Galley Equipment Buying Guide

Living on board a boat full-time can come with a different array of challenges. The tight quarters and lack of storage can present many challenges not found in other homes. What do you need in your galley equipment buying guide?

When purchasing equipment to use in the galley there are a lot of factors to consider. The size and space available will be big influences on your equipment purchases. Other factors you will need to consider are the power consumption, quality, and affordability of the items. You will need to balance these requirements to best equip your ship’s galley.

Below we will look at what you consider when outfitting your ship's galley and some products that you can't afford to skip.

Galley Equipment Buying Guide

There are many factors you should consider before making an equipment purchase for your galley. Below we will take a closer look at some factors to ask yourself when outfitting or expanding your ship's galley.

Need

The first thing you will need to ask is what do you need. There are very limited storage spaces aboard sailboats. You will run out of room in your galley and elsewhere on the ship if you purchase items that are not necessary for the basic needs of cooking and storage aboard your vessel.

Will it Fit in the Space?

You don't have to worry about cabinet size in an apartment or house, but the cabinets on a ship can be quite smaller. The counters are shallow, the sink is smaller, and the cabinets aren’t as deep. The large plates you picked out may be bigger than the storage space for them.

Knowing the depth and size of your cabinets will be a must when purchasing new dishes or any other equipment for the galley of your ship.

Stowing it

Anything brought about will need to be properly stowed when the boat moves. You will need to consider if the equipment you buy will be able to be secured properly when the boat is rocking or underway. Items that are noisy will need to be addressed to ensure they can be stowed to avoid damage and be able to be used when they are needed.

Will it Perform?

Things that don't work can be a nuisance when you are able to go out and get a replacement, however, can be a disaster when you are miles and miles from the shore. Working when it should will include all aspects of its design and construction. If it is necessary and does break, what are the replacement options?

Durability Matters

The marine environment can be tough on tools and equipment. The salty water and harsh environment can cause things to rust and become damaged. It will be worth it, in the long run, to spend more on quality equipment that will hold up to the harsh marine environment over time.

Construction

The construction will go hand and hand with the durability of the items. Quality stainless steel will be preferred in galley equipment. It is rust-resistant and will not break. Measuring cups made in stainless steel will not lose their markings over time like their plastic counterparts. Heavier steel pans will also resist warping and be able to conduct heat evenly.

Plastic is good for larger mixing bowls and serving dishes. Glass should be avoided. It is easily breakable. Drinkware made of plastics are a sensible alternative to glass. They can be more likely to scratch but will be less likely to break.

Unbreakable dishes such as Corelle are popular options. They have the look and feel of real dishes but are much more durable. Melamine dishes are another option. They have brighter colors and patterns and appeal to those wanting something different in their galley.

Power, Water, and Storage Consumption

There is limited power, water, and storage on a sailboat. Each new item will consume some of the resources available. Picking items that will fit in the best is necessary. Hand-powered and manual options that will not use a lot of space will be the best options to fit into life aboard a ship.

Budget Restrictions

Lastly, and most importantly, is to purchase within the means of your budget. Spending more on quality will be necessary for products that are used often will be more affordable in the long run. Spending your money wisely on quality products will be the most affordable in the long term.

Must-Have Items

Below we will look at a few must-have items for life aboard your vessel.

Slow Cookers

Having a slow cooker is a good addition to your sailboat galley. They can be an easy alternative to cooking. A little prep work and adding the contents to the slow cooker will help save you time and energy in producing a warm meal.

Blender

A blender can help you mix, blend, and chop items together. Blenders can help prepare soup, smoothies, or even mixed drinks making them a necessity in almost any galley. Small blenders are easy to store and can even be set up to run off solar power saving from using the electricity aboard your vessel.

Kettle

An electric kettle will be worth its weight in gold when trying to heat or boil water, especially while in a port. Even finding a small electric kettle to heat water when cooking will save you from using some of the resources on your boat from powering larger appliances.

A Good set of Knives

Having a good set of knives is a must when preparing food in any kitchen. The galley aboard your vessel is no different. This seems to be an often overlooked area. A good set of stainless steel knives should be one of the first things you purchase for your galley.

Ceramic knives are another good option. They will not rust in the harsh marine environment and are easy to clean. Their only downside is they are prone to breaking if used for anything other than cutting and slicing. They are also not recommended to be used on frozen food.

If you do go with the ceramic option, be sure to keep them stowed in their protective covers to avoid damaging them while underway.

Freezers

These may seem more like a luxury item aboard a ship but having a small portable freezer will help you keep and store food that might normally go to waste. They can consume a lot of electricity, so they may not be a good addition if you have concerns about that department.

If you do have the room and power adding a small freezer will increase the food supply you are able to have onboard and allow you to keep and store fish that might go to waste without one. It will also allow you to meal prep and freeze all your meals saving you significant cooking time.

If you haven't considered a freezer for your boat you may want to consider adding one in the future.

Water Filtering

Having a ready supply of fresh drinking water is necessary while on board your sailboat. Depending on how you are getting and storing fresh water on board your vessel, a water pitcher and filter may be necessary to have cold drinking water on a daily basis. Buying and storing bottled water is almost unfeasible for long-term life onboard.

Saving and storing rainwater will need to be treated before it can be drunk. Rainwater is considered safe by some but drinking untreated rainwater can lead to a variety of illnesses,

A safer alternative to drinking rainwater is a Rainman or portable water maker. This portable water system is able to draw seawater and fill your storage tanks with fresh clean water. Since it is not connected directly to your ship it will give you the maximum flexibility needed to obtain the necessary clean water for drinking and cooking.

Galley storage

With limited storage space on your sailboat, storage items that maximize space is necessary.   Keeping a clean and well-organized galley will aid in preparing and cooking meals. Airtight stackable containers are necessary to save space and keep your dry foods from getting wet and unusable. See-through containers can help you find anything you are looking for quickly and easily when prepping and cooking your meals.

Having a set of containers for leftovers that will not leak as the sailboat moves underway will keep your fridge clean and organized as well.

Reusable Storage bags

Reusable cloth food storage bags are another great idea for food storage in your ship's galley or when packing food when leaving on short trips from your vessel. They will save waste, and the time and cost to replace their disposable counterparts. They also come in many different styles and colors.

If you are missing high-quality reusable food storage bags in your ship's galley, they should be next on your must-have list.

Coffee Maker

If you are anything like me you just do not function without coffee. Luckily there are plenty of small coffee makers available to ensure we are able to stay caffeinated. If you have never tried one before, a stove-top espresso maker could be a life-changer. They are inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to use, everything you need in marine life.

If espresso is not your thing, an Aeropress coffee maker may be a better fit in your galley. Aeropress coffee makers can make espresso, American coffee, latte, or cold brew from the same easy-to-use portable machine. With an Aeropress, you will be able to brew the coffee to your strength and taste.

Baking on Your Sailboat

Baking may not be a necessity for every ship’s galley, but it can be easily accomplished. Baking onboard your ship will help improve your morale and diet. Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread or cake. Below are a few items to have your ships galley producing baked goods in no time.

Cupcake Holders and Baking Mats

Silicone cupcake molds are extremely lightweight, flexible, and durable. They can be used for cupcakes, muffins, brownies, or even baking your favorite cookies. When they are not in use baking, they make great ice cube trays for your portable freezer on a hot summer day.

Silicone baking mats are a great alternative to their metal counterparts. They are nonstick and reusable making for easy cleanup. They are also lightweight and easily stored in your galley. A thicker high-quality silicone mat will last quite a bit of time without fading or discoloration if it is properly taken care of.

Bread Tins

After you are sailing for a length of time, you may find the availability of bread can be lacking. Having the necessary silicone bread pans can have your galley producing loaf after loaf of fresh bread in no time. You can also use them for meatloaf, pound cake, and many other recipes.

A silicone bread pan with a steel frame will make baking onboard your ship easier and safer. The metal frame will resist collapsing and provide handles when putting your bread into and removing it from the oven. The silicone will be easier to clean and store on board than its metal counterparts.

If you are missing baking and preparing sweets while onboard your sailboat these molds, bread tins, and baking mats can help you bring that little piece of home back onboard.

Conclusion

There are many factors to consider when finding the necessary equipment to outfit the galley of your vessel. The storage available aboard a ship is much smaller than the traditional spaces available in a home or apartment. This will lead you to make choices that will maximize the space and only pick the necessary equipment when outfitting the galley of your boat.

The needs and wants of each person living and traveling on a sailboat are going to be different. Hopefully, this galley equipment buying guide will help you make the best choices to maximize the space you have available and fill all of the needs you have making your life on board happy and stress-free.