The Pantry
From my earlier post on Vehicle Preparation, you’ll know that the vehicle’s load-bin has two decks. The lower being a drawer which slides out and holds six standard-sized “ammo-boxes” made of durable black plastic with clip-on lids.
When the trip started, everything was a mis-match of bags, bottles, cans and bags. As luck of the draw would have it, whatever I’d need was always at the bottom of a box. By time the box was unpacked and re-packed half of the stuff wouldn’t fit again and was shoved into whatever space I could find. The same process would have to be repeated for the next item. This couldn’t carry on, a plan had to be made!
Today I can give you a peak inside two of the now very organised boxes, used for storing my non-perishable foods and drinks. With the boxes packed, most groceries are taken care of for up to a month and only perishables like meat, milk, vegetables and bread need to be added as needed.
Box 1
Along the way I’ve collected a variety of containers that fit the available spaces almost perfectly. Trying to buy the right size containers doesn’t really work. Either they’re too tall, too wide, too thin, too flimsy or whatever, but never just right. By trial and error, I’ve found containers that fit where they should and my space is used to its maximum.
Here’s whats in the first box:
The “Sir Fruit” bottles are a perfect fit and I get a free juice when I need a new bottle.
The bottles:
- 2x Sunflower oil
- Tomato sauce
- Chutney
- Soy sauce
- Dishwashing liquid
- Handy Andy
- Vinegar
Bulk beverages:
Lock & Lock airtight containers
- Filter coffee
- Instant coffee
- Tea
- Sugar
- Hot chocolate
- Strawberry Nesquik
Similar, smaller containers are in another box for everyday use.
Rice and mealie meal:
The spice box:
Box 2
This box is for canned and dry foods, packed in roughly two layers:
Bottom Layer:
Tinned food:
- 2 x Mixed veggies
- 2 x Tomatoes
- Baked beans
- Sweetcorn
- Chickpeas
- Sliced peaches
- 4 x Tuna
- Corned beef
- Chakalaka
- Spaghetti
- Macaroni
- Black beans
- Cup a soup
- Flour
- Bisto gravy powder
- Curry powder
- Custard powder
- White sugar (for custard)
- Bovril
- Salt
Upper Layer:
- Oats
- Eggs
- Lentils
- Sugar beans
- Jelly
- Tomato paste
- Biscuits
- Potato crisps
In future posts I’ll share some recipes made from these boxes. I will also reveal what’s in the other four boxes.
6 Comments
Johnny · December 1, 2020 at
Hi Frank
Ek hou van alles wat jy post en ek lees alles.
Keep up the good work
Off The Hamster Wheel · December 2, 2020 at
Dankie Johnny, ek is bly jy geniet die stories.
Phillip · December 2, 2020 at
Ons kyk mooi hoe jy pak. Ons gaan 2 weke op die Gariepdam wees en sal beslis jou raad volg.
Hou aan info stuur, dis lekker om jou trip te volg. Jou natuur fotos is puik.
Off The Hamster Wheel · December 2, 2020 at
Dankie Phillip en voorspoed met julle Gariepdam vaart. Glo nie julle sal honger ly as julle my raad gevolg het nie!
Frikkie Potgieter · July 22, 2021 at
Lyk my ons dink dieselfde. Het letterlik n kaart gemaak van die karavaan se kaste so daar word nie sommer gesoek nd iets nie. Moet ook byvoeg Marisa is baie presies en georganiseerd. Sy weet presies waar alles is kos en klere, die res is my afdeling
Off The Hamster Wheel · July 23, 2021 at
Dis nie lekker om te soek vir goed nie. Veral as mens alles weer moet terugpak na die tyd en dit pas nie weer in die kratte nie!