Planning your next camping trip and need the perfect cookware? Here are just a few of the things to consider before piling the kids into the car.
Our Guide
We know that finding the right cookware can be a real challenge, especially when you're trying to pack light. That's why we've put together this guide to the five best camping cookware options on the market today.
Whether you're looking for a lightweight option that is easy to transport, or something that can handle any cooking challenge you throw at it, we have the perfect solution for you. So what are you waiting for? Start browsing our selection now!
How We Choose
You want to go camping, but you're not sure what cookware to bring. It can be hard to know what cookware set is best for your needs. There are so many options out there!
After reading thousands of reviews, I have found the best camping cookware for use over an open fire and all around camp use. My picks are based on durability, performance, and price.
Odoland Camping Cookware
Why We Like It
Looking for a versatile and easy-to-use cookware set for your next camping trip? Look no further than Odoland Camping Cookware. This affordable set includes everything you need to boil water, heat up soup or any other meal. The cook set is designed to be lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry in a backpack.
Plus, it balances nicely on a gas attachment for easy cooking. Whether you're an experienced camper or just starting out, this cookware set is a great choice for your next adventure. So don't wait any longer, order your Odoland Camping Cookware today!
What You Should Know
This set includes two aluminum pots, a mini-stove that runs on Coleman Butane/Propane Mix Liquid Fuel canisters, a knife, fork, and spoon, a 16-ounce cup with a silicone cup protector, and two carry bags.
It's perfect for 1-2 people and has everything you need to make delicious meals while you're out in the great outdoors.
Plus, the compact size and lightweight materials make it easy to pack up and take with you wherever you go.
Overmont 14pc Camping Cookware Mess Kit
Why We Like It
If you're looking for a comprehensive and easy-to-use cookware set, the Overmont 14pc Camping Cookware Mess Kit is perfect for you. This top-quality set includes all the essentials for cooking and eating on a camping trip, from pots and pans to bowls, and utensils.
Everything nests together for compact storage, and the set is lightweight and easy to carry. Plus, the cookware is made of durable materials that are easy to clean - perfect for busy campers who don't have time to waste. With everything you need in one handy set, the Overmont Camping Cookware Mess Kit is a must-have for your next adventure.
What You Should Know
When it comes to best camping cookware, this set has everything you need. The cooking pot, frying pan and small kettle are all made of anodized aluminum. The set also includes 3 plastic bowls, a spatula and one soup spoon. This makes the cookware not only lightweight but also durable.
The frying pan can be used for frying up eggs or bacon while the small kettle is perfect coffee or tea. The net bag is great for storage and the D-ring helps to keep everything organized. Whether you're camping with 1-3 people, this best camping cookware set has everything you need to make meal time a breeze.
Gutsdoor Camping Cookware Set
Why We Like It
Looking for a versatile and easy-to-use cookware set for your next camping trip? Look no further than the Gutsdoor Camping Cookware Set!
This set comes with everything you need to cook for 1-3 people, including nesting pots, bowls, and utensils. The non-stick surface makes them easy to clean, and the folding handles allow everything to nest together in a compact way.
Plus, they come with a handy storage bag so you can keep everything organized. Whether you're cooking up a storm at the campsite or just heating up some hot chocolate by the fire, this cookware set is a must-have.
What You Should Know
When it comes to camping, one of the most important things to bring is a good cookware set. This set weighs 1.6 pounds and includes a large pot, frying pan, small kettle for coffee or tea, 3 plastic bowls, 1 soup spoon, 1 spatula and a mesh carry bag.
The cookware is made of anodized aluminum and has thermally insulated plastic handles. This ensures that it can withstand high temperatures and will not rust or warp over time. Additionally, the compact design makes it easy to store in a backpack or car. Whether you're cooking for one or ten, this set is the best camping cookware for your next adventure.
TWOZOZO Portable Backpacking Stove Kit
Why We Like It
Are you an avid outdoors person? Do you love to hike, camp, and explore the world around you? If so, then you know how important it is to have the right gear with you on your adventures. That's why we selected this backpacking cookware set.
This exceptional piece of equipment is perfect for boiling water for a meal or making a small cup of coffee in the morning. The compact and lightweight design make it easy to pack up and take with you wherever you go. Plus, the two little pots fit perfectly inside the burner, making this an essential piece of gear for any outdoor enthusiast.
What You Should Know
This cook set weighs only 15 ounces and includes two pots (one large and one small pot), and camp stove making it the best backpacking cookware set reviewed. The stove has a piezoelectric ignition system for added convenience and practicality.
Plus, the pots are made of aluminum with a non-stick coating. The set even comes with a mesh carry bag. Best of all, it's compatible with any 7/16 threaded single butane/butane-propane fuel mix tank (EN 417).
Wealers Camping Cookware Set
Why We Like It
Wealers Camping Cookware Set is perfect for the car camper who wants durable, reliable pots and pans. These durable stainless steel beauties are built to last, and will make your camping trips that much more enjoyable. With a cookware set like this, cooking outdoors will be a breeze - so go ahead and enjoy your next adventure!
What You Should Know
Camping is one of the best ways to get back to nature and enjoy the outdoors. However, in order to have a truly enjoyable experience, you need to have the best camping cookware.
This set from Wealers is perfect for any camper, weighing in at only 6 pounds. It includes a large pot, a medium pot, a large frying pan, and a medium skillet, all made of heavy duty stainless steel.
The best part is that everything in this cookware set nests together for carrying, so you don't have to worry about losing any pieces. Plus, the included tote bag makes it easy to transport. Whether you're an experienced camper or just getting started, this is the perfect cookware set for your next trip.
Buyers Guide
Types of cookware
The cooking tools that we use campfire cooking are surprisingly varied. There's something really primal and pure about cooking over a fire. It reminds me of camping with my parents as a kid. Perhaps it's a reminder of some great times spent with friends throughout the years.
Mastering open-fire cuisine takes time and skill, so having the appropriate gear for your camp kitchen can help ease the process. Things to consider when looking for the best camping cookware for open fires include:
Handles
Unreliable handles on pots can be harmful to cooking equipment as they have many different styles and designs. Almost all cooking sets feature foldable handles. They’re good for packing flexibility, so make sure they lock securely in place after extension.
Some cooking sets have no handles on the pots and have a gripper instead. It is available a cooking set that has hooks on the lid to keep the lid closed.
This is perfect for camp fire cooking. Also consider choosing handles which are thermal resistant to preventing the hand from scratching the pan.
Cast iron cookware
Some campers choose to cook on their own fire rather than on gas. While most ordinary cookware can handle this nicely, cast iron cookware excels for the use of camping fires. It is heavy and needs treatment, and requires a new set of culinary knowledge.
However, cast iron cookware provides a wonderful means of creating excellent camping food for the family. Bacon cooked in a cast iron skillet first thing in the morning is really special.
Kettles
A kettle will help make cooking a lot of camp cooking easier. This closure means the water is boiled quicker in them than the water is stored in an air tank and the temperature stays higher. The use of the kettle instead of the second pot may not be practical. Nonetheless, it varies from individual preference.
Mess kit sets
Mess kits have different meanings depending on the camper. For me the mess box is everything required for cooking and eating meals while camping. Everything should fit into an easy to find package. Generally though some camping waste kits are confined to eating food rather than cooking.
Pot gripper
Pots and pan sets that do not contain integrated handles will contain pot holders. Generally speaking the pot gripper is universal to all pots. Some only fit in a cookware for which a cookware set was made for it. It must have the strength necessary for lifting the full pots.
Cups
Cups which nest within a cooker are another attractive option for packing capacity. Most of those materials are also plastics that do not withstand heat well. Make use of plastic mugs with insulation sleeves or choose a separately made camping cup.
Cook sets
Camping cooking is often based on a mainly cooking pot. Typical a cookware set will includes a few cups both covered, as well as frying pans. The fryer can sometimes double the lids on both pans, as well as the whole set of nesting pieces.
Individual items
Some people gather individual items for camping kitchenware. These are typically very specific objects, such as pans for griddles, kettles, and sieves. If we are careful we combine them. However, this is not always required if we are camping with a car or RV.
Cutting board
Sometimes the cookware for camping contains chopping boards. It can help prepare delicious meals for backpacker trips. When traveling camping you're better off grabbing an individual cutboard which has a bigger cut area.
Pot and lid
All the best camping cookware sets have a cooking pot. It should be at least 1 quart in capacity but should be sized for the number of people your are serving. Most cook sets include a separate smaller pan that nests inside of the larger one. Pots should have lids.
Cutlery and utensils
Often the cooking set includes utensils – at least a spatula and an enormous spoon. They should also have eating utensils (knife, fork and spoon).
Plates and bowls
Cook sets that can be packed usually have bowls or plates. They nests well and are better for eating than straight out of the pot.
Cooking Guide
There are many different types of cookware that may be used over an open fire these days. What sort of cookware performs the best and is the simplest to clean? When it comes to choosing the finest cookware for open fire cooking, what else should you consider? Let's discuss all of these issues below.
What Material is Used
The most popular materials for cookware used over an open fire are cast iron, stainless steel, and aluminum. Let's look at each one in more detail to see what benefits it provides.
Cast Iron
Nothing beats traditional cast iron cookware when it comes to campfire cooking. Because it works and performs well, people continue to prefer a cast iron pot or cast iron skillet for cooking. Your family may well use your camping cast iron cookware in the future, just like your descendants will use this cast iron cookware.
A cast iron pot has excellent thermal properties with even heat distribution, which is why it's so popular. It is dense and heavy - retaining heat for a long period of time.
Cast iron Dutch ovens with a Dutch oven lid are the perfect tool for slow cooking over the coals of your fire while a cast iron skillet can't be beat for scrambled eggs.
Seasoning is needed to make cast iron cookware easily cleanable. Seasoning is a procedure of oil and fat filling up the cast iron pan pores, resulting in a smooth, easy-to-clean surface.
If you remove the seasoning, extra cooking with oils and fats will take its place. The only significant drawback to cast iron cookware is that it is heavy - a cast iron pan is not for the backpacker traveling very far.
Stainless Steel
Durable stainless steel is a wonderful choice for lightweight cookware - wears better than aluminum but lighter than cast iron. Stainless steel has good thermal qualities for cooking and is just as dense as cast iron.
Stainless steel is very resilient and will stand up well to campfire cooking . You will see staining from use over an open fire but there are no coatings to scratch or create fumes.
When it comes to cleaning stainless steel, it's more difficult than with other materials. You don't have the advantage of a seasoning or another layer to keep things from adhering to it. It's my least favorite aspect about cooking with any stainless steel pots and pans at home. I enjoy boiling water in them, but that's about it.
Aluminum
Hard anodized aluminum is a good choice camping cookware. You do need to take care not to scratch these pieces as the coating can come off. Aluminum cookware can be purchased in Teflon coated cookware sets but be careful using cookware that has Teflon and other non-stick coatings.
Aluminum is less dense than cast iron or stainless steel. It scratches easier than either of those materials, and it is also more scratchable. It warms up and cools down faster than either of those materials. It's also considerably lighter in weight than both of them. If you're concerned about the weight while backpacking, aluminum cookware is a wonderful choice.
What do you want to cook?
Dutch ovens make a good stew or baking dish. It is advisable to use skillets to make steak and burgers. Sticks can help with hot dogs. Think about the food items that you can cook during a trip to the camp when you pick a cookware item.
Weight
When you camp in your RV the amount of cookware does not seem so great to you. In this case you can buy a cast iron cookware set. For people who are traveling long distances or want their cooking ware in a backpack you should consider another material. A cast iron pot is the heaviest followed by stainless steel and aluminum. Titanium is light and easy to cook on a campsite.
Cost
No one is free and in most cases it's the same as paying. Cheaper kitchenware is usually coated to prevent rust. The abrasions can be manufactured from lower quality materials causing rapid corrosion and oxidation of the material.
Inexpensive stainless steel can corrode easily when exposed to high temperatures. It costs more to make it titanium, and it is heavy, strong, and durable. It will save your time to buy good quality cookware.
Non-stick coatings
Many non-stick pans use Teflon or BPAs. They are toxic. Teflon coated cookware easily scratches from the pans, making the coating non-stickier. Usually we do not use nonstick frying pans anymore, even in our homes. Some high end nonstick pans from companies including ScanPan are not very long lasting.
Anodized aluminum is not coated with Teflon or BPA and does not contain any adhesive. Ceramic nonstick products are more durable and more price sensitive.
Cast iron seasoning
Seasoning means filling the pores with carbonated oil to coat cast metals with a high quality. It prevents the cast iron pot from rusting. The surface provides a nice nonstick cooktop as well.
The longer the cooking of cast iron with oil and grease, the more seasoning you get. Occasionally cast iron cooking equipment is seasoned with salt, and sometimes more is needed. After a little seasoning, cast iron pans can be easily cleaned.
Best Camping Cookware FAQs
You want to go camping, but you're not sure what cookware you need. Camping can be a lot of fun, but it's important to have the right gear so that you can make your time in the great outdoors as enjoyable as possible.
We've done the hard work for you and created a guide to the most frequently asked questions about the best cookware for for backpacking or car camping.
What kind of cookware can you use on an open fire?
There are a few different choices when looking for a camping cook set that you can use on an open fire. One option is to use a cast iron skillet. Cast iron skillets are durable and can withstand high temperatures, making them ideal for cooking over an open flame.
Dutch ovens are another option to use. Dutch ovens are also designed for high-temperature cooking and can be used on both a stovetop and an open fire. Finally, you could also use a metal pot or steel pan. These pots and pans will conduct heat well, making them another good option for cooking over an open fire.
Can you put stainless steel on open fire?
Yes, you can use stainless steel cookware for open fire cooking. However, you need to be aware of a few things. First, stainless steel has a relatively low melting point compared to other metals, so it can be susceptible to warping if exposed to high heat for too long.
Second, stainless steel emits harmful fumes when heated, so it's important to keep the area well-ventilated. Finally, depending on the alloy of stainless steel being used, it may or may not be compatible with high temperatures. So it's always best to consult with the manufacturer before exposing stainless steel to open flames.
What can you cook on an open fire camping?
You can cook anything you would cook on a stove top. The best things to cook over an open fire are foods that have a long cooking time, such as stews, roasts, or whole chickens. You can also cook pancakes, eggs, and other simple dishes on a griddle over the fire.
If you're using a campfire to cook your food, make sure to use plenty of coals and keep the fire low so that your food doesn't burn. You'll also need a pot or Dutch oven to put your food in, and make sure it's heavy so it won't tip over easily.
What do you need to cook on an open fire?
You can cook on an open fire with a variety of different things - from pots and pans to sticks and stones. It just depends on what camp cookware you have available and what you're comfortable using.
One option is to use a metal pot or pan. Place your food in the pot or pan, then place it on the fire. If you have a grill grate, you can place the pot or pan on the grate to cook it evenly. Another option is to use a stick or stone. Find a stick that's long enough to hold your food above the flames, then balance the food on top of the stick. You can also use stones as cooking surfaces. Find a flat stone, then place your food on top of the stone. The heat from the fire will cook the food.
Can you use non stick pans over a fire?
You can use a nonstick pan over a fire, but you need to be careful. Nonstick pans are coated with a chemical that can release toxins when it is heated to high temperatures. If you are using a nonstick pan for open fire cooking, make sure to use it on low or moderate heat. Also, be sure to keep the pan well-greased so that the food doesn't stick to the pan and cause the coating to break down. A better options would be cast iron or stainless steel cookware.
Can you use cast iron on an open fire?
Yes, you can use cast iron cookware for campfire cooking. In fact, it's the best material to use for open fire cooking. Cast iron is durable and will last for many years if you take care of it properly.
The key to using cast iron on an open fire is to make sure the pan is hot before you start cooking. If the pan is too cold, the food will stick and it will be difficult to flip the food over. Try heating up the pan for a few minutes before adding oil or food to it. This will help prevent the food from sticking and make cooking easier.
Is cast iron better for camping?
While aluminum cookware is lighter and less expensive, cast iron cookware has several advantages for open fire cooking. Perhaps the most important is that it holds heat better, making it ideal for tasks like frying eggs or baking potatoes.
Cast iron is also more durable than aluminum, so it's less likely to be dented or damaged if you drop it. And since you have already seasoned it (coated with a layer of oil that prevents rust), it's ready to use right out of the box.
If you're planning to do a lot of open fire cooking on your camping trip, cast iron is definitely the way to go. It's a little heavier and pricier than other options, but its superior heat retention and durability make it worth the investment.
What should you not cook in cast iron?
While a cast iron pan is one of the most versatile and durable cookware options out there, there are still a few things that you should avoid cooking in it. One of the main things to avoid is cooking acidic foods like tomato sauce or vinegar-based marinades, as they can react with the metal and cause off-flavors in your food.
Additionally, it's best to avoid using high heat when cooking with cast iron, as this can damage the skillet and cause it to rust over time. Finally, while you can cook just about anything in cast iron, it's worth noting that oil-based recipes tend to work best given the nature of the material. With these guidelines in mind, feel free to get creative and experiment with different recipes in your cast iron skillet.
What type of pan is best for camping?
There are a few different types of pans that work well for camping. A cast iron skillet is a good option because it can be used for open fire cooking or at home on a stovetop. Another option is a lightweight pan made from anodized aluminum, which is durable and easy to clean. Whatever type of pan you choose, make sure it is sturdy and has a tight-fitting lid so that you can cook meals while camping.
How do you cook over a backpacking fire?
There are a few different ways to approach open fire cooking, depending on what you're trying to make. If you're just looking to boil water for coffee or tea, the simplest method is to use a pot or pan directly on the flames. Just make sure that your pot or pan is big enough to hold whatever amount of water you're trying to boil, and be careful not to let it get too hot and start burning.
If you're wanting to cook something more substantial, like eggs or pancakes, you'll need to build a makeshift grill out of rocks or wood. Place the rocks or wood in the shape of a square or rectangle, and then build your fire on top of that. Once the flames have died down and the wood is charred, you can place your pan on top of the grill and cook your food. Just be sure to keep an eye on it so that it doesn't burn.
With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy delicious meals while camping. Just remember to bring the right cookware and supplies with you, and be sure to follow safety guidelines when cooking over an open fire.
Happy camping!
Best Camping Cookware for You
So, if you are car camping or backpacking and looking for the best camping cookware to take with you on your next outdoor adventure for open fire cooking, look no further. Cast iron, stainless steel or anodized aluminum - there are good options to choose from. We’ve compiled a list of the top-rated products that have received high marks from verified customers on Amazon.
