Cooking your boat can be quite challenging. First of all, everything is very small in order to fit inside the limited space. This includes the stove, sink, cabinets, refrigerator…
Apart from that, potable water, propane, and electricity may not be abundantly available because a boat on the high seas is supposed to be a self-sustaining platform.
In this case, running out of cooking fuel means heading back to the floating dock if you don’t want to go hungry. However, you can avoid this fate by following these simple cooking tips on board a boat:
1. You Should Always Plan Ahead
It does not matter if you are heading for a day’s fishing trip up the lake, or a week-long offshore voyage. In either case, you will always have to plan ahead. You should carefully write down your meal plans at least a week before time. Once the vessel has left the boat dock, you won’t be able to grab supplies from the local grocery store.
You will also need to check the total amount of space available for provisions, especially if your supplies need to be refrigerated. In this case, you might consider decreasing your perishables as much as you can. A written menu will also help you to incorporate leftovers into delicious meals, thereby saving time, space, and ingredients.
2. Prepare Your Meals Ahead of Time
One way to eat well on a boat is to make the more complicated dishes at home and simply freeze them for use later on when the boat has left the pvc docks. You can easily make stews, pizza, fried chicken, and even desserts in your home and defrost and heat them on the boat. This means you will get to spend more time enjoying your cruise instead of slaving away in the galley.
Home prepared meals are a great way to save precious drinking water. Moreover, it will also limit the number of extra ingredients you will have to bring on board. A frozen meal can be a lifesaver when the weather is rough or if you want to spend time on the deck instead of cutting onions in the kitchen.
3. Always Use the Proper Tools for the Job
You should have proper galley equipment for the task at hand. It might not be possible to squeeze the microwave and the blender into a very small galley, but you should never forget to bring your basic tools with you. Get a few high quality cutting knives and a stainless steel cutting board. Don’t use wooden ones since the sea causes rapid growth of mold and bacteria.
You should also consider collapsible silicone tools that can fit inside small and tight boat cabinets. Make sure you have a powerful torch in case the power supply is knocked out and you have to cook in the dark.
Food tends to taste a whole lot better at sea. This is why even simple meals will be highly appreciated. Apart from that, there is something extra special about dining under the stars. Bon Appetit!