Your ideal kit list for living in a small space on the move

[hipsterreplacement]

I currently live in a parked travel trailer. I anticipate at some point I'll need to live in my minivan so I'm trying to pare down. One of the problems I've had with accumulating stuff is not just the poor person's fear of not being able to afford to replace it if I end up needing it after all (and not having folks to borrow it from), but also that sometimes you have something like a pan or knife that's good in some situations but not others. Getting items that are durable, but light as can still be durable, that don't take up a lot of space, that work in as many different situations as you need can be challenging. We all have different needs and preference, but I still thought it would be fun to find out which items folks consider indispensible to their kit.

I'm still struggling with this so for me so far it's:

Swiss army knife
Nesting stainless steel pots/pans
Nesting melamine mixing bowls with tops that seal on them
Collapsible dishpan, bucket
Aluminum broom/brush handle that can be used to screw on more than one tool
Exped Megamat (expensive, but has been worth every penny)

I wish I could add the Luci light to this list, but I've had 2 stop working on me within a couple months. Great design...if it would just keep working.

 

[maki2]

Even though I live in a travel trailer nesting melamine mixing bowls would never make it into my kit because they weigh too much. I have a large silicone measuring cup. It suffices to mix everything I need to mix and of course it measures too. My cereal bowls are also light weight plastic and do double duty if needed as mixing bowls. They weigh very little and sell for 50 cents each at Walmart in the picnic dishes area.

More than one use is key thinking to downsizing. Even if it means letting go of some items and then replacing them with lightweight multifunction options.

Something to remember. You do not hear noises from kitchen stuff when towing a trailer. But you will hear every little clank and clunk when driving a minivan. The softer plastics and silicones do not make clunks and thunks like hard plastics such as melamine and metals. Noise control is essential for your sanity.

 

[hipsterreplacement]

Even though I live in a travel trailer nesting melamine mixing bowls would never make it into my kit because they weigh too much. I have a large silicone measuring cup. It suffices to mix everything I need to mix and of course it measures too. My cereal bowls are also light weight plastic and do double duty if needed as mixing bowls. They weigh very little and sell for 50 cents each at Walmart in the picnic dishes area.

More than one use is key thinking to downsizing. Even if it means letting go of some items and then replacing them with lightweight multifunction options.

Something to remember. You do not hear noises from kitchen stuff when towing a trailer. But you will hear every little clank and clunk when driving a minivan. The softer plastics and silicones do not make clunks and thunks like hard plastics such as melamine and metals. Noise control is essential for your sanity.

Would you like to share your list?

 

[Frood]

Swiss army knife

I used to carry a Swiss army knife, until I discovered multi-tools... Very slight increase in size with a massive increase in utility. I never knew how useful it was to always have a pair of plyers at hand... Until I always had a pair of pliers at hand.

 

[WanderingRose]

I would start with taking a close look at what you already have, what you use most, and what can serve dual purposes.

Sort your most used items into a pile, work with only them for a week or two and see how that goes.

Everyone is different in their needs and wants.

Good luck.

 

[eDJ_]

I've used my old Boy Scout mess kit, a hikers stove or Sterno Stove, and a Playmate Cooler. Takes care of most of the major kitchen setup.

A kitchen knife, serving spoon (can be used for mixing or eating too) a couple of plastic cereal bowls from Dollar Tree, A can opener & spatula are important to have as well. Matches ? A collection of small containers for oil & condiments in a card board box is handy and won't take up much space either.

Since you are on the move you won't need to store a lot of packaged food as you will be passing places where you can pick up food as needed. Empty 2 or 3 soda bottles filled with water can provide for beverages, dish washing, and food prep.

Scrounging is a state of mind too., If you visit a fast food you could pick up extra paper napkins, plastic forks, knives, and spoons, salt pepper, sweeteners etc. Buying at a grocery store deli will likely have mustard, mayo, ketchup, It is important to have a first aid kit for your kitchen too if you cut yourself or get burnt.

 

[hipsterreplacement]

I used to carry a Swiss army knife, until I discovered multi-tools... Very slight increase in size with a massive increase in utility. I never knew how useful it was to always have a pair of plyers at hand... Until I always had a pair of pliers at hand.

I've got the Cybertool model, which made sense for me at the time (years ago) as I needed a Torx every so often. I constantly use the knives, toothpick, and scissors on this and occasionally use the corkscrew and bottle opener as well. I may give consideration to the multi-tool but I think it's likely I'm going to need a full tool box with me if I live in the car in future.

 

[maki2]

Would you like to share your list?

Just the normal basics. I have no room for fancy gadgets that are rarely used.

But likely the most uncommon item is one that is actually essential for a lot of seniors …that is a “jar key” which a lid popper to break the vacuum seals on jars so I can easily open those too tight lids on jars. Of course I also have a pair of pliers handy for the small screw tops on condiment bottles and pill bottles. But those pliers live in my tool drawer. Part of being self sufficient is not needing someone strong around to open a jar for me

I only get in the creative cooking mood in the fall and winter.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

..... One of the problems I've had with accumulating stuff is not just the poor person's fear of not being able to afford to replace it if I end up needing it after all .....

I was a backpacker all of my adult life, so I started there. Start with what you would be willing to carry on your back and add as you find the need; keep asking if what I already am using would serve the same need.

..... I'm still struggling with this so for me so far it's: .....

Swiss army knife

You will need at least 1 decent knife too. I carry two: a 6" santoku knife and a 5" 'Bowie' knife. You will also need something to sharpen them with.​

Nesting stainless steel pots/pans.

I carry a MSR nesting SS set: 1qt, 1.5 qt, lid. I can pack a lot of stuff inside: cereal bowl, measuring/drinking cup, dish sponge, canned food strainer, etc. Lid works as plate.​

I also carry a small backpacking teakettle and a large coffee cup, coffee maker.​

And a 3 qt. backpacking pressure cooker with inner sealable pot.​

Regular SS fork, long handled spoon (better for mixing).​

I also carry a 6" cast iron frying pan (not backpacking!).​

Nesting melamine mixing bowls with tops that seal on them.

You will need something to store leftovers in. The SS pots work for mixing, cooking, eating.​

Collapsible dishpan, bucket

Large SS pot works as dishpan, collapsable bucket for retrieving non drinking water.​

Exped Megamat.

I'm assuming this is your mattress. If comfortable, use it. If not, get something comfortable.​

Also, carry enough bedding for the coldest temps you will encounter.​

Backpacking stove indoors (I only boil water inside).
2 burner Coleman stove for outdoor cooking.

 

[user 36542]

I currently live in a parked travel trailer. I anticipate at some point I'll need to live in my minivan so I'm trying to pare down. One of the problems I've had with accumulating stuff is not just the poor person's fear of not being able to afford to replace it if I end up needing it after all (and not having folks to borrow it from), but also that sometimes you have something like a pan or knife that's good in some situations but not others. Getting items that are durable, but light as can still be durable, that don't take up a lot of space, that work in as many different situations as you need can be challenging. We all have different needs and preference, but I still thought it would be fun to find out which items folks consider indispensible to their kit.

I'm still struggling with this so for me so far it's:

Swiss army knife
Nesting stainless steel pots/pans
Nesting melamine mixing bowls with tops that seal on them
Collapsible dishpan, bucket
Aluminum broom/brush handle that can be used to screw on more than one tool
Exped Megamat (expensive, but has been worth every penny)

I wish I could add the Luci light to this list, but I've had 2 stop working on me within a couple months. Great design...if it would just keep working.

The More time spent in a small area already teaches us. One of the things I find most important is often overlooked. Comfort sleep stuff, cotton face towels whatever kind of security helps you feel safe. I've lived on the road for 15 years, that without a feeling of safety, the comfort of sleep and a face towel between showers would be a drain on morale. After that, organize and optimize the space with small totes. Stainless steel camp kits are great because they function well and pack together using little space. Knowing where to get the free or cheap stuff before you arrive is a plus, like a truck stop microwave. Over time you will learn there are some items taking up space you rarely use which are candidates for an item swap out.

 

[hipsterreplacement]

I tend to be an overshare person so I guess I phrased the initial post differently than I needed to to get the response I was hoping for. I was just hoping people would talk about what the ideal kit is for them - what are the brands/models you most like, what have you pared down to? Not because it would necessarily work for me, but because it's an interesting way to learn what things people value, what brands they find reliable, etc.

 

[Willy]

My most used item is my Leatherman Surge multitool. I have a Swiss army knife, the tinker model with the pliers, & used to have the Leatherman Wave, but prefer the Surge due to the larger knife blades & the ability to use jigsaw blades.

 

[maki2]

My favorite brand is “thrift store bargain”

 

[user 36542]

I tend to be an overshare person so I guess I phrased the initial post differently than I needed to to get the response I was hoping for. I was just hoping people would talk about what the ideal kit is for them - what are the brands/models you most like, what have you pared down to? Not because it would necessarily work for me, but because it's an interesting way to learn what things people value, what brands they find reliable, etc.

Koolatron Thermoelectric Iceless 12V Cooler Warmer 18 qt Used this model and if you leave an air gap between products, it keeps them near freezing. I went through a lot of money and wasted food to find a great cooler.​

​

 

[RoamerRV428]

I get the anxiety on this one You own it, paid for it, NOW ya wanna ditch it but might regret it and need it later and then have to PAY for it again!!!! Crazy annoying thoughts truly.

Just think how you function. What use for what items?
You use it alot ya keep it. You 'rarely' touch it but 'might need it that one rare time' then you can improvise easily against carrying that useless item with ya.

You know you. You know how you function, what ya cook and need xyz and not abc ya know............just take the mental hit and DO YOU on this one.

My list ain't ever gonna be your list Do you and don't look back and darn if ya need something ya ditched, then ya needed it and a mistake but in the end, we ALL can work thru simple use to make something else work for us too when in a crunch.

nothing wrong with an overshare, but a 'brand name' on an item doesn't mean YA NEED that item.

I know I eat way diff then you. I am zero/carb/carnivore. My intense focus is on a grill, oh yea and a small toaster/convention oven I must have to eat. I don't care about a pot/a measuring cup/or any other kitchen crap. My focus is great knives, I need 1 spoon, 1 fork and might even never use those LOL I can flip meat on a grill with my fingers and eat it that way too! See that is how many of us SO differ in what we need. We are all so diff that a list of you and me won't ever be comparitable but I think you will fall into needing more 'kitchen crap' eating your way probably then I will

Key being list what you need and think you must must have and then others can offer maybe better brands or solutions to cover what you know you need Again, do you on this. Don't overthink this stuff to a level it ruins ya!


This is a DO YOU time wishing you the best!!

 

[Happy Camper]

Not to sound rude, but it will sound rude.
Thermoelectric coolers aren't energy efficient and will use way more energy than a 12v compressor fridge/freezer.

They lower temps 30-40 degrees from ambient temperature at best. And the big thing is that by their nature, they constantly draw power.

 

[hipsterreplacement]

The More time spent in a small area already teaches us. One of the things I find most important is often overlooked. Comfort sleep stuff, cotton face towels whatever kind of security helps you feel safe. I've lived on the road for 15 years, that without a feeling of safety, the comfort of sleep and a face towel between showers would be a drain on morale. After that, organize and optimize the space with small totes. Stainless steel camp kits are great because they function well and pack together using little space. Knowing where to get the free or cheap stuff before you arrive is a plus, like a truck stop microwave. Over time you will learn there are some items taking up space you rarely use which are candidates for an item swap out.

Yup. I'm currently in an oppositional environment that makes my health worse so decluttering has been difficult to do. But I absolutely agree that the travel trailer is like training wheels for moving to an even smaller living space and I need to do a better job of approaching it as a course in paring down.

 

[Zerpersande]

Not to sound rude, but it will sound rude.
Thermoelectric coolers aren't energy efficient and will use way more energy than a 12v compressor fridge/freezer.

Assuming this is correct, why is it ‘rude’? I have limited power storage. This isn’t rude,nit’s helpful.

 

[Happy Camper]

Because someone else directly recommended that style cooler a few posts earlier.

I felt the preface was needed due to sensitivities being more sensitive in regards to sensible advice recently.

 

[Zerpersande]

I felt the preface was needed due to sensitivities being more sensitive in regards to sensible advice recently.

Regarding being sensitive to sensitivities…
I checked my wallet for membership/point cards, my pockets for slips of paper and body for tattoos that indicate I give an airborne rodent’s anal sphincter muscle about sensitivities to factual information. I found nothing.