Camping Cooking Simplicity in 30 Minutes or Less

Intro: Camping Cooking Simplicity in 30 Minutes or Less

Every time I go camping I struggle to keep it simple and organized. We're talking tent camping for the backpacker. I hate to pull out tubs of items. Let's keep it simple, people. That's where this instructable is applicable!

STEP 1: Get Yourself a Bag

Whether you go to the thrift store, dollar store or your grandma's closet the container is the most important part. I found this computer bag for just a few Euros and it was perfect for me. 

STEP 2: Gather Your Items

Most of us have camping supplies that we use regularly in our collection. Some more than others. I gathered the ones that I always use and kept it simple. (Minus the plates, cups & pot or pan. Those are in a neatly nested separate container). I tried to take only what is multi-purpose. But that isn't always possible. As well, my husband and my list isn't always the same. I created this one for me, sorry honey! The trick is to use what you already have and not have to spend any extra. You can always add later

Here's what I take for a week:
-2 Microfiber cloths for washing & drying dishes, cleaning up messes, etc.
-Fork, Spoon, Knife all-in-one for each person
-Chopsticks - for stirring or eating
-1 really good knife. (Some can do with the knife from a toolman tool, but when tent camping this goes with!)
-2 cooking tools: Spatula & tongs small size
-small cutting board
-can/bottle opener, corkscrew all-in-one
-water proof matches
-Dr. Bronners multi-purpose soap
-Dish soap (I know I could use Dr. Bronners, but sometimes I like dawn! This one gets taken out at times, too.)
-reusable garbage bag (doubles as a beach or shopping bag)
-reusable homemade ziploc
-Olive Oil
-Salt & Pepper

STEP 3: Gather 3 More Things

All you need now is a scissors, velcro and a hot glue gun

STEP 4: Lay Items Out

Lay all your items out in your case the way that you would like to store and use them.

STEP 5: Measure Your Velcro & Cut

Remove your items, and lay the velcro where they used to be, rough side up the length of the case. Cut it to the exact size.

STEP 6: Glue Down Velcro

Using a hot glue gun, glue down the rough-sided velcro starting from the corner. Now measure the softer side of the velcro to extend longer than the rough sided velcro. (You can wait to cut this until your items are back in place just to be sure.) Regarless of if you cut it, glue only a small corner the soft-sided velcro down on top of the rough velcro. This will be the only glue for the top velcro.

STEP 7: Organize Items

Lay your items on top of the rough velcro and under the soft velcro. 
I repeated the last two steps as I wanted another row of velcro just to hold everything further.
(fyi-it's hard to take pictures while you're using a hot glue gun!)

STEP 8: Beautifully Flexible

The wonderful thing about this A.I.O. Camping tool is that it is so flexible. If you decide you want to add mosquito spray or take out the oil or you have another child and need another spork set there is a lot of flexibility. The total amount of time is less than 30 minutes from the time you gather your items to finish. And it's SUPER EASY! Now you have all your camping/cooking supplies together in one.

Comments

[robdkess]

I really like this - will probably make one for my teardrop camper to keep it simple ~ thanks!

[geppetto425]

Good job, great kit for camping but it's way too heavy and bulky for ultralight backpacking. All I take is an aluminum cup with a wire handle and a spork. A couple of bandanas for washing but I usually wash with sand in a spring. I don't cook so I don't need any seasonings.....

[dropkick]

Good kit.

It's slightly more than I carry, but that's just personal preference, plus I'm only packing for one. - I really like the way you have it organized. I need to learn from your example.

I have one suggestion though. I'd replace the matches with a Bic style lighter. Lighters weigh little, are much easier to use (especially in the cold and wet), it can light many more fires than a box of matches, it doesn't care if it gets wet (even "waterproof" matches don't like getting wet - especially if they soak), a lighter doesn't break in half when you try to light it, and even if you run out of fuel you've still got the flint and steel the lighter came with (the sparker).

I carry one at all times in my pocket (along with my whistle and a pocket knife) along with at least one in my pack when I'm in the woods.

[dropkick]

P.S. I was just looking at your kit again and planning my own when I saw something that I felt I needed to point out before you discover it when you're camping.

I'm sorry to tell you that the item you've identified as "can/bottle opener, corkscrew all-in-one" is actually only a corkscrew. The part that your thinking is a can/bottle opener is actually intended to sit on the lip of a wine bottle and provide a fulcrum for removing the cork. While it might be made to work as a bottle cap opener, I can say from experience that it won't work worth a dang as a can opener. (I made the same mistake when trailer camping once - luckily I found an old military can opener in the bottom of a drawer or it would have been a hungry trip.)

[TheMrCOOLguy2]

Very neat
I would take a grill like one of those steel over the fire ones and I store mine in a bag it is heavy but great!!!

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Nicely assembled! I love kits, so handy :)