A Sustainable Travel Kitchen
When I first imagined my ideal travel kitchen, I was sure it should fit into the palm of my hand. I wanted to pack the smallest travel kitchen possible.
However, I quickly found that if I was going to enjoy travel—in any sustainable way—my travel kitchen must actually meet my needs.
So I slowly expanded my travel kitchen into what you see here. These kitchen tools sustain me nearly everywhere I travel. I’d be miserable without them.
Surprisingly, this travel kitchen packs up smaller than I initially imagined possible.
I’ve also slowly made this travel kitchen, itself, more sustainable than it once was. For our health. For the planet.
For instance, the knife you see above is my last remaining kitchen tool unnecessarily made from plastic. I’m on the lookout for a plastic-free replacement.
So vital, this travel kitchen can care for us while we lodge in almost any travel scenario…
apartment
attic
barn
basement
bnb
boat
cabin
cottage
dorm
ferry
hostel
hotel
house
loft
motel
auto (road trip)
rv
ship
van camper
etc.
Of course, each person will have their own unique needs while traveling, so another travel kitchen might look far different than my own.
But I hope by sharing my travel kitchen, someone else in need of a travel kitchen will enjoy the process of creating a sustainable one.
What I Find in Kitchens Around the World (Why I Pack a Travel Kitchen)
No matter where I travel, I try to book lodging with a kitchen or kitchenette. Sometimes there is no kitchen (this is rare, yet it definitely happens).
Traveling slowly can feel like I’m living in accommodations that most only use for a short holiday. I’m preparing meals each day in a kitchen that others may never use.
I adore minimalist kitchens. So I don’t need anything fancy. Yet every kitchen is different, so there is no way for each kitchen to have exactly what I need.
Sometimes these little kitchens are stocked with newer kitchenware, which is amazing. The only challenge might be that newer cookware can sometimes be very large.
Often, these little kitchens are stocked with older items—worn non-stick cookware, dull knives, and a lot of plastic—not the safest tools for preparing or storing food.
When kitchenware has been missing, I’ve purchased the missing items locally and left them behind at each apartment. But this was not sustainable for me.
If a dishwasher was missing, I’d first hand-wash all the provided kitchenware. Or else I’d see food in the nooks and crannies (from previous guests), as I ate off those wares.
When kitchen supplies were missing altogether, I could not prepare food to eat, nor could I drink clean water. Those were not easy days.
So I found myself dreaming of a reliable kitchen.
I wanted to easily make healthy food and beverages with the same appealing kitchen tools every single day. Because when we’re traveling slowly, this is very much our life.
These slow travel challenges helped me see that a sustainable travel kitchen could allow a traveler to be self-sufficient, no matter what a traveler might face.
A travel kitchen could also give a sense of home, everywhere we go.
Why I Almost Didn’t Allow Myself to Have a Travel Kitchen
However, I almost didn’t allow myself to have a travel kitchen. I was sure it would be a hassle to pack and carry. I thought it would mean I was a less capable traveler.
But I’m a slow traveler. I essentially pack my entire life into a bag with wheels. I nest in locations for long periods of time. Then I move on to the next location.
I knew I’d burn out on travel if I couldn’t have the basics that sustain me.
I also know how vital it is to have filtered and purified water at my fingertips—without chlorine and all the other things that make their way into the average tap.
And I could not live with myself if I had to regularly buy water that was bottled in plastic.
I also love how good it feels to quickly prepare raw dishes, slowly cook warm meals, and then serve up this food or be able to store it for later.
So I reminded myself that a travel kitchen could sustain me while traveling slowly. It could make travel more sustainable for our planet. This, to me, equals more happiness.
How I Pack My Travel Kitchen
It’s surprisingly easy to break down my travel kitchen, then quickly pack it up. When I put it into perspective, I’m amazed at how little space it seems to take up in my luggage.
When it comes to my water filter and purifier, I lift the top half off the bottom half and nest them into each other. It fits into a packing cube, padded by my clothing.
I leave my little USB travel blender fully assembled and place it into a packing cube that’s already filled with clothing. The clothing protects it well.
The rest of my travel kitchen fits into an empty packing cube, with lots of space left over. Those gaps are filled by household items—reusable bags, clothespins, etc.
These packing cubes are then placed into my roller bag, along with my other packing cubes.
When flying, my roller bag is checked at the airport because knife blades and blender blades cannot be carried on.
I tuck my spork and travel mug into my daypack/carry-on, so I can use them when out and about, including on transportation days.
When taking shorter trips, I just pack my spork, travel mug, and water filter—or select any of the other travel kitchen items that I think I might need for a particular trip.
My water filter/purifier (nested into itself) is a tad larger than a Nalgene water bottle. I tuck it into a packing cube, carefully protected by my clothing.
My blender (fully assembled) is about the size of a tall water bottle. I also tuck it into a packing cube, so it’s carefully protected by my clothing.
The rest of the kitchen fits into an empty packing cube, with space left to pack other items (produce bags, etc.). My spork + mug go in my daypack.
Portable Stainless Water Filter (+ Purifier)
My portable water filter and purifier (in one) is the smallest stainless steel water filter and purifier I could find. It handles what we face nearly everywhere we go—even in nice homes and hotels.
My little Go Berkey removes the ever-present chlorine taste in water, plus supposedly a long list of other items that municipal water or old water pipes typically pass along to us.
I also count on it if I need clean water in a crisis—during outages, disasters, or pandemics.
This means my water doesn’t come from plastic bottles. With more than 1 million plastic bottles purchased per minute, I think this is critical to help our planet survive.
Portable USB Blender (with Glass Jar)
After a few weeks in an area of France where it was hard to find healthy takeaway food, I knew it was time for me to start making healthy food again.
It was too hot to cook, but not too hot to blend (soups, smoothies, dips, dressings, spreads).
So I bought a portable USB blender (with glass jar). And it’s been amazing—like having a mini Blendtec, yet it’s only the size of a tall water bottle. I just cut the ingredients smaller.
After searching through what seemed like every portable blender out there, I chose my travel blender because it has…
a USB charger (no outlets to blow)
a glass jar (no plastic to slowly chip off while blending)
a glass jar that is fully removable (to thoroughly clean, so no mold develops)
a glass jar that can sustain high heat (for dishwasher cleanings)
six blades (to blend well; that can rinse directly, so no mold develops)
a quieter sound than any other blender I’ve used so far
I’m not sure how I ever traveled without it.
Toaks Titanium Spork
I always proclaim that my Toaks Titanium Spork is the only eating utensil that need exist. I can easily and comfortably eat anything with this spork. No other spork I’ve tried has come close.
I’m also often telling outdoor retailers about this spork so they can carry it, as it has all the features that make it easy for me to eat anything with a spork…
wide, round spoon
perfect prong placement, length, and sharpness
lovely smooth and textured finish
ultra-lightweight
plastic-free
Stainless Straw
I pack a stainless “cocktail” straw (6 x .25 x .25—an opening larger than most straws) since doctors mentioned the importance of protecting our teeth when drinking tea or acidic beverages.
I was super happy to find this lighter and shorter stainless cocktail straw because it didn’t hit my teeth with a heavy thud. It’s also been easier to pack.
Unlike my older, longer, thicker, heavier stainless straw, which has since been donated.
I love that this smaller straw is 100% stainless steel (no other materials involved) and can be better cleaned in a dishwasher (due to its wider opening).
Stainless Travel Cup, Mug, and Tumbler (in One)
It took me a long time before I was willing to use travel drinkware. I only took the leap when it was no longer possible to avoid plastic cups while ordering takeaway beverages.
Even when I first ordered this travel tumbler, I wasn’t planning to make it part of my travel kitchen. I was just going to stash it quietly in my bag and not tell anyone I had it.
Because who wants to carry one more item?
But this stainless travel cup, mug, and tumbler (in one) has been amazing, so I proudly present it as part of my travel kitchen.
I’m thrilled to carry it in my day bag (along with my spork) when out and about, including on major transport days.
Here’s why I’ve fallen in love with this travel cup, mug, and tumbler…
100% stainless steel (no plastic bits; no silicone; no paint)
double walls (filled with air—no insulation materials embedded in the walls)
can be tossed in the dishwasher (rare for double-walled containers)
feels more compact than other insulated mugs
16 oz allows me to order multiple beverage sizes (8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz)
its exterior size, shape, and pattern make it pleasant to hold
it’s lightweight and beautiful—it looks like a more sophisticated travel mug to me
I still can’t get over how amazing it feels to order a hot matcha latte (with plant milk), and then wrap my fingers around this tumbler, a sustainable little hand warmer.
Stainless Nesting Food Containers
To keep my travel and living more sustainable, I upgraded to these stainless nesting food containers. They hold more food, yet they’re still compact enough to toss in my bag.
They have stainless bodies and stainless leakproof lids.
These are especially helpful when out and about where food is expensive or where few healthy eateries exist (like Swiss mountain villages), so we can bring our own food with us.
I can also keep one of these empty containers in the day bag, to fill with leftovers or takeaway from restaurants. This allows me to decline plastic takeaway containers.
The rest of the time, these stainless nesting food containers are hard at work storing pantry or fridge food wherever we’re lodging.
Travel Knife (with Sheath)
While I’ve slowly turned my travel kitchen into a more sustainable kitchen than it once was, the knife I carry still isn’t as sustainable as it could be. It’s not plastic-free.
So I’ve been on the lookout for a more sustainable travel knife—made from steel, or steel and wood. When I find it, my old plastic-handled travel knife will be donated.
Due to the dull and insufficient knives in the drawers of lodging kitchens, I find it necessary to pack a travel knife that…
has a blade large and sharp enough to assist more like a chef's knife (the ability to easily cut squash, nuts, etc.)
is smaller than a chef’s knife, so it can also act like a paring knife (slicing apples, berries, stems off, etc.)
has a protective travel sheath
Travel Knife Sharpener
I upgraded to this small travel knife sharpener because it’s made from sturdier/metal material. It prevents unnecessary plastic and should last without breaking.
I am really impressed with this sharpener. With only one knife, I find it vital to have a quality knife sharpener.
That said, if I do find a new knife that comes with a built-in knife sharpener in its travel sheath, I won’t need this knife sharpener anymore.
If that happens, I’ll donate this knife sharpener to someone in need.
Small Bamboo Cutting Board
My little bamboo cutting board has been perfect for travel because it’s…
super small
super thin
super lightweight
super well made
It’s actually the lid of my previous food container. When I needed to replace this cutting board (after years of use), I thought I’d need to purchase that entire container again.
But that didn’t make sense because I didn’t need that food container anymore. I didn’t want to waste a container or money.
So I contacted Black + Blum to see if I could order a replacement lid (aka my travel cutting board).
Their answer was yes! They mailed it right away. I can’t say enough good things about this small bamboo cutting board.
White Enamelware Bowl
I pack this white enamelware bowl—you can see it in the photo above, stashed inside the little cooking pot.
After spending a lot of time in furnished apartments without deep bowls for cereals, soups, and stews—that also looked pretty in photographs—I wanted this bowl.
The only change I’d like is for it to be a tad closer to pasta size—slightly wider but still deep enough for liquid. That would be amazing, so I do keep my eyes out for that.
Small Stainless Cooking Pot (Casserole)
It’s humorous that I pack a small, ultra-lightweight, stainless cooking pot. But it’s because lodging typically provides old, scratched non-stick, or missing cookware.
So this little cooking pot is a must for me.
My little pot is used each day to boil tea water, make hot cereal from scratch, lightly steam dark leafy greens, and warm soups and stews.
A celiac, this pot also provides a safe place to toast bread, as I can’t use provided toasters (toasters are filled with gluten-containing bread crumbs).
But why pack a casserole pot? Casserole pots have two short handles. This makes packing so much easier (one long handle would not work well for me at all).
Here are all of its features…
fully stainless (no plastic, no silicone)
it’s the lightest stainless pot I’ve ever lifted (it feels like it’s filled with air)
two short little handles (make packing a breeze)
lightweight glass lid with steam hole (prevents spillage)
2 liter/2 quart (but it looks smaller to me)
it works on nearly all cooking surfaces
I found my little pot for about $10 at the Euro Mix store in Split, Croatia. It has been so amazing that I want to share what its label said: Neron Cacerola Acero; 18 cm; 2 L; art: B17820-1; lot: C3538; distributed by Soler Hispania L’Olleria, Valencia.
You know, in case it’s still available.