One of the secrets to traveling well is packing light, but any trip worth taking involves a few necessities.
Over the years, I’ve built a number of “at the ready” bags for various adventures. I’ve got a beaten up North Face sack stuffed with a snow suit, goggles and technical layers. There's a rough canvas duffle packed with my tattered hunting clothes and duck boots. I’ve indulged in the Bug-Out bag fantasy, mostly as an exercise in case of emergency. But by far, my most used bag is the Dopp Kitchen.
What began as a smaller version of my mobile bar bag has evolved over the years into a fool proof way to make sure any AirB&B I wander into is equipped with all the essentials for a smooth meal prep. As soon as I committed to a dedicated Dopp Kitchen, the lower layer of any weekend bag became the easiest bit of packing.
I like a Dopp that is around the size of a soft shoebox. A while back Filson made my favorite, but any zip pouch will do, about a foot long by 6 inch wide and deep. Enough space for the kit, but not so much space that you feel like you can’t bring along your running sneakers if all you are packing is a carry on. After much field research, I can assure you that all the items listed here provide the most impact per square inch of use value.
Knife sharpener - I’ve been burned one too many times by a single dull knife stocked in a recently renovated rental. I am always on the hunt for a smaller version of this device, but nothing I’ve come across works nearly as well as my stand by. Some day I will learn to use a whet stone properly, but until that time: chopping onions, peeling fruit, carving meat or slicing bread— all of these tasks are immeasurably easier with a sharp knife. Don’t leave home without a sharpener or you will find yourself sad at 11pm on a Saturday while trying to conjure up a late night pasta.
Small metal spatula - I like a good amount of pliability and a few slats. Handy both for flipping burgers, scraping hash, and breaking up browning sausage. It's not as if you can't get by without one, but when walking into any foreign kitchen, you are far more likely to find a wooden spoon in residence than a proper spatula.
Microplaner - Am I the only one who wishes they could buy stock in Microplane? For grating cheese, zesting lemon, pureeing garlic or ginger, and dusting off nutmeg. A secret weapon to be sure, but until you find yourself without one, you will never understand how much this little device can change the way you cook. Get the smallest one you can in your favorite level of fineness.
Meat thermometer - Nothing fancy here, but every oven you come across has a different thermostatic response time. If you really want to nail your cook, don't leave home without it. No battery necessary, and often times the little sleeve protecting the sharp end has a reference for safe cooking temps.
Insulated tongs - It took me awhile to find a pair of these that were both small and sturdy, but now that I have them, I use them for everything from sautéing onions to flipping steaks. You never know what kind of pans you’re going to end up cooking on, so it’s always good to try and avoid scratching someone else’s cookware.
Wire Scrub Brush - On the other hand, there’s usually a sponge in the sink, but how often is the Brillo pad strong enough to tackle a roasted tomato’s blackened remainder? How long do you really want to leave the sink soaking with your toughest dishes? You can’t use these willy nilly on non-stick surfaces, but they are great on stainless steel, cast iron, stoneware, aluminum and glass.
Whisk - Sure, not strictly necessary, but I’ve definitely left a few of these in dishwashers over the years because of how often eggs are getting scrambled. Also useful for melting sticks of butter, stirring hot chocolate or fondue, and countless other delicious sauces.
Tea Strainer - I gave up coffee years ago and haven’t looked back. You can use this little guy to steep countless aromatics into various potions, but mostly I bring it along because the rest of the world drinks mud.
Citrus reamer - I take lemon with my tea. Granita is one of my favorite houseguest party tricks. Countless cuisines the world round call for a proper hit of acid.
Elbow Press - What part of life isn’t improved by citrus? Occasionally I will leave this at home in favor of the reamer alone, but if you’ve ever moved through a bushel of fresh limes for a party punch, you know how valuable this little guy can be.
Small sieve - For straining your mulled cider, clarifying any number of potions, or simply set over the vessel you are filling with fresh fruit juice.
Small funnel - Not just for topping up the flask, also handy for draining syrups or marrying rogue bottles. I snapped the handle off of mine to make it easier to pocket.
Aerolatte - Who doesn’t enjoy frothed milk? It’s so fancy. A latte made by campfire is a pleasure beyond measure. Though you can’t fit an Aeropress into the Dopp, my wife usually packs hers and I’ve been known to wake her up with café au lait bedside on vacation.
Corkscrew - I've opened plenty of bottles with a ball point pen or in a pinch, a decent sized twig and rock combo. Really though, there are few designs more efficient and timeless than a proper church key. Make sure you find one without the tiny blade that TSA thinks you will use to take over the airplane. You never know when the occasion will call for celebration.
Wine Aerator - Just like people, most wines do better with a bit more fresh air. Not only does this device double as a perfect pour and cork, but it's dishwasher safe.
Graduated 2oz measure - OXO really do make the most useful cocktail measure around. At home, I have a collection of vintage barware, usually in rotation at dinner parties and such, but for everyday drinking, this is my go to measure. You can’t break it. It’s extremely difficult to wear out unless you insist on putting it in the dishwasher. And aside from cocktails, you’ll find yourself surprised by how many recipes call for a scant few ounces of various liquids.
Y-Peeler - Peelers come in many shapes and sizes, but again, OXO seems to have found the ideal form of utility in their design of this little beauty. Potatoes, apples, carrots and countless of their friends will all be easier to deal with assisted by this little guy.
Single chopstick - I’ve never been been all that adept with a pair, but if you feel the need, bring two! I use a chopstick for all manner of cocktail stirring in any form of pint glass available. Folks can usually overlook you grabbing ice bare handed from a foreign freezer, but nobody really wants your fingers moving the cubes around their glass, and the humble chopstick is a far greater stirring device than any knife or spoon available.
Metal straw - Whether for tasting batch cocktails or sipping iced tea. Easy to clean, light weight to carry, and one less piece of plastic in the world.
If the Dopp you’ve chosen to hold your kit has spare room, I’d also recommend a small vial of prime salt, flavored or otherwise. And depending on the type of trip, I pack a grinder for fresh pepper or mixed herbs.
While this kit leans heavily towards tools for crafting drinks, everything in here does double duty across the kitchen, and stand alone items like a garlic press or cherry pitter are foregone as dead weight too little utilized. Whether car camping, crashing with a friend, or sneaking away for a weekend rental, after you’ve packed it once, you’ll find yourself reaching for the Dopp Kitchen.