While camping is a delightful escape to serenity, having the proper utensils for the camp kitchen adds more fun to it. Whenever we set out to camp, especially after this lockdown, our urge to eat good has always persuaded us to pack smartly. Thus, instead of cramming, you can take the correct utensils and equipment for what you will be munching on during the trip.
photo byĀ Viscious-Speed/pixabay
Packing for camping can be cumbersome if you donāt know what and how to pack. For utensils, you need to look for space-saving yet useful items. For instance, replacing spoons and forks with sporks, collapsible utensils, and more. Essential deciding factors include space, weight, form factor, and materials.
Basics of Camp Kitchen Packing
Before jumping onto the must-have camping utensils, letās quickly go through how to select and pack things the right way.
- Backpacking the Essentials:Ā When camping, you move to a place far from civilization where you wonāt get a dedicated kitchen. Thus, you will probably be carrying one along with you. Opt for pared-down, flat, and small items. Foldable things are terrific space-saving options here. Besides, you can also use multi-purpose things to reduce the total weight.
- Camp Kitchen in the Car:Ā One thing that we have always embraced on a camping trip is our car to carry stuff around. Make some space for cookware and use a bin to keep small items. The storage bin should be big enough to avoid repacking hassles and small enough to avoid obstructions. A car kitchen offers the benefit of a bigger space than a backpack. While you can carry more items, you also spend less time unpacking and repacking things.
photo byĀ Baihaki Hine/pexelsĀ
Must-Have Camping Utensils for a Joyous Experience
Here comes the part you have been waiting for. Before starting reading, grab a pen and paper and start making notes of what you will add to your inventory.
1. Compact Kitchen Set
We discussed space, weight, and form factors above. This kitchen set stands strong on all these factors. A compact kitchen set contains almost everything you will need at the campsite. Your choice of kitchen set can have knives, spoons, forks, condiment containers, a scrubber, a camp towel, a cutting board, a spice shaker, a utility knife, a pivot spatula, and a pivot spoon. However, you can add or subtract items based on what you will be cooking and eating.
Wondering how to carry all these? Get a durable case to pack and store all the items without hassle. So, isnāt it interesting to load your little kitchen set with its own bag?
2. Nesting Cookware Set
While the compact kitchen set lets you eat your favorites with ease, add this set if planning to cook right on the campsite. Here again, you need the one thatās easy to carry, easy to clean, and reliable. So, letās start with what all you might need for cooking.
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With a wide frying pan, a large pot, sporks, plates, and bowls, and other essential utensils, you can easily cater to small to large-sized groups. Plus, getting items that nest together also saves you storage space and carrying hassles.
When it comes to durability and reliability, 18/8 stainless steel products are rustproof, scratch proof, and need low maintenance. With such excellent cookware in your camping kit, you will spend less time maintaining utensils and more time enjoying. Also, you can keep it in your car when not in use.
3. 3-Piece Cutlery Set
While sporks save you space, proper utensils like spoons and forks still hold value. A 3-piece set (spoon, fork, and knife) built with titanium material makes it a durable and rugged choice. An aluminium carabiner has three tools together, and you can remove to use any of them. The utensils offer smooth touch with polished heads and solid handling with a matte finish on the handles.
Carry it in your cargo pocket, backpackās side pocket, or place it along with other utensils for good meal experiences.
4. Camp Mugs
photo byĀ Joshua Woroniecki/unsplash
Who said you will only be eating and eating during camping meal times? We usually enjoy coffee and other beverages during camping mornings and evenings as we do at home. Add one of these with a Thermo double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your beverages hot. Some feature a hard-shell powder coating for grip over the 18/8 stainless steel for strength and safety. And these are 100% BPA-free as well. The best part is the press-fit lid prevents splashing, avoids temperature change for a more extended period, and adds durability.
The camp mugs are capacious enough to satisfy your beverage cravings at campsites, offices, or even home. Plus, you can choose from the beautiful color range.
5. Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
Bonfire, dance, roasted marshmallows, and friends. If you are not doing this right, you will definitely miss out on the most exciting part of camping. Thatās where a set of roasting sticks comes to play. These forks come with a wooden handle for safe use without worrying about the handle getting hot. Plus, the stainless steel makes it a no-rust and easy-to-clean cooking equipment.
photo byĀ Leon Contreras/ unsplash
Donāt worry! The prongs wonāt hurt your veggies, hot dogs, or marshmallows as they are non-sharp ones. And you can rotate the prong with ease for tasty, even cooking. Carrying isnāt a problem as well because you get a canvas bag for storing the sticks.
6. 4-in-1 Multi-Tool Eating Utensil
How about the idea of carrying a spoon, a fork, a bottle opener, and a knife in your pocket? Isnāt the concept fascinating, especially when going to a campsite? This 4-in-1 tool is just the thing you need. It packs each of the four cutlery that you can fold and carry in your pocket. The multi-purpose tool is lightweight, durable, sturdy, and rust-free (stainless steel material). In addition, the knife wonāt cut your pocket. For extra safety, thereās a nylon pouch that packs the tool beautifully.
Wait! The best feature is yet to be revealed. Itās completely detachable, which means you can use different items at the same time.
7. Stainless Steel Tongs
If you are not roasting hot dogs or marshmallows, you might be grilling something delicious. And for that, you need a pair of tongs. A stainless-steel pair of tongs with a rubber grip ensures secured handling. With these tongs, you can grill your favorites with campfire and aluminum foil without any grill basket. Make sure to find a pair with a good length to keep your hands safe while grilling.
photo byĀ AlbanyColley/pixabay
Also, these would weigh only a few ounces and pack well with other kitchen utensils without taking much space.
8. 5-Knife Set
From slicing butter to cutting veggies and meat, knives are essential cooking tools. However, you donāt always need to carry those big, bulky pieces when camping out. For safe and efficient use, you can add a set of knives to your camping toolkit. You can get a set of 5 knives, including essentials such as a utility knife, serrated knife, carving knife, paring knife, and a chef knife. This collection is ideal for most of the functions such as peeling, cutting, and slicing.
Also, look for a heavy-duty steel blade, non-stick blade sheath, and ergonomic handles for better results. With proper sharpening and care, the knives can last long and stay clear of rust, odor, and stains.
9. Bamboo Dishes
What would you use to pour and serve meals? Leaves? Nah! So, you might have thought of carrying some plates and bowls along with you on the camping trip. Well! Thatās obvious. But whatās less obvious is that you might not have considered picking the suitable material. Those enamel plates would look appealing, can be re-used by washing and whatnot.
Wonāt you love to enjoy yourself more and spend less on cleaning and washing? These bamboo dishes will help you do that. They are sustainable, durable, and donāt overheat. If those arenāt enough reasons to buy one, the beautiful designs and shades will make you want to buy one.
photo byĀ Kawin Harasai/unsplash
10. 100% Compostable Plates
Enamels? No. Bamboos? No. Thereās another option for you. Pack some use and throw plates to save all that time and hassle on the trip. Disposable plates are easy to use, can help cater to large groups without spending hours washing and drying them. Plus, you donāt need to worry about environmental impacts if you buy 100% compostable plates.
A pack of biodegradable plates with naturally unbleached sugarcane fibers underneath will be a better alternative to plastic and paper. Moreover, you can use these heavy-duty plates for a myriad of applications.
Still thinking! Look at it this way. When you visit natureās adobe for a relaxing getaway, you donāt want to trash it with things that will spoil natureās balance. So, perishable and eco-friendly must be on the list.
11. Collapsible Drying Rack
We have been talking about utensils and equipment to carry for camping. And you will be washing them a few times throughout the journey. But have you ever thought about a drying rack?
A collapsible rack will come in handy here. While the collapsible feature lets you store it without taking much space, other features make it equally useful. It features an angled drain pan to make the water run down, keeping the containers dry.
The rack can provide enough space to place large plates and dedicated compartments for cutlery and other utensils. Finding one with a heavy-duty plastic construction makes sure it never catches rust and is easy to clean with a simple wipe.
12. Cast Iron Skillet
If you arenāt fond of buying a new set of utensils for camping and picnic, you can create one yourself. Skillet is a must-have on the list as you can prepare delicious food using it. However, we prefer carrying the cast iron skillet for its apparent benefits. The durable and sturdy material stays hot for a more prolonged period. Thus, you can save on fuel and fire and keep your food warm and fresh longer.
photo byĀ Blake Carpenter/unsplash
The icing on the cake is that cast iron improves with time, giving you better results as you keep using it.
13. Cutting Board
You missed it, right? Itās common for us to forget this one essential tool. Without a cutting board, who knows what we will get to place our veggies and food for cutting and preparing. Or you might love eating frozen, dried food if you arenāt into cooking fresh. Just kidding! No one loves to eat that.
Although itās just a plain board and doesnāt have much variation in features available, you can still get something better than usual.
You can replace your board with a folding cutting board, wherein two boards are connected through a hinge. The BPA-free material ensures safe usage, while portability and durability make it a great choice.
14. Collapsible Measuring Cups and Spoons
Planning a trip? Limited space? Need proper cooking utensils?
Get a collapsible set of cups and spoons. If you are a hobbyist chef, such a set will be your best friend on the trip. You can collapse these silicone-made cups and store them like a plain table tennis bat. However, make sure that you get one with a high-quality food-grade material under the hood. You can easily find a quality set of collapsible cups and spoons of varying capacities according to your camping group size. Pack this set and never make assumptions while making your dish to its perfection.
15. Rolling Grill
This isnāt a utensil, but I found it captivating enough to add to the list. You will surely be grilling certain food items to enjoy your bonfire times and camping evenings. While you plan to dance and eat the stress out, having the proper grilling tools will be great. Add an exciting rolling grill made for campers and travel enthusiasts to your pack. It comes as separate pieces rolled into a bunch of barbecue sets. All you need to do is to take out the elements, set it up, and your grill will be ready in a minute. The adjustable height lets you increase or decrease the heat and get the desired level for the best results.
So, are you ready? Get your bags packed with suitable utensils, ingredients, and equipment to enjoy the most pleasing and joyful camping experience.
