camping
cookingSay goodbye to charred hot dogs. It’s time to take your camp cooking to the next level with our favorite camping kitchen gear.
Sure, a s’more can be fun, and a packet of tuna fills the tank, but there’s nothing better than making a truly tasty meal outside. Saddled up to the car at the campground or miles into the backcountry, dinner should be something you look forward to.
Whether checking items off your own list or giving to the camp chef in your life, these camp cooking gear favorites are sure to please.
Sprongs All-in-One Fork, Spoon and Tongs – $12.99
A multitool designed for your mouth, Sprongs are a fork, spoon, and tongs all in one. They clip together for easy tong pinching while cooking and then serve double duty as your go-to utensil while eating. Best of all, these made-in-the-USA workhorses are constructed with BPA-free nylon that can handle temps up to 400 degrees F. Sporks are so last year, so get with the times and grab some Sprongs.
Camp Chef Everest 2-Burner Camp Stove – $99.95
Make camp cooking fun and easy with this dual-burner stove. I used my Everest stove nearly everyday while living and traveling in an old VW van. I appreciate that it’s fairly light, packs up in the car easily, and runs off easily found propane canisters. Plus, the integrated lid and sides stand up to provide protection from the wind. If you’re doing a lot of cooking while overlanding, or setting up a basecamp in one location for an extended time, consider getting a larger propane tank and attachment hose to save on canister waste. And, of course, a cast-iron griddle is always a worthy addition for efficiently sizzling bacon and flipping flapjacks.
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Sea to Summit X-Set 21 Cookset – $74.95
Gone are the days when pots and pans took up your entire bag. This set folds down flat and weighs in at a super-light 14.5 ounces. Perfect for backpacking for two, you get a collapsible 1.4-liter pot, mug, and bowl. Sea to Summit also makes an array of collapsible pots and dishes to suit your every space-saving, camp cooking need.
Pocket PourOver by Kuju Coffee – $2.50
There’s nothing like sipping a good cup of coffee from the comfort of your sleeping bag. The Kuju Pocket PourOver comes preloaded with quality coffee grounds and snaps over the edge of your mug. Slowly add hot water, and voilá! You’re ready to go. From camping to traveling to office caffeine emergencies, this is the next best thing to a pocket-sized barista.
Gerber Freescape Camp Kitchen – $65.73 (via REI Garage)
Chop, dice, slice, sharpen, and pack it up flat: That’s the beauty of the Freescape Camp Kitchen. Elitists may complain the knife isn’t fancy enough, but for anyone looking for a packable, reliable, hardworking camp knife and cutting board, this is the way to go.
Tembo Tusk Skottle Grill – $185
Like a wok for the campsite, the Skottle could become your new favorite piece of camp gear. It’s ideal for overlanders, van lifers, car campers, and backyard barbecue enthusiasts. You can woo the crowd and feed the entire camp with the 18-inch disc that allows you to cook up large meals quickly and deliciously. It’s heavy-duty and hefty, so leave it behind when hiking, but be sure to bring it along when driving, car camping, tailgaiting, or firing up the grill. Read the full Skottle review here.
MSR Windburner Stove ($139.95) & GOOD TO-GO Thai Curry ($7)
Is your idea of camp cooking pouring boiling water into a pouch? Then this combo is for you. I used the MSR Windburner for more than 400 days while motorcycle-camping across America. It boiled water with impressive speed, packed down small, and lit without a problem no matter the stormy conditions. As for Good To-Go, they’ve completely changed my mind on dehydrated meals. Made from real food (seriously, the ingredient list only contains words you know and can pronounce), these tasty meals will instantly transport your taste buds from cold campsite to high-class restaurant. The pad thai is tasty, and the granola is my morning go-to. But for a real treat, go with the Thai curry.
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United by Blue Enamel Mug – $28
There’s just something about an enamel mug that says “camping.” Handmade in Europe, this supersized 22-ounce mug is a camp kitchen must. Equally suited to getting caffeinated first thing in the morning as it is to slurping soup at night, this unbreakable mug is stylish, functional, and will last for years to come.
Polar Bear H20 Soft Cooler – $179.95
This leakproof, sweatproof, waterproof cooler keeps ice in and water out. Great for boating, camping, or road-tripping, it has a 24-can capacity and keeps ice for three days (when properly packed). The grippy rubber bottom keeps it from sliding about, and the soft-sided design allows you to fit it into tight spaces and pack it around more easily. Give the gift of cool—get a PolarBear.
GSI Halulite Tea Kettle – $24.95
On top of being downright adorable, this kettle is outrageously useful. Efficiently boil water for a quick meal, cup of tea, or that requisite morning cuppa joe. Weighing in at just 5.8 ounces, it makes the cut for both car camping and backpacking trips. And, while it works great on a camp stove, you can also place it directly over the fire.
Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink – $26.95
I think we can all agree: The worst thing about any meal is dirty dishes. This is especially true while camping, but this collapsible kitchen sink makes washing up easier. Folding down into the size of a large deck of cards, it’s equally useful backpacking and at the campground. Soak dirty dishes in warm water, rinse efficiently, or fill for a large, impromptu dog bowl. The possibilities are endless.
GoSun Sport Solar Camp Stove – $279
Imagine biting into a warm, freshly baked muffin or devouring a bowl of perfectly steamed veggies. And did I mention this is all happening from the comfort of your campsite? Yep, that’s all possible with the GoSun. Using solar power, the GoSun can bake, steam, roast, and sauté an entire meal in as little as 20 minutes (in direct sun). From apple crumble to chicken stir-fry, this handy gadget will take your camp cooking to the next level.
Yeti Yosemite Rambler – $40
Coffee stays hot all day and ice does not melt: That’s the awesomeness of Yeti’s double-wall vacuum insulated Rambler tumbler. My favorite part of this, though, is the MagSlider lid, which uses a magnet to smoothly slide open and closed. And, with the newly released Yosemite design, you’ll enjoy the view of adventure even when slogging to the office.
BearVault Food Canister ($69.95) and Ursack Bear Bag ($79.95)
Anyone heading into bear country needs to take proper precautions with their food. When done properly, bear hangs work well. But, often, you end up camping in places where bear canisters are recommended or trees are sparse, as I did this summer outside Lake Tahoe. We made use of the BearVault, which worked like a charm but can be a bit burdensome to pack. And while we haven’t yet put the Ursack to test, it gets rave reviews and was given a thumbs-up by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.
Cpise Organic Spice Kit – $24.97
Nothing elevates a camp meal like some quality spices. And this kit has everything you need to get started, from Himalayan salt to honey crystals. Best of all, they come in easy-to-use magnetic tins that can be stuck to the inside of your van, truck, or camp chuck box. And for backpacking, just pick out a favorite and toss it in your bag. Never again suffer from bland camp cooking.
Expedition Hot Sauce – $6
Hot sauce is always the answer. This tube is perfect for backpacking, travel, or spicing up camp meals. A bit like a spicier version of the cult favorite Sriracha, it’s great on everything from scrambled eggs to cold cut sandwiches. Plus, it comes in this convenient tube for easy transport and reuse. A perfect camping stocking stuffer if we ever saw one.
PlatyPreserve ($9.95) and Kenwood Vineyards Jack London Cabernet ($35)
Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a nice glass of wine. Whether hiking in or car camping, the PlatyPreserve is the ultimate portable and unbreakable wine storage. I packed one into the Sierra Nevada backcountry, and we savored every last drop while recounting the day’s leg-burning trek. Pair the Platy with a distinctly delicious wine like the Jack London Cabernet Sauvignon for the ultimate vino-loving camp gift.
Swiss Advance Crono N5 Pocket Knife – $48
A good multitool is indispensable. And one that weighs in at a scant 41 grams is downright amazing. Made of German steel and constructed in Switzerland, this handy pocket tool has a bit of everything, including a fork, screw driver, fish scaler, square, wire cutter, ruler, hexagon, screw wrench, and more. This is the epitome of an EDC (everyday carry). Get one, give one, and be ready for whatever life throws at you.
Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill – $1,000
No, you probably won’t bring this grill to your campsite. But you will bring its results. We’ve been using the Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill all fall to prepare smoked salmon (from a springtime spent in Alaska), venison, and beef jerky to carry hiking, backpacking, and hunting. The results have been amazingly delicious, and the grill also ramped up our backyard BBQs. The Traeger is made in the USA and is of burly build quality. This one has resulted in consistent temperature control and plenty of smoke at low temps. For the camp chef, this is a great backyard addition that will result in delicious snacks on the trail.
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