🍳car camping kitchen checklist (learned the hard way)

the mistakes that earned every line on this list.

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Stove + full fuel canister, count them don't guess

Ran out on night two of a four-night trip because I 'was pretty sure' the half-empty one was still half empty.

Backup lighter, not just matches

Matches don't strike in wind or damp air. Learned this cold and hungry.

Cook pot with lid

Frying pan

Pot holder or lifter

Grabbed a hot handle bare-handed exactly once.

Cutting board

The one thing that always gets left in the garage because it doesn't look essential, until you're cutting onions on a cooler lid.

Sharp knife, actually sharp

Spatula, tongs, big serving spoon

Dedicated can opener / bottle opener

The one on your multitool always disappoints exactly when you need it.

Dish soap, small bottle

Sponge + quick-dry towel

Trash bags, more than you think you need

Double bag the food trash or the whole car smells like bacon by hour two.

Cooler ice, packed the night before

Ice math: figure your cooler holds a day less than the retention rating claims once it's been opened twenty times a day.

Water containers, jugs not just bottles

Small spice kit

salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili flake covers 90% of camp cooking.

Camp table, or anything flat that isn't the ground

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