Chuckbox Contents

As discussed previously, these chuckboxes concentrate on the utensils and tools needed for cooking. Buying from a commercial restaurant supply house (either locally or over the web) will provide better quality products at better prices than Walmart, Amazon or the local dollar store, and will give the Scouts the equipment they need that will both hold up to use and help them do their best. Note that Troop 98 uses large stoves with large 'flattop' griddles, these are typically available in-season at a considerable discount from Costco or similar stores. The choice of implements here is tailored somewhat to support the use of these griddles. We switched to these several years ago, and found that this allowed the Scouts to focus more on learning about cooking and preparing more interesting meals rather than fighting with equipment inadequate to cook for eight in a reasonable amount of time and space.

The items below are linked to an example restaurant supply house. The Troop 98 chuckboxes contain the following (items are linked to pictures/descriptions):

    • (2) rubber spatulas

    • (1) griddle scraper

    • (2) short spring tongs

    • (1) knife set with safes (we got lucky and found a set of reasonable quality with covers at WalMart, but they no longer appear to carry this item. If you can't find a set, knives and the safes/guards can be purchased separately, but you will likely pay somewhat more. Sets like this will appear occasionally at WalMart, Target, Meijers, Menards, ... )

    • (1) divider insert - the divider insert shown here (to which the knife covers are attached) was made from 'Coroplast' - available from various suppliers. It is sized to a friction fit between the ribs on the inside of the box, and is easily removed for cleaning. The knife covers are attached to the divider with small (6-32) machine screws and nuts, the nuts are then covered with hot-melt glue to keep them from unscrewing. You can see the detail of this on the other side of the divider in the next picture below this one. Using a nylon zip tie would probably be easier and work as well.