Cook Like a Pro in Great Outdoors

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The days of having a single pan over the fireplace are over.

Instead, we have complete cookware sets such as these that provide us with the familiarity of cooking at home, while also offering the flavor and simplicity of cooking outdoors during a camping trip.

We’ve gone over the most durable and easy-to-clean camping cookware sets on the market, and this is what we came up with.

5 Best Camping Cookware Sets

1. Winterial Camping Cookware

Camping can be fun, but without the right cooking gear, it can be difficult. With this camping cookware set, you get everything you need to cook a delicious meal without having to bring your whole kitchen with you.

The Winterial Cookware Set is both practical and effective, making it an absolute essential when you’re out in the woods. This set provides all of your camping kitchen essentials in one well-ordered package.

This is an 11-piece set, weighing in at a mere 1.5 lbs. The pot and frying pan, along with nine other pieces, are stored within each other before being tucked into a small carry pouch.

The teapot is ideal for those chilly winter sunrises and sunsets. Boil water rapidly in the large pot, and cook a delicious and nutritious meal with the frying pan.

Included are a 2 Qt. Large Pot and Lid, a 1 Qt. Frying Pan, a 1 Qt. Tea Kettle, a Serving Ladle, a Personal Bowl, a Serving Spoon or Spatula, a Cleaning Sponge, and a Carry Bag. The lightweight aluminum oxide pieces all feature a Teflon coating.

These items will hold up to the rigors of the toughest chef. High conductivity and high temperature tolerance characterize the lightweight aluminum oxide design.

With the Winterial 11-piece Camping Cookware and Pot Set, you will be ready to take on any camping or backpacking adventure. It is not advisable to use this set over an open campfire, so make sure you have a good stove.

Pros

• Lightweight: Only 1.5 lbs.
• Compact: You can store all the pieces together and carry them with ease.
• Non-stick: Each piece has a non-stick Teflon coating for easy cleaning and durability.
• Super durable

Cons

• Not well suited for cooking over a campfire
• Some campers don’t prefer the aluminum construction.

Product Information

• Dimensions: 6.8 x 6.8 x 3.5 inches
• Weight: 1.5lbs
• Material: Aluminum
• No. of pieces in a set: 11
• Dishwasher Safe: Yes

2. MSR Quick 2 Camping Cook Set

This MSR set allows you to cook like a master chef, so you and your friends can eat like kings. Then wash it all down with a hot drink, mugs included.

The system includes a single 2.5-liter pot with a strainer lid, a single 1.5-liter nonstick pot, two polypropylene plates, one pot handle, and two insulated mugs with lids.

A combination of uncoated and nonstick, hard-anodized aluminum pots allows you to pick the right tool for your particular culinary style.

The included bowls, plates, and mugs give you all the tools needed to enjoy your spread. Nest all the small components inside the 2.5L pot, throw the lid on, and the whole kit fits nice and neat inside your backpack.

The system accommodates additional insulated mugs (sold separately), so pick up a couple extra.

Pros

• MSR is a well-respected brand.
• Everything fits nicely and is compact in the pot.
• The pot lid has a built-in strainer to make cooking pasta or veggies even easier.
• The talon pot handle makes it safer and easier to grab the pot while cooking.
• Very simple cleanup

Cons

• The pots are aluminum.
• The price is on the higher end of the range.

Product Information

• Dimensions: 7.75 x 5 inches
• Weight: 1.2lbs
• Material: hard-anodized aluminum pots; polypropylene plates.
• No. of pieces in a set: 8
• Dishwasher Safe: Yes

3. GSI Pinnacle Camping Cookware

Going camping with the whole family? These durable, non-stick-coated, hard-anodized aluminum pots are perfect for family meals.

The pot and lid combo is the perfect solution for stove cooking, and the compact, nesting design is reconfigurable for two to four people.

The set includes a 3-liter pot, a 2-liter pot, a 9-inch frypan, two nylon strainer lids, four 14-ounce insulated mugs, four 14-ounce bowls, four 7.5-inch plates, four sip-through lids, a folding pot handle, and a stuff sack/welded sink.

You won’t run out of dishes with this set, but call “not it” when washing. Invest in the GSI Outdoors Set 24 to ensure success throughout your extended weekend.

Pros

• Easy to unpack and store
• It stayed nonstick the entire trip.
• There are plenty of dishes for the entire family.
• The lid is universal and very heat-proof, making it suitable for long-term use.

Cons

• Plates scratch easily.
• You can’t use it around the campfire.
• It was a pain transferring the one handle between three different pieces of cookware.

Product Information

• Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 5.8 inches.
• Weight: 4.5lbs
• Material: non-stick anodized aluminum
• Number of pieces in a set: 23
• Dishwasher Safe: No

4. Wealers Camping Cookware

Looking for lightweight products to carry on your next camping, hiking, or trekking trip that can withstand nature’s cruelty?

This 3-piece cook set is very lightweight, made of 100% titanium, and is dishwasher safe after you get back home.

It can easily make a meal for one or two people. It stood up to some good-quality abuse and performed as well as more expensive sets.

We tested it on a stove and an open fire, and it withstood both levels of heat. Whether you’re mountain biking, backpacking, or sightseeing in the city, it doesn’t matter; this set is perfect anywhere.

Pros

• Lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant
• You can use it over an open fire.
• Quick set-up and tight handles
• Dishwasher safe and easy to clean

Cons

• No lids are available.
• No measurement markings.
• It’s on the smaller side.
• Some slight burning occurred in spots.

Product Information

• Dimensions: The height of 1.2L/800ml/400ml is 4.8?/ 3.15?/ 1.57? and the diameter is 5.12?/ 5.12?/ 5.43?.
• Weight: 10.5lbs
• Material: 100% titanium
• No. of pieces in a set: 3
• Dishwasher Safe: Yes

5. MalloMe Camping Cookware

Finally, enjoy preparing the evening meal without second-guessing if you packed everything to cook with.

The MalloMe cookware set’s lightweight, compact, and portable design conducts heat quickly, comes with everything you need, and is long-lasting.

The MalloMe 10-piece camping mess kit includes a 10-recipe Ebook, 1 anodized aluminum non-stick pot (1 liter capacity), a pot cover, a non-stick pan, 2 BPA-free bowls, a folding stainless steel spork, a soup spoon, a wooden spatula, a cleaning sponge, and a nylon travel pouch with drawstring.

The entire 10-piece kit collapses into a small bundle for easy transport and storage. This kit makes for a perfect gift for anyone looking for a high-quality, all-in-one cookware set for camping or to throw in a bug-out bag.

MalloMe stands by their products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee because they are committed to providing excellent customer service, high-quality products, and a top-notch experience for all campers.

This set tends to go on sale frequently, so shop around and pick up a couple.

Pros

• Very lightweight and portable.
• Super simple to clean.
• For longer hikes, easily pack up in a small package.

Cons

• It is not intended for use over a campfire.
• Steel utensils will damage the non-stick surface.

Product Information

• Dimensions: 3.25 in., D: 6.25 in., 1 liter volume
• Weight: 14.5lbs
• Material: non-toxic anodized aluminum, wood, and BPA-free plastic
• No. of pieces in a set: 10
• Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Things to Consider Before Buying

The thought of relaxing, curled up next to the campfire with a tasty meal settling in my belly, is one of the fondest memories of our last camping trip.

Eating delicious food is clearly a priority when camping, but you must first prepare and cook it using the right cookware. Cooking at a campsite is an art that many fail miserably at.

Cooking skills may not always be the cause, but the use of incorrect equipment or subpar products can be the culprit. Making a tasty meal when you are camping is exceptionally simple if you have the right cookware.

The variety of pots, pans, plates, and utensils is as varied as the foods you can cook, so choose the right ones. Depending on your camping style, not all cookware is suitable for you.

Here are some things to consider when selecting the right cookware for your camping adventure.

1. Material

There are a number of types of cookware on the market.

Each type has its pros and cons, and depending on your camping style, some will be better than others.

Aluminum

The great thing about aluminum is that it’s lightweight and relatively durable. Aluminum cookware cooks evenly and is great for simmering foods without having to worry about scorching items to the bottom of pans.

Aluminum is prone to picking up soot, but it does okay in fire. If you are doing a lot of backpacking, aluminum is a great, affordable option.

Do remember, though, that aluminum is a pretty soft metal, and while it’s lightweight, it has a tendency to dent easily. If you like your cookware looking banged up but cooking without scorching, you can’t go wrong with aluminum.

Hard Anodized Aluminum

With hard-anodized aluminum, you have all of the benefits of regular aluminum: lightweight, even cooking, and durability, without the fear of having dented pots and pans.

Hard anodized aluminum is a little heavier than regular aluminum, so it will add a little weight to your pack, but it will look better for longer. It’s also more reasonably priced than other options.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is always a good choice for cookware because it is durable, good for cooking, and looks great.

It is a bit on the heavy side, so it’s a viable option if you aren’t hauling your stuff in a backpack. Stainless steel, a great option for car camping or RVs, will give you the same cooking experience while camping as you have in your home kitchen.

Stainless steel is prone to getting hot and scorching, so it isn’t the best option for cooking directly over the fire. If you are cooking over a campfire with stainless steel, make sure you use a grate.

Titanium

This is by far the best option you have for camp cookware. It’s lightweight, tough, simple to clean, and looks great.

You can use it directly in the fire because it doesn’t get as hot to handle as other cookware. By far, this is the best cookware you can buy for camping.

Just keep in mind that while titanium cookware is the best you can buy, it is also expensive. If you’ve got the extra cash and want the best, this is the cookware you want.

Cast Iron

You just can’t go wrong with cast iron cookware. It is tough, stands up well to high temperatures, and if you’re willing to buy the good stuff, it will last you for years and years.

Cast iron does take some special care, so before you make an investment in cast iron pots and pans, make sure you know how to clean and season them so they work well.

Properly seasoned cast iron will give you a fantastic non-stick cooking surface that can give any modern non-stick coating a run for its money. The problem with cast iron is its weight.

This cookware is ideal for car camping, RV camping, or for strengthening your muscles while carrying your cooking gear.

Coated Cookware

You can buy coated cookware in a variety of different metals. Coatings provide a non-stick surface that helps you avoid scorching and makes clean-up easy.

Not all coatings will handle the extreme temperatures of cooking over a campfire, so make sure you do your research before you invest in coated cookware.

Also, avoid buying used coated cookware. To ensure safety and achieve optimal results, opt for new coated camp cookware, as older coatings have been associated with various health issues.

Plastic

Obviously, plastic cookware has its limitations. It isn’t great at high temperatures, and it can impart strange tastes to food when exposed to temperatures that are too high.

Plastic cookware is great for backpacking if you are going to be relying on freeze-dried foods that only require a bit of hot water. Otherwise, it’s best to use plastic for utensils.

2. Ease of Use

Nothing is more frustrating when camping than having cookware that is difficult to use.

When you are selecting your camp cookware, you want to think about how easy it will be for you to cook on it and how easy it is to clean up. If you want something simple to use with quick clean-up, consider coated cookware.

If ease of use means getting something lightweight and highly portable, you’re going to want to consider aluminum or titanium. Your goal when camping is to have a fun and relaxing time away from home.

The last thing you want to do is battle with your pots and pans. Buying the right gear for your camping needs and skills will make your experience much more enjoyable.

3. Quality

Higher-quality cookware will last you a long time. In many cases, you’re going to pay more for better cookware.

However, if this means making a single investment that lasts you many years and provides many great camp meals, you’ve made a good investment. If you don’t have tons of cash, you can still get a wonderful product, and with proper care, it should last you for many years.

Better-quality cookware also means a better meal. With higher-quality products, you have less risk of uneven heating, scorched food, or cookware that can’t handle the pace of outdoor cooking.

If you’re ready to “wow” your friends and family with your camp cooking skills, make sure your pots and pans match your ambitions.

4. Length of Stay and Distance

When selecting camp cookware, another important factor to consider is the distance you’re going to have to haul your gear and how long you’re staying.

If you’re going a longer distance but won’t be staying too long, plastic cookware might be your best bet.

If your idea of camping means a comfy camper with a kitchen inside, you shouldn’t be concerned about buying a good-quality cast iron cook set.

If you’re camping somewhere in the middle, you might want a durable cook set that isn’t too heavy, making aluminum your choice.

FAQs

Wrap-Up

Cooking and dining next to a campfire with friends is what makes the experience come together.

Part of successful cooking while camping is the cookware and utensils you’ve brought along to make the meals everyone is craving.

If you’re a skilled camp chef, you’ll have no problem cooking plenty of food just for fun and testing.

Let us know which camping cookware you chose for your next outdoor dining experience in the comments below.