chukwagon and chuk kitchen box at sunset

What Evan Packs in His Chuk Kitchen Box: The Ultimate Camp Kitchen Setup for Vanlife & Weekend Camping

November 3, 2025

If you're looking for real-world inspiration on how to organize your camp kitchen setup, you've come to the right place. We asked Chuk Outdoors Co-Founder Evan what’s inside his Chuk Kitchen Box, how he cooks on the road, and tips for optimizing your camp kitchen setup for vanlife and weekend adventures.

How a Lifetime of Camping Inspired the Chuk Kitchen Box

I’m currently doing the vanlife thing, travelling around North America sharing Chuk with the world, but normally, I would call myself a weekend warrior, tenting it. While my imported Japanese camper van is nice, I still love sleeping in a tent! Nothing beats hearing rain on a tarp or the birds chirping in the morning.

I love the peace and stillness of being in nature. I love the opportunities to explore the world around me while in nature. I feel like it brings the playful inner child out of me. I also love cooking, especially for other people, but only when I have the space and time to do it well. I created the Chuk Kitchen Box because I was tired of the time it took me to set up a quality cooking station and the consistent disorganization I experienced with a tote bin and table.

Camping in the fall two years ago, I was rummaging through a bin looking for the cutting board, then the knife, then the pan, then a spatula. I was frustrated with the chaos of my tote bin, the time it took to get set up in the first place, and a memory from my childhood came to mind.

When I was a kid, my Dad built four wooden chuck boxes that stacked together to create a kitchen space. They came with us on every camping trip, even boat camping. We just called them the camping boxes growing up, but they were a core memory of my childhood camping experience. I even remember the creaky sound the doors made when you opened them. It’s probably on these camping boxes where I learned to cook and wash dishes. So there I was, disorganized, frustrated, and rushing to find the tools I needed to cook, and it hit me - I get why Dad built the camping boxes back then. Driving home, I wondered if anything else existed...

Looking for solutions, I didn’t find any camp kitchen storage solution that I felt hit the nail on the head. I didn’t want a system built into the back of an SUV or truck because I’d be stuck cooking at my tailgate. The Cabela camp kitchen still required a lot of setup and didn’t provide any storage. I didn’t want a regular chuck box because you still needed a table to set it on. I wanted a quick setup, organized storage, and a functional workspace.

This type of optimization is important to me because it saves time and energy getting to the best part of being in nature. Time spent enjoying the outdoors is one of the best experiences in the world. The fresh air, the sound of a river or waves on a beach, the sun on the face, the birds chirping, and beauty all around always bring me into a more relaxed, happy, and clear state... But it takes time and energy to plan and get out there. You have to consider the location, food, weather, driving, all the necessary equipment, and more.

The less time I spend getting out into nature, the better, because it means more time spent being present and enjoying. If I can invest in something that saves me an hour, it's probably worth it. I’m always looking for ways to dial in my setup, and now that I’m on the road, it’s so easy to pull the Chuk Boxes out of my camper and cook in seconds by the river, lake, ocean, or mountain top.

chukwagon and chuk camp kitchen box by the lake

My Style of Camping: From Vanlife Adventures to Weekend Campgrounds

I have a fairly varied style of camping and am currently doing it all as a vanlifer. I camp solo frequently and sometimes with friends. I am going off to remote locations, but also staying in driveways. I love all of the above! It’s nice to switch it up. I think if I were to paint my perfect camping picture, it would be at a spacious lakefront campground in the Spring. Not too busy. Not too hot or buggy either. I enjoy the community aspect of campgrounds. Kids biking around, good facilities, and people are generally so friendly, often sharing food, drinks, and invitations for a campfire. It’s safe and nice to establish a home base at campgrounds, then go off on hikes or adventures through the day. I typically camp for 1-3 nights at a time in one location.

As far as food goes, I’m all over the map! Sometimes it's instant ramen noodles, sometimes I’m buying all the ingredients to try a new recipe, and take my time. It all depends on the time I have, the number of people I’m cooking for, and what type of people they are. After a long drive arriving after dark, I’m opting for instant noodles. On a Sunday morning with a bunch of friends and family around, I might cook up Eggs Benedict for all. My family has even affectionately called me ‘egg guy’.

Inside My Chuk Kitchen Box Setup: How I Organize My Camp Kitchen Gear

To go from instant noodles for one person to Eggs Benedict for a crowd, I gotta have everything pretty well dialled in. I have two Chuk Boxes, one is my all-in-one Chuk Box, so I could take just that one out if I wanted, and the other is for extras and cleaning supplies.

Chuk camp kitchen boxes stacked together

In the all-in-one Chuk Box, I’ve got my two-burner stove on the top shelf, utensils on the second tray, and bulkier items in the bottom drawer, including a pot, a pan, a kettle, four plates, four mugs, four bowls, a propane canister, a dish towel, a dish rag, paper towel, the Chuk caddy, and the Chuk garbage bag ring. Wow, just typing this out, I realize I’ve actually got quite a lot of stuff there! I’m also utilizing the space underneath the bottom drawer. It’s slim, flat, and great for the extras I may not use all the time. I have a plastic cutting board tucked under there, garbage bags, ziplock bags, and a tablecloth.

For the middle shelf, I bought two utensil organizers. One for eating utensils for four people and one for cooking utensils. I’ve got them all: two spatulas, two ladles, tongs, two knives, a peeler, a grater, a whisk, a can opener, a BBQ lighter, salt and pepper, measuring cups, two Chuk dual hooks and even a couple Chuk Drink Koozies.

In my supporting Chuk Kitchen Box, I’ve got some large Tupperware containers for leftovers, a collapsible washbin with the necessary cleaning supplies like dish soap, a washcloth, and a scrub brush. I’ve also got a griddle, a Costco-sized roll of tinfoil, the Chuk cutting board (perhaps my favorite accessory), and the Chuk lantern post. Oh, I’ve also got my Aeropress and a bag of pre-ground coffee in there. This Chuk Box still has lots of extra space if I need it.

To get set up, including all the attachments, it takes me less than a minute. I’ve timed it! My favorite part of the setup is definitely those attachments. I hate a messy or cluttered countertop, so keeping those surfaces clear is a must for me.

chuk kitchen box with wood cutting board

My favorite moment is when the Chuk garbage bag ring is attached to the far side of the right wing and the Chuk cutting board is nestled on top of the same wing. The motion of chopping vegetables and swiping scraps directly into the garbage bag ring is a dream in optimized cooking, no matter if you’re in an industrial kitchen or lakeside.

My Must-Have Camp Kitchen Essentials

GSI Pinnacle Pro Two Burner Stove - It’s slim but wide and fits PERFECTLY on the top track of the Chuk Kitchen Box, leaving almost 2” of extra space for other gear compared to most stoves.
Montreal Steak Spice - a Canadian classic. I don’t know if you can get it in America, but I put it on almost everything.
Travel Aeropress - The most consistently good coffee is made with this baby.
Chuk Drink Koozies - One for me and one for a friend.
Chuk Storage Caddy - I use this so often. To have the paper towel holder there, easily pulling off a piece when both my hands are dirty, is amazing.
Chuk Garbage Bag Ring - Once again, I set this up every time because it's so handy! Not just for food scraps and cooking, having an easy place to hang your bag and keep garbage tidy is ideal.

Beyond these items, I don't necessarily have a favorite knife, spatula, or pan just yet.

Easy Camping Meals I Cook Again and Again

Since my family knows me as the egg guy, and to stay true to the name, I love making and eating brunch. My favorite thing to cook is a breaky bowl with potatoes, sausage or bacon, grilled veggies, and a couple of eggs on top. Throw almost any sauce or seasoning on there, and it’s going to be delicious.

As for dinner goes, to honor my grandpa’s legacy as an Idaho potato farmer turned cattle rancher, I have to say steak, potatoes, and asparagus. All on the griddle or a cast iron. Montreal steak spice on everything.

Guilty pleasure: sometimes a hot dog over the fire with ketchup and mustard just hits the spot.

Extra Camp Kitchen Gear I Keep Handy

Probably everything in my second Chuk Kitchen Box (minus the Aeropress). The Chuk Cutting Board, while it is my favorite accessory, is more of a nice-to-have since it's a bit bulkier and heavier. But the way it fits snugly inside the lip of the wings means it isn’t going to slide around while in use, which is a dream. Loui, one of our Co-Founders, handmade these! I could also live without the lantern post, collapsible sink, and Tupperware containers, but they’re nice to have on hand and make certain things much easier.

interior organization of the chuk kitchen box

My Camp Kitchen Setup and Routine

When I roll up to a campsite, I first envision my setup. Where the car is going, where the tent is going (if I have one), and where the cooking station is going, then it’s time to pull everything out. If I’m tenting, I usually like to set up the tent first with my mattress and sleeping bag rolled out. Then onto the cooking setup. I’ll pull the Chuk Box out, get it levelled, then start pulling out all the accessories.

Once the setup is ready to go and it’s time for a meal, I’m thinking through cooking times. What’s going to take the longest to prep or cook, and do I need to start that now? Usually, that means starting the rice or chopping potatoes. Then I launch into veggies to get those all prepped. Once everything is ready, I throw it all on the griddle with some form of protein. I don’t usually prep a lot of food in advance. I’m cooking on the spot and throwing Montreal Steak Spice on almost everything.

Clean up is my least favorite part. I hate washing dishes, especially with a full belly, so while everything is cooking away, I try to clean up as much as I can. Even when the meal is ready, I’ll wash the griddle, any other pots or dishes I can, so I don’t have to after I eat. I think this also helps me stay more organized and makes the experience smoother overall.

The Best Outdoor Cooking Experiences I've Had With My Chuk Kitchen Box (so far)

Two of my favorite cooking experiences this year have been in roughly the same place, so I gotta share them both: Kananaskis Provincial Park near Canmore, Alberta. It is a vast mountain region with rugged peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife.

Both cooking experiences were making brunch at Spray Lake. The first brunch was with my cousin (Cam) and brother (Kyle). We had arrived too late at the campground the night before and had to stay in the overflow camping area. There were several other vehicles which wasn’t ideal, but everyone cleared out early enough the next day, and we had the whole place to ourselves on a Sunday morning. The sun was shining, elk were walking through the meadow behind us, and the morning tunes kept the vibes high. We took our time making eggs, bacon, veggies, and potatoes. It was the first time I felt like I was in a super relaxed flow state with the Chuk Boxes. Between the music, the chill pace, and fresh coffee, I was in such a blissful state, dancing my way through cooking. It seemed like every motion flowed to the next. It was the experience I was always hoping to create with the Chuk Box. Mission accomplished.

The second brunch also felt like an accomplishment. It was a few days later in Kananaskis Park. Kyle and Cam had gone home, but Loui and Colin joined me at Spray Lake. We held our ‘corporate summit’ at a campsite. Fitting for an outdoor company. It was the last morning after a couple of days of planning, and just before we were going in our separate directions. Spray Lake is crystal clear, but this summer, there wasn’t much rain, so a larger part of the lake had dried up.

All the planning work was accomplished, so it was time to cook up one last epic meal. We carried a Chuk Box out into the middle of that spacious land and once again cooked up some eggs, bacon, potatoes, and veggies, this time throwing it all together into a breaky bowl. Between the open space with nothing around us, the humbling mountain views, the sun high above bringing warmth to the day, and a sense of accomplishment amongst our team, those breaky bowls sure did taste good.

Why the Chuk Kitchen Box Matters to Me: Food, Community, and Being Outdoors

The Chuk Kitchen Box aligns some of the things I value most in this world: Food, community, nature, and organization.

I used to work for a non-profit in one of Canada’s poorest neighbourhoods, feeding over 1000 people per day. There, I learned how a shared meal can be a game-changer for someone’s physical and mental well-being. We are often all going in our different directions throughout a day, and even at a campground! But eating food is a time when people pause and gather for nourishment and reconnection. In this day in age, loneliness, depression, and anxiety are at their highest. We need community now more than ever, and food brings people together.

Now, to gather for a meal in nature is a connection on a whole other level! The shared experience of peace and serenity, while enjoying a meal together, amplifies all the great feelings we are out there to embrace. By reducing the time and effort it takes for me to attain those outdoor cooking moments, the Chuk Kitchen Box increases the amount of joy I get to experience cooking meals for the people I love in nature. That is one of the best things I could ask for in this world.

I would recommend it to anyone who loves getting outside often and appreciates an efficient, optimized experience.