We are looking into a box/pack to store kitchen stuff on non portage trips (like river trips or non-portage to base camp trips). Our problem in the past with packs is that things needed can be hard to get to. Anyone use dry boxes like an NRS Canyon Box for kitchen stuff? NRS Canyon Camping Dry Box

I've never used the box. I practice what Cliff Jacobson advises and that's spread out your food and cooking gear so the things you know you want to get to fast you can without completely going thru your whole pack. But as you won't be portaging this box/pack will more then likely be a good investment
Mike

I have done many river trips on the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania. The best thing I have found is very simple. Just buy the largest storage container from Walmart that you can fit in the canoe. Been using them for over 25 years, never had an issue. Only drawback is they are not critter proof. Can't beat the price..

That is the same pack as the old york pack that I bought about 20 years ago. I even take it on trips with portages. I outfitted it with some old back pack straps. It works pretty well and like you I use it for my kitchen stuff. There is a gaket on the lid that forms the seal. Never tip with that pack so don't know if it works well.

If you google york pack or yoek box you should get some reviews on it. I think I have some pictures of mine. I will look for them and post them.

tony

two that I found. It is sitting next too two 30 lietre barrels for size comparson.


tony

I noticed the backpack straps on your box. Did you protage with the York Pack? I am trying to get a solution to carry the kitchen gear other then a soft sided pack.

On my soft pack I use ccs zippered stuff bags. And have found smaller zippered stuff bags to organize things like silverware inside larger bags. Also use a five gallon bucket with gamma lid a lot for cooking stuff and what not. Back in the late 70s I got an actual dry box. It fit in the old alumacraft canoe good, had straps and lid had legs for a table. Must not have had demand cause they disappeared.

quote ockycamper: "I noticed the backpack straps on your box. Did you protage with the York Pack? I am trying to get a solution to carry the kitchen gear other then a soft sided pack. "

I would take it on trips with short portages. It wasn't to bad once you got it on but there is no padding on the back.

tony

Often times "portaging" is what drives the choice of packs and carry options for canoe trippers. However typical packs may not be the best choice. For items that we don't get in to that much they are great. We put food in BearVaults not just for protection against bears and mice, but you can actually see what is in them and get what you want without dumping stuff out.

Same problem with cooking gear. We do big breakfasts and dinners on trips and that means stuff goes in and out of packs at least twice a day. A dry box, where you can see everything in it by taking off the lid seems much more efficient for the camp kitchen. Again, when portaging is not the driving factor.

We just use more Blue Barrels. 30 and 60 L depending on the trip. Easier to carry, fits in pack or has a harness. If not portaging - we use 5 gallon buckets with gamma lids - keeps out the critters and water and can pack with different configurations depending on other gear.
Those Dry Boxes are pretty heavy. 24 x 15 x 15.5 are 13.5 pounds
the smaller ones at 20 x 18 x 9.5 are 8.8 pounds
A 30 L Blue Barrel is 4.4 pounds

What I am after is something to carry two dutch ovens, a GSI pot set, fry pan, and utensil roll.

IMO the NRS box would work fine but is overkill for your stated purpose. I have nothing against overkill (or NRS; you'll find lots of their stuff in my gear pile), but if you'd rather have something that will meet your stated needs for a fraction of the price consider one of these. Greene Horizon Power Packer No dry box is completely dry but this one will keep things dry in a deluge and probably in the event of a flip provided you run a couple of cam straps around it. Plus, they're very durable, can be sat/stood on and have cup holders. I bought two when I was getting into multi-day raft trips and couldn't afford a $400 aluminum dry box. I finally upgraded the raft, box and everything else but I still have the Power Packers and they're still like new.

That looks like the ticket. . .I will go by a Walmart and check one out. Thanks!

quote ockycamper: "We are looking into a box/pack to store kitchen stuff on non portage trips (like river trips or non-portage to base camp trips). Our problem in the past with packs is that things needed can be hard to get to. Anyone use dry boxes like an NRS Canyon Box for kitchen stuff? NRS Canyon Camping Dry Box "

Yes.. several trips along Lake Superior and the Everglades.. We accidentally tossed it in the water once. It did not leak.

We are happy with it. Doubles as a seat or table.. Its much easier finding something in the Canyon Box than a blue barrel. At home we keep our camping food in it as it is mouse proof.

Weve not carried kitchen utensil stuff in it as you really don't need to waterproof pots and pans! For that I would go to Wal Mart too.

quote ockycamper: "That looks like the ticket. . .I will go by a Walmart and check one out. Thanks!"

You are very welcome. I'd be glad to give you one of mine but it'd be bigger than you want and I don't have time to deliver it to Kentucky. :)

Your post got me to thinking and I found this 20 gal. "Clear Weathertight Trunk" at the Container Store....maybe this would work for you. Trunk

Great idea. I'll check it out as well. I assume "weathertight" is not the same as "waterproof".

As I mentioned, we typically paddle to base camps without portages, preferring to do day trips into other lakes portaging just the canoes and fishing gear. We also bring quite a bit of kitchen gear as we eat REALLY good. Packs don't work very well for storing pans, utensils, cooking supplies etc if you are getting in and out of them a couple of times a day.

What I was after was a way to carry and store two dutch ovens, a reflector oven (taken apart), utensil roll, fry pan, muffin pans, and a couple of small single burner stoves.

If you eat that good...let me know if you ever need someone to fill out your trip.

last year:

Breakfast:

breakfast burritos
choclate chip/pecan pancakes
biscuits and gravy
breakfast casserole

Dinners:

pizzas
Mountain Man casserole
brats/burgers and side items
shepherds pie

and muffins every night around the camp fire.

Of course, fish supplements all dinner items