One of the biggest challenges of going camping is setting up your kitchen and having the right camping cooking equipment is an absolute must. When you have too much gear it can turn into a game of camping Tetris that you are bound to lose! But if you bring too little, you won’t be able to make the most of your outdoor dining experiences. Those meals are special and incredibly important. Not only are they the fuel that gives you the energy to enjoy your day, but camping meals, when done right, are some of our most cherished vacation memories.
So, how do you economize on space, maximize your conveniences, and still have all the necessities that will make cooking in the great outdoors not only easy but also fun and rewarding? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re breaking down what your cooking essentials really are. We’ll also recommend some of the very best pieces of camping cooking equipment available today. Plus, we’ll guide you in the best way to organize it and provide some thoughtful camping kitchen setup ideas, too. Ready? Let’s start with the essentials:
The 9 Essential Pieces of Camping Cooking Equipment Every Camp Kitchen Needs
1. A Camping Stove and Fuel
You can never assume that your camping location will have a fire pit or be in a location that allows a campfire. Having a camping stove and the fuel it requires is your biggest camping cooking equipment necessity of all.
Perfect for individuals: Odoland Windproof Camp Stove / Fuel
Great for 2 to 4 people: Coleman Gas Camping Grill/Stove / Fuel
Best for larger groups: Stansport Outfitter Series Propane Camp Stove / Fuel
2. Matches, Lighter, or Firestarter
We always recommend carrying matches, a lighter, and a firestarter. Matches sometimes get wet and lighters run out of butane. A firestarter, on the other hand, always works! We love this excellent firestarter tool from X-plore because it has a compass and whistle built right in.
3. Cooking Pots and Pans
Okay, so you’ve got a stove and it’s lit—but you can’t cook without a pot. Here are some great pan sets designed just for camping. These all nest together and take up minimal space.
Perfect for individuals: MalloMe Mess Camping Cook Kit
Great for 2 to 4 people: Alocs Camping Cookware
Best for larger groups: CAMPINGMOON Stainless Steel Outdoor Camping Nesting Mess Kit
4. Pot Holders
You’d be surprised how many people forget to bring pot holders but they are must-have camping cooking equipment, too! You’ll need at least two, but we recommend a set of 4. Those extra two come in very handy for use as trivets also!
5. Cooking Utensils
Cooking utensils are another must that every camper needs. Don’t stir that pot with a stick! Try one of these terrific sets instead. Both of these sets come with camping cooking knives and other needed pieces like spoons and spatulas. They also come with a nice case and a handy cutting board:
QUDOS Silicone Utensils Camping Cooking Set
CONJGI Portable Camping Utensils Set
6. Can Opener / Bottle Opener / Corkscrew Multi-tool
There’s nothing worse than having a can or bottle at your campsite that you cannot get into. We’d much rather wine and dine than whine and dine! We recommend always supplementing your camping cooking utensils with a multi-tool like this great one by Flissa.
7. Tableware & Cutlery
This may not be camping cooking equipment exactly, but you still need to eat the food you cook. (Indeed, nobody eats chili with their hands!)
Best for individuals: UST PackWare Dish Set
Good for 2 to 4 people: KissAir Unique Tableware Complete Messware Kit for 4
Best for larger groups: See above—order more!
8. Bowls and Other Storage
Another important consideration is food storage. Undoubtedly, you should always have some zipper bags with you as well as some bowls. Here are some excellent ziplock bags that are also reusable. For bowls, we recommend this collapsible set by Vremi. They’re made of silicone, come with tight-fitting lids, and best of all, they are rectangular, which fits better into coolers. And speaking of coolers…
9. A Cooler
Although there are some camping meals you can enjoy without needing any refrigeration, it’s a rarity. And let’s face it—MRE meals are never going to be your most delicious option. Even individual backpackers can benefit from having a cooler with them (and yes, there are options for backpackers, too). Here are some excellent ones to consider:
Best for individuals: ICEMULE Classic Collapsible Backpack Cooler
Best for 2 to 4 people: Coleman 62-Qt. Portable Cooler with Wheels
Best for larger groups: The Igloo Sportsman 110 Qt. with Wheels
8 Great Additions to Your Camping Kitchen
So, now that we’ve touched upon all the items you absolutely must have, let’s get to the optional stuff. In addition to your essentials, there are numerous other pieces of camping cooking equipment and related items that you might want to consider.
First and foremost, if you are an individual backpacker, keeping things simple, light, and small is probably your highest priority. But if you camp with a group, having a camp kitchen decked-out with lots of convenient camping cooking equipment can make your camping experience an even better one. So, here are some of the very best non-essential items that have won a place in our camping hearts:
1. A Cast Iron Dutch Oven
In addition to your basic mess kit, a cast iron Dutch oven is a wonderful addition to your outdoor cooking equipment. There is so much more you can do with cast iron when you’re camping, like bake right on the campfire! It’s an item that many campers consider an essential part of their camping cooking equipment. We recommend this fantastic one from Lodge, which has a lid that is also a skillet.
2. A Campfire Grill
Some campsites come with grills, but many do not. (And sometimes the public ones we find are not in the greatest condition to cook on!) We like to have our own with us. Check out this fantastic one by Redcamp. Not only does this fold for easy, compact storage but it also has multiple-height legs!
3. A Coffee Pot
Some folks will argue that this piece of camping cooking equipment belongs on the essentials list. Can you make camp coffee without a coffee pot? Yes. Can you make good camp coffee without it? Nope! Frankly, we’re huge fans of fresh perked coffee when we’re camping. We think there’s no better way to make it, and we highly recommend the Coletti Bozeman 9-Cup Percolator Pot. (You’ll also find easy instructions on how to brew the best perked coffee in the world in our Camping Breakfast Ideas article here.) But if you’d prefer a drip version, Coleman makes a nice camping drip coffee maker that works with a camp stove.
4. A Water Container with Spigot
Having a portable water supply when you are camping is very useful when you are cooking. We especially like this sturdy, easy-to-carry one by Redcamp.
5. Dishwashing Accessories / Disposable Tableware & Cutlery
Can you wash your camp dishes? Of course. (This portable dish pan/rack will make it easier, and you’ll need a scrub sponge and a dish towel, too.) But do you really want to wash a lot of dishes? Of course not! Having some campfire-friendly, disposable plates, cups, and cutlery is also a smart idea. Perhaps the best kind of camping cooking equipment of all is the stuff you never have to clean! Here’s a terrific plate and cutlery set that you can burn in the fire after eating, or you can bury them too—they are compostable! And don’t forget the cups.
6. A Prep Table
Some campsites come with a picnic table that you can use to prepare meals, but that’s also your dining area. So, how many of us have played Picnic Table Jenga on one end of that picnic table with all our camping cooking equipment? We’re definitely guilty—and we know how awkward and inadequate that can be! Plus, it gets worse if you are camping somewhere that doesn’t even have a picnic table. But you can solve that issue by bringing along a portable prep table. You can’t go wrong with this nice table that rolls up for easy transport, and it even has a bin underneath to help you organize your kitchen stuff!
7. Transport Bins
When it comes to packing and unpacking all your camping cooking equipment, heavy-duty storage bins are your best friend. You can have your camp kitchen in a box, all ready to go whenever you are! These sturdy ones by Sterilite are perfect. They are clear so you can see what’s inside and they have wheels that make them a breeze to transport.
8. A Screen Tent
Are you wondering what a screen tent has to do with your camping cooking equipment? Because a screen tent protects it (and you!) from bugs as well as rain. We like to set up our picnic table, prep table, and our cook stove inside a screen tent whenever we’re camping. Here are a few excellent ones that are easy to set up and take down:
Stick a Fork in It—We’re Done!
Are you ready to assemble your perfect camp kitchen? You’ve got our list of must-haves and our most heartfelt recommendations, too. Now the rest is up to you. Functional, organized, and easy-to-pack camp kitchens make for happy campers and happy cooks, too. These wonderful pieces of camping cooking equipment aren’t just the best around—they’re also the best place to start!
