Minimalistic Camping Chuck Box DIYJanuary 5, 2023 farcyde
DIY Projects

Years ago, I made cooking chuck box, intended to be used for an occasional overnighter at the lake and mounted in some form of converted van, station wagon or the like. Well, things went a little different – no van, but my trusty old Lada Niva, called “Juri” that I still proudly own today and that steadily serves me very well.

I removed it’s backset and instead fit in a base plate in the rear for more clearance, but honestly it still doesn’t offer a lot of space. I tried it: If you fold over the passenger seat, you can sleep in there but it’s certainly not a comfortable five-star-hotel-bed. Nonetheless: It’s absolutely sufficient for spending a lonley night at the lake, fishing. A sleeping bag and a mat will always fit in besides my equipment and so, concerning the very limited space on offer and the very occasional action it will see, I designed my ultra minimalistic Juri Chuck Box!

It took me a while to build it and it was one of those projects that undergo extensive idle periods while under construction, but it’s finally done now! 🙂

 

Some overview images:

Here are dimensions and a parts list:

 

 

 

 

 

Finished size:
37,5 x 22,5 x 20,5 cm (L x W x H, inside)
39,7 x 24,7 x 22,7 cm (L x W x H, outside)

 

 

 

Parts used:

  • Marine-grade plywood, 11 mm thickness
  • 4 edge protectors
  • 2 handles
  • Snap lock
  • 2 cork coasters
  • 2 hinges
  • 2 wingscrews
  • 2 drive-in nuts
  • Elastic strap
  • Some stain “walnut” and boiled linseed oil as finish
  • Nails, screws, staples, glue etc.

 

Now what’s inside?

Provisions:

  • 2 cans ravioli (* see below)
  • 5 tea bags (earl grey, just to brag)
  • 5 sachets instant coffee
  • 5 bullion cubes
  • Water purifying tablets
  • A little cooking oil
  • Salt & Pepper

Gear:

  • Small gas stove
  • Pot, Pan, Cup, Pot grip
  • Can opener
  • Lighter
  • Flatware
  • LED-Flashlight (magnet)
  • Cloth

Consumables:

  • Gas cartridge
  • Roll of toilet paper
  • Cord
  • Firestarters
  • Candle
  • Band aids
  • Trash bags

 


* Note on “Ravioli”:

I bought these deliberately, because first, this special brand of Ravioli in cans is an item of my teenage years, it was an indespensable staple item for every festival and camping activity that we had. Here in germany, that stuff has been widely available for ages and literally every german age 15+ knows that stuff. Fond memories.

Secondly: Recently our diligent government authorities landed a devastating blow against some extra-dangerous, ultra-right-wing and particularly extremist, public enemies called “Reichsbürger” (wiki: de|en). Under heavy, pre-ordered press coverage, they fatally busted 52 pensioners (aged around 60+) despicably (and amateurishly) plotting against the established state. They were also hoarding BB-Guns, homemade passports (for an imaginary new country) and – well – lots of ravioli in cans! Imagine that! Luckily, the menace was warded off and mainstream media were glad to have a story to broadly bang about. Honestly, if 50 old farts pose a threat to germany’s democracy (and not the gazillions of other, real problems the country has), I deem myself utterly safe. Ridiculous 🙂