When you move to the middle of the woods and you are surrounded by dirt and mud and all that comes with living without sidewalks, pavement and pull-in garages, it's really a benefit to stay clean and organized. Believe it or not, living in a state of uncleanness and unorganization will effect anyone. Some more than others are bothered by this but even if you don't realize it, untidiness is effecting your morale.
Our family goes camping at least once a year and this year we will also be camping at the upcoming Baker Creek Spring Planting Festival. We will be cooking our own meals at that location and we try to keep all of the camping gear together so when we need it, it's as simple as grabbing it and loading in on a vehicle. This is also good for in case you ever needed to bug out.
Jaimie this past month knowing of the upcoming trip, began researching something called a "Chuck Box". A variation of the term "Chuck Wagon", but in a box . There are lots of articles and examples on Pinterest and so she began to formulate some ideas. Keeping and staying organized is something she really enjoys and loves to study and learn from others.
"Chuck Food" by the way was the familiar term in the 18th century that meant what we today called "comfort food". So when ranchers had to hire cooks to travel the range with their coybows and cattle, the cook's wagon was known as the "chuck (comfort food) wagon".
So she put together a few low cost ideas she got from Pinterest and the box started to take shape. Here it is. We used a hard plastic Sterilite tote that you can buy at any box store. It doesn't look like much here but keep reading.
On the top is our propane stove with a few extra bottles packed in. Remove the stove and propane bottles and lift the box on top of a table.
Then turn it over.
And there you go. You have a complete chuck box with all of your kitchen needs.
The only items not pictured are a couple of skillets and pots. When camping we don't use the cast iron as it adds too much weight. We do have on the side of the chuck box a cast iron griddle that we use. All of the containers include all your utensils, measuring cups, baking items, pot holders, plastic baggies, etc. Everything Jaimie will need when cooking is in this box and ready to go when we need to load up and go camping.
So that is the Homestead Chuck Box. No more running around trying to find everything you need for a camping trip. It's all right there and ready to go.
Staying organized is one of the best ways to stay stress free and happy on the homestead!
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“Staying organized is one of the best ways to stay stress free and happy on the homestead!”
That is the truth! But it’s easier said than done.
So True!
Awesome idea!
Love this idea! How convenient to just pop the lid of and have everything organized and ready to use. Setting up camp can be a time consuming part of vacation so any prep to cut it short is definitely worth the effort.
Right, you don't want to have to go on vacation from your vacation.
Organization really does reduce stress. Everything has it's place and you can find things quickly when you need them. @ironshield
Genius!
Great idea! Looks Very Tactical!
I have been wanting to do one of these for a couple of years now. Found some really nice ones, mostly made of wood. However I like you simplified idea and it won't take any carpentry skills to put it together!
Great idea. Even with over a foot of snow still on the ground here I like to hold the hope in my heart that summer is going to come. I seldom slip over to FaceHook but did for this post to share with some friends and family there that are nature living souls in the summer months...had to share this with them. This is summer planning I can do now...building me a ChuckWagon for sure :)
Great post! Nothing will ruin a camping trip more than being disorganized. I make lists and more lists so I don't forget anything. Having a bin like you show not only keeps everything organized but also DRY! No fun to wake up to soggy supplies on a dewy morning! Happy Camping!
Now that is an awesome life hack for sharing with others! Tweeting!
I see the most important tool in the chuck box - The Cork Screw ;)
We have something similar in our pop-up camper.
I might camp more if I was this organized! GREAT way to keep everything together so you aren't walking all over the campsite looking for the mustard and knife. :)
In Boy Scouts we called it a patrol box, and it included a first aid kit . We had some basic camping stuff; wood chopping, fire starter,extra tent pegs, etc. It was a very useful box, waterproof, and easily loaded. Enjoy your camping trip. You should take the boys to the diamond mine there in SW Arkansas, perfect place to go camping! Keep on posting....
I love the Chuck Box. Every homestead should have one! Kudos to Jamie for coming up with a good design!
Love this. I too go camping once a year and cook everything, but tend to forage for what I cook. As a Canadian I was not used to seeing an open carry of your gun. We just don't have such a thing at all. Here by law you must have your rifle or gun in a locked cabinet or in a locked bag when transporting it. So I was a bit taken aback by the picture of you with it.