20+ Camping Cooking Equipment Must Haves

Cooking whilst camping is much easier when you have all the right equipment on hand. To ensure you don’t forget a single thing, we’ve compiled a list of over 20 pieces of camping cooking equipment we consider vital for any trip. As long as you’ve got these essentials, you’ll be cooking delicious meals in no time.

Struggling to know what to cook whilst camping? Take a look at our list of 25 easy camping recipes for inspiration.

Camping stove

Whether it’s a single or dual burner, freestanding or table-top, a camping stove is necessary for all types of cooking.

Safety is always a priority when cooking, therefore it’s important to take all the necessary precautions. Whether you’re camping in a tent, caravan or motorhome, it’s imperative not to cook in your unit due to the potential fire risk. Also, inadequate ventilation can lead to a build-up of poisonous carbon monoxide. For more information, check out our blog on staying safe on the campsite.



Fuel

There’s little point in owning a camping stove if you don’t have any fuel to fire it up. Butane, gasoline, alcohol, kerosene and propane-fired stoves are often popular choices. Therefore, you’ll need different canisters depending on your specific stove.

Before using a camping stove and fuel, read our guides on how to use gas safely for tent campers and for caravans and motorhomes.



Cool box

Whether you’re camping in the peak of summer or during winter, a cool box is a crucial piece of camping cooking equipment. It keeps food fresh, milk cold, and drinks chilled. Available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, cool boxes are perfect for preventing food from going off.

If space is a priority when packing, cool bags are a practical, space-saving alternative. The majority of our Club Sites offer ice pack freezing so you can keep your items cool throughout your stay.



Dinnerware

It may seem like a given, but it’s easy to forget you might need something to eat on and drink from.

It’s worth investing in some reusable dinnerware, as it’s better for the environment than using single-use paper plates and plastic cutlery. Here’s what you’re going to need:

• Plates
• Bowls
• Cups
• Mugs
• Knives and forks
• Spoons and teaspoons
• Serving dishes

If you need to save space, check out Outlery’s Collapsible Cutlery. It’s the world's smallest cutlery set, perfect for those on the go. You can also get 20% off if you’re a member.



Camping pots and pans

You’ll definitely need to add pots and pans to your camping cooking set. Although there are no right or wrong pots and pans to bring, generally speaking, pots designed for camping are lighter, more robust and easier to pack. However, you can also bring the ones that you already have at home. No matter what you pack, make sure it's the right size for the number of people you’re cooking for.



Oven gloves and trivets

Whether you’re cooking a tasty meal or baking some fresh treats, oven gloves will help protect your hands from hot pots, lids and dishes.

Trivets are also handy for protecting your table or other surfaces from heat damage. You can place your hot dish on them to cool or for everyone to dig in.



Camping kettle

There’s no need to sacrifice your morning cuppa when camping. Take a camping kettle with you, and you’ll quickly realise it’s handy for more than just making cups of coffee or tea – it’s great for cooking too.

There are several camping kettles on offer, including aluminium and stainless steel, as well as easily-packable folding kettles. If you’re new to camping and have booked onto a pitch with electricity, any kettle rated at around 2kw or less will do the trick.



Cooking utensils

No matter what recipe you’re following, you’ll, at some point, need knives for chopping, wooden spoons for stirring and spatulas for flipping. Here’s a list of camping cooking utensils you’ll need:

• Wooden spoons
• Large spoons
• Spatula
• Tongs
• Whisk
• Sharp knives
• Chopping board
• Kitchen Scissors



Water container

If you’re a tent camper, having a full container of water is convenient. Use a tap at your campsite to fill the container and use the supply whenever you need it.

You can buy collapsible water containers and ones with taps from most outdoor shops, which are easy to pack, transport and use.

To get your hands on some phenomenal offers and discounts on camping equipment, such as water containers, become a member today.



Skewers

Whether you’re setting up a summer BBQ or you’re getting ready to toast some marshmallows, skewers on a camping trip are a must.



Napkins and paper towels

For little spills to big messes, napkins and paper towels come in use. Be sure to throw away any paper towels after using them and keep the campsite clean.



First aid kit

Accidents sometimes happen when cooking. So, a fully stocked first aid kit is essential for any camping trip.

Here’s a list of what you’ll need in your kit:

• A variety of plasters
• Disposable sterile gloves
• A variety of bandages
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Alcohol-free cleansing wipes
• Thermometer
• Sticky tape
• Antiseptic cream
• Painkillers

Before your trip, take a look at our guide on how to stay safe on the campsite and protect you and your loved ones.



Folding camping toaster

Cheap, filling and easy, toast is an ideal food to eat when camping. If you have a folding camping toaster, there’s no need to take your toaster from home with you.

Cooking with a camping toaster is convenient, safe and perfect for toasting bread, bagels, teacakes and melting the cheese in your toastie.



Seasoning and spices

Although seasoning and spices don’t necessarily fall into the camping cooking equipment category, they are a staple to have during every camping trip. Spices and seasoning can be the difference between having a bland meal and an exotic feast.



Camping table

You’ve bought all your ingredients, brought all your cooking camping equipment with you, followed a recipe, and served it on plates – but where are you going to eat?

Gather your family or friends around your camping table and make dinnertime a communal activity. Camping tables are adaptable too. You can use it to set up camping games or gather everyone around for a chat and some tea. If you’re packing light, you can take a picnic blanket, pillows and foldable chairs instead of a table.



Tablecloth

If you’re packing a camping table, a tablecloth is also worth bringing along. It’ll keep things tidy and protect your table. If extra people want to join your camping feast, you can spread the tablecloth along the floor and use it as a picnic blanket.



Bin bags

A tidy camp is a happy camp. Whilst cooking, and after eating, you should dispose of all your rubbish. This will help protect the environment, keep unwanted rodents away and uplift the camp's morale.

It’s important to bear the camping code of “leave no trace” in mind. Meaning, you should try your best to leave your pitch in the same state you found it in. Clean.

All of our Club Sites have a rubbish disposal point, and it's important to dispose of rubbish in an environmentally friendly manner by recycling what you can. If there are no rubbish or recycling facilities nearby, take your rubbish home with you and protect wildlife.



Washing up equipment

As mentioned above, keeping your pitch tidy is a good routine to get into. Don't allow dirty dishes to pile up, and get on top of the mess by washing as you go along.

Here are some washing up essentials you’ll need when camping:

• Washing up liquid
• Tea towels
• Scouring pad
• Sponge
• Dishcloth
• Drying rack
• Surface cleaner



Can opener

We always forget the little things that can cause the biggest inconveniences. When camping in a secluded area, a piece of camping cooking equipment that’s needed is a can opener. This can also act as a bottle opener, so you’ll have no problem opening up a tin of beans or beer.



Food storage

At home, empty containers can be a nightmare to deal with. However, on a campsite, they come into brilliant use for several reasons. They make it easier to store spices, smaller cooking equipment, and leftover or opened food.

You can keep your ingredients fresh by putting them in Tupperware in your coolbox ready for the following day, or you can pack food for on-the-go and enjoy a tasty camp-cooked meal.



Coffee percolator

Don’t worry, we haven't forgotten about you coffee lovers out there. If you can’t go a day without a steaming cup of coffee, bring along a coffee percolator or, if you’re generous with space, a portable espresso machine. This way, you’ll have your daily dose of caffeine and not miss a single thing on your camping adventure.



Portable blender

Great for making smoothies, shakes or soups, a portable blender is a quick and easy way to grind any food. You’ll find a variety of battery-powered blenders that are small and compact, so they won't take up much room.



BBQ

A staple for the summer is a disposable BBQ. Heat it up and get cooking on your camping trip. You can cook vegetables, meats and even roast up some marshmallows and make some tasty smores.

Before packing up your portable BBQ and bringing it to one of our Club Sites, read our guidelines on barbecues and make sure you’re cooking safely.

If this list has left you hungry for more food and drink inspiration, take a look at some camping food and cooking ideas.