Camp Kitchen

Look close at the blue water jug on the right with the spicket and you'll notice a bottle of liquid hand soap on top of it. This is just one of the little things that can be done to make camping a bit easier. Just keep a towel nearby and hand washing is easy. The two, five gallon buckets under it contain water for bathing and washing. I normally carry several of these depending on how long I will be in the tent. And if I'm there longer than a week I simply drive over to the well and refill them.

A camping kitchen doesn't have to be highly involved or complex to give you enough. Remember, you want to travel as light as possible to avoid too much setup and tear down time. I use a few basic things and not much furniture and the tables are small. One metal table serves as a place to put hot pans off the stove and to use as a counter top for food preparation. I purchased a stand for the stove since pots and pans and utensils can be stored in it, no need to keep putting them into the bin and pulling them out again each time. Metal fold up chairs may not be the most comfortable, but they are inexpensive and handy. The downside is they are not light weight and I may change them soon for lighter weight chairs.

I highly recommend distribution posts for your propane tanks. This saves having to carry a propane tank for each appliance and it gives you a place for your gas lights. Being under a tarp I don't recommend hanging them since they can melt your tarp if they are too close or possibly catch fire. Don't worry if your hose isn't long enough to go from your tank to your stove, with these new hoses you can attach then for longer distances. I don't recommend going more than one gas line however if it can be prevented. Why? A couple good reasons, how much time do you really want to spend setting up? How many gas lines do you really want to buy? The only time I might use two lines is when I need the extra length to reach the heater in the tent for cold nights.

I also recommend the blue water jugs with a spicket which usually hold about 7 gallons of water. Two of these will usually keep you for a 3 day weekend for drinking and cooking water. For washing and showers I recommend taking 5 gallon buckets filled with water. If you don't have a water heater with faucets in the shower tent you can heat a couple gallons of water on the stove in a large stock pot. Bring the water to a boil and then add it with cold water in a 5 gallon bucket for use in the shower. Five gallons is usually enough for one person. I've done this in 50 degree weather without a heater and the warm water in the bucket will heat the tent. Just dry off quick when you step out! :)