Do you know what makes a camping trip perfect?
Good food.
You might have the right sleeping bag and the coziest tent but it doesn’t make sense if it was on an empty stomach.
You need to choose the right cookware too, and this is the guide to choosing the right, no fuss, no muss cookware for your camping trip to make it perfect.
The best camp cookware set is a mixture of modern technology and comfort. It’s made of light, strong materials which are easy to travel with. Here’s our guide to buying good camping cookware:
Should you buy a cook-set or should you buy individual pieces?
Camping cookware comes in a set, and you can also buy it piece by piece.
Here’s the difference:
Cooksets: This is a collection of all the cookware that you will need to make a proper meal together. A few cooksets also include extras such as cups, mugs, or plates that nest within pots.
Individual pieces: If you would rather build your own set the way you want it, pick up individual pieces as and when you want them. This option gives you build versatility into your cookware collection.
Here is the sort of cookware material that is available in the market:
Aluminum cookware sets:
This is the most popular kind of camping cookware in the market because it provides good quality at a low price. This is not to be confused with the old fashioned aluminum that is delicate and can add a metallic taste to your food.
When people talk about aluminum cookware sets, it’s the hard-anodized aluminum cookware that they are talking about. It generally comes with a nonstick coating, which is the main draw for some people. You can fry your sausages and flip your eggs–and there will be no extra scrubbing required when you want to wash the pan. That’s why it is so popular. It also resists scratches, abrasions, and it can last you really long.
Stainless steel cookware sets:
Stainless steel though not very popular now, was traditional a few years ago. However a few companies still make great steel camp cookware, and MSR is a prime example. It is one of the most reputable outdoor equipment manufacturers. Stainless steel cookware sets are extremely durable, they heat quickly, and these days, it is reasonably light, and is the best option if you want to cook serious heavy dinners. Many stainless steel sets, including those from MSR, also feature a clamp-style handle in place of fold-away aluminum ones.
Titanium cookware sets:
Titanium cookware sets are lightweight and easy to carry around. They’re also resistant to corrosion, and can heat up quickly and operates effectively. But they’re also more expensive. If you are looking for cookware for single travelers, then this is a great buy.
Also even though you won’t find a nonstick coating on titanium cookware, you won’t find yourself scrubbing so hard as you would on stainless steel.
Cast iron cookware
If you want to take along a cookware set that is ideal for heavy-duty cooking like broiling or even baking, then a cast iron cookware set is what you need. The only downside is that since it is really heavy, it is not ideal for backpacking.
Are nonstick coatings safe for cooking?
Nonstick coatings are safe, and though most metal cookware come with them, they are less durable than regular metal surfaces, and most can be scratched by metal utensils. Cookware that is coated with a nonstick coating of a food-grade polymer PTFE can emit toxic fumes if it is overheated and can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.
Plastic cookware
Plastic cookware is light, easy to clean, and really useful when you are serving food to a large number of backpackers, but one obvious downside is that you can’t cook in them. The plastic used in production of cookware is hard and very durable, as well as light. If you are picking individual cookware pieces, then plastic serving dishes are highly recommended.
Other cookware considerations you should think about:
Pot size: The largest pot in your cookset can hold approximately one pint per backpacker or camper in your pantry.
Number of pots: This depends on the size of cooking that you plan to do, and how many campers are there in your party.
Lids: Lids are helpful since they help reduce the overall cooking time and help reduce splatter. Some cooksets even feature a lid for every pot so you don’t have to buy them individually, and some of them also double up as plates, to reduce the extra clutter you need to carry along when you are backpacking.
Pot lifters: These are to make sure you are lifting pots and pans safely. Cookware sets generally include one gripper for all their pots.
Extras: Mugs for your morning coffee when you are watching the glorious sunrise through the mountains, and dinner towels might also be the need of the hour if you want a leisurely camping experience.
Camping Kitchen Gadgets
Here are a few kitchen gadgets that you can invest in if you want to have a few luxuries when you are traveling.
- French press for the times when you need good coffee
- Dutch oven for when you need to cook meats, stews and more
- Cooking iron for when you need yummy, hot sandwiches
- Extension forks for when you are roasting marshmallows or hot dogs
Conclusion: Picking the right cookware for your camping outings may seem like a tough call, but we hope this guide helps you make the right choice according to your camping needs.