The Chuck Box

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

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.

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.

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:

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.