Camping Cooking Supplies

Camping Cooking Supplies

Camping cooking supplies are a necessity when going out on a camping trip. If you are backpacking and require that everything be carried with you on your back, you will be looking for compact items that are lightweight and easily transportable. If you are tent camping close to your car, then you may not be so worried about these requirements. If you have a camper or RV, then you may not require camping cooking supplies at all as you may have a mini kitchen set up inside your camper that is ready to go. Here are a few ideas on camping cooking supplies based backpacking, but they can be altered slightly based on the different styles of camping you may be planning.

Backpacking Camping Cooking Supplies

As mentioned above, backpackers have to carry everything on their backs in a backpack. It is therefore necessary, that all supplies even camping cooking supplies are lightweight. Every item adds to the overall weight of the backpack. Most people would like to add in additional food to their backpack rather than use that weight up in a heavy cast iron frying pan for example.

Pots

Lightweight aluminum pots that are nesting may be the best bet. Look for nesting pots that are light when you hold them up. You will also require a clip-on handle and most nesting pot sets come with one.

Stove

An lightweight alcohol burning stove may be your ultimate solution. A lot of these camp stoves fold down and are quite compact. You will also require a fuel bottle as well. Make sure you purchase a safe bottle from a camping store for holding the fuel that you will be carrying with you in your backpack.

Cutlery

Cutlery for backpacking cooking supplies can be simply plastic cutlery you purchase from the dollar store. Be aware, however that if you buy the cheap stuff and only bring along a few pieces, they may brake in your backpack and then you will be left with nothing. If you want plastic cutlery, it is best to purchase a higher quality strong plastic cutlery set from a camping supply store. Alternatively, you can also purchase metal cutlery that clips together nicely and is extremely durable. The problem with this idea is that they are a little heavier and thus add to your backpack weight. The benefit is that they can have a dual purpose. You can use them in a boiling pot to stir your food. The plastic cutlery may melt and not withstand that type of heat or usage.

Knives

You should definitely bring along a knife. You will need it for preparing your food, cutting your food and also for other tasks around the campsite. A good quality folding pocket knife should do all these jobs efficiently. You can also get them in a pouch which attaches to your belt and this therefore will not add to your backpack weight.

Soap

Biodegradable soap for washing up dirty dishes is a must. Backpackers and campers do not want to harm the environments so purchasing a soap of the biodegradable type is most important. Be sure and pack your soap in a zippered plastic pouch. That way if it leaks accidentally, you will not get it all over everything else in your backpack.

Cloth/Scrub Brush

Pack a small cloth and/or small scrub brush along to aid in cleaning dirty dishes. You may want to use a scratchy foam pad instead as one side is a sponge and the other side is a rougher surface good for getting grime out of pots.

Washbasin

A washbasin is not totally necessary for backpacking. If you really must have one, then get a folding or collapsible lightweight type which is sold at camping supply stores. Better than doing this is to simply use your largest nesting pot to wash the dishes. After that, you can wash the pot itself.

Spices

Spices such as herbs and salt and pepper are something that you really should include in your camping cooking supplies. These things can really make a meal. You will be glad to have a small collection of spices along with you. Check online for local camping supply shops that sell compact containers for storing spices and salt and pepper.