Camp Kitchen?
- Thread starter Seth Kendall
- Start date
rand oliver
New member
expedition kitchen
Here a a few images of my 'Expedition Kitchen' in use. As you can see, this has become more of a hardware storage container than foodstuff (most of my food is perishable and in the ice chest). Besides organized, watertight storage, it's most important functions are providing elevated, flat and level work surfaces and a solid base for the stove and lantern and also the hanging of a water bottle and trash bag.
Inevitably, this is where people congregate when we camp. We might gather around the camp fire after dinner but most of our camp time is spent talking, drinking, eating, and playing music and cards around the chuck box.
My passion is preparing and serving gourmet (by most peoples standards) meals in beautiful wilderness settings. With advanced preparation and the effeciency of this kitchen, I can accomplish this with minimal hassles. If beany-weineys are your thing, you don't need an elaborate setup like this. Personally, I don't eat that kind of food normally so I sure wouldn't eat it on my vacations.Whether I am cooking for 2 or 32 I use my chuck box because I have everything I need and I know where to find it.
I would be glad to elaborate on the meals that I create for these trips if anyone is interested.
It's hard to imagine how I would organize the gear that I need without this chuck box. Everything (except perishables) stays in the box so I rarely forget anything (pretty important in the remote areas that I camp). It is heavy once loaded with all of my essentials (including fuel, cast iron skillet, 5th of whiskey, etc) but we generally camp near our boats or vehicles so it's no big deal. Space is more of a concern than a few extra pounds and this box will condense and contain a huge amount of gear and food.
You would think that people would talk about the beauty of nature or the adventures experienced but my friends, years later, reminisce about the incredible meals that we enjoyed!
More information about the construction and features of this portable kitchen can be seen at http://tv-frame.com/EK/docs/pelicase.html
Rand Oliver
972 962 4847
Here a a few images of my 'Expedition Kitchen' in use. As you can see, this has become more of a hardware storage container than foodstuff (most of my food is perishable and in the ice chest). Besides organized, watertight storage, it's most important functions are providing elevated, flat and level work surfaces and a solid base for the stove and lantern and also the hanging of a water bottle and trash bag.
Inevitably, this is where people congregate when we camp. We might gather around the camp fire after dinner but most of our camp time is spent talking, drinking, eating, and playing music and cards around the chuck box.
My passion is preparing and serving gourmet (by most peoples standards) meals in beautiful wilderness settings. With advanced preparation and the effeciency of this kitchen, I can accomplish this with minimal hassles. If beany-weineys are your thing, you don't need an elaborate setup like this. Personally, I don't eat that kind of food normally so I sure wouldn't eat it on my vacations.Whether I am cooking for 2 or 32 I use my chuck box because I have everything I need and I know where to find it.
I would be glad to elaborate on the meals that I create for these trips if anyone is interested.
It's hard to imagine how I would organize the gear that I need without this chuck box. Everything (except perishables) stays in the box so I rarely forget anything (pretty important in the remote areas that I camp). It is heavy once loaded with all of my essentials (including fuel, cast iron skillet, 5th of whiskey, etc) but we generally camp near our boats or vehicles so it's no big deal. Space is more of a concern than a few extra pounds and this box will condense and contain a huge amount of gear and food.
You would think that people would talk about the beauty of nature or the adventures experienced but my friends, years later, reminisce about the incredible meals that we enjoyed!
More information about the construction and features of this portable kitchen can be seen at http://tv-frame.com/EK/docs/pelicase.html
Rand Oliver
972 962 4847
Can someone elaborate on why the kitchen box needs to be waterproof? I've been canoeing and rafting for decades and I always waterproof food, sleeping bags, tents, clothes etc, but I've never been concerned about keeping water off the kitchen box because there's nothing in there that can be adversely effected by water.
I would like to hear more about your meals.
I would like to hear more about your meals.
rand oliver
New member
why waterproof?
There are numerous reasons that I can think of needing a watertight chuck box- the first is sanitation- all my cookware is clean when it's packed. If it got wet, I would want to clean and dry it again before use- I hate returning from my trips with the runs. My lanterns would be inoperable, my dish towels, paper towels, my exotic teas, some of my seasonings, my first aid kit, foil, binoculars, camera, pepper grinder and bread would be ruined. I even keep a small one burner stove as spare- if you submerge your stove it will not work until it is totally dry. In other words, getting this gear soaking wet would probably ruin my trip-especially if I'm miles away from civilization. Have you ever had a racoon get into your chuck box or ice chest and eat what you were counting on for the next two days? It's a real pisser!
Here is an example a recent camping dinner:
small salad with baby greens, fresh celantro & parsely, shrimp and avocado w/ homemade fresh garlic caesar dressing. (prepared)
rib-eye, onion, bell pepper, mushroom, cherry tomatoe kebobs (bamboo skewers). (prepared, not cooked)
saffron rice
corn on cob (w/ olive oil & seasonings)(prepared not cooked)
homemade (handcranked) ice cream with fresh fruit (prepared not frozen)
There are numerous reasons that I can think of needing a watertight chuck box- the first is sanitation- all my cookware is clean when it's packed. If it got wet, I would want to clean and dry it again before use- I hate returning from my trips with the runs. My lanterns would be inoperable, my dish towels, paper towels, my exotic teas, some of my seasonings, my first aid kit, foil, binoculars, camera, pepper grinder and bread would be ruined. I even keep a small one burner stove as spare- if you submerge your stove it will not work until it is totally dry. In other words, getting this gear soaking wet would probably ruin my trip-especially if I'm miles away from civilization. Have you ever had a racoon get into your chuck box or ice chest and eat what you were counting on for the next two days? It's a real pisser!
Here is an example a recent camping dinner:
small salad with baby greens, fresh celantro & parsely, shrimp and avocado w/ homemade fresh garlic caesar dressing. (prepared)
rib-eye, onion, bell pepper, mushroom, cherry tomatoe kebobs (bamboo skewers). (prepared, not cooked)
saffron rice
corn on cob (w/ olive oil & seasonings)(prepared not cooked)
homemade (handcranked) ice cream with fresh fruit (prepared not frozen)
Dinner sounds great.
I was curious about the wet stove problem. I just held my single burner propane stove under the kitchen faucet for a couple of minutes, then attached it to a 1 lb bottle. It fired right up. Didn't test the lantern.
I can see wanting to keep the spices and food dry but I typically carry those things in a separate waterproof food barrel. I keep my paper towels in ziploc bags.
I was curious about the wet stove problem. I just held my single burner propane stove under the kitchen faucet for a couple of minutes, then attached it to a 1 lb bottle. It fired right up. Didn't test the lantern.
I can see wanting to keep the spices and food dry but I typically carry those things in a separate waterproof food barrel. I keep my paper towels in ziploc bags.
rand oliver
New member
why waterproof?
I did not choose the Pelicase because it was waterproof, I chose it because it's the toughest cargo case in the world! It's being watertight is just a bonus. It also is of optimum size for my purposes and it has massive external ribs that facilitate mounting of my accessories. Truth is, when paddling in flat water, I only latch one latch, moving water, I latch them all otherwise, if I swamp, I might have an extra 150lb. of water to deal with. Sealed and strapped in, the case effectively displaces water, provides positive floatation,
the boat rides higher,etc. Heres another point, when summerged in current, dry bags will let you down!
I did not choose the Pelicase because it was waterproof, I chose it because it's the toughest cargo case in the world! It's being watertight is just a bonus. It also is of optimum size for my purposes and it has massive external ribs that facilitate mounting of my accessories. Truth is, when paddling in flat water, I only latch one latch, moving water, I latch them all otherwise, if I swamp, I might have an extra 150lb. of water to deal with. Sealed and strapped in, the case effectively displaces water, provides positive floatation,
the boat rides higher,etc. Heres another point, when summerged in current, dry bags will let you down!
I once left my 2 burner coleman propane stove out for a day of heavy rain with the cover open. When I returned to camp and dumped the water out of it, it would not light. I took apart what could be taken apart, dried everything, and still had to wait a long while before it would fire up again. This was a few years ago and it's worked fine since.kerry said:
JIMBO
Expedition Leader
:campfire: I carry everything in my trailer and it'e pretty waterproof, so rain's no problem (with advance planning)
Here's one of our dinners we just had at 7000 ft
Philly steak sandwichs and tossed salad with 4-bean/artichoke hearts/blueberrys and Italian dressing
White Rock Lake
:1888fbbd: JIMBO
Here's one of our dinners we just had at 7000 ft
Philly steak sandwichs and tossed salad with 4-bean/artichoke hearts/blueberrys and Italian dressing
White Rock Lake
:1888fbbd: JIMBO
I think too much is being made over the water proof nature of Rand's expedition camping box. I have owned and used this box extensively in Northern NM and Colorado w/ auto/tent/trailer camping and the key features for me are its versatility/ruggedness/and intelligent design. Ruggedness - If you have ever had a bear try to get into your stuff, you know what I mean. Versatility - I keep all cooking apparatus, camp shovel, pick, lanterns, saw, toools, knifes, flashlights, etc. in the box. Intelligent design - The ability to have cooking surface, eating surface, 2 burner grill, and telescopic lantern plus room for all my supplies - priceless
Camp Box
Camp Kitchen for $1,500.00???
Wow....how much is Rand paying his endorsers???
I for one would like to see more pictures with closer detail. I ain't seeing $1,500.00 worth of material in that kitchen....
What does it look like closed up?
What is the base weight?
I ain't dissing....just looks like advertising.
Camp Kitchen for $1,500.00???
Wow....how much is Rand paying his endorsers???
I for one would like to see more pictures with closer detail. I ain't seeing $1,500.00 worth of material in that kitchen....
What does it look like closed up?
What is the base weight?
I ain't dissing....just looks like advertising.
rand oliver
New member
camp box
First, I don't pay for endorsements, I don't even solicite them. These comments are from satisfied owners who are serious outdoorsmen/ gear heads.
Second, my manufacturing cost is just under $800. There is precision sheet metal work, heliarching, custom fabrication of stainless steel components, machining of the stove, cnc router programing and machine time. It takes five different trades to produce this box. I spent almost $1000 on custom machined tooling to do the case modifications. I spent years and 14 prototypes to perfect this design. Like my high-end custom furniture, this is the best product that can be built. I don't appologize for my prices or quality.
I do also produce a cheaper chuck box based on an inexpensive Contica cargo box for less serious campers.
I have been unable to download images to this site. If anyone is sincerely interested, contact me and I will email images directly.
Rand Oliver
rand@tv-frame.com
First, I don't pay for endorsements, I don't even solicite them. These comments are from satisfied owners who are serious outdoorsmen/ gear heads.
Second, my manufacturing cost is just under $800. There is precision sheet metal work, heliarching, custom fabrication of stainless steel components, machining of the stove, cnc router programing and machine time. It takes five different trades to produce this box. I spent almost $1000 on custom machined tooling to do the case modifications. I spent years and 14 prototypes to perfect this design. Like my high-end custom furniture, this is the best product that can be built. I don't appologize for my prices or quality.
I do also produce a cheaper chuck box based on an inexpensive Contica cargo box for less serious campers.
I have been unable to download images to this site. If anyone is sincerely interested, contact me and I will email images directly.
Rand Oliver
rand@tv-frame.com