The Chuck Box
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Link: Chuck Box Gear List
Check out my Chuck Box Gear List on my Amazon Storefront for a complete link list.
Link: Chuck Box Plans
If you'd like to build this chuck box for yourself. I have complete diy chuck box plans available on Amazon for $2.99.
About
The portable camp kitchen, the cooking bin, or whatever you want to call it - from morning coffee to toasted burritos- is the ultimate organizational tool for camp cooking, and I call it the Chuck box.
In reference to the Chuck Wagons of old, this simple wooden box has a place for everything, and everything has its place. I built this last year, and it's actually my second rendition. The first one, while still awesome, was larger and heavier. Gen 2 is lean, mean, and polished by the lessons learned.
For construction, it's built with a single sheet of half-inch ply that's been sanded, shellacked, glued, and screwed. It stands 16 1/2 inches tall by 22 inches wide and 14 inches deep, weighing about 35 pounds when loaded.
The box has a flip-down countertop and seven compartments.
Top Compartments
Two stainless steel MSR plates and two bowls.
A dish rag.
A spatula. (My favorite egg spatula of all time)
The Supoon (Perfect for scooping and scraping)
A basic cutting board
A silverware drawer. (Contains hand sanitizer, a coffee scoop, one Bic lighter, a fork, a spork, a long-handle spoon, a knife, some coal tongs, a can opener, a knife sharpener, trash bags, and rubber bands)
Middle Compartments
A kettle.
Two mugs.
A pour-over. (My preferred coffee-making method)
Two Coleman fuel canisters (Separated by a box of coffee filters and a small container of olive oil)
The Lodge cast iron two-quart Dutch oven. (It's the most important thing besides the stove. I use the bottom as a generic pot for things like stew and ground meat, and I use the top as a frying pan for things like eggs)
A pair of leather gloves (Used as oven mitts)
A hidden spice compartment behind the Dutch oven. (Chili powder, red pepper flakes, paprika, garlic powder, cilantro, cumin, bay leaves, cinnamon, and salt and pepper)
Bottom Compartment
A Coleman two-burner.
Trash Can
I also want to mention the trash can since it usually goes anywhere the Chuck box goes. I stole this idea from a channel called Bound for Nowhere. It's just a cereal container with a trash bag, and it works great. Also, it's a perfect type for balancing the propane canister.
Conclusion
We often dislike constraints at first, but they usually end up being helpful in any creative process. For me, cooking is a creative process. I enjoy eating healthy, good food. I knew I had to perfect this before I started traveling full-time. I even practiced cooking with a Dutch oven at home to ensure it would work well on the road. This little Chuck box has taken care of everything. I have been able to cook the same meals on the road that I was cooking at home.
Dont hesitate to comment with any questions!
Amazon Storefront
This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission. So thank you!
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Chuck Box Gear List: https://amzn.to/4cSSPlD
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