Camp Kitchen Equipment
Does cooking in the woods intimidate you or overwhelm you? Is it hard enough at home to get a good meal on the table with a full kitchen? If I could show you how to have a good camping trip with healthy meals and minimal work at the campsite, would that help you to get out and camp?
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My husband works in home repair and as a contractor. He has found that most jobs can be done with a few simple tools, however he has also found that having the right tool, and a specialized tool for the job can make the job so much faster and easier.
There are certain tools that are not necessarily “needed” but will be helpful as you camp over and over again. Some of those are just space saving tools that collapse and are so helpful in saving space, or a camp stove that is needed to make your meals.
All of these things can be gathered from extra equipment in your kitchen or the local goodwill store. It is not something that you need to spend a lot of money on. Below are some ideas and examples if you do want to spend a little more money to have equipment that saves time and space set aside just for camping.
If you are going to go camping more than one time, it is really helpful to have a plastic storage tub that you set aside for things for your camp kitchen. A plastic tub is best, but we started out with using copy paper boxes we got from my husband’s job when he used to teach. When you have a tub set aside for your camping kitchen equipment, you are not trying to find everything you need in your own kitchen before you go and it really helps to save time, especially if it is just a weekend trip. As you pack you are able to just grab the tub and know that mostly everything is there that you will need to make your meals.
Here are a list of things that are helpful for your camp kitchen and will be used to make the meals we have shared or will be sharing.
Measuring and Mixing:
-Bowl (this is so nice because it saves space and squishes flat)
-Measuring cups (these are great for space saving)
-Whisk
-Spoon or small ladle for spooning batter onto griddle, or soup
-Spaghetti server (I prefer stainless steel since it will be used with hot things, but use what you have)
-Colander for draining spaghetti (I like this one because it has a metal bottom which is better for hot things) or this strainer
-A sharp knife or kitchen scissors
-Vegetable peeler (I personally love swiss peelers. They work so much better for me and are safer for my children using them.)
-Oven mitt, pot holder
Seasonings:
-Coconut Oil - coconut oil is so great to have for cooking, sunburns, dry skin, etc.
-Any other seasonings that you need or use with your cooking. These are nice containers to put them in.
Pots and Pans, Camping Stove, Camping Grill:
-Coffee percolator or Hot water pot (this doubles as both).
-Pots and Pans, camping cookware set (can also use an old set from your kitchen or goodwill)
-Griddle for stove if using stove (we have a two burner griddle). This is what we have, although it is heavy! Here is a single burner option.
-Electric griddle (if there is electric at your campsite you can bring an extension cord and use this) This is probably better if you have a pop-up or camper, but can work if you are using a tent.
-Coleman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill LXE - this could be an alternative to the camp stove if you would like to grill. I love ours and we have these accessories so that we don’t also have to take our camp stove. Just make sure that if you are using it especially as a stove, that it is on level ground and somewhere that it will not be knocked over if children are near.
-Coleman RoadTrip Swaptop Porcelain Coated Cast Iron Griddle This makes your grill into a griddle. I love ours!
-Coleman Roadtrip Swaptop Stove Grate This makes your grill into a camp stove.
-Propane (You can find propane at home stores for much less.)
-Square pie iron (we prefer the cast iron) - We have found these much cheaper at Menards.
-Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Deep Camp Dutch Oven - We have the 8 quart, but there is also a 5quart and 10quart.
Everything Else:
-Plates, Cups, Utensils (Most of the time for our large family we use paper because it is simpler and saves so much time washing, although washing dishes in the camp is a good time to get your hands in some nice warm water and really clean.) 🙂
-Dishtowels - I like these flour sack towels because they are really light and dry quickly.
-Paper towels
-Any kind of rope for clothes line. This one is really nice!
-Trash bag and trash bag table holder We love this trash bag holder! A collapsible trash can is another good option.
-A pan to put the pancakes in to keep warm if not serving them immediately. Can use this for many other things as well.
-Tablecloth - You can get a picnic tablecloth for much less expensive at Walmart or Target.
-Clips to help the tablecloth stay on the table.
-Dish soap
-Wash basin and rinse basin In general they do not allow people to wash their dishes in the bathrooms or at the water spigots so you will need to wash your dishes at your campsite. Here is a larger collapsible one.
-Large container to store it all. (It is easiest to keep all of your camping kitchen equipment together so that when you are ready to go camping whether for a weekend or a week it is all there and ready to go, plus it helps to keep your camp kitchen organized.) I like this one because there is a rubber seal.
Let us know if we are missing some essential or non-essential camping equipment that you love to bring and makes your trips easier.
"I'd rather give my children a life of adventure than a house full of stuff."
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