When you set out on an RV rental adventure on the open American roadways, you are destined for sights and experiences you won’t soon forget. There are a lot of things to consider before hitting the road, including what equipment to bring and making sure that your route is mapped out. Of course you are going to consider your food needs and make sure that you have the needed food items and cooking equipment with you, but one thing many travelers fail to adequately focus on is cooking safety. For any traveler who will be staying at one of more campgrounds on their journey, cooking safety and etiquette are very important. For this reason, it will do you a lot of good to check out the below do’s and don’t’s of campground cooking so you can make sure you are being both safe and courteous when cooking on your trip.
DO: Make a plan for your waste. Of course you can cook any type of food you want and cook it to your tastes, but always have a plan set out ahead of time for your waste. This includes packaging, grease, discarded condiments, and anything that will not be consumed or thrown away. Bring bags that won’t leak and make sure to use the designated trash receptacles available at most campsites. Courteous camping means being clean and leaving nothing behind.
DO: Expand your palette. Whether you are camping out alone or with others, it will get boring eating the same foods every night. There are hundreds of possibilities for outdoor cooking and it is entirely feasible to enjoy varied home cooked meals each night of your trip. Check out some camping blogs and message boards to get new ideas for simple recipes and try to vary your meal each day, which will go a long way toward making your trip more varied and enjoyable.
DON’T forget that food smells do attract animals, Many of these animals you definitely don’t want around. This includes everything from pesky raccoons to truly dangerous bears depending on the location of your campground. This is why it is incredibly important to collect your trash, any excess grease, and to clean up after your meals. Just because you are in a campground doesn’t mean your food smells won’t attract animals that you and your fellow campers aren’t going to want around.
DON’T overdo the supplies. Space is always a consideration when it comes to RV rental travel. Since you don’t have unlimited space, you aren’t going to want to sacrifice important equipment and gear by overstuffing your vehicle with food items. On each trip make sure to take note of the items you don’t use. This includes both cooking equipment and food items that just aren’t “hits” on the road. By eliminating these from your next trip you will be able to make room for needed gear.
DO make due with a regular campfire. Although it is perfectly fine to bring along a grill for your cooking pleasure, don’t forget about a good old fashioned campfire. A traditional fire works well for a variety of different dishes from simple beans and rice to elaborately cooked steaks and fish. As a matter of fact, you can save yourself lots of room and hassle by ditching the grill altogether and taking the traditional route that has kept campers fed for centuries. This will also eliminate some of the potential hazards that come with the use of propane tanks.
DO know your grill safety. Speaking of propane, whether you have a charcoal or propane grill of course it is going to be important to practice the utmost safety. Many parks have stringent rules and regulations when it comes to propane tanks, so make sure to check the fine print before you bring your power grill into the park. No matter the grill type, always be sure to clear out any surrounding shrubs, leaves, dead grass, etc. that may catch on fire due to a spark or simply from generated heat. Make sure the grill is on level ground and weighted down so there is no chance of tipping. Also make sure that after you are done using the grill you leave time for it to cool down and place it away properly before going to bed. Each year there are plenty of fires that take place due to improper grill safety, so make sure not to become a statistic and use your grill properly each time.
Cooking is one of the greatest joys of camping. There is nothing like setting up your RV rental and preparing a nice meal under the stars at the campground of your choice. As long as you are smart, clean, and safe with your cooking equipment and food items you should be well fed in any campground you decide to use.