How to Organize a Camping Kitchen

When organizing your camping kitchen, you have to be as self-sufficient as possible. Follow the step by step guidelines to learn how to collect items, pack like a pro and prepare meals just like you do at home.

Things You'll Need

• Ice chest
• One or two large storage totes
• One or two plastic pencil boxes

Instructions

1. Realize that you will not have a reliable source of cooling or freezing, so you must pack accordingly. Visit a warehouse club such as Sam's or Costco and purchase a box of packaged condiments. These do not need refrigeration and can be tucked anywhere. Also, buy at least two (or more) large storage totes and a plastic pencil box.

2. Pre-plan your menu and ingredients that you will need. Remember that when you are out camping in the middle of the woods, it will not be possible to make a quick trip to the grocery store. If you already have a menu planned, defrost any frozen food that you have planned for the first night. Make sure that you keep all other food frozen solid.

3. Pack frozen foods. When packing the ice chest, layer the ice and food. Place all frozen meat at the bottom over a thin layer of ice, then pour another layer of ice on top. The top layer of food should contain anything that needs to be chilled, not frozen. Do not store your drinks in the same ice chest that you will store uncooked meat.

4. Pack kitchen tools. In one or two storage totes, pack your kitchen tools. Stack pots and pans inside one another. Be sure to bring one lid, big enough to cover all pots and pans. Cook with wooden spoons while camping, because if you are cooking over an open flame, a metal spoon will get too hot and may turn black and a plastic spoon may melt. Pack all knives and eating utensils in the plastic pencil box.

5. Remember the necessities. Pack at least five gallons of water to use for cooking and cleaning. Use paper plates to eat on. Yes, they are flimsy, but you will be able to burn the paper plates in the camp fire. Don't forget soap and towels for washing and drying the kitchen tools as well as paper towels and wet wipes for cleaning sticky fingers. Pack a first aid kit complete with bug repellent and a snake bite kit.

Tips & Warnings

• Pack a tea kettle to use for boiling water.