Camping Panda
Cooking over the campfire is one of the best things in life, but standard pots and pans could be too cumbersome to fit in a backpack.Â
Whether you’re hiking or car camping, investing in quality camping cookware is a must for a successful outdoor cooking experience. If you’re not too sure about what to get, check out the best camping cookware in our rundown.
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Safety
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Washing
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Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Usability
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Lifespan
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Durability
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The Terra Hiker Camping Cookware kit is an excellent choice for all your outdoor adventures. It comes in two sizes, for 2 or 5 people. The two-person variant boasts a 6.7-inch frying pan and 6.5-inch pot. The kit also includes a kettle and accessories, such as cleaning sponge, bamboo spoon, bowl and ladle.
The pot, pan, and kettle are made of food-grade hard anodized aluminum; they are non-stick and lightweight. We also like that the set is stackable, occupying very little space in a backpack.Â
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The MalloMe cookware kit is similar in many ways to our top pick, but comes with a slightly smaller pan and pot. It’s still a suitable choice for two people, while occupying even less space in your camping backpack.
The kit comprises everything you need for seamless cooking. Its greatest highlight is the innovative spork – a spoon and fork hybrid you can use to scramble eggs or handle the food. Needless to say, the kit packs compactly and is easy to carry. Just great for a minimalist outdoor adventure.
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The Primus PrimeTech is the ultimate outdoor cooking solution for adventurers. It comprises a pan, saucepan, as well as integrated burner. Easy to use with gas tanks from the brand, it’s large enough for cooking for 3 people.
A heat exchanger brings true value; you’ll also get a lid with integrated strainer, as well as a convenient pair of tongs. The cooker also boasts a Piezo lighter and comes with insolated storage bag for easier transport.
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Those who like to travel ultra-light and don’t want to bother with cleaning lots of pans and pots might like the MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot. Made from stainless steel, it can serve all your cooking needs, from preparing breakfast to frying to making stews.
The pot impresses with a versatile hinged lid that seals it almost hermetically. Perhaps you won’t be able to carry soups without spilling, but can still use it as a food container for solids. When you’ve finished cooking, you can also store some gear or utensils in it. Overall, a great solution for short trips.
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When it’s just you and your better half exploring the wilderness, the Gear4U camping cookware kit could be just perfect. It is perfect for backpackers who like to travel light, including cookware, plates, and utensils.
The pans are made from anodized aluminum and boast non-stick coating. Like the Terra Hiker, they have convenient handles as well as a lid. Furthermore, the set also includes two bowls, two cups, and cleaning essentials. All at a price that won’t break the bank.
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Stanley proposes this camp cook set to adventurers who like to travel light and car campers alike. The pot has a capacity of 20 liquid ounces, and comes with two convenient cups of 10 ounces each.
It’s made from food-grade stainless steel, but it has a small capacity. Perhaps you won’t make mac-n-cheese in it, but it’s ideal for boiling water or brewing coffee. We also like the vented lid designed specifically for cooking on camp stoves or grills. Small but versatile, it is one of the best camping cookware for people on a tighter budget.
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If you like the nesting cookware sets but need more than a pot, then you’ll probably enjoy the Urbenfit Camping Cookware Set. Its greatest strength is the additional pot that allows you to cook more food at once – either over a camping grill or on a gas camp stove.Â
Two lids also bring value. Furthermore, you’ll also get three plastic bowls as well as an oven mitt for easier handling. The set comes with its own carrying pouch that makes storage a breeze.
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This camping cookware set by Sempiyi is designed with three campers in mind, but more suitable for a couple. In terms of size, it’s not that different than other backpacking sets. It comes with a pan and pot measuring around 6.5 inches each.
A kettle makes it easier to heat water for tea or coffee, while a soup ladle and three plastic bowls add even more convenience. The set comes with its own mesh pouch and is affordable. A great alternative to our options above.
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When you like to explore the wilderness, just you and your backpack, the Bisgear cooking kit could be your best choice. It can hold enough food for two people – it even comes with two bowls – but it’s a much better choice for a solo camper.
What makes it different is the complete set of cutlery that includes a soup spoon, a fork and knife, as well as a multifunctional spork. Designed for no-frills outdoor cooking, it also comes with a bottletop stove, all neatly nested into a carry bag. What else could you want?
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The Solo Stove Pot is undeniably one of your best choices when camping with a larger group of friends. It doesn’t come with accessories, but has a generous capacity and multifunctional features.
Made of stainless steel, it is desined to use with the Solo Stove camp stove. A removable bail also allows you to attach it to a tripod, and use over the campfire. The pot is also lightweight and easy to clean. A great choice for car camping or your RV kitchen.
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Whether it’s just you and your sweetheart, you and a bunch of friends, or your extended family, cooking is an essential activity even when camping. With a bountiful range of camping cookware sets on the market, though, picking the right could be overwhelming. To make it easy, check out the buying guide below, then find the best camping cookware set browsing our selection above.
The first thing to do when buying camping cookware is to consider your camping style and pick one of the options below:
Unless you want to end up with a broken pot or pan in the middle of cooking your breakfast, it is essential to buy quality cookware. You can typically choose from the following materials:
Materials aside, also consider the quality of the joints and the material of the handle.
One of the most challenging things when buying camping cookware is deciding what kind of pots and pans to focus on. Obviously, you should consider what you like to eat, but as a rule of thumb, you should focus on the following:
Decisions, decisions. Should you buy a camping cookware set? Could you save some cash if opting for single items? It really depends on what you have already.
We prefer camping cookware sets because most of them are stackable, thus very easy to transport. Some, such as the Gear4U kit, even come with serving accessories such as bowls, plates, sporks, and wooden spoon.
If you only need a pot or a pan, buying a single item makes more sense. For instance, getting a Solo Stove Pot is a much better option if you only need a pot for up to four people rather than a whole set.
Besides the above, here are a few other things to weigh in before making your choice:
Complete cookware kits, such as the Terra Hiker Camping Cookware, are the best choice for camping. You can pick from various pot sizes, to cater to smaller or larger groups, and the items in the kit are easy to nest for compact storage and transport. If you like backpacking more than car camping, kits with stove, such as the Primus PrimeTech Stove Set, bring even more value for money.
Yes. Enamel cookware is non-toxic and safe to use on a stove or over a campfire. This type of cookware is often made of cast iron coated with enamel – basically a type of ceramic coating – thus, it is heavier than non-stick cookware made of aluminum or stainless steel.Â
A camping kitchen consists of a portable cooking station with space to keep food, cookware, and utensils. Alternatively, you can set up a camping kitchen with a portable stove, campfire grill, and a set of portable camping cookware.
Cast iron cookware is ideal for slow cooking, and many campers have at least a dutch oven they take everywhere. The material is durable and resistant, can be used on a stove or over a campfire, and food cooked in it is delicious.
The main advantage of titanium cookware over stainless steel is that it can have very thin walls, boiling water faster. It is also lightweight and very durable. Stainless steel is more scratch-resistant and endures abuse. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of preference and budget, as titanium pots and pans tend to be more expensive than stainless steel.
