The best camping cooking gear is lightweight, well thought out, and packs down to a compact size for portability. GSI Outdoors leads the way in this category. Their Bugaboo Camper Cookset includes everything to feed 4 people. Pots, pans plates and mugs all nest together and can be stored easily.
Pack a canister with either gasoline, butane or alcohol (if you're camping at a place that uses them) or propane to fuel your stove. For lighting the stove you will need a cigarette lighter. You can also use a pot brush or sponge to keep your cookware clean.
A camping table can be an important piece of kitchen equipment when camping. It's especially useful if you don't own a picnic or car camp. A basic camping table is strong and portable to sit on. Premium models have additional surfaces and storage. Some camp tables come with windscreens, or arms that can be used to hang utensils.
Ultralight utensils and nesting kits are also great for camping cooking. MSR engineers created innovative ultralight cooking utensils that are backcountry friendly.
You can use aluminum or stainless steel cookware for camping because they are lightweight, hardy and durable. You can use it for grilling, sauteing, and roasting if your campsite has an open fire. Use ceramic or seasoned nonstick cookware for delicate dishes. These are resistant to heat and will withstand changes in temperature.
Spatulas are an important tool in the camp kitchen because they allow you to stir, scoop, and mush food with ease. Choose a silicone, nylon, plastic or plastic spatula for nonstick or cast iron pans.
The Coleman Classic Propane Stove has two burners and is an excellent camping stove. However, for a more versatile model, consider a model which can be used with different fuels. Some models are designed to fold so they can fit in a small backpack.
Other camping cooking equipment is essential to a well-equipped backcountry kitchen, such as a washing-up bowl and liquids, a couple of sponges, and tea towels. Keep these essentials with you to ensure your campsite stays clean and that you don't end up with dirty cookware if the weather changes.
Pack a dry-lite towel and a double-sided cloth for cleaning your pots and frying pans after you eat. Wilderness Wash makes it easy to sanitize all of your camp cooking tools.
Many overland campers choose a stove and burner system with more space that can be powered either by propane or by butane. These systems can be more compact and offer more heat compared to a standard backpacking system.