Camping Cookware
Dining in the forest
Cooking cookware will include a camping stove, cookware and, of course, food. If you're going to be cooking, you're going to need gear and some planning. You may want to pick up some stuff sacks or dry bags to keep all of your gear in as well.
When choosing a camping stove, shop at a reputable outdoors store with knowledgeable staff. Important considerations include ease of setup, ease of lighting and ease of cleaning and you'll want a stove with at least two burners.
Fuel is the other factor. White gas is the cheapest and most widely available, and it burns relatively clean. Refillable fuel canisters are best to avoid waste. If you'll be camping at high altitude (over 10,000 feet/ 3048 m), make sure the stove will work, and buy a stove with a warranty that is returnable as well, just in case.
Camping cookware items to equip your backcountry kitchen include a pot with a matching skillet that doubles as a lid, a camp kettle for boiling water and a set of plates, mugs and utensils. The variety of accessories is endless: coffee mugs and wine cups; entire camp kitchens in a bag; pots, pans and skillets in all sizes; water bottles, bags, basins and filters; bear-resistant containers; even baking and Dutch ovens.
Unique camping cooking gadgets are designed to be small and lightweight. Items you can pick up include heat resistant spatulas, mini peppermills, unbreakable saltshakers, cutting mats, pot scrapers, graters and whisks, biodegradable dishwashing soap, foldable cups, can openers, egg and butter carriers, even spice wheels.
Camping food choices are plenty. Some people prefer to plan recipes and buy, measure and package the ingredients to take with them, preparing delicious meals at camp. Others prefer to buy dehydrated food packages designed for campers. Most people fall somewhere in between, buying packaged snacks, soups and pastas combined with some ingredients for meals, and perhaps taking some dried camping food along as well. Camping foods have come a long way, and today you can buy breads, scrambled eggs, hash browns, pancakes, hot cereals, trail mixes, meatless entrees, international dishes, seafood, dried vegetables and even no-bake desserts and individual condiment portion packs.
