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Camp Chuck Box Plans
A camp chuck box, the camp kitchen in a box: a plywood box with a shelf and dividers for the stove, pots, plates and spices, and a front that is hinged at the bottom and folds down into a worktable held level by two chains. Closed, it is a strong box two people can carry; the same plan builds a Scout patrol box. Use 1/2 in (12 mm) plywood to keep it light.
- Default size
- 610 × 510 × 355 mm
- Parts
- 9 pieces · 7 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 1 carcass + 1 door
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Build time
- About 5 hours
- Edge band
- 0 m

Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top and bottom | 2 | 610 | 355 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Side | 2 | 474 | 355 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Back | 1 | 574 | 474 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
How it is built
- Hinge the front at the bottom with a piano hinge, and hold it level as a table with two chains or folding stays.
- Close the front with two draw latches and fit chest handles on both sides.
- Seal every face and edge, inside too: camp kitchens get wet.
Common mistakes
- Building it from 3/4 in plywood: full, it becomes too heavy to carry.
- Hinging the front at the top: it must fold down to become the table.
Tools you need
- Circular saw or table saw
- Drill/driver
- Clamps
Frequently asked questions
What size should a chuck box be?
Most are about 24 in (610 mm) wide, 20 in (510 mm) tall and 14 in (355 mm) deep: big enough for a two-burner stove, small enough for two people to lift and to fit in a car.
What plywood is best?
1/2 in (12 mm) Baltic birch or exterior plywood: strong and much lighter than 3/4 in. Seal every face and edge for the outdoors.
What goes in a camp kitchen box?
The stove and fuel in the big bay, pots and pans on the bottom, plates, cups and utensils on the shelf, and spices, matches and towels in the small bay.
Does it have legs?
The plan is the box itself. Bolt on four 2 × 2 legs with wing nuts, or set it on a camp table.


