Camp Kitchen: Seven Essentials You Need for Your Camp Cookouts

“The camp is the space that is opened when the state of exception begins to become the rule.” -Giorgio Agamben.

One of the best things to look forward to about camping is having the opportunity to cook outdoors.

While others may admittedly find the logistics of cooking outdoors a lot more complicated and difficult, it does not take away the enjoyability of the activity itself. That said, alfresco cooking is an integral part of the camping experience. Alternatively, you may opt to pack ready-to-eat meals to mitigate the hassle of having to prepare food at a campsite, but these meals are a tad subpar when compared to meals freshly prepared and cooked at camp. If you are planning a camping trip anytime soon, it is highly advised that you try cooking food at camp. After all, camp cookouts are fun and form part of the entire experience. All you need to do is ensure you have all the essentials to make all your cooking masterpieces come to life. Remember that what you bring for your camp kitchen largely depends on what kind of trip you are planning and your culinary preferences. So, before you start hoarding products from Kovea Philippines or Biolite Philippines, it is highly recommended to determine what you need first.

From there, you can start buying camp gear for your camp cookouts and slowly build your camp kitchens. To give you a head start, below is a list of common camp kitchen items that every designated camp chef should have:

a.) Camp Stove

It goes without saying that the most important camping kitchen equipment you will need is a camp stove. After all, the camp stove bears the brunt of your cooking needs—from cooking food to boiling water. That said, looking for a reliable camp stove that fits your cooking needs is imperative. Campers typically use single or dual-burner camp stoves for their camping trips. However, this depends on your needs. For example, if you are planning to do a solo backpacking trip, it makes more sense to pack a single-burner camp stove as it is lightweight and portable. However, if you are cooking for a large group, you may need a dual burner stove to save cooking time.

b.) Fuel

To make your camp stoves work, you need fuel. How much fuel you will need will depend on the type of stove you have. The fuel you will need (alcohol, butane, gasoline, kerosene, or propane) depends on your camp stove. Remember, however, that your safest options are butane or propane-fueled camp stoves. They are also the cleanest types of stoves available. These fuel types come in pressurized canisters that are light, portable, and easily packed for your convenience.

c.) Camping Lighters

While there are stoves that automatically light up with the turn of a knob when fueled, there is no harm in packing a pair of camping lighters just in case you will need them. Be sure to keep them out of your kids’ reach to avoid fire hazards. Lighters are a better alternative to matches as they are wind and waterproof, which means that they will work even in wet and windy conditions.

d.) Reusable Dinnerware

Some campers dislike the cleanup after every camp meal and would prefer to dispose of everything instead of washing up. However, using paper dinnerware is not exactly sustainable nor friendly to the environment. So instead, use reusable dinnerware and stick to the camping code of leaving no trace. Sure, the cleanup may seem like additional work for you, but if you camp frequently, reusable dinnerware will save you money.

e.) Cookware

Having a set of camp cookware is ideal to ensure that you have the appropriate pots or pans for whatever meal you may be preparing for your fellow campers. However, if you wish to start with the basics, a quality and durable cast iron is an excellent choice. Cast irons are known for their heat retention and dispersion, flexibility, and durability. Cast iron skillets and dutch ovens are also very versatile as it allows you to cook meat, heat soup, and more. If you do not have a cast iron skillet or dutch oven, you can take a good-sized stainless steel pot with you.

f.) Cooking Utensils

To ensure that your camp meal preps go without a hitch, pack a set of cooking utensils to bring with you. Some of the most commonly used utensils at camp are as follows:

* Cheese grater
* Bottle opener
* Scissors
* Can/Tin opener
* Spatula
* Ladle
*Slotted spoon
* Colander
* Set of sharp knives
* Cutting board
* Protective sheaths

g.) Camping Kettle

There is nothing like drinking coffee at camp. To make coffee, you will need a kettle. Apart from making coffee, camping kettles are also useful for boiling water which you will need for washing up or making a pot of noodles. Be sure to choose one that is made of stainless steel material.