I could call this the Chuck Box Extras, except that they aren’t really extras. You could probably prepare food and eat without needing seasoning or washing dishes. You might even have some really good food that way. But most people are going to need some basics.
Cooking Kit
Salt and Pepper
Cooking Oil
A few favorite Herbs and Spices
Sugar
This is what I bring. I could probably leave some of it behind. The sugar is for my coffee because I am a wimp, but I am trying to cut it out as much as I can. If you want to be a minimalist just bring salt and oil. But if you want to cook a bit, even just an omelette, everything gets better with extra flavoring.
Dishwashing Station
Two Dish Pans or Large Bowls
Small Bottle of Dish Detergent
Sponge and Scrubber
Drying Rack and Dish Towels
Kettle to heat water
I guess this could be optional too. You could easily scrub your pots out with a handful of sand and rinse them in the creek. But that tends to be frowned on in more developed campgrounds. The more people you have in your group, the more important it is to get the dishes washed after each meal. Also, the more hands are available to get the job done. I’m sure my family is not the only one where the rule exists that whoever didn’t cook gets to clean the kitchen.
Dishes rinse best in warm water, so as everyone sits down to eat, set a kettle on the stove or campfire to heat up. Then get the dishes done before the water gets cold. When it comes time to dispose of the dirty water it is possible to throw it into the bushes at the side of the campsite, but it is often considered rude. Better to pour it down the graywater drain that is usually located every few sites in a developed campground.
I think that’s all for today. There really isn’t much more to say on these topics. Of course if I missed something, be sure to let me know. Tomorrow I’ll go on about the campfire.
No, this box has nothing to do with anyone named Charles or Norris. Neither is it a place to just chuck things in, though if you get a large enough bin that may happen. This is named for the old Chuck Wagons that followed along on cattle drives to cook for the cowboys. I came across the term in a YouTube video where a guy proudly shows off a very functional custom made version that could not only hold everything in an organized fashion, it turned into its own table and stove stand. I want one like that someday…
My Chuck Box is a plastic bin. I used to use a larger one, but the lid disappeared and the inside got disgusting so it was time for a fresh container. Here’s what goes inside:
Chuck Box
Stove and Propane
Matches or Lighter
Kettle and Skillet
Stovetop Coffeemaker (and coffee)
Large Bowls for mixing or serving
Spatula and Big Spoon
Knife and Cutting Board
Dishes, Mugs, and Flatware
Can Opener
Aluminum Foil
Paper Towels
Storage Baggies and Trash Bags
Tablecloth
All the basics to keep the family fed.
There are all kinds of camp stoves out there. The best one will vary by what kind of camping you want to do, but for my purposes a simple 2-burner propane stove that runs off of the small bottles of propane is just fine. For group camping we have had someone bring a big multi-burner stove with a griddle top, but if it’s just you and the kids, this one will do just fine. Don’t forget that you need to light it!
A lot of the other things can just be gathered from your own kitchen, or if you want to keep the box packed and ready then you can visit a thrift store. There is really no need to buy new and expensive items to use a couple of times a year. Although…if you want to invest in some cast iron, that could be a worthwhile decision. Especially if you learn to use it in more ways than camping. Dutch Ovens can be used outside of a campfire. There are even ways to control the temperature by how many charcoal briquettes you use. That’s worth looking up if only for an interesting read.
A kettle for cooking soups and heating water, a skillet for hashbrowns and eggs. Cooking utensils and things to eat with and out of. Make sure that you bring cups that can hold the heat. It’s hard to drink hot chocolate from a paper cup that sheds the wax into your hand. I’ve tried! Aluminum foil is useful for so many things. Making pouches to cook food in the fire is only one of them. Storage zipper baggies of various sizes are invaluable for holding leftovers that you can’t bear to throw out. Paper towels and paper plates can be stored clean by tying a plastic grocery bag around them…if the bags haven’t been banished in your area yet. A set of enamel dishes is a good investment, but often I decide I don’t want to wash dishes and just use paper instead. Flatware can be plastic or thrift store. A table cloth is another little luxury that takes up very little space but goes a long way to making your site look cozy. Plus, it removes the mystery of what the spot on the table might have been. Get a plastic flannel-backed one or just use a cotton flat sheet.
Enamel Percolator and Moka style espresso maker. Both okay over the fire, but the enamel is better.
I have two kinds of coffemakers. One makes espresso, the other is a percolator that makes more regular American style coffee. Both cost around $20 and both are perfectly fine for camping. I kind of prefer the enamel one. I like it because it makes more and there is less fighting for the last drop and because it can also be used to heat up water for dishwashing or hot chocolate. The enamel one lives in my bins. The moka lives in my kitchen. They usually both end up coming along with us.
Two kinds of kettles. One is better if you have to cook over a campfire.
I’m happy to be getting input from several people already. Rochelle reminded me yesterday that a grate to put over the fire can be a lifesaver when you forget the campstove. And my son who helped me assemble everything for the photoshoot last night made a very good observation about the kettle that lives in the camping bin. He wanted to completely reject it because of the handles and the non-stick. I kinda agree. If you are going to only cook on your campstove and this is all you have then you are perfectly fine. But plastic handles are not a good idea at all if you ever have to put that kettle on the campfire. He chose the stainless cookware with the longer handles so they could be more safely handled when hot. Just something to keep in mind. Also, add hot pads to the list!
One other safety note: in the photo at the top you will see two knives. One of them is out so you can see it, the other is wrapped in a kitchen towel. Make sure that when you aren’t using them your knives are kept safe. I learned that one the hard way a couple years ago and it is why butterfly bandages are on the first aid list. My boys panicked when I sliced my arm on an unsafe blade and I had to show them how to improvise when Urgent Care stitches aren’t an option. Fortunately it wasn’t deep, just stupid. Live and learn!
I almost feel like the categories of Cooking Kit and Dishes should go into the Chuck Box. A slightly larger bin would help them fit. But I’m running out of time for today so I’m going to leave them for tomorrow’s post. Here’s what the pile looks like once the cramologists have done their job:
Kitchen supplies ready to go!
I’ll have to find the link for that video that I found so inspirational. I might leave it in the comments. And I will warn you that since my son was so very opinionated about what should go in the box I told him I am going to make him write a post of his own. It may or may not show up soon. In fact, I’m very open to feedback and if anyone wants to give me their version of The Camping List I would be delighted to share.
