Camping Kitchenware

Camping Kitchen and Cookware 

Eating a good, hot meal in the great outdoors makes any camping trip better, and camping seems to make every meal taste better, too. Whether you’re a campground car camper or a remote backcountry expeditioner, check out all the best camping kitchen gear and cookware right here.

Campsite cooking options

Even if you plan to cook all of your meals over an open fire, you’ll probably still need a stove, and there’s a huge variety of camp stoves available. The standard stove for car camping or large raft trips is a propane-fueled two-burner model. These can simmer or boil, and make coffee and an omelet simultaneously. Plus, fuel canisters are available almost everywhere in North America.

Getting a simple hose adapter for use with refillable propane tanks will also save you lots of money. We’ve got models by GSI Outdoors and Eureka that you can pick from. 

Cooking while backpacking

Your camping cookware options are much broader for backpacking/minimalist one-burner stoves. Butane-fueled models (not interchangeable with propane!) by MSR or Primus are reliable and easy to use. You can also get integrated stove/pot combos such as those by Jetboil that will fulfill all your lightweight, low profile needs. 

Many backpackers, especially those traveling internationally, prefer liquid-fueled stoves like the MSR DragonFly that run on white gas or even unleaded gasoline. Their fuel is more affordable and you won’t be throwing away empty canisters, but they can be more temperamental and messy.

Camping cookware

Even for car camping, you’ll want cookware that is lighter, durable, and easier to pack than your pots and pans at home. Nesting pot and pan sets made of aluminum or titanium by Coghlan’s or GSI Outdoors are great, and they can double as plates or bowls if you need to save space. If you’re backpacking, a single pot and an insulated mug may be all you need. Make sure they’re spillproof and you’ll even be able to have leftovers for lunch!

Camping kitchen accessories and gadgets

There are tons of accessories and toys out there for camping kitchens including sporks, multi-spice shakers, grill attachments, and more. Some backcountry chefs love them, and others stay more minimal. 

You’ll definitely want a removable pot/pan handle since most camping cookware eliminates handles for reasons of space and weight. If you’re a java junky, a drip cone or french press/mug combo will be quicker than a camp percolator.