Your camp kitchen needs a good mix of cooking utensils and tools. The specifics depend on your activities and how many people you’re feeding at camp. At a minimum, you’ll need a pot and a pan to boil water, reconstitute instant meals and cook rice or pasta. A frying pan lets you add bacon or eggs to the mix and a Dutch oven makes it possible to bake bread, roast chicken and make stew.
Your camping cookware material will affect its weight and durability, as well as how it responds to the heat of your stove and flame. Aluminum pots are affordable but tend to warp and dent easily, especially when used over open flames. They also conduct heat unevenly and can burn through fuel quickly. Anodized aluminum, which is available in most of the sets we tested, is harder and less reactive to acidic or alkaline foods, but it’s still a relatively lightweight option.
Stainless steel pots are exceptionally durable and work well for car or overland camping. They can be a little heavy and don’t transfer heat as evenly as aluminum, but they hold up to abuse better than any other camp cookware. The lids on most of the camping pots we reviewed have a section that doubles as a fry pan or strainer, which cuts down on splatter and keeps your hands a bit safer when using them over open flames.
For a more sophisticated backcountry kitchen, consider the MSR Fusion Ceramic Set. This thoughtfully designed cookware set combines lightweight aluminum with an exceptional nonstick, PFOA-free coating. It’s a premium choice for advanced camp cooking but requires a bit more mindfulness and motivation to care for properly.
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