The Perfect Kit for Camp Cooking

A folding table isn’t essential for camping, but it does provide a handy spot to prep food and hold your two-burner—especially if a picnic table isn't handy. This one from Zempire has adjustable legs and drop-down panels so you can adjust the height and tabletop size depending on your needs. The sturdy aluminum frame, stainless-steel joints and a heat-resistant, laminated bamboo top help this table stand the test of time. For double the surface area, opt for the large version. 

This rugged food- and bevvy-hauler from YETI features impact- and puncture-resistant wheels designed to tackle rocky campsites, root-strewn picnic grounds and sandy beaches. Its 57-liter capacity holds a whopping 98 cans (without ice), or a couple days' worth of groceries for a small (but hungry) group. Those who want the same impressive thermal performance and telescoping pull handle in a compact package should consider the Roadie 48 or Roadie 32. 

A solid knife makes meal prep easier, and this one from OXO is a cut above the rest. Thanks to a sharp, lightweight blade, campers can count on it whether they're slicing steak or dicing veg. Its nonslip handle provides a reliable handhold, and the Japanese, stainless-steel blade resists corrosion. Once you're done, wipe it down and stow the business end in its sheath (included).  

Complete your camp kitchen with this cookware set from OXO. It comes with the essentials to prepare a delicious camp meal, including a stainless-steel saucepan and stockpot with lids, a pre-seasoned carbon-steel fry pan (with a removable handle for compact storage) and a silicone trivet to protect your picnic table. The saucepan is big enough to cook nearly two cups of rice, while the stockpot can hold about six to eight servings of chili and comes with a perforated lid for strain-ables like pasta. Plus, it nests together for ultimate packability.  

For folks who prefer a full-size chopping surface and plentiful space for ready-to-cook ingredients, a camp cutting board is worth the real estate. This one from OXO has non-slip edges and grooves to catch excess liquid. The tray also features a rim to keep loose veggies from rolling into the dirt during transport from table to pot. When you’re done with dinner, the two separate pieces nest together for storage. 

Canned beans, chili and tuna are a lot harder to enjoy without can opener, and it’s pretty hard to hack together a substitute. Store a dedicated one like this portable version from OXO with your camping gear, and never again resort to opening a tin with your steak knife. This compact option is just as functional as a full-size one, right down to the included bottle opener. An integrated magnet helps keep lids from falling on the ground once you’ve sliced them free.

Creating a gourmet meal outdoors doesn’t have to be complicated. Simplify suppertime with this cast-iron double broiler from Coghlan’s. Add veg and protein to the clamshell-style cooker, then clamp it shut before roasting over a fire. Its slotted design drains grease from campfire burgers, steaks, sausages and more. A wooden handle ensures that you only toast food, not your fingers, and the break-apart hinge makes cleanup a breeze.  

Sure, you could spend 45 minutes searching your campsite for a roasting stick that's sturdy and long enough to toast food from your camp chair. Or you could invest in a pair of skewers from Rolla Roaster. The stainless-steel, two-tined forks extend up to 42 inches without losing rigidity, so you can sit far enough away to prevent singed eyebrows while still achieving the desired level of marshmallow char.

If you prefer to cook over an open flame, consider this grill from Coghlan’s. You can use the steel grate at a campground fire pit or a DIY blaze (built to Leave No Trace standards, of course), and it's sturdy enough to load up with your favorite cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. When you’re done cooking, you can fold the legs flat beneath the 24-by-16-inch cooking surface. Worth noting: It’s not designed for direct contact with food like burgers, so pack foil if you plan to grill. 

Whether you’re cooking over a propane stove or an open flame, there’s nothing quite like cast iron for crafting a camp meal that tastes like it was made in an actual kitchen. Cast iron skillets are durable and can be used for everything from meat and potatoes to fireside cobbler. This one from Lodge is even pre-seasoned, meaning it's treated with a layer of oil so that it's nonstick right out of the box. At a little over 5 pounds, it's heavier than your average stainless-steel pan. But that density helps it retain heat for even cooking. 

Hang it from a tripod system or set it on a grill grate over the fire: Either way, this Dutch oven from Lodge is the perfect tool for cooking camp chili or tenderloin. Like the skillet, the pot is pre-seasoned and ready for your favorite roast or stew. It comes in three sizes—4, 6 and 8 quarts—but this 4-quart version holds plenty to feed two to four hungry campers. At 13 pounds, it’s a little heavy, but it’s compact enough (about the size of a large mixing bowl) to squeeze into a packed trunk.

With 10,000 BTU twin burners and an extra-wide cooking surface designed for multidish meals, this Zempire camp stove is mighty yet still exceptionally portable. Closed, this stove is only two inches thick, making it easy to stow at the bottom of your gear bin. Adjustable gas knobs on each burner provide campers the flexibility to simmer, stew or sear a couple entrées at once, and it can reach a boil relatively quickly for a camp stove (about 4.5 minutes per liter of water). Rear and side windshields block breezes from blowing out your flame, and spills are a cinch to clean thanks to the removable pot stand.  

Good news: You're no longer limited to beer and canned wine at camp. Instead, you can impress your campmates by whipping up an aperitif using this cocktail shaker from YETI. The puncture- and rust-resistant mixer is durable enough for knocking around a campground, and a leak-resistant top helps keep your cocktail (or mocktail) contained until it's time to pour. Double-wall insulation means your drink will come out ice-cold even on warm days. To keep your sips chilled, serve them in a YETI Rambler Stackable Lowball (sold separately).

Four plates, four bowls, two mixing bowls (a 5-quart size with a snapping lid and 10-cup size), and a colander comprise this go-anywhere kitchen set from Gerber, providing all the dinnerware you need to host a feast for a small group. The 11-part system nests together so the whole kit and caboodle takes up about the space of a gallon ice cream tub. Volumetric markings in the mixing bowls mean you can leave your measuring cups at home.  

Whether your meal plans include flipping pancakes, straining spaghetti or snatching a bratwurst out of the double broiler, this made-to-last utensil set from Sea to Summit provides the tools for the task. The quartet includes a serving spoon, slotted spoon, tongs and spatula, all with matte-finish handles for a sturdy grip. A magnetized silicone fastener keeps your utensils together and, importantly, helps prevent them from clanging on the drive to camp.  

There may not be a better looking, more durable and more compact flatware set for camping than this kit of sturdy aluminum silverware from Full Windsor. Thanks to magnets in the handles, you can snap them together before sliding them into the included storage pouch—no more loose utensils banging around in your camp kitchen box. The whole package is lightweight but tough enough to withstand many camping seasons. 

No camp kitchen would be complete without a kettle. After all, it’s an efficient way to boil water for everything from camp coffee to a hot toddy, and it frees up your pot for cooking morning oats on a second burner. This camp kettle from OXO is a favorite thanks to thoughtful features like a drip-free spout, snug lid and overhead silicone handle that stays cool to the touch and frees up stovetop space. The handle even collapses for easy storage, and the stainless steel keeps the entire package light.

Camp chefs deserve a seat around the campfire too, so make sure you have a comfy option like this one from Zempire for when it’s time to relax with friends. A padded headrest, woven fabric seat and smooth bamboo armrests provide a soft landing. An adjustable seat height, different recline levels and two back height options (high to create a headrest or low for lumbar support) provide enough personalization that even Goldilocks could get comfortable. A flat-fold design simplifies the stowing process, but storage is rarely needed with a chair that also goes with you to kids’ soccer games, trips to the beach and backyard lounge fests.  

Bland cuisine? Not at your campsite. Make sure of it by toting your favorite spices in these handy vessels from Humangear. Each set includes four containers (two small, one medium and one large), and sets are available in three sizes. The smallest set is perfect for spices and seasonings, while the largest works well for individual snacks or pre-measured ingredients like garnishes. Twist-on lids with silicone gaskets provide watertightness, ensuring your favorite sauces stay secure.

Whether you’re staying at a campground with water spigots galore or boondocking in a national forest, a water jug is never a bad idea. You can use it for all kinds of tasks like scrubbing your dishes, washing your hands or refilling your water bottles before a hike. This one from Reliance features a hideaway spigot for streamlined storage, and the structured container can be easier to carry from the car to the camp table than a flimsy water bag or cube. 

You cooked, so it's only fair that someone else handles the dishes. Make that person's job easier with this system from OXO. It transforms from a spacious storage box for cooking utensils to a wash-and-rinse basin complete with a drying rack, just about as close to your home kitchen sink as you can get in the woods. There’s even a utensil box to store forks and knives when not in use, so there's no wasted space. 

Pro tip for camp chefs: Keep all your loose gadgets in one place so you never leave home without one. There's a spot for everything in this nylon organizer from GSI Outdoors, which comes complete with 24 pieces of cookware, including a small cutting board, utility knife, spatula and whisk. It also includes two screw-top vessels for holding dry spices and two squeezable containers for liquids like oil and soy sauce. Tote it to your cook station, lay it out and get to work.