Looking for the best camping cookware for this year? We’ve got you covered!
Filling your stomach after a long day on the trail is important. Sure, your packed-up camp trail snack will refuel you but nothing beats the pleasure of a hot meal at the end of the day. Who doesn’t want to settle down next to the campfire with a simple hot meal and coffee brewing in front of you? And if you want to do that, you’ll need to bring along a cooking set.
The cooking set you need is thankfully not the conventional ones you use in your kitchen. Outdoor gear manufacturers have developed specialized cookware intended for the outdoors. They are practical, neatly packed, compact, and most importantly lightweight. Carrying them on the trail, therefore, will be no problem.
We, here at Wander Era, have reviewed the best of the camping cookware available in the market so read on.
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Stanley Adventure Base Camp
Weight: 2.5kg
Pros:
- Stainless Steel
- Durable
- Scratch-free
- Good for car camping
- Plastic parts are BPA-free
Cons:
- Plates too small
- Too heavy for backpacking
- Bulky
This cooking set from Stanley Adventure comes with 19 pieces to equip you in every situation. It is a family set since it can accommodate up to 4 persons. Made of stainless steel, the set is strong and resistant to rust, scratches. It is also durable enough to be used over the campfire.
Stanley Adventure Base Camp cookware has a 3.5L capacity pot, enough to cook a big meal for everyone. You’ll also get one frying pan that has a multi-layer base for even heating and faster frying.
The 19-piece set also comes with a cutting board where you can conveniently chop ingredients. The pot lid also can become a makeshift strainer as it has draining holes in it. To serve your food, you can use the spatula or serving spoon that comes with it.
The mess kit includes four 22 oz bowls, 6” plates, and four sporks. The set also has a silicone trivet where you can place your hot pot to avoid damaging the table surface. After washing the dishes, you can place them on a drying rack that is included in the set.
Bugaboo Camper by GSI Outdoors
Weight: 1.4kg
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Teflon-coated
- Two strainer lids
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe as it is coated with Teflon
- Small cutting board
This is another family set good for four persons. The utensils are made of aluminum and are coated with Teflon for non-stick cooking and frying. Compact and weighing only at 3 lbs 1 oz, this is a good choice for backpacking.
The set comes with two pots, one 3L and one 2L. Both pots also come with their own lids which makes it faster to boil your water. The lids can also be made used as a strainer.
The one frying pan that comes with it measures 9 inches, large enough to fry your bacon. To avoid burning yourself when cooking, the set comes with one universal handle that you can transfer between the pots and pan.
The Bugaboo Camper is for four persons thus it comes with four 14oz mugs, plates and bowls. The mugs have sip-through lids for spill-free drinking and an added insulation for hot drinks.
Alpha Pot Set 2.2 by Sea to Summit
Weight: 765g
Pros:
- Complete set
- Reliable pot handles
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- A little bit bulky
If you are only two in the group, then this cookware by Sea to Summit is for you. Made of hard-anodized aluminum, the set is lightweight but also durable.
The set features two lidded mugs, two bowls, and two lidded pots. The two pots measure at 1.2L and 2.7L respectively. Both pots have straining lids that can pour water or soup nicely into the mugs. The pots have a textured base to help keep them stable on top of stoves.
The bowls are shallow to use as bowls but will still keep your soup. They are also wide enough that they can be used as plates. The two mugs have no handles but come with removable insulated sleeves to keep your drinks hot and your hands protected. It also features removable sip through lids for easy, non-spill drinking.
The whole set can be fitted into the largest pot. Spoons and forks or a portable mini stove can be inserted in the mug space. Overall the set is compact and lightweight making it ideal for backpackers.
Quick 2 System by MSR
Weight: 793g
Pros:
- Non-stick
- Sturdy handles
- Deep bowls
- Measurement marks inside the pot
- Easy to clean
- Versatile
Cons:
- Expensive
- Bulky
This is another set good for two persons. Just like Sea to Summit’s Alpha Pro Set, the pots are made of anodized aluminum and are lightweight enough to carry for hiking.
The two pots that are in the set differ in sizes and coating which makes for more option. The smaller pot has a 1.5L capacity and is coated with non-stick coating. The larger pot, on the other hand, can hold up to 2.5L but is not non-stick coated. One pot handle is transferrable between the two pots.
Two deep dishes are provided that can be both used as a bowl or as a plate. Two mugs with removable lid and sip through feature, just like Sea to Summit’s Alpha Pro Set, are included. The plates and mugs are both made of polypropylene.
The packing of the Quick 2 System is compact. All the components fit into each other and then in the large 2.5L pot.
Winterial Camping Cookware and Pot Set
Weight: 680g
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Lightweight
- Comes with a Kettle
Cons:
- Pot lids are short
- Bowls are small
The Winterial camping cookware is perfect for solo backpackers and campers. The 11-piece cook set is budget-friendly and perfect for camping beginners.
Compared to the other cookware set we reviewed, the Winterial camping cookware comes with a kettle. You then need not to multitask your pot as a kettle for boiling water. The cookware includes a non-stick pot and frying pan, a bowl, ladle, spoon, and sponge. The set is packed neatly in its own carry bag.
The set is made of aluminum. It is therefore hardwearing and lightweight perfect for the trail.
Conclusion
Based on the type of camping that you will do and how many people are in your group, your cookware is customizable. You might not need everything so it’s fine not to take everything from the set. This will save you more space and will get off weight from your back.
Tip! Outdoor gear manufacturers have developed specialized cookware intended for the outdoors same as they have done with gas grills under 400. They are practical, neatly packed, compact, and most importantly lightweight. Carrying them on the trail, therefore, will be no problem.
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We ordered Stansport cookware for use in our RV. We were pleasantly surprised to find the clad bottoms. We have now used this set on three RV trips and it is awesome. Was looking for a set that stored compactly. Has been great to cook with, clean up is always been easy even when food has been caked on/charred on.