Overlanding-Prep Work Part 3-Kitchen Gear for all the foodies out there.

Overlanding-Prep Work Part 3-Kitchen Gear for all the foodies out there.

I love to eat so kitchen gear is very important for me on a trip.  With that said you don't need to bring the entire kitchen.  Start off small and simple and as you gain experience grow your kitchen gear and what you cook.  We also prepare some of our food ahead of time and freeze some of it before we leave.  This helps keep the cooler cold and the food keeps longer.  These could be breakfast burritos, meatballs, or any other foil wrapped foods or vacuum sealed food.  A vacuum sealer really comes in handy in food prep.  Planning food is important as well as planning how to store it.  Think of creative things like putting eggs in a used coffee creamer container.  The sky is the limit and I would love to hear about tricks you use to store food.

As far as gear you will need a cooking source.  This could be a double burner or just a single hiking style burner.  If you bring a burner bring fuel and matches and/or a lighter.  I like to have one cast iron skillet because they last forever and clean easily.  I also bring a cooking kit that stacks into each other, saves space and allows me to cook more than one thing at a time.  Get a set of reusable plates, forks, spoons, and knifes.  You only need one set per person.  Clean them after each use and just pack away.  Paper plates and plastic forks etc. only mean more trash and can take up tons of room.  Bring a small towel for kitchen cleaning only, and keep it with your cooking gear.

Placement is also key.  You don't want to unload your vehicle at lunch.  Most of the time lunch is a stop on the side of the trail kind a thing so you want easy access.  So plan how you pack your food and have a plan what you will have for lunch, easy meals at lunch time just make sense to me.  I don't want to break out the stove for lunch so sandwiches are a good go to.  I also like to keep a small cooler up front with some drinks and snacks for the day.  We love apples, oranges, grapes, and bananas.

Make sure you decide if you are on your own for food each meal or if you will take turns each night for dinner.  It can be fun and a great bonding experience to divide meals up each night.  Just make sure everyone is aware and that they bring enough food for everyone if you divide who is responsible for meals each night.

I also like the Yeti style cups.  I personal love my bubba cup.  It keeps my drinks cold and hot for hours  I have one for cold drinks and one for coffee.  Again this is totally up to you and what you feel you need.  I have used both everyday for almost two years now.

Here is a list of some of the items I feel should be taken on a overlanding trip.  This is not a be all end all list and should be added to per the needs of each individual.  These are items to get you started.  Remember safety before anything else.

1. Large water jug & water bucket
2. Coolers/ice or a Frig
3. Thermos
4. Stove with fuel/propane
5. Matches/lighter
6. Stackable pots and a cast iron skillet
7. Reuseable plates & bowls
8. Silverware/plastic silverware
9. Heavy-duty aluminum foil
10. Trash bags
11. Dish soap
12. Cooking oil/Pam spray
13. Containers for food storage
14. Potholders/oven mitts
15. Soap for outside of pots and pans
16. Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
17. Tongs
18. Skewers/grill forks
19. Can opener/bottle opener
20. Folding table
21. Cutting board
22. Ziplock bags
23. Dish pan
24. Dish rags/towels
25. Scrub pad/brillo
26. Seasonings/sugar/condiments
27. Coffee
28. Coffee filters
29. Collapsible silicon coffee drip
30. Whiskey only use at the campsite when the day is over

Eat well and GO ALL OVER