It’s the perfect time of year to head out on the water and enjoy some time on your boat! However, when it comes to cooking on boats, this can be a tricky thing to do with limited preparation and storage space.
Luckily, with a few tips and tricks, you can tackle boat cooking and even grilling on a boat so you can enjoy delicious meals while relaxing on the water. In this article, we will look at several tips to help.
Set it Up
Being on a boat means little to no space for preparing a meal. This limited space can often make cooking on a boat a challenge. Unless you have a large galley for preparing meals, you are going to need to improvise and set up enough space to cut your vegetables, cook all the sides, and even prepare your meats. Before you head out on your boat, make sure you have all of the chopping, mixing, and marinating done to reduce your need for sharp knives, smaller, unnecessary bottles and jars of ingredients, and other general supplies. BONUS: Prepping everything ahead of time will also mean more time for you to relax while you’re out on the boat.
Check Your Food
It’s important to be aware of the lifespan of the different foods you’re bringing, and how each should be stored. There are some foods that might go bad faster, and others that might last longer when out on the water. Pack only freshly prepared food, making sure that your vegetables and meats are still fresh and good for cooking.
Keep it Cool
Be sure to keep coolers closed tightly on especially hot days to preserve ice and keep things chilled as long as possible. Blocks of ice will last longer than cubes, if you can get them. Laying a wet towel over the top of a cooler will also help keep its internal temperature more stable if it needs to be kept in a sunny spot, but if at all possible, keep your coolers in the shade.
Keep it Dry
You may be tempted to store some food on the boat for multiple trips, so take note: cans and even dried goods are not always safe while on the boat. Since the air is full of moisture, your cans will rust, and the dried goods might become soggy or ruined. The best way to prevent this from happening is storing everything in airtight containers. This will prevent moisture from ruining the foods or rusting the cans, and you can preserve your foods longer. You should also keep things cool as well. Even if the heat doesn’t outright bother certain foods, keeping them cool can help prevent them from spoiling faster. Things like flour or rice are better left at a cooler temperature as well.
Opt for Fresh
One of the best things about living and traveling on a boat is the ability to catch, cook, and eat fresh fish. Many people prefer this because fresh fish can be caught and cooked on the same day. If you love to fish, then you can spend just a little time on your boat everyday catching some food for the day. Once you get enough fish for the day, you can take your catch, clean it, and prepare it for cooking. This also helps eliminate the need to transport meats around on the boat that might spoil before you can cook them. The best part about catching your fish is the ability to get different kinds of fish every day, and it is always a surprise.
Go With Packable Options
Sure, burgers taste great on a bun, but buns can be hard to pack. With limited space, you’ll find it much easier to go with bread products that can be packed and stacked. Pita breads, flatbreads, and tortillas or wraps will never get smashed, and are really tasty options for all sorts of sandwiches, burgers, and dogs (especially if you toss them on a grill with a little olive oil to heat them up). The same goes for chips and crackers. Look for durable options that won’t turn into crumbs if they accidentally get tossed under other bags or gear.
Say No to Glassware
Glasses and breakable dishes are never a good idea on a boat. Broken glass and bare feet simply don’t mix. One simple slip or tumble could end a day of fun, as you head back to the dock to clean up. Opt instead for lightweight plastic or metal options. Conclusion
Cooking on boats is not always an easy thing to do. With tight spaces and limited ways to store food, cooking on a boat is usually a difficult task. However, with just a few tips and some careful planning, you can enjoy your meals, cook fabulous dishes, and keep from stressing out too much when trying to cook on your boat.