Contents
The weekend is approaching, and your camping gear is ready. But have you considered your cooking provisions? If you fancy yourself a campground gourmet, setting up your personal camp kitchen might just be one of the highlights of your trip.
The Basic Camping Kitchen Setup
Everything tastes better when you’re camping—that’s just a fact. Unless, of course, you char the pancakes over an overenthusiastic stove, or the milk curdles in a cut-rate cooler, or you impale yourself on some flimsy, dull excuse for knives, cutting your trip short (not to mention your precious fingers). So, take your camping cooking to the next level with reliable supplies for camp kitchens.
What you bring in your kitchen for camping will, of course, vary depending on what kind of trip you’re planning and your culinary preferences. While eating utensils are important, there are a few more items that you shouldn’t miss in your camping kitchen checklist.
Camping Stove
Any solid camping cooking requires a decent stove. It’s the essential piece of cooking gear designed to provide a convenient and reliable way to prepare meals while camping, hiking, or backpacking. These portable cooking devices come in various sizes and fuel types, including propane, butane, alcohol, or solid fuel tablets, catering to different needs and environments.
Compact and lightweight models are ideal for backpackers aiming to travel light, while larger, multi-burner stoves suit family or group camping. Many modern stoves offer features like wind protection, adjustable flame control, and even Piezo ignition for easy lighting. Whether boiling water, frying breakfast, or simmering a stew, a good camping stove ensures that warm, satisfying meals are always within reach, no matter how remote the location is.
BBQ Firepit
A stainless-steel BBQ firepit is a versatile and durable addition to any camping kitchen, offering the perfect combination of warmth, ambience, and outdoor cooking functionality. Built to withstand the elements, stainless steel firepit designs are rust-resistant and easy to clean, making them ideal for rugged outdoor environments.
These essentials for camp kitchens often feature a grill top or adjustable grate, allowing campers to cook everything from burgers to skewers over an open flame. Compact and often collapsible, they are designed for easy transport and storage. Beyond cooking, they double as a cosy campfire hub for gathering, storytelling, or simply enjoying the stars. All in all, having a stainless-steel BBQ firepit, can elevate your outdoor experience in both practicality and style.
Camp Oven
If you love camping and hearty, home-cooked meals, then a camp oven is a great starting point for all your cooking aspirations in the great outdoors.
Typically made from heavy-duty cast iron, this oven offers ample cooking capacity for baking, roasting, or slow-cooking dishes like stews, casseroles, biscuits, or even desserts. Its thick walls and tight-fitting lid ensure even heat distribution and excellent heat retention, whether placed directly in a campfire or used with charcoal briquettes. Many models come with a flanged lid to hold coals on top for all-around baking and a bail handle for easy lifting.
Additionally, camping ovens are nowadays available in a wide range of sizes. Durable and versatile, a 12-inch one is ideal for bringing a taste of home for the whole family or a large group of friends.
Potjie Pot
Another great piece of camp kitchen gear to consider is the potjie pot. Traditionally used in South African outdoor cooking, it is a cast iron pot with a round belly and three sturdy legs, making it perfect for camping over open fires. Designed for slow-cooking stews, soups, and layered meals, the Potjie allows flavours to develop deeply over time as it simmers gently.
Its heavy-duty cast iron construction ensures even heat distribution and excellent heat retention, ideal for long cooking sessions without burning food. The three-legged design keeps it stable on uneven ground, and its domed lid helps keep moisture in, making meals tender and flavourful. Having a Potjie pot in your camping cooking arsenal will add a rustic charm, especially if you enjoy communal, flavourful meals with minimal fuss.
Whistling Kettle
If hot beverages like coffee and tea are your favourite first thing in the morning, then a whistling kettle should be your go-to choice. It is a classic and practical addition to any camping gear setup, perfect for brewing hot drinks in the great outdoors. Made from durable materials like stainless steel or enamel-coated metal, these kettles are designed to withstand direct heat from a campfire or camping stove.
Their signature feature is the whistling spout, which lets you know when the water has reached a boil, which is highly convenient and energy-saving. With a sturdy handle and often a wide base for stability and faster heating, it is the ideal option for making tea, coffee, or even instant meals. Its nostalgic charm and simple functionality make it a comforting, essential item for mornings at the campsite.
