If you are cooking in the woods, it’s likely that you fall into one of two categories, either being fully equipped with car camping gear or using lightweight camping cookware for backpacking. Regardless of your preference, having the appropriate gear is crucial. Nobody wants to lug a heavy, two-burner propane grill up a mountain or rely on a single coffee mug to feed a family of four.
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper Cookset
Best full-featured camping cookware set
GSI has spent a significant amount of time in the development of modular camping cookware, and their Bugaboo Camper Cookset is the most impressive one we have come across till now. This set is our top choice as it includes all the necessary items to feed four individuals, such as plates, bowls, and mugs (which are color-coded) with sipping lids, in addition to two cooking pots and a nonstick frying pan. Each pot is equipped with a slotted lid that can also function as a strainer, making it effortless to prepare boiled foods like eggs and pasta.
The impressive thing about the Bugaboo kit is that all the items can be neatly nested inside each other and packed into a single carrying kit, which can also be used as a dishwashing bin. It’s very convenient!
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Soloist II Cookset
Best solo camping cookware set
The GSI Pinnacle Soloist II can be considered as the Bugaboo’s younger sibling. It is designed for ultralight backpacking setups that require minimalistic camping cookware. Therefore, it is packed with all the necessary components in a compact size. The 1.1-liter cookpot has measurements marked conveniently on the inside and has been treated to resist scratches both internally and externally. This ensures that there is no need to worry about damaging it with metal utensils. Additionally, the 14-ounce insulated mug/bowl and folding spork that come with it can be neatly nested inside the cookpot.
The cookpot’s strainer lid also functions as a sipping lid for the food bowl when it is flipped over, as the best backpacking gear should have dual purposes.
Full Windsor The Splitter Titanium Multi-Utensil
Best lightweight camping utensil
Although the simple plastic or titanium spork would suffice, the expensive gear known as “The Splitter” is too impressive not to include on our list. “The Splitter” is a lightweight utensil set made of titanium, consisting of a long-handled spork that is ideal for consuming dehydrated meals commonly enjoyed by backpackers, as well as a spatula with a serrated end that can also be used for cutting.
By using the pin and keyhole system, you can secure the two parts together and voila! You now possess a set of tongs. The entire set weighs a mere 1.8 ounces, and if you want to pack extremely light, you can opt to leave the spatula behind and bring just the spork.
MSR Whisperlite International Backpacking Stove
Best backcountry camping stove
The MSR Whisperlite liquid fuel stove is our top choice for the best backpacking stove, despite the overall convenience of canister stoves. This is because the Whisperlite stove can be fueled by various options such as white gas, kerosene, gasoline, and even jet fuel.
The Whisperlite stove, which is preferred for mountaineering and high-altitude adventures, does not have issues at high elevations like canister stoves do. Furthermore, the most recent model of the Whisperlite is only 11 ounces in weight, making it even more suitable for backpacking.
GSI Outdoors Pioneer Cutlery Set
Best cutlery set for car camping
The GSI Outdoors Pioneer Cutlery set is often overlooked by hikers and campers who meticulously focus on their gear. However, this set should not be disregarded, as it is straightforward, efficient, affordable, and visually appealing. With each kit containing four complete sets of knives, spoons, and forks, the utensils boast durable kiln-hardened enamel handles and full-tang stainless steel construction.
Gerber Gear Devour Titanium
Best ultra minimalist camp kitchen tool
The latest Devour Titanium by Gerber provides a significant upgrade to the humble spork. This seemingly straightforward utensil is, in fact, a combination of nine tools. It includes a spoon with a deep basin, a fork with long tines positioned to the side, as well as a flat edge that can be used for cutting and scraping.
Ideal for minimalist backpackers, the complete setup measures just slightly bigger than a traditional spork. It includes six extra tools, such as bottle and can openers, flathead drivers, and a pry bar, which can be attached to the backside using a separate tool.
Camp Chef Teton 2X Camp Stove
Best front-country camping stove
With their expertise in outdoor cooking, the Camp Chef brand is well-versed. For many years, we have been delighting in an abundance of ribs cooked on their top-rated pellet grills, and their compact outdoor stoves are equally impressive!
The newest addition to the Mountain Series, the Teton 2X, is equipped with two 10,000 BTU burners that are powered by standard one-pound propane cylinder tanks, similar to a traditional Coleman camp stove. However, it can also be easily modified to work with a standard bulk tank, such as the one used for a home propane grill, if you plan on camping for an extended period of time. Additionally, the stove features a three-sided windscreen and matchless ignition, ensuring that you can cook without any difficulty even when it’s windy outside. Furthermore, the heat controls are fully adjustable and function just like the ones on your home range.
Regardless of your camping preferences, it is essential to consider your meals. This includes having suitable containers for your food, an open flame for cooking, and utensils for eating. Whether you are camping with a car or in remote areas, it is crucial to choose camping cookware that is long-lasting, lightweight, easy to clean, and sufficient for your needs.
Camping Kitchen Storage Ideas:
Utilize tubs and bins for effective organization.
If you gather all your camping kitchen necessities and store them in one or two clearly marked kitchen tubs, you will discover that cooking and eating becomes a simpler activity.
- Tape a list of the bin’s contents to the lid
- Put like things together (cooking items / eating items / cleaning and emergency items)
- You can use a bin for non-refrigerated foods
If you are camping and utilizing the rear of your vehicle for gear storage, a 3-tier plastic drawer system could prove to be useful.
To think step by step, rephrase the text below without adding or removing information: If you have permanent camping bins, consider using list labels on the lids to indicate which items need to be restocked, which ones have been taken out, and which ones need to be replaced. This will help you avoid the hassle of searching through the bins before each trip to remember if you have removed certain items, such as your favorite cork screw, or if your supply of salt is running low.
How do I organize my camping kitchen?
If you want to go beyond basic bins and tubs, there are endless possibilities available to you at your local camping supply store. Take a look around and you will find kitchen set-ups, expandable shelving, outdoor lighting, pumped water systems, different types of stoves and ovens, as well as specialty camping tools that you can purchase.
If you happen to have access to electricity, you can also take your slow cooker, toaster, and coffee maker along with you!
It is important to remember that a campground without bear safes is essentially a campground without any means of food storage. It is crucial to refrain from leaving any food, cooking equipment, or dishes outside at your campground unless you are actively using them.
Setting up your camp kitchen:
When considering your cooking surface, it is ideal that your campground is equipped with a picnic table or that you have packed a folding table. In case neither of these options are available, you can make use of either a tarp or a large garbage bag placed on the ground, or alternatively, the tailgate of your truck.
If you are worried about the cleanliness of a picnic table at a campground, it would be a good idea to bring an easy-wipe tablecloth with you. However, it is important not to use a tablecloth with fleece backing. This is because the wood surface will get caught in the fleece and create a messy tangle. Believe me, I speak from experience!
To ensure cleanliness, it is important to either wash hands with soapy water or utilize hand sanitizer (or sanitizing wipes) before handling food. It can be convenient for individuals to have a sizeable water container at their campsite for easy handwashing, or a large thermos of hot water can be a beneficial resource.
If possible, set up your camp stove in a location sheltered from the wind or use a wind shield if available. Additionally, it is recommended to carry a fire-extinguisher when cooking with a propane stove, as many campers already have them.
To make things easy to reach, retrieve your camping kitchen tub or organizers and keep them within easy reach.
To minimize the number of trips back to the camper, consider filling a small tote with just the essentials for preparing and eating a meal. If you don’t have a tub system in your camper, bring this tote to your camp kitchen table. Taking a few minutes to plan and fill the tote can be a helpful time-saver.
When preparing a meal, make sure to have your dirty dish tub nearby to place dirty dishes into as you use them. This way, when it’s time to wash them afterwards, they will already be gathered in the tub.
How to Wash Dishes when Camping:
When camping, there are several typical methods for washing dishes. However, our ultimate aim is to transform dirty dishes into clean ones with minimum effort, regardless of the preferred method.
The basic how to wash dishes when camping:
- Get as much food stuffs off the dish before cleaning
- Fill 2 tubs with hot water, one with soap, one without
- Lay a kitchen towel on the table nearby
- Start by cleaning the cleanest dishes first – usually cups and cutlery
- Wash in the soapy water, rinse, then air dry
- End by washing the dirtiest dishes
- Dispose of your wash water appropriately
Here are a couple more tips for washing dishes:
- Use a pre-rinse for super dirty dishes.
- Bring a few clothes pins to hang your towels and cloths to dry after using
- Save up your dishes and do one big wash at the end of the day
How to Cook when Camping?
Cooking over a fire:
Cooking your food over an open fire has a certain charm, and the taste always seems to be enhanced.
It is important to only make fires in the designated camp pits. In certain campgrounds, there are even cooking shelters available with wood stoves specifically for cooking meals.
Except when using a wood stove, it is generally recommended to wait for a campfire to become large and hot with a bed of coals before cooking on it. Once the flames have diminished, place your food on the fire. If the flames are touching the pot or foil packs, there is a risk of uneven cooking and potential burning.
If there is a grill available, it is preferable to use it. In the absence of a grill, it can be challenging. In such cases, you can create a makeshift tripod to hang your pot by its handle over the fire. Alternatively, you may opt for foods that can be cooked on a stick or using a pie iron. Another option is to place your dutch oven or kettle directly onto the coals.
If you intend to camp there in the future, consider buying a portable camping grill for added convenience.
You should rotate your food regularly while cooking over flames due to the uneven heat.
To prevent yourself from burning your fingers, it is useful to have long-handled utensils and oven mitts.
Cooking on a stove / grill / BBQ:
If you plan on using a gas-powered stove for camp cooking, there are numerous stove options available nowadays. Here are some suggestions to consider.
- Make sure you have enough fuel for the camping trip.
- Bringing along a bit of extra fuel is always a good idea!
- Try to set up your stove out of the wind or create a bit of a wind break. This will save on fuel and make cooking easier.
- Some campgrounds do not want you using grills on their picnic tables because of the grease that might drip from them.
- Cooking will be more consistent and likely quicker if using a gas-powered stove.
