Do you want to have fun while camping outdoors with family and friends? Is your collection of camping items getting in your way? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, then this article is for you. We believe that having the time of your life at the campsite depends totally on your level of preparedness. And, preparation is only as good as the quality and reliability of the items you bring with you to the camp. We stand to be corrected on our claim that camping cookware tops the list of essential camping items you need to get everything right with your camping trip. It is for this reason that we dedicated our expertise to research the best camping cookware sets to relieve you of the burden of making your choice.
We bring you detailed camping cookware reviews from actual users who’ve had firsthand experiences with the various cooking accessories. Additionally, you also get information on how to make a buying decision, how to use and finally how to clean the camping cookware. Before we get to the details, here’s the list of the best cookware that we shall be reviewing in the subsequent sections of this article.
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Table of Contents
Best Overall Camping Cookware
1. GSI Bugaboo Base Camper Nesting Cook Set
Material: Aluminum with Teflon nonstick coating
Capacity: 3 L
Serves: 3 people
Weight: 2 lbs. 10 oz.
The Bugaboo base camper is a compact set of camping cookware from GSI Outdoors that is both affordable and fairly durable. It is made from an aluminum alloy with a Teflon nonstick coating yet it boasts of featherweight portability weighing only 2lbs 10oz. Each set comprises of a skillet, two pots, two nylon strainer lids, a chopping board, and a folding pot handle as well as a nesting sack.
The Bugaboo Base camper comes in 3 sizes, the small, medium and large version. Its medium version weighs 2lbs 10oz and boasts of a maximum capacity of 3 liters, which can comfortably serve 3-4 people.
Best Camping Cookware for Open Fire
2. Stanley Adventure Base Camp Cook Set
Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 3.5 L
Serves: 4 people
Weight: 4.75 lbs.
The Stanley Adventure Base camp is 19-piece cooking set for outdoor use. It is made of stainless steel with a scratch-resistant and rustproof coating, which gives it the ability to withstand the normal wear and tear of daily use. Furthermore, this cooking set comes with BPA-free plastics and its multi-layer base guarantees even distribution of heat.
If the reviews and opinions of firsthand users are anything to go by, then we can comfortably state with no fear of contradiction that the Stanley Adventure Base Camp comes highly recommended as a durable, stylish and easy to use Cookset. With its 3.5 liters capacity, this cooking set offers generous portions for up to four people.
Best Budget Camping Cookware
3. G4Free 4-Piece Camping Cookware Mess Kit
Material: Anodized aluminum
Capacity: 600ml
Weight: 1.5 lbs.
Serves: 1-2 persons
The G4Free camping cookware is a compact set of 4 cooking items for backpacking, camping, hiking and picnicking. The package comes with 2 pots, 2 frying pans, and a carrying mesh bag. The best part is that you get to save lots of space because the pans and pots cascade into each other leaving you with some more space to pack a stove in the stuff nest. The set is made from non-toxic anodized aluminum.
Best Camping Cookware for Family
4. Wealers Stainless Steel Plates and Bowls Camping Set
Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 12 plates and bowls of different sizes
Serves: at least 6 people
Weight: 2.6 lbs.
This is a set of bowls and plates for outdoor use. They are made of high-grade stainless steel that is both rustproof and scratch-resistant to make it both durable and safe for children and adults. The safety of these plates and bowls is guaranteed by the fact that they are lead, BPA and latex-free.
The Wealers stainless steel plates and bowls are easy to store and carry around since they come with a compact carry case. Furthermore, each set of bowls and plates are stackable. This way, you do not have to worry about compactness.
Best Camp Pot
5. Solo Stove Stainless Steel Camping Pot
Material: 304 stainless steel
Capacity: 1800 mL
Serves: 1 person
If you’re a camping fan who enjoys survivor-like adventures and backpacking activities, then the Solo Stove Pot 1800 comes highly recommended for you. It is a stainless-steel pot that features a foldable handle, a locking bail a rubber-coated lift tab and a pour spout for enhanced convenience. The best part is that you get to focus on your camping fun as you do not have to worry about usability or portability. This pot packs a maximum capacity of 1800ml and it is lightweight, weighing only 12.5oz and comes with a black nylon stuff sack and a drawstring.
Other Best Options
6. Wealers Stainless Steel Camping Cookware Set
Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 6.8 qt.
Serves: 6-8 people
This is a 4-pot set of outdoor camping cookware that is both affordable and durable. They are well-made stainless-steel cooking pots that can easily complement your existing outdoor cooking items thanks to its great compatibility. With its lightweight engineering in place, you’re guaranteed to enjoy your cooking escapades away from home like you never left.
You get to save a great deal of storage space since these cook pots easily stack into each other size-wise with the smaller ones cascading into the bigger ones after which they fit neatly into the travel tote bag.
7. GSI Bugaboo Camping Cookware Set
Material: Non-stick coated aluminum, polypropylene
Capacity: 1 qt.
Weight: 1 lbs. 0.7 oz.
Serves: 1-2 persons
The Bugaboo Mess kit is a minimalistic camping Cookset comprising a Frypan that also doubles as a lid, pot, a cup, and a bowl to provide you just about everything you need for an outdoor camping expedition. The pot and Frypan have a Teflon coating that provides exceptional non-stick performance, just what you need for an easy clean outdoor cook. Furthermore, the ease of use associated with the Bugaboo Mess kit is just exceptional. It comes with a detachable handle that helps increase the cooking convenience. If you’re a backpacker, you won’t have to worry a thing because the cookware is lightweight with the whole set weighing only 16.7 ounces and as if that is not enough, it comes with a neat mesh bag.
8. Winterial Camping Cookware and Pot Set
Material: Aluminum oxide
Capacity: 2 qt. pot, 1 qt. skillet
Weight: 1.5 lbs.
Serves: 1-2 persons
If you’re looking for multipurpose camping cookware that will serve your camping, backpacking, hiking and trekking needs, then look no further because the Winterial Camping cookware is more than perfect for you. For starters, it is lightweight. Weighing only 1.5 lbs., this cookware will take you wherever you want to go backpacking. It is also compact and it comes with a carrying case that fits all the 10 pieces that make up this set.
An even more interesting aspect of this cookware is the material from which it is built. It is made from aluminum oxide, which is known for its high resistance to both high temperatures and friction. On top of that is the Teflon non-stick coating for easy cleaning.
9. MalloMe 10-Piece Camping Cookware Mess Kit
Material: Anodized aluminum and stainless steel
Capacity: 2 L
Weight: 1.5 lbs.
Serves: 1 person
This is 10-piece camping cookware with a collapsible bundle design made from anodized aluminum. It is travel-friendly, something which is attributed to the small and lightweight design. Furthermore, this cooking set is also easy to clean and this is because it comes with a cleaning sponge. This gives you the excitement of cleaning up after use and better yet, store it away in the drawstring nylon travel bag that is included in the package.
Camping Cookware Buying Guide
- The Top 5 Things to Consider When Buying a Camping Cookware
- Camping Cookware Using Tips
- Camping Cookware Cleaning Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When it comes to camping cookware, getting it right with the buying decision can save you a mountain of troubles. It is a one-time decision if done well but can be a constant nerve-wracking back-and-forth if you make a slight mistake. Therefore, we are taking it seriously the way we convey the message of absolute caution for that buyer looking to make their first-ever or even subsequent, purchase of camping cookware. Just like any other purchase, prior knowledge of the item you intend to buy will give you an edge. In this section, we shall be sharing the factors that you need to put into consideration when buying camping cookware. The following factors should be taken into account:
The Top 5 Things to Consider When Buying a Camping Cookware
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Type of Cookware
Knowledge of the different types of camping cookware can give you an idea of where to start from in your search for a perfect option. For this guide, let us focus on three specific types of camping cookware. These include mess kits, group cooking sets, and individual cooking sets.
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Mess Kits:
These are the types of cookware that include all the dinning equipment in addition to pots and fry pans. In its simplest form, camping cookware will only include a simple pot and a pan but for a mess kit, additional extras such as spoons, mugs, plates, chop boards and other utensils are included although in compact and minimalistic designs. If you want to have a more elaborate kitchen experience in the outdoors, it would be nice for you to choose this type of cookware.
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Group Cooking Sets:
These are cookware that is meant for people who intend to go for camping in large groups. They are also referred to as base camp cookware. Unlike mess kits, base camp cookware tends to be much simpler in design since they often come as pots and pans without the addition of extra utensils. If you’re always in the company of several family and friends, then this is the best option for camping cookware. However, you will have to separately buy the other utensils like plates, mugs, spoons, and bowls. Base camp cookware has the advantage of providing a large capacity.
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Individual Cooking Sets:
As the name suggests, this type of cookware is meant for people who often go on solo camps. They are usually small and compact and can well double as backpacking cookware for their compact and highly portable design.
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Weight of the Cooking Set
This is a very important point of consideration for a person who’s on the market for camping cookware. Camping will definitely involve movement from time to time, and even if that is not the case, the initial and final transportation of items to and from the campsite need not be a stressful affair. To eliminate stress in transporting the cookware, it is important to select a set that is light enough to suit your preferences as well as the convenience of those who will be facilitating transportation. More often than not, the weight of the cookware is usually determined by the material. Stainless steel tends to be heavier than other materials but it can also be the lighter depending on the thickness of the alloy.
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The material Used to Make the Cooking Set
When we talk of cookware material, four main ones come to mind and they are; anodized aluminum, stainless steel, Teflon and silicone.
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Aluminum
Aluminum as well know it is a great heat conductor. As a matter of fact, it is the best when it comes to heat conduction and when used to make cookware, the results are usually astonishing. Cookware made from anodized aluminum is best known for even heat distribution. This means that the food will not get burned.
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Stainless steel
Stainless steel on the other hand, is a popular budget material used to make cookware. Manufacturers have devised ways to make stainless steel an excellent material for making cookware and so far, whatever they have been doing is working. Some of the best performing camping cookware is made of stainless steel and this is achieved by mixing the stainless steel with other materials to make alloys that are rustproof, scratch-resistant great heat distributing conductors.
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Silicon
Silicon is yet another popular material used in making camping cookware. It is often combined with other metal bases to improve their heat conduction abilities. One of the main reasons that silicone is becoming quite popular is its ability to compress. Furthermore, it is lightweight. This means that when it is mixed with heavy metal, it has the effect of reducing the overall weight of the cookware.
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Teflon
Teflon is another material used to make non-stick coatings for cookware. Non-stick cookware is preferred because it is easy to clean and it improves the overall cooking experience. The other material used for this type of coating is ceramic, which has recently become more popular than Teflon. The reason ceramic is becoming more popular than Teflon is because of health concerns.
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Cookware Capacity
This refers to the set’s cooking volume. It is important to check the set’s largest pot and establish its volume. This will be the overall cooking volume of the entire set. To get the most out of the set, also find out if the set comes with multiple pots and multiple fry pans. If the set has multiple pots, find out if they can work together simultaneously. This will help in determining the possibility of you cooking large portions at a time.
Some of the cookware sets come with multiple pots but they limit the ability to use them at the same time. For instance, the set could have two pots but only one lid. This means that you can only use one pot at a time unless you want to cook without the lid. Others have a pot and a pan buy the pan also serves as the lid. These are the factors that you need to put into account when focusing on capacity as a consideration.
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Availability of Accessories
The most important accessory for a cooking pot and frying pan is the gripper or handle. As much as it is an essential accessory, bear in mind that not all cookware sets come with a gripper. Make it your business to inspect the cook set and ascertain that it comes with a gripper to avoid going through the trouble of having to improvise. The other accessory is the portable camping stove. Some cooking sets come with a stove but most do not and therefore require you to buy one separately. You should not expect to find the stove included in the packaging of cookware. However, you can select one that can work with any stove out there instead of cookware that is only compatible with a specific stove.
It is worth noting that the availability of accessories could affect the price of the cookware. In this regard, ask yourself if you are willing to incur the extra cost of having the cook set come with the additional accessories. Accessories like utensils, mugs, and knives are things that you can buy separately or choose the type of cookware that comes with them.
Camping Cookware Using Tips
Once you have bought your preferred camping cookware and you finally have the opportunity to put it to the test, your most instinctive expectation would be an exciting outdoor meal. However, the extent to which this expectation will be met relies completely on how you use the cooking set. The following tips will help you to put your camping cookware into the best use ever.
The first instruction is to follow the instructions of the manufacturer on how to set up the cookware. Failing to follow these instructions could risk damaging the cooking set in one way or another.
It is recommended to use the right amount of heat when cooking with the newly acquired cooking set. More often than not, the pots/pans are designed to work best under specific heat settings and if you fail to adjust the heat to the required level, this may affect the performance of the cookware.
Only use the recommended utensils. For instance, non-stick cooking pots and fry pans have ceramic or Teflon coatings that can be scratched if you use a metallic spoon to stir your meals. Some cooking sets come with special spoons that you can use to stir your meals when cooking. Only use metallic spoons if the cooking pot you are using is made of scratch-resistant stainless steel. Even then, be careful not to irritate your friends because sometimes the screeching noise can be such a nuisance.
Check also: Genius Camping Cooking Tips You Must Try
Camping Cookware Cleaning Tips
The durability of your cookware can only go as far as the quality of care you give to it and this has to do with the way you clean it. The frequency and accuracy with which you clean your camping cookware will go a long way in determining the extent to which it will adequately serve your camping needs. The following tips will help you take good care of your cooking sets as well as portable camping grill
Use paper towels to wipe the pan or pot after every use. However, do not make the mistake of substituting this procedure with actual cleaning. The wiping is only meant to prevent food mixing in between cooks and minimize the use of water since it would understandably be in a limited supply at the campsite.
Once you are done with the cooking, conduct a thorough cleaning just like you do it in the kitchen. Use dishwashing soap and a scrubbing pad to clean and rinse the cooking pots and pans. Hang the items upside down on a raised object to allow all the excess water to drain. Ensure all the water is drained and the pots are completely dry before you store them away. Storing the items before they are properly dry can increase the risk of rusting.
When cleaning pots with non-stick surfaces, do not use a scrubbing pad because this will scratch off the coating thereby reducing the lifespan of the pot. One common mistake that people make when cleaning their camping cookware at home is washing in a dishwasher without confirming whether the cookware is dishwasher safe. It is always a good cleaning practice to check and find out whether it is dishwasher safe. Once you have cleaned and dried all the cooking items and you have ascertained that they are clean to your satisfaction, ensure that you store them away in a cool dry place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following are the most commonly asked questions about the camping cookware
- Question 1: What is the best material for camping cookware?
Answer: The specific needs of the user will determine the most appropriate type of material. The most important point to note is the type of camping you are going to undertake. If you are a backpacker, then it is better to go with lightweight material like anodized aluminum. If, on the other hand, you are a car camper, then you wouldn’t mind about weight in which case you can go with a heavy-duty material like cast iron or stainless steel. - Question 2: Should the price affect my buying decision?
Answer: This relies solely on your preference as far as quality is concerned. If you are more concerned with quality, then you are more likely going to overlook the price of the cookware. - Question 3: How do I clean my camping cookware?
Answer: The cleaning tips are pretty much the same. However, it is always recommended to follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions.
Wrap up
The selection process for camping cookware that you can rely on can be tedious if you do not know where to begin. For the most part, people make mistakes due to a lack of accurate information. Reading user reviews will put you a step ahead in your pursuit of a satisfactory choice of camping cookware. Also, you will still be on the right track if you make your selection from our list of the best camping cookware sets. This is because not only do they boast of a high market presence but also, they are backed by actual camping cookware reviews of people that have had firsthand experiences with them. If you have a slightly different taste that is not captured in the list, then you can make use of our buying guide. It will help you in knowing the things to consider when buying camping cookware.
One Response
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