Make camp cooking easier with this portable kitchen box.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Step 1. Gather all the cooking and cleaning gear you want to store in your chuck box. This will determine the size of your chuck box and how the inside is designed. The box shown here is just one example of how your box could look. Some boxes have only one or two drawers to make room for larger items such as pots and pans. It’s up to you. Once you have decided on the size and shape of your box, cut out all the plywood pieces. Sand, prime and paint all plywood surfaces and edges before assembling. This is much easier than painting the box afterward.
Step 2. Screw and glue the box together. Remember to pre-drill all screw holes and countersink the heads for a neat finish. After your box is assembled, lightly sand and then brush on a second coat of paint.
Step 3. Lay the painted door in position and carefully screw on the piano hinge.
Step 4. Close the door and determine the position of the eye screws and swing hooks. Screw them in place.
Step 5. Attach the trunk handles. (You might want to use nuts and bolts for this so the handles are extra strong. Some larger boxes many need two handles per side.)
YOU CAN ADD SOME LEGS
Adding legs can get your chuck box off the ground and easily accessible. If you don’t have a tailgate or picnic table to set your chuck box on, this is definitely the way to go. The legs store flat and can be attached with no tools needed using wing nuts and carriage bolts.
The legs can be made from 2″ x 4″ fir or 1″ x 3″ oak. The oak is more expensive but will be stronger and last longer. Make sure the legs are angled outward enough so the box is sturdy when the front is open and in use.
I LOVE BSA
I might not make one but to me it is the coolest thing I have ever seen for camping.
our legs just come out and slide into a different position for carrying
its great
For legs, we used folding banquet table legs that can be bought at a good hardware store. We also put pneumatic hand truck wheels on one side and a good handle on the other for easy moving without having to have 2 people to carry it. pneumatic wheels make it easy to get over obstacles like tree roots and rocks. Good basic plan though, I like it…many different uses for the box
put hinges on the legs so it can fold
Thanks alot we’ve been trying to make a good one for ages.
Our Chuck boxes had ‘pockets’ on the sides the wooden legs slid into. That way, we didn’t have to worry about losing the carriage bolts! Very cool article, brought back a lot of memories! Thanks!
AHH… so useful.
Designing a chuck box is a challenge. Make it sturdy enough to last, big enough to carry what is needed, and light enough for scouts to lift and set up without adult help. I’m looking forward to seeing if this one measures up.