The phrase "paddling kitchen" evokes a kind of nostalgic feeling with roots grounded in warm sunsets, crackling fires and sumptuous meals while being serenaded by a symphony of moving water. For the most part, a paddling kitchen is to wilderness camping what a kitchen on a luxury cruise ship is to a vacation. What follows is a bullet-point suggestion list of items for you to use in planning your next "well outfitted" paddle excursion: (A selection of companies who offer product specific to the category have been highlighted and include contact numbers so you can find a retailer near you who carries the product)

Kitchen Furniture

• Roll-A-Table by Camp Time; (509) 928-3015
• Padded folding chairs

Kitchen Organizers

• Beaver Tree Kitchen by Newman Lee Co.; (715) 877-2516 - an outdoor cooking center/organizer of lightweight, rugged kayak-like material.
• Smaller kitchen organizer needs for kayakers and canoeists can be met by Atwater Carey; (800) 359-1646 or Outdoor Research; (888) 4OR-GEAR.

Shelter from the elements

• Cook Tarp, 10 by 12, with plenty of alternate tie-out points for a variety of sheltering configurations.

Coolers and Food Storage

• Hard coolers
• Soft coolers - Outdoor Research and Seattle Sports; (800) 632-6163, both make excellent soft coolers for the paddler who needs to keep food fresh and cool on a trip where space is at a premium

Personal Commissary

• Insulated stainless steel mug
• Knife / Fork / Spoon set
• Plastic bowl and plate

Stove & Fuel

• Two-burner stove
• Backpacking stove
• Fuel bottles with pour spout - MSR, Sigg, Peak 1 and vauDe all offer excellent fuel bottles.
• Waterproof Matches

Pots, Pans, Ovens

• Fry pan with lid
• One-gallon cook pot
• Cast aluminum Dutch Oven 10" to 12" diameter - GSI; (800) 704-4474
• Dutch oven lid lifter - GSI; (800) 704-4474
• Cast aluminum griddle with lip
• Pot lifter
• Two-quart pot
• Stuff sacks for pots and pans
• Coffee filter that does not require paper inserts. Why? Because as any tea or coffee aficionado knows, brewed drinks are simply better with a filter and if you don't need paper, you can brew many drinks with the same filter.
• Folding grill
• Outback Oven
• GSI espresso makers - GSI; (800) 704-4474
• Euro coffee grinder - Adventure 16; (800) 854-2672
• Nesters Expedition Nest stainless steel kit with 1.5, 2, and 2.5 quart cookpots; 7.25 inch frypan, 2 large bowls / lids, pot gripper and a dunk bag - from Peregrine; (800) 222-3088

Pots, Food Preparation & Serving

• Lightweight Plastic Cutting Board
• Kitchen Knife
• Wooden spoon
• Small spatula
• Small whisk
• Fillet knife

Water Needs

• 2.5 gallon collapsible water containers

Hygiene

• Wash and rinse buckets
• Water filter
• Soap and scrubbies

Specialty Tools

• Pocket knife with cord
• Multitool knives
• Folding saw or hatchet
• Small trowel
• Lantern (gas or battery)