containers
• assorted ziplock bags for leftovers, etc.
• coffee kit
• coffee
• tea (if that's your thang)
• drinking cups
  • heat/cold tolerant
• small or large tongs
• sugar / sweetners
• powdered creamer
• spacers for cast iron
• legs that have some adjustment
  • or folding table
• tie downs
• can opener
• bottle opener
• corkscrew
• long lighter
• matches
• leather gloves
• hot pad
• collapsible wash bin
• hot sauces
• powdered sauces
• Fuel bottle
• Garbage bags on a roll
  • and/or plastic shopping bags
• Cheap slip joint pliers for moving pots/grill around on the fire/stove
• Water purification (filter/tabs/etc)
• Small measuring cup
• measuring shot glass
• Plastic or wood cutting board(s)
• food thermometer
• propane plumbing torch (1lb tank compatible)

I think my chuck box is too small....

 

[Pntyrmvr]

Mugs for coffee or tea. Metal ones are great for heating chilled coffee on the stove.


"Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money."

 

[PhulesAU]

We use honycombed card board, when stacking CI for transport, it keeps the feet from rubbing off you non-stick coating that you worked so hard to build up.

 

[jacobconroy]

So here is the combined list so far, plus a couple of things I added, and YES you helped me remeber some things.

• stove
  • wood and/or gas
• paper towels (1/2 roll for space)
  • industrial strength
• disinfectant towels
  • pulled out of the dispensor and put in a zip lock bag for space
• hand sanitizer
• 2 washcloths (1 for dishes and 1 for gross stuff)
• plastic scouring pad
  • or steel wool
• 2 small towels (1 for dishes and 1 for gross stuff)
• mesh dish drying bag
• paracord
• laundry spring clips
• spatula
• large ladle or spoon
• campfire roasting forks
• plastic plates
• plastic bowls
• plastic serving bowl(s)
  • collapsible
• pots and pans of choice (nesting if possible)
• flat gridle
• plastic scraper for pots and pans
• space-efficient colander (flat for a pot lid)
  • or collapsible
• knife(s) for food prep
• cooking scissors
• knives for eating
• forks/spoons
• butter knife
• dish soap
• cooking oil (for cooking and/or cast iron coating)
• Olive oil - food grade - non-cooking or combination
• assorted spices in small, labeled containers
• assorted ziplock bags for leftovers, etc.
• coffee kit
• coffee
• tea (if that's your thang)
• drinking cups
  • heat/cold tolerant
• small or large tongs
• sugar / sweetners
• powdered creamer
• spacers for cast iron
• legs that have some adjustment
  • or folding table
• tie downs
• can opener
• bottle opener
• corkscrew
• long lighter
• matches
• leather gloves
• hot pad
• collapsible wash bin
• hot sauces
• powdered sauces
• Fuel bottle
• Garbage bags on a roll
  • and/or plastic shopping bags
• Cheap slip joint pliers for moving pots/grill around on the fire/stove
• Water purification (filter/tabs/etc)
• Small measuring cup
• measuring shot glass
• Plastic or wood cutting board(s)
• food thermometer

I think my chuck box is too small....

Well, everyone's suggestions reminded me of some things too. But that is one heck of a list.

Personally, I don't take disinfectant towels or hand sanitizer. Just dish soap. More work, but less space. I also try to keep things that are sensitive to freezing out of the chuck box. I haven't found a reason to keep paracord, laundry spring clips, serving bowls, cooking scissors, butter knife, more than one cooking oil, more than two cups, tie downs, garbage bags, plastic bags, or a food thermometer in the chuck box.

I have a lot of these things, but they are stored with other "systems" in the rig. I keep the garbage bags in the bottom of the trash receptacle. Paracord is in the first aid kit. We have two stainless steel/insulated cups for drinking and that's it.

You have some REALLY important stuff on your list that I forgot too. Long lighter, can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew, matches, leather gloves, & washbin. Forgetting these things can ruin a camping trip.

You might have a lot of people with you, but I only need to accommodate myself and occasionally my wife. Washing dishes at camp stinks. I try to take the bare minimum of dishes so that I am forced to use the same dishes for everything. Much less time doing dishes. Heck, I've been known to fry a one-dish meal in a cast iron pan, move the pan to the steel table, and eat it. Total dishes = 1 pan, one spatula, one fork, one knife.

 

[NevetsG]

Well, everyone's suggestions reminded me of some things too. But that is one heck of a list.

Personally, I don't take disinfectant towels or hand sanitizer. Just dish soap. More work, but less space. I also try to keep things that are sensitive to freezing out of the chuck box. I haven't found a reason to keep paracord, laundry spring clips, serving bowls, cooking scissors, butter knife, more than one cooking oil, more than two cups, tie downs, garbage bags, plastic bags, or a food thermometer in the chuck box.

I have a lot of these things, but they are stored with other "systems" in the rig. I keep the garbage bags in the bottom of the trash receptacle. Paracord is in the first aid kit. We have two stainless steel/insulated cups for drinking and that's it.

You have some REALLY important stuff on your list that I forgot too. Long lighter, can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew, matches, leather gloves, & washbin. Forgetting these things can ruin a camping trip.

You might have a lot of people with you, but I only need to accommodate myself and occasionally my wife. Washing dishes at camp stinks. I try to take the bare minimum of dishes so that I am forced to use the same dishes for everything. Much less time doing dishes. Heck, I've been known to fry a one-dish meal in a cast iron pan, move the pan to the steel table, and eat it. Total dishes = 1 pan, one spatula, one fork, one knife.

You bring up a very good point to "cross" platform items to save space, so an overall checklist helps reduce bringing double or triple items. I'm not a germaphobe, but I've used disinfectant wipes many times to clean up dishes, cups, etc. without using water (wiped them down with a towel to get the residue off).

Laundry clips (or any good clip) are one of those magic items that can perform many duties from sealing food bags, hanging clothes /dish bag for drying, mounting my low wattage LED string lights, holding popup/tent widow flaps open, getting wires out of the way, and the list is almost endless.

I've added a propane plumbing torch (1lb tank compatible) to the list. It is a cross platform item that can be used to start the campfire, stoves, melt cheese, toast bread, make black and blue steaks or burgers, flambe, work paracord, burn out wasp nests, make candles, solder light metals, sweat pipes, thaw frozen pipes, and this list goes on. I've used my torch every time I've gone camping.

 

[jacobconroy]

Good point, I pack a torch too and use it for starting the campfire and the charcoal in the grill.

 

[CaptainBuilt]

Here is a small portion of mine.

I’m using the GSI Bugaboo kitchen set. And a collapsible sink.

I also use paper plates. No clean up and they’re great for starting fires later.

 

[Wilbah]

Lots of good lists here. I'm with folks on heavy paper plates but I also have dedicated plates so depending on how many ppl (and what ages) we may use the metal ones. Or may use paper. Paper always works well for bacon out of the pan and has been suggested makes good fire starter later.

Brillo's and dish detergent get bought every trip. Has come in handy more than once when we ran out at home. Ha.

I have cast iron as I tend to travel heavy and nothing beats cast iron for cooking in my mind. But I also have a large non stick pan/dutch oven sort of pan that I use. It goes in a large trash bag with a foam cutout inside to protect the teflon coating. I can do without those flecks of chemicals in my food. Ha.

One thing I've done for spices is a small flip lock container (sorry too lazy to go out to my shed to snap a pic), but it's about 10" x 6" x 5" or so. The one thing is spices go bad/lose their flavor pretty quick so I rotate them to home stock pretty quick after a trip. YMMV.