Outdoor Adventure USA

With a slight deviation from our posted schedule, this weeks net will be on one of our favorite topics - FOOD. In particular, we will be discussing camp kitchens. Having camped for a number of years, Tom and I have seen quite a few variations of the camp kitchen - everything from minimalist kitchens to something like what one would expect at home. It seems that the type of kitchen you prefer is likely to reflect your personal taste in outdoor cuisine. Having a well equipped kitchen, however, does not mean that you have to pack enormous amounts of gear or spend a lot of money. On the contrary, with careful planning and the right equipment, a well equipped kitchen is easy to pack, easy to set up and easy to take down.

One of the things that we have learned over the many years we have been doing this is that good meals are a unique and sensational complement to the great outdoors. Few things can top a terrific meal overlooking a great vista. Just because you are camping in wilderness or primitive conditions is no reason to dine like a primitive. If you enjoy good meals at home, there is no reason why that same level of quality is not possible at camp.

One last thing that we have learned is that there are many ways to set-up a great camp kitchen and we would like to see your set-up, preferably with pictures and a narrative.

We can't think of a better example of how a good meal can complement a great trip than the picture below. This was taken during breakfast overlooking the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Freshly cooked cinnamon French Toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, orange juice and coffee, made this meal top notch. Breakfast al lfresco on the North Rim:
Setting up a camp meal table is also not difficult but it sure makes meal time just a little bit better.
Camp kitchens include trailer mounted affairs, tail gate kitchens and kitchens set up in the middle of camp. Here are some examples.

Trailer kitchens
Tail gate kitchens
Camp kitchens in ...........well, camp!
Here is an excellent example of how you can easily prepare meals outdoors that bring all of the quality and taste of home to the camp - REAL Fried Chicken:
One of the things that should never be overlooked in the camp kitchen is cleanliness. The Wishy Washy, by Partner Steel, is a must for any camp. It is an easy way to wash hands before and while cooking.
Here is a well equipped camp kitchen that is easy to set-up and take down. The stand, sold by Cabela's, is named the "instant Kitchen" and sets up in about a minute. The stove, by Partner Steel, also sets up in about a minute. On the left side of the Instant Kitchen is an oven, made by Coleman, which has served to prepare, baked potatoes, biscuits, chocolate cake, breakfast pastries, all sorts of appetizers, and much more.
Last, but not least, we cannot leave the topic of camp kitchens without mentioning one thing that can add a terrific new dimension to any good dinner - a fine bottle of wine, shared with friends, while cooking!!!

Great net! Too bad I won't be able to make it.

This is my water set up, in a trip to Edison Lake this last weekend. I usually go camping for a few days only so I like to take two 2.5 gallon drinking water bottles from the store for cooking & drinking, and I take five 5 gallon Scepter cans full of tap water for washing & shower purposes. I know it's safe to drink tap water but there is no harm in getting store water and this way I get 5 extra gallons.

The scepter water can dispenser nozzle is extremely practical to wash hands or to just pour a bit of water.

Nice Roger! - but don't go before you post were you got the nozzle or how you built it.

Absolutely!

http://lexingtoncontainercompanysonline ... ng-nozzle/

They also have good prices on scepter water cans.

My Kitchen Layout
The tail gate is the primary preparation area. It has a plastic table cloth to protect the carpet. The camp box shelve provides a secondary area above the tail gate. Matches, spices, silverware are all in reach in the camp box. The board holds the table cloth in place and is a place to set hot pots. The water jug on the other end hold the table cloth in place and is a quick source of water for cooking and washing hands. Note the hand soap on top of it. Not in the picture is a small table and the food box.

K0WDE checking in

I wrote an article recently April 2015 titled "Trail Food for the Non Cook." This fits into the idea of a minimalist cooking.

http://www.4x4training.com/Articles/Cam ... nCook.html

A quote from the article
"Let’s say you love the outdoors, and yearn for a weekend of four wheeling. But you can’t cook or don’t care to. It’s just not your bag. Should you stay home? Of course not! You can still hit the trails – you just need to plan accordingly. "

"As you long as you can boil water, cook over a fire (or camping stove), and you own a cooler or fridge, you’ll survive! "

A few minor details that add up. Little things learned over time that work for our family.

Just couldn't get through on the repeater tonight...please give me a late check-in

The recording for this net is now available at Camp Kitchens.