Camping may be about getting out of the house and taking in the great outdoors, but that doesn't mean you should go without every creature comfort. Camping equipment, including cooking equipment, is essential to having a fun time while you're out in the woods or enjoying a night under the stars. Make a checklist of the equipment you need and you'll avoid forgetting something essential.
Shelter and Sleeping Equipment
One of the most essential necessities of life is shelter, and that's no different when you're camping. Perhaps the most important decision you'll make when putting your equipment list together is where you'll sleep while you're camping. If you have a recreational vehicle, your problem is solved. If not, you'll need a tent big enough for you and anyone else coming with you. Don't forget sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and even a portable heater if it's going to get cold at night.
Cooking Equipment
No camping trip is complete without good food, and to prepare it, you'll need some basic equipment. Depending on whether you plan on cooking over the open fire or not, you'll need to decide what type of equipment you need. You can cook almost anything you could at home using a camp stove and pots and pans, just make sure to pack plenty of propane to keep the flames burning during your trip. If you're using the campfire for your cooking source, consider buying a metal stand to rest your pots and pans on over the flames. A dutch oven is another efficient option for cooking using the camp fire---it sits right in the fire and uses the heat and acts as your oven at home to cook up delicious meals. If you're going to be roasting marshmallows or hot dogs over the camp fire, pack a set of skewers so you don't have to get bark from sticks all over your food.
Basic Accessories
In this day and age, it's easy to forget some of the basic essentials like light and heat we take for granted every day. You'll notice if they're missing on your camping trip, so pack plenty of light sources---like flashlights, lanterns and matches for starting a fire. Unless you plan on eating with your fingers, pack plenty of utensils, whether metal or plastic, as well as plates, bowls and napkins or paper towels for cleaning up. Unless there are plenty of logs around your campsite, you'll want to pack a few folding chairs for sitting around the campfire when the night is winding down.
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