Camping Cookware - How To Look For The Best Set

Posted by Camp Trainer on Feb 12, 2009 in Recipes • 1 comment • 887 views

Prepackaged Trail King cooksets are a waste of money. Pot sizes are usually awkward and the frying pans are awful. Experienced campers usually assemble their own cookware, buying only items they need.

Pots: It can be made from aluminium, stainless steel or porcelain-lined steel. Choose low-sided broad pots rather than high narrow ones. A low center of gravity is important if you’re cooking on a less than rock-stable trail stove. For a crew of eight campers, you’ll need 3 nesting cups, the largest of which is 24 cups.

You’ll find better cookware at kitchen supply and discount stores than at camping shops, what works at home works afield, providing it has a tight-fitting cover and is sized to nest with the rest of your pots and pans. Wire bail handles are necessary only if you do all your cooking on an open fire. One long pot handle or 2 potruding metal “ears” per pot a re adequate if you have insulated pot holders, gloves, bandannas or pliers.

Engrave lines on the inside of the pot sides at two cup intervals and scratch the total capacity (eg. 16 cups) just below the rim. This will eliminate guesswork and the need for measuring cups at mealtime.

Skillets: The “camping” skillets I’ve seen are either too thin, too small or the handles are weak or awkward to use. I prefer to purchase a high-grade Teflon-lined skillet (10-12 inch diameter) and cut off the Bakelite handle with a hacksaw. Then I make a universal style, quickly removable handle from 0.187inch diameter spring wire. The mounting bracket on the skillet is made from hardware store aluminium flat stock. 2 brass bolts secure the bracket to the pan. You can order a spring wire handle kit like the one described from Chosen Valley Canoe Accessories. You get 2 handles, mounting brackets and hardware.

Store your cookset in a nylon bag.

Teakettle: A teakettle heats faster and is less tippy than a coffee pot and you can pour with one hand. An 8-cup kettle is about right for 4, a 20-cup model is better for groups of 8 and more. Teapots are ordinarily left on the fire as a major supply of boiling water, so consider an oversize (20 cup) kettle, even for small groups. A large teapot will speed heating of dishwater and save stove fuel.

On a long hike, you may want to stop for tea - so always pack your teakettle in a fabric bag at the top of your pack - so you can get it quickly.

Utensils: Experienced campers carry only an insulated plastic cup (it keeps things hotter and colder than metal cups), a metal spoon, and a sturdy plastic bowl. The individual belt knife or pocket knife performs all cutting chores. Forks - useful for vehicle camping - are a luxury. It’s best to have identical colored nesting bowls. Keep bowls in a fabric bag, stored inside your smallest cook pot. To prevent the spread of illness, each person should always use the same bowl.

You’ll need these cooking utensils:

Pancake turner (wood is best, plastic melts)
Rubber spatula for scraping uneaten food from pots and bowls
Aluminum pliers or “pot grabber”
Wooden stirring spoon
Small wire whip for reconstituting instant mixes
Salt, pepper and other spices (best stored in 35 mm plastic film canisters)
Small sheath knife or French folding picnic knife

Be sure your cup has a plastic snap-on lid that will keep coffee hot and heat seeking insects out. Make a leash for your lid: Drill a small hole through an edge of the mug lid and tie a piece of heavy fishing line through the hole. Tied the other end of the line to the mug handle and you will not lose it again.

Recommended Cookware / Stove:

Pocket Rocket Stove by MSR

Forget preheating, priming, or pressurizing - MSR’s Pocket Rocket Stove is compact, powerful, and maintenance free. Fitting snugly into the super light category, this butane stove weighs in at only 3 ounces and includes a durable, fitted carrying case to protect it when being knocked around in your pack.

DragonFly Stove

Compact, lightweight, and very strong, the MSR DragonFly Stove is the world’s first multi-fuel stove with an adjustable flame.

Titanium Cookset - 3 pc - $39.95

A modular cookset, which nests neatly with other Snow Peak products. Includes a large 26 oz and small 18 oz pot with lids and handles and a frying pan. Total stowed dimensions are 5.5″x2.25″. Easily stows a Snow Peak Gigapower stove or lantern and fuel canister.

Mountain Gear has a great selection of cookware available on their website. Use the coupon below to get $15 off (valid till 28 Feb) your purchase from them. I highly recommend SnowPeak and GSI Outdoor brands.