Outdoor activities can really work up an appetite, and whether you’re camping for the long-haul or hiking for a quick day-trip, you’ll need to pack cookware in order to make meals that are both hearty and sustaining (and hopefully tasty!). While the needs for your menu may change your cookware packing list, even low-fuss meals typically require some sort of utensil as well as a container such as a cup or mug.
With camping cookware, there are a ton of options to choose from. Whether it’s style, composition, or special features, the cookware you choose can be tailored to almost any needs.
Shop our extensive lineup of camping cookware at Outdoor Shopping.
Design
Obviously, camping cookware is not limited to a single ‘design’ per se, as there are many components that make up a well-rounded cookware stash. From pots and pans to cups and utensils, here are some guidelines to choosing the right cookware for your trip.
Materials
Different material compositions can make or break the ease of cooking certain types of food as well as the durability of your cookware itself. There are some pros and cons to each material, so here’s the rundown:
Material | Guideline | Pros | Cons |
Aluminum | A traditional favorite, this lightweight material will oxidize over time. |
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Hard-Anodized Aluminum | Similar to its basic counterpart, this version resists oxidation better |
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Stainless Steel | Harder and more durable than aluminum, stainless steel does sacrifice heat distribution qualities. |
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Titanium | The most lightweight option, titanium is both resilient and durable. |
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Cast Iron | This old-school cookware is durable and heavy. |
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Nonstick Coatings | Although heavier than uncoated aluminum, it is comparable to lightweight stainless steel, is durable, and has good heat distribution. |
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Plastic | Not for use over fire, plastics are good for utensils and storage. |
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Attributes for Pots
There are certain attributes to keep an eye out for that can make your cooking endeavours a bit easier, especially when it comes to pots. These pieces of cookware can take up a lot of space and can also consume a lot of weight in your pack, so ensuring that all of your pot features are designed with your comfort and needs in mind can ensure a more enjoyable trip.
Rounded Bottom Edges : The edges of most pots will typically be designed as rounded, but some come to an abrupt angle. You’ll want to opt for rounded bottom edges as it will make cleanup easier (and keep food buildup out of the seams) as well as allow flames to lick up and around the side of the pot much more easily.
Blackened Bottoms and Sides : Black surfaces absorb and distribute heat faster than non-blackened ones, so either choose pots with blackened bottoms and sides or simply paint the bottoms and sides with flat-black stove paint when you order.
Tight-Fitting Lid : Efficiency is increased with a closed pot, and a tight-fitting lid ensures that less heat escapes from the tiny openings around the lip.
Compactness : This is especially important for backpackers who need to ensure that the least amount of pack space is consumed. Many pots come with collapsible handles or grippers that are sold separately, and multiple pots can be nested within one another.
Lipped Top Rim : If you’re using a separate pot-gripper handle, make sure that your top rim has a lip so that the handle safely connects to the pot. Without a lipped rim, it will likely slip, and the pot will fall into the fire (or your lap!)
Size
Next, you’ll need to figure out what your needs are in relation to how many campers you’ll have with you to feed as well as what you’re willing to carry along (if you’re a backpacker), and what type of food you plan to prepare. All of these factors will help determine the appropriate sizes for pots, pans, and cups.
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the largest pot in your inventory should hold 1 pint per each backpacker in your party (or camper in your party). If you’re simply cooking dehydrated food for a small party of 2, then one pot should be sufficient. Large camping parties will want to consider nesting pots.
Weight
While casual, car, or family campers may not be as concerned with weight, backpackers and hikers will be. Titanium compositions will offer the lightest options available, so large backpacking parties may want to consider these for the lightest weight additions to your packs. When it comes to long but stationary camping trips, you can opt for the durable cast iron materials.
Shop our extensive lineup of camping cookware at Outdoor Shopping.
Dutch Oven or Camping Stove with Burner?
WIthout one of these options, the rest of your cookware set is practically useless - so choose wisely! A Dutch Oven is basically a metal pot that you can cook on an open fire. Shopping for a camping stove with burners, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated because there are various features to consider.
While you’ll still need to consider all of the design capabilities of pots when you’re purchasing a camping stove (because you can’t simply place food directly on the burner), you’ll also need to think about these additional features in respect to your camping stove specifically:
Ignition
The best option is a push-button or automatic ignition, as the name implies the simplicity required to start it. In the event of button malfunctions, you can typically use a match or other firestarter to ignite the burners.
If your camping stove has more than one burner, individual or separate controls must be offered. There should also be controls that will let you adjust or choose the flame you need for your cooking.
Fuel
Another big difference between using a Dutch Oven versus a camping stove is that you’ll also have to consider the addition of fuel to keep your stove running. Camping stoves use a variety of fuels. It could be white gas, isobutane, propane, or unleaded gas. White gas has been proven to provide the greatest heat, which is essential if you are camping during the winter. Propane-powered stoves, on the other hand, are said to be more user friendly because the fuel usually comes in bottles, which you only have to attach to your camping stove when you’ve run out of fuel.
Choose wisely, as backpackers and hikers with a prime for real estate in their packs may not have room for the addition of fuel sources.
Shop our extensive lineup of camping cookware at Outdoor Shopping.
Packing the Essentials
So what exactly do you need to take for your trip? In addition to your pots and pans, there are many other pieces to your camping cookware set that you’ll want to bring along. While everyone’s needs may differ, here’s a standard list to get you started:
Item | Guideline | Best for: |
Carrying Sack | Choose the ultra-light versions with a mesh side to allow wet items ample air for drying. |
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Condiments | Obviously, this is more of a luxury, but it can make your meals a little more enjoyable. Opt for carrying canisters over Ziploc bags, as those can tear and surely make your trip less enjoyable (garlic-scented socks, anyone?) |
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Utensils | While a spork is the most versatile, at least bring a spoon for the trip. |
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Scrubber Sponge | If your items aren’t non-stick, then you may want to bring a small scrubber to keep your cookware clean. |
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Insulated Mug with Lid | If you’re out in the winter, this is a must-have. Keeps hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold (at least for a little while). Leave lid at home if you’re short on space and not camping in the winter. |
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You don’t necessarily have to ‘rough it’ when camping! A French press is a great option for campers who need their caffeine fix. |
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Cutting Board | Certainly not an essential, a cutting board will give you a quicker and more hygienic means of chopping freshly hunted game or catch. |
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Canned foods keep well when camping, but you’ll not want to leave your can opener at home! |
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Another tip to keep in mind is that any piece of cookware that is multi-functional will make your backpacking or hiking trip much easier, as the less you have to carry with you, the less weight you’re lugging around on your back. There are many items like this to consider:
Pot Lids : Many camping pot lids can double as a frying pan or plate, and some are designed to fit on a variety of pot sizes so that you don’t have to carry a lid for every pot.
Detachable Pot Holders : Many of these can double as a spoon or fork.
Bottle Covers : Many water bottles come with covers that can be used as a drinking cup. You can also purchase space-saver cups that slip neatly onto the bottom of your water bottle.
