Whether you're simmering a backcountry risotto or flipping pancakes at a family campsite, the right kit makes all the difference. After testing dozens of products over hundreds of nights outdoors, we've rounded up the best camp cooking gear for every style of adventure.
The Backpacker's Kitchen
When every gram counts, you need gear that pulls double duty. The MSR PocketRocket 2 is our top pick for ultralight backpacking — it weighs just 73 grams, boils a litre of water in under 3.5 minutes, and packs down to the size of a golf ball.
Pair it with a titanium pot (we like the Snow Peak 700ml Solo) and a long-handled spork, and you have a complete kitchen for two-week trips weighing under 500g total.
Car Camping Setup
When weight isn't the priority, you can cook restaurant-quality meals in the wilderness. Here's our recommended car-camping kitchen:
- Camp Chef Explorer 2-Burner Stove — 30,000 BTU per burner, windscreen built-in, perfect for cooking for groups
- GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset — nesting pots and pans with a strainer lid and folding handles
- Lodge 10" Cast Iron Skillet — pre-seasoned, indestructible, and produces a perfect sear
- Jetboil Flash — for quick coffee and instant soups when you don't want to fire up the main stove
Our Top Tip: The Spice Kit
Nothing transforms camp cooking more dramatically than a well-stocked spice kit. We use a reusable silicone spice bottle set filled with our trail mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and a pinch of chili flakes. Add fresh garlic from a small sealed container and you're cooking like a pro.
"Good food is one of the great pleasures of camping — with the right gear, there's no reason it can't rival anything you'd make at home."
Camp Cooking Safety
Always cook at least 60 metres from your tent, downwind. Pack out all food scraps and grease — never bury or burn them. In bear country, use a certified bear canister or hang your food bag at least 4 metres high and 1.5 metres from the trunk.
Quick Reference: Camp Stove Fuel Types
| Fuel Type | Best For | Works in Cold? |
|---|---|---|
| Isobutane/propane canister | Backpacking, 3-season | Reduced performance |
| White gas (liquid fuel) | Winter camping, altitude | Yes |
| Alcohol | Ultralight, summer | No |
| Propane (large) | Car camping | Yes |
With the right kit in your pack, there's nothing stopping you from eating exceptionally well — wherever the trail takes you.
