A good home cook might feel comfortable in any kitchen, but there’s no kitchen quite like the one at home. So when it comes time to pack for a trip, it’s not just a question of what clothes and toiletries to bring, but what kitchen tools are also coming with you on the road.
Before summer travel reaches its peak, I asked a few food and travel pros what they always pack for cooking in an unfamiliar kitchen. Whether you’re staying in a hotel, an Airbnb, or another rental unit, planning ahead for how you’re going to cook — and save money instead of eating out for every meal — is key before you go. While every chef has their kitchen preferences, these are the eight kitchen tools that are not only practical, but also easy to pack.
Maggie Turansky is the founder and head recipe developer at No Frills Kitchen, and also runs the travel website The World Was Here First with her husband. When they’re away from home, she always packs a rasp-style grater like a microplane — something that she’s never seen in a rental kitchen.
“With this tool, you can easily zest lemons, grate garlic and ginger, and perfectly grate hard cheeses like Parmesan,” she says. “It’s something I use virtually daily when I’m at home, and I don’t like that changing when I travel.” It doesn’t take up a lot of space in her luggage either, she adds.
2. Seasonings and olive oil
Marissa Stevens, recipe developer and founder of Pinch and Swirl, used to bring more specialized spice packets with her on the go, but she’s found simple is best when away from home. “For seasonings, it’s flaky sea salt, pepper, and a little jar of olive oil decanted from home,” she says. “If I’m planning to cook more than one meal, I’ll add a garlic clove or two and a lemon to the mix — amazing how many meals those two things can improve!” She says a jar of olive oil is much better than toting bottles of cooking oil, which inevitably leak.
3. A corkscrew and wine preserver
Even though more and more wine bottles are being made with screw tops, there are still plenty with corks, and you don’t want to be without a good corkscrew when it’s time to cook with wine — or enjoy a glass.
Jessica Duce, interior designer and owner of JDuce Design, works exclusively with short-term rental owners to design and stock their homes. She says while you do have a very good chance of finding a wine opener in your rental, you might be stuck if you don’t finish the bottle in one sitting. To avoid stale wine, she packs a wine preserver (like this one from Wine Enthusiast) “so we can sip and sample as we go with no concern of losing the quality of our wine.”
4. Instant-read thermometer
Another must-have for Turansky is an instant-read thermometer, a tool she uses “constantly” at home. She packs one with her because “it allows me to cook food to precise temperatures, even if I’m unfamiliar with the stove or oven,” she explains. Duce agrees, saying that a wireless Bluetooth meat thermometer can be “very convenient,” particularly if you’ll be grilling at your rental.
5. A good knife and a small cutting board
If you cook at home often, it can be hard to be apart from your trusty set of knives — and some food pros won’t even attempt it. While packing a knife block is usually out of the question, bringing along a good multipurpose one isn’t a bad idea. Stevens opts for a 4-inch Victorinox paring knife : “It’s inexpensive, sharp, and light,” she says, adding that she also packs a small cutting board.
Expert Tips for Traveling With Must-Have Kitchen Supplies
How to travel safely with kitchen knives
It’s worth noting that no one is suggesting that you board a flight with any kind of knife or sharp utensil in your carry-on — unless you enjoy lengthy conversations with TSA agents, of course. You can, however, travel with knives in your checked luggage (or car, of course) if done safely.
“I’ve flown with a knife roll in my checked luggage several times with no issues,” says Jessie Johnson, a digital nomad and food blogger at Life As A Strawberry. “I always double-check the TSA guidelines before I go, though, and I make sure the knives are packed well so any sharp edges are protected.” She’ll also write “Chef’s Knives Inside” on a sticky note and put it on the knife roll just in case TSA inspects the bag after she’s checked it.
Stevens is also extremely careful traveling with her knife. “If we’re flying, it goes in checked luggage wrapped in a dish towel and secured inside a silicone travel cutlery case or a plastic sheath,” she explains. “If we’re driving, I just tuck it into a reusable Stasher bag with a few other essentials like a corkscrew and a mini spatula.”
Make room for creature comforts
To make the rental kitchen feel more like home, Johnson suggests creating a list about a week or two before you leave of the tools and ingredients you use every day. Be sure to include any creature comforts that you’ll still want to enjoy while away from home, especially if it’ll be a long trip.
“If you wake up every morning and make a cup of coffee with the same French press in the same mug, you may want to bring those things with you when you travel,” she says. Johnson travels with her husband about six months out of the year, and among her short list of “non-negotiables” are a Yeti travel mug, her favorite loose-leaf tea, a good tea strainer, and her kitchen knives.
“Once you’re actually traveling, make a note of anything you wish you had with you, and add it to the list for next time,” Johnson says. “We add new items to our list every time we travel, and come back to this same checklist over and over again. Each time it gets a little easier!”
Confirm kitchen details to avoid inconvenience
Josh Scheer, president and owner of White Lotus Travel Design, works with travel companies that rent out villas, apartments, and other unique home stays. He recently heard about a traveler who was booked at a home stay that was supposed to have a fully stocked kitchen, but upon arrival, they found not a single pot or pan.
To avoid that same culinary disappointment, travelers should confirm beforehand what will be and won’t be stocked in the kitchen, Scheer advises. “That way, they can set their expectations accordingly and bring along any essentials they may need, or choose a different place to stay,” he says. “Needing to run to the grocery store is usually not a big deal, but having to pack pots, pans, and cutlery on a vacation would absolutely be a deal-breaker for most people.”
Is there a kitchen item you always travel with? Let us know in the comments below!
