Paddler's Kitchen Checklist

The phrase "paddling kitchen" evokes a kind of nostalgic feeling with roots grounded in warm sunsets, crackling fires and sumptuous meals while being serenaded by a symphony of moving water. For the most part, a paddling kitchen is to wilderness camping what a kitchen on a luxury cruise ship is to a vacation. What follows is a bullet-point suggestion list of items for you to use in planning your next "well outfitted" paddle excursion: (A selection of companies who offer product specific to the category have been highlighted and include contact numbers so you can find a retailer near you who carries the product)

Kitchen Furniture:

Roll-A-Table by Camp Time; 509/928-3015
Padded folding chairs

Kitchen Organizers:

Beaver Tree Kitchen by Newman Lee Co.; 715/ 877-2516 - an outdoor cooking center/organizer of lightweight, rugged kayak-like material.
BFD Drybag by Adventure 16; 800/854-2672 - BFD stands for, ahh, well, use your imagination because we can't print it here. Suffice it to say that the bag is big, the zippered opening huge and paddlers who have used it say it is ideal for schlepping kitchen goods in rafts and open boats.
Smaller kitchen organizer needs for kayakers and canoeists can be met by Atwater Carey; 800/359-1646 or Outdoor Research; 888/ 4OR-GEAR.

Shelter from the elements:

Cook Tarp, 10 by 12, with plenty of alternate tie-out points for a variety of sheltering configurations.

Coolers and Food Storage:

Hard coolers
Soft coolers - Outdoor Research and Seattle Sports (800/632-6163) both make excellent soft coolers for the paddler who needs to keep food fresh and cool on a trip where space is at a premium.

Personal Commissary:

Insulated stainless steel mug
Knife / Fork / Spoon set
Plastic bowl and plate

Stove & Fuel:

Two-burner stove
Backpacking stove
Fuel bottles with pour spout - MSR, Sigg, and Optimus all offer excellent fuel bottles.
Waterproof Matches

Pots, Pans, Ovens:

Fry pan with lid
One-gallon cook pot
Cast aluminum Dutch Oven 10" to 12" diameter - GSI; 800/704-4474
Dutch oven lid lifter - GSI; 800/704-4474
Cast aluminum griddle with lip
Pot lifter
Two-quart pot
Stuff sacks for pots and pans
Lexan coffee press -- GSI
Folding grill
Outback Oven
GSI espresso makers - GSI; 800/704-4474
Euro coffee grinder - Adventure 16; 800/854-2672
Nesters Expedition Nest stainless steel kit with 1.5, 2, and 2.5 quart cookpots; 7.25 inch frypan, 2 large bowls / lids, pot gripper and a dunk bag - from Peregrine 800/222-3088

Food Preparation & Serving:

Lightweight Plastic Cutting Board
Kitchen Knife
Wooden spoon
Small spatula
Small wisk
Fillet knife

Water Needs:

2.5 gallon collapsible water containers
Water filter

Hygiene:

Wash and rinse buckets
Soap and scrubbies

Specialty Tools:

Pocket knife with cord
Multitool knives
Folding saw or hatchet
Small trowel
Lantern (gas or battery)