Cooking in the great outdoors is both an adventure and a challenge. Eating in front of a campfire is one of the more nostalgic moments in the average camping trip. Leaving behind the microwave, the stove and the sink might seem like a challenge, but there are plenty of camping supplies and equipment items that can help you whip up just about any meal in no time.
Cooking Equipment
Unless you want cold sandwiches your whole trip, you'll need to actually cook some food. A dutch oven is one of the best tools for harnessing the heat of a fire and using it to create a delicious meal. A large, deep, cast-iron dish, a dutch oven can be used to prepare any number of dishes, from casseroles to lasagna to soups and stews. If you want more of a traditional cooking environment, pack along a portable stove. Most camping stoves are powered by propane, so don't forget the extra canisters if you want enough left to make breakfast in the morning. Cast iron skillets are great for cooking over the fire or a portable stove. Just about any pot will do for boiling water or making soup, but be sure to pack a metal platform to stand over the fire if you're not using a portable stove.
Food Storage
Keeping cold foods cold is essential to eliminating your risk for food-borne bacteria and illnesses, so buy a large enough cooler to hold all your perishable foods, plus all the ice you'll need to keep the food cold. Plastic containers with locking lids are great for storing leftovers or loose food you want to save for later.
Kitchen Accessories
You can opt for paper plates, utensils and glasses, but a little running water and soap will wash excess food off camping dishes with ease. Many camping dish sets are made to easily fit inside one another, meaning less packing space for you. Don't forget all the little things from the kitchen back home that come in handy, such as a can opener, cutting boards, cutting knives, a dish scrubber and even salt and pepper shakers. No camping trip is complete without roasting a few marshmallows, but unless you want bark and twigs all over your s'mores, pack along enough metal skewers for everyone to enjoy a fun dessert.
Member Comments