How to Outfit a Chuckbox for Camping or Backpacking

A chuckbox is an excellent way to store and transport a camp kitchen. If you keep all of your camp cookware in one or more boxes, you're always ready to go.

The Chuckbox

Kent Mayberry of K&B Going Dutch makes wonderful chuckboxes. Kent's design is ideal for camping because its cupboard-like arrangement makes access easy.

The chuckbox measures 36 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 22 inches tall. It weights about 60 pounds empty. It's arrayed with four cubbyholes and three drawers. The drawers are 12 inches wide by 14 inches deep by 4 inched tall. The center compartment is tall and narrow. It's 4 inches wide and is useful for storing a cutting board and tall, but thin, pans. There is one open cubbyhole on the left side and two on the right.

Outfitting a Chuckbox

Use the chuckbox to hold pots, pans, cookware and dinnerware. It is the ultimate organizer - each piece of cookware fits neatly into a cubbyhole. It's organized into five sections:

• Pots and pans. The top right cubbyhole holds pots and pans and the coffee pot. Included is an 11-quart stockpot, 6-quart saucepan, 4-quart saucepan, 1-quart saucepan and 10-cup coffee pot.
• Wash tubs. The lower right cubbyhole holds the wash tubs and cleaning supplies. The smaller wash tub nests inside the rinse tub. In addition to a bar of hand soap, bottle of dish detergent, sponge and scouring pad, the tubs also hold several miscellaneous items, including a cheese grater, measuring cup, box of matches, set of nesting bowls, and large dipper.
• Cutting boards. The center compartment holds the cutting board, paper towels and supplies. Cheesecloth, aluminum foil, parchment paper and plastic wrap fit neatly in this section.
• Dinnerware. The top left cubbyhole holds dinnerware, up to 8 settings of plates, bowls and mugs. Two 12-ounce insulated coffee mugs or soda cups also fit inside.
• Utensil drawers. The top drawer holds silverware while the middle and bottom drawers hold cooking utensils. The silverware drawer will supply enough forks, spoons and knives for 8. The utensil drawer can get eclectic, with normal items (meat fork, can opener, ladle, measuring cups, spatula, tongs, etc.), and more gourmet accessories (pastry brush, dough cutter, garlic press, spatula, griddle thermometer, citrus zester, etc.)

Kent's chuckbox is ideal for camp cooks, cookoff competitors, outfitters, camp caterers and disaster relief organizers. Anyone who needs to keep a complete set of camp cookware ready for the next trip will appreciate having one.

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