Camp cooking can be pretty intimidating for people like me who didn’t grow up doing a lot of backcountry camping.
I come from an outdoorsy family — just not after sundown. For me, camping meant a night in the backyard, with breakfast waiting for me inside in the morning. It did not entail living the wilderness for days at a time.
So as a 32-year-old outdoorsy adult, I had never actually cooked on a camp stove. Embarrassing, and not at all good for my scene cred in the outdoor community.
When my husband (also a non-camper) and I booked a 4-day camping trip to recon a trail-running loop at a campsite, I knew we’d finally have to figure out the whole camp cooking situation once and for all.
I don’t know exactly what about it intimidated me: Campfires don’t freak me out, but the tiny propane tanks and scary-looking tiny stoves just seemed like they were reserved for serious campers and hikers. I’m just a trail runner.
But we made it happen. And we learned a lot on that first trip! If you’re debating making the plunge into camp cooking, but the lists of best stoves and gear you need seem intimidating, here’s a simple rundown of what you need to know.
Get the Gear
When you’re looking to buy your first camp stove, don’t wander aimlessly through REI. Do some brainstorming and then some research. We almost ended up with a few different stoves that would have been very expensive mistakes, because when trying to find the right setup for you, it’s kind of a Goldilocks situation. You’re looking for one that’s “just right.”
First, list all the ways you plan to use the stove and for how many people. Stick to what you’re currently doing, not the dream-world version of yourself.
For example, “my husband and I do a lot of car camping and often take cross-country trips where we want to make roadside coffee quickly in the morning, or cook full meals at a campsite” is a lot different than “I’m a solo backpacker planning an Appalachian Trail hike and want to keep my kit as light as possible.” Be realistic (and proud).
What You Need
You’ll usually end up needing some combination of this kit for camp cooking:
- Stove
- Lighter
- Propane
- 1 or 2 pots
- Spatula
- Optional: Lid and clamp for lid
- Optional: Windscreen
Best Camp Cooking Gear
Next, look for a setup that matches your needs. Need some ideas? We’ve got you covered. Check out our articles on the subject:
Use What You Already Have
Food Choices
My Camp Food Essentials
- Spice kit: Coghlan’s Multi-Grill Spice and Herb Assortment Shaker — This cheap ($5!) spice wheel is perfect for car camping or longer trips. It’s amazing what a bit of seasoning can do for flavoring boring food.
- Instant coffee: Kuju Coffee Pocket PourOver (5-pack) — A good instant coffee equals a good start to the day without the muss and fuss of a press.
- Pouch of pinto beans: Green Valley Organics Pinto Beans (12-pack) — I love precooked beans for adding carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to a meal quickly with zero cleanup.
- Pouch of wild salmon: Wild Planet Wild Sockeye Salmon (12-pack) — Again, for easy dinner options, a pouch of salmon is just as easy as dehydrated meals. And although it weighs a little bit more, I think it’s worth it for someone not doing a thru-hike who can afford to carry more weight.
- Pouch of olive oil: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (20-pack) — Pouches are a lifesaver for avoiding spills!
- Dehydrated vegetables: If I’m not backcountry camping and carrying your gear, I love being able to add in vegetables to meals. And dehydrated veggies provide quick, easy options! A stirfry with salmon and some freeze-dried broccoli, a pinto bean stew with mixed vegetable medley, or beets snuck into your rice bowl can make a meal much more nutritious.