I use one or two 5 gallon plastic buckets with tight lids to pack my stove, the pots and pans, and sometimes the eating utensils and plates, etc.  Depends on how many folks are on the trip.  In my kayak I use a smaller 2 1/2 or 3 gallon bucket.  The buckets are easy to carry in a free hand while portaging, waterproof, provide an extra chair at camp, huge water carry capacity in camp, and for a group we throw all our dirty dishes in it and at the end of the meal use it for the kitchen sink.