GoToob and Cuisipro's Stainless Steel Measuring Spoon Set — Photo courtesy of GoToob / Lindsey D. Mattison of Reviewed
Buying meals while traveling can not only get old after a while, but it can add up significantly in costs. And if you’re on the road for a long time, whether for frequent business trips or an extended road trip, you could be spending a fortune on just eating. To save your sanity and some money, cooking while traveling is your best bet.
To find out what cooking gear to travel with, Reviewed.com asked frequent traveler Christina Marfice for advice. As a digital nomad, Marfice has traveled to 34 countries and always packs cooking essentials in her checked luggage. Hotels and Airbnb’s may not be stocked with everything you’d need to cook a decent meal for yourself, so here’s what Marfice recommends you take on your next trip.
– Reviewed, a 10Best sister site, has a team of product experts who review and recommend items to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, they may earn a small share of the revenue. Their picks and opinions are independent from any business incentives.
1. The 8-inch Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife
The 8-inch Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife — Photo courtesy of Lindsey D. Mattison / Reviewed
One of the most essential tools to have in any kitchen is a sharp, well-balanced chef’s knife. It makes the prep of cutting tomatoes, onions and other vegetables a breeze.
The 8-inch Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife is easy to use and is listed as the "Best Value" on Reviewed.com’s list of best chef’s knives. And because it is sold at a fair, mid-range price, if you lose it or if it’s damaged while you’re traveling, it’s not a complete loss.
Naturally, the best way to fly with a knife is to make sure it meets the TSA’s security requirements by wrapping it securely in your checked luggage.
Where to buy:
2. The Gentlemen’s Hardware 12-in-1 Kitchen Multi Tool
The Gentlemen's Hardware 12-in-1 Kitchen Multi Tool — Photo courtesy of Gentlemen's Hardware
This compact multi tool is small and mighty! Though it’s only 6-inches long, it is a cheese grater, zester, garlic crusher, channel knife, small paring knife, serrated knife, peeler, fork, spoon, bottle opener, corkscrew and can opener all in one. It has a tool for every kitchen situation you may find yourself in.
Never again will you have to resort to peeling potatoes with the wrong kind of tool. Just be sure to pack it in your checked luggage if you’re flying! Otherwise, this little gadget is perfect for road trips.
Where to buy:
3. Cutting boards
Cooler Kitchen Extra Thick Flexible Cutting Mat 4-Pack — Photo courtesy of Cooler Kitchen
Most hotel kitchens and Airbnbs only stock one cutting board. But if you’re chopping up meats and vegetables, it’s more hygienic to use separate boards. No one wants to eat vegetables from a cutting board that had raw chicken on it.
It might sound crazy to travel with multiple thick cutting boards, but these Cooler Kitchen cutting mats are flexible and lightweight, making them easy to pack in your luggage. Don’t let their lightweight feel fool you – they are durable and can handle all of your slicing and dicing needs!
Where to buy Cooler Kitchen Extra Thick Flexible Cutting Mat 4-Pack:
4. TSA-approved containers for liquids
humangear GoToob 2-oz. Travel Bottle 3-Pack — Photo courtesy of humangear
Whether it’s Tabasco or Sriracha, everyone has their go-to sauce. But there’s no guarantee that your favorite sauce is a local favorite wherever you’re traveling. That’s why Marfice recommends using TSA-approved bottles to travel with your own ingredients.
That way, not only are you sure you’ll have your favorite flavors when dining back at the hotel room, but it also guarantees you’ll be traveling with essentials like cooking oil. The GoToob silicone travel bottles are safe for foods because they don’t have chemicals like BPA which can leak into liquids.
These particular bottles are also less prone to leakage which makes them even more appealing; there’s nothing worse than getting your clothes covered in hot sauce.
Where to buy humangear GoToob 2-oz Travel Bottle 3-Pack:
5. Storage containers for ingredients and leftovers
rezip's Lay-Flat Lunch Leakproof Reusable Storage Bags and Thin Bins Collapsible Silicone Food Storage Containers — Photo courtesy of rezip / Thin Bins
Storage containers not only keep your ingredients organized, but they also keep everything fresh and they make great containers for leftovers. Travel-friendly storage bags like the Standup Food Storage are reusable and leakproof.
The Thin Bins food storage containers, on the other hand, are collapsible making them easy to travel with. They’re also microwave and dishwasher safe. Now you can take a home-cooked meal out and about with you!
Where to buy rezip Stand-Up Food Storage Bag 5-Pack:
Thin Bins Collapsible Food Storage Container 4-Pack:
6. Seasoning
GSI Outdoors Spice Missile — Photo courtesy of GSI
Depending on where you’re traveling in the world, spices and flavors will vary drastically. If you’re planning on doing some home cooking, especially during an extended stay in another country, it can be tricky to cook with ingredients and techniques you’re not familiar with.
So for the times when you’re not dining out and experiencing another culture through their cuisine, it can be comforting to have the flavors of home. That’s why Marfice recommends taking a small stash of your favorite spices with you on the go. She uses the GSI Outdoors Spice Missile which holds up to six spices in separate containers that screw together to help save space in your luggage.
Where to buy GSI Outdoors Spice Missile:
7. A portable grinder
Krups Fast Touch Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder — Photo courtesy of Krups
From freshly ground coffee to freshly ground spices, having an electric grinder can turn the simple things into luxury. And when you’re traveling, having any little bit of extra luxury helps make everything better.
The Krups Fast Touch Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder is small, so it doesn’t take up too much space in your luggage, but it’s sharp. In fact, Reviewed.com called it the best blade grinder this year!
Where to buy the Krups Fast Touch Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder:
8. Portable scale
AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Digital Kitchen Scale — Photo courtesy of Amazon
Eating out constantly not only stretches your budget, but can stretch your waistline. It’s hard to control portions and watch your caloric intake when traveling. So some health-conscious travelers may like the AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Digital Kitchen Scale.
Its compact size saves space in your luggage and on the counter. It’s also Reviewed.com’s Best Value when it comes to digital kitchen scales, thanks to its quality and price.
Where to buy the AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Digital Kitchen Scale:
9. Measuring cups and measuring spoons
Cuisipro's Stainless Steel Measuring Spoon Set and Bellemain's Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set — Photo courtesy of Lindsey D. Mattison / Reviewed
What recipe doesn’t call for measurements? To make sure you don’t go overboard on the spices or put enough wet ingredients into your dish, measuring cups and measuring spoons are a must.
Cuisipro’s Stainless Steel Measuring Spoon Set and Bellemain’s Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set are ideal for travel thanks to their nesting designs.
Where to buy Bellemain’s Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set:
Where to buy Cuisipro’s Stainless Steel Measuring Spoon Set:
10. Wine tool kit
Rabbit 6-Piece Wine Tools Set — Photo courtesy of Rabbit
There are few moments as desperate as when you go to open a bottle of wine and discover you have no wine opener. Instead of trying to hit the cork out of the bottle with the shoe trick, pack the Rabbit 6-Piece Wine Tools Set.
It has a corkscrew, foil cutter, bottle pourer, champagne sealer, wax remover and an extra spiral – everything you need to enjoy a glass of wine or bubbly.
Where to buy the Rabbit 6-Piece Wine Tool Set:
