Camping Cookware Checklist: 10 Must-Have Items
Which cooking gear to take with you on a hike? The answer to this question depends on many factors: the type of trip, its difficulty, duration, the expected weather conditions, and, ultimately, on how much money you are ready to spend on a set of dishes. In addition to all of the above, a survival cookware kit content will depend on how many people go on a hike with you. In this article, you will find a basic checklist of items that you can customize to suit your needs.
Things to Consider
Whether you want to build your own cookware set or buy a ready-made one, there are a few things to consider. First of all, it is the number of people who travel with you. If you go alone, then you have to carry everything yourself. And if you go on a hike with a large company, a part of the items can be divided among all the participants. However, everyone should have their own mug, plate, and spoon in addition to common pots and containers. If you plan a short hike and don't want to make a fire, you will definitely not need pans and pots for cooking.
Either way, choose plates, bowls, and mugs made of lightweight, durable materials that won't crack if you accidentally drop them. The great thing about ready-made kits is that manufacturers make their components compact and foldable. Often, you can unscrew all the knobs and stack the bowls one in one so that the whole set takes up as little space as possible in your backpack. As for selecting pans and containers of suitable size, on average, experienced hikers recommend taking a pot of 15-20 fluid ounces if you go on a hike alone and 30-35 fluid ounces one for two or more participants. The amount of food depends on the weather conditions and the difficulty of your trip, but on average, it is recommended to take 1-1.7 pounds of uncooked (dry) food for a person per day.
Cooking Gear
Of course, the list of necessary accessories can be reduced and expanded depending on your preferences and hike characteristics. However, there are ten essential items that most travelers use.
1. Stove and fuel
Although this item is optional for one-day trips, even on a short hike in the mountains, it is a pleasure to have a cup of hot tea. So a small gas stove will not be excessive. Choose a device depending on what you plan to cook. Some can only cope with heating water for coffee or tea; others are powerful enough to prepare a full dinner. Do not forget to get a gas cylinder (or several) of sufficient volume for you to have enough for all the days of your trip and matches or a lighter.
2. Pot and pan
If you are going to hike for a few days, you will definitely need a small pot or frying pan with a lid. Their quantity and volume depend on the number of people who go hiking. Solo travelers can do well with a small saucepan and use it for both cooking and serving. If you plan to travel with a big company, you will need various pans and pots for different types of dishes. They should be lightweight, foldable, and have detachable handles.
3. Spoon, mug, and plate
Each hiker should have these three items for themselves. It is better to choose folding cutlery so that it will take up less space. You can easily get by without a fork (just use a spoon for everything), but if you want, you can take it as well. Speaking of plates, it is better to take a deep one so that you can eat both soup and main courses from it.
4. Bowls
A pair of bowls will not be superfluous. In them, you can mix food, make salads, and set the table. Choose plastic or aluminum items with lids so that you can store leftover food in them.
5. Knife
Of course, your toolbox should have a high-quality and well-sharpened knife. It can be a regular kitchen one (don't forget to scabbard it), but it's more useful to take a multitool with a can opener and corkscrew. A foldable device is always more convenient when hiking because, with it, you can be sure that your backpack content will remain intact.
6. Cutting board
Cooking isn't complete without a cutting board. Although, at first glance, it seems like an optional detail, it certainly will be necessary. With its help, you can organize a convenient cooking area and, in the absence of a table, use a board instead. A thin plastic item won't take up much space in your backpack.
7. Ladle and spatula
These are other items that are not required if you travel solo, as you can eat directly from the dishes in which you cooked the food. For those who hike in a large company, a kitchen spoon and spatula are necessary since they are more convenient for arranging food on plates.
8. Tea and coffee tools
Of course, you can use instant coffee and tea bags, for which you only need to boil water. However, you should admit that it is much more pleasant to have a cup of fresh, flavorful coffee on a hike in the morning. So, many travelers take small coffee makers (moka pot, for example) or teapots with them. Bring a thermal mug with you to take hot tea or coffee on a track. They will help you cheer up and give you extra strength.
9. Water bags
Water is an important ingredient in cooking. So that you don't have to run to a water source for every ounce, get water bags or bladders. They do not take up much space when empty, but they can help you draw up enough water to make soup, brew tea, and refresh yourself. You can hang them on a tree with convenient hooks and draw water through the built-in taps. Their maximum size can be over 300 fluid ounces.
10. Sponge, brush, or scraper
After each meal, you need to remove leftover food and wash the dishes thoroughly. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to scrape off burnt potatoes or dried sauce from pots, especially in the absence of hot water. Bring a small brush, sponge, or scraper with you on your hikes so that you can clean even hard-to-reach areas of food.
Final Thoughts About Food Storage
In addition to the cooking gear listed above, experienced hikers recommend bringing along a few sealed plastic containers or zip bags to place leftover food in. This way, the products will not be spoiled, and the smell will not attract insects or wild animals. And if you want to keep food warm for a while, stock up on foil or thermal containers.