- Material choices: Lightweight steel, sturdy titanium, hard-anodised aluminium and cast iron are among your range of camping cookware choices.
- Even-heat stainless steel: A stainless steel, dishwasher-safe set is a good option.
- Foldable silicone options: A collapsible silicone and hard anodised aluminium series.
- Cast iron combo: A versatile cast-iron combination pot is ideal for searing and simmering, though heavy.
- Put the kettle on: Perfect to boil water for simple meals when travelling light.
- Nesting sets: A light, stackable, space-saving option.
- Accessories: Tools like a cutting board and spatula are also important
Most campers prefer to travel light. But when it comes to cookware, you don’t want to scrimp on the quality of the pots and pans that will be cooking your legendary campsite meals! Whether you’re cooking in a cosy campervan or firing up at the campsite, you need cookware that can do it all. And that’s exactly what we’ve found for you!
Material choices
Stainless steel: Most camping cookware sets come in stainless steel, which is the gold standard for durability. Stainless steel not only resists those scratches that can easily occur when you’re traipsing through the campsite, but it also deals well with the open flames of an outdoor fire, providing even heat for quick cooking in any situation.
Titanium: this ultra-light, super-strong material is the ultimate choice for ultralight backpackers. Though it’s light and strong, it can also cause hot spots in your dishes, making it unsuitable for prolonged simmering.
Hard-anodised aluminium: this lightweight material is ideal for heat distribution. Though it’s less rugged than steel, this form of aluminium often features a non-stick coating.
Cast iron: the best option for heat retention and searing. However, cast iron is also an extremely heavy option to bring along. Still, cast iron gives you that classic campfire flavour.
Foldable silicone options
For the space-pressed backpacker, today’s collapsible pot sets feature pots with food-grade silicone walls that fold flat, reducing the pots to just a few centimetres in height. The base might be a material like hard-anodised aluminium, an ultralight material that is brilliant for all kinds of camp cooking with no hot spots. If you’ll be spending some time out on long-distance trails and need to save space, foldable pots are the perfect option.
Even-heat stainless steel
For people who like pro-grade gear and kitchen quality, a straightforward, even-heat stainless steel camping pot set is your best bet. Stainless steel isn’t the absolute lightest material, but it’s not as heavy as cast iron, either.
3-ply stainless steel bases eliminate hot spots for an evenly cooked camp meal every time. When you’ve finished cooking on your gas stove or campfire, simply nest your stainless steel gear into a single compact unit, secured with a safe bungee or some string. And if your camper is a little more luxurious, stainless steel camping sets are usually dishwasher-safe, too!
Cast iron combo
Okay, so this material is not the lightest option. But for those chilly nights and on-again-off-again campfires, nothing beats the long-lasting heat retention of a heavy-duty cast-iron skillet. Whether you need a deep skillet or a camp oven, a cast-iron combination cooker is perfect for it all. Choosing an option with a reversible lid also lets you use the skilling as a frying pan or shallow griddle over hot coal campfires or your campervan’s cooker alike. So, if you like searing steaks or slow-cooking stews and you aren’t worried about carrying a pretty hefty pan in your pack, load the cast-iron pan into your campervan!
Put the kettle on
But what if you’re an ultra-minimalist trail hiker, subsisting off tea, coffee, and boil-in-the-bag style meals that you packed right down to the gram? In this case, you’re best off simply bringing along a lightweight kettle as your kitchen in the wild. The litre-sized versions of most ultra-sturdy titanium kettles weigh in at just over 100 g. And if you choose a kettle with internal measurement markings, you won’t need to bring along an extra measuring jug, either. Plus, camping kettles that have a lid with a hook as the handle to let you hang it off the pot rim and keep it out of the dirt. Some kettle designs even allow you to store a small fuel canister with the stove inside it, too. Bring a titanium kettle, and you’ll have the lightest luggage in the camp!
Nesting sets
Many nesting camping sets are made of materials like high-quality stainless steel, which makes them a little heavier than painted aluminium options, but much more sturdy against drops and cracks. Camping pot sets featuring a compact nesting design save you piles of space in your campervan or bag, with each pot fitting inside the others. So, it’s an excellent space-saving option! Bring a trivet along with your pot set too, in case your pot has gotten too hot from your butane stove or fire.
Accessories
To cover all bases when it comes to cooking, make sure you have a stock pot, a saucepan, and a frying pan in your set. But it’s not just pans you’ll need. Convenient prep tools like a space-saving cutting board and a spatula are also important. And why not invest in a multi-size lid that can fit all your pans, too?
Camping trips are the perfect time to slow down and unwind in nature around a delicious slow-cooked meal with family and friends. So, find your local holiday park here and get out there with the perfect pots and pans for the most delicious meals in the campsite!Â