1. 5 MUST HAVE
TOOLS FOR CAMP
COOKING

2. The Countdown Begins
When camping, eat is paramount. Many retailers
carry good cooking gear, which makes cooking
outside a culinary adventure. Cooking gear is
offered in many sizes & varieties. It is
recommended, however, that campers carry no
more than 15-25% of their total body mass on their
backs.

3. Stoves
What kind of stoves are out
there?
(1) Liquid Fuel Stoves – Liquid fuel stoves are
designed to be used with readily available fuels
such as gas, kerosene, or alcohol. The only
downside to liquid fuel stoves is the weight of the
stove, the need to carry bulky fuel, and some cost
upwards of $300.
(2) Compressed Gas Stoves – Compressed
gas stoves burn butane, isobutene, or propane.
They are easy to light, and cost anywhere from
$30-150.

4. (3) Solid Fuel Stoves – Solid fuel stoves burn
wood or pellets are easy to start, and require little
maintenance. They range in price from $30-130.
Regardless of the stove you get, be sure to
bring along matches!!
Pots & Pans
An Essential Cooking Supply
Pots and pans come in a variety of sizes, and
dependent on the size of your camping party and
your needs will depend on what types of pots and
pans you want to get.
Pots and pans are made of the following materials:
(1) Aluminum – Strong, lightweight, and
inexpensive. The only downsides to aluminum are

5. that they tend to scratch very easily, and your food
may stick. They range in price from $15-20.
(2) Stainless Steel – Slightly heavier than
aluminum. Downside: Heat does not distribute
well. Stainless steel ranges in price from $15-20.
(3) Titanium – Titanium is probably your best
choice as it’s durable, easy to clean, and lighter
than the others. However, it is much more costly.
Most titanium pots and pans are going to set you
back at least $50 each.
Dishes
Helpful, but not always
necessary
Camp dishes are more versatile than traditional
dishes. They are space-saving, and have multiple

6. uses. Camping mugs or cups are helpful as they
can be used for drinking and eating as well as be
used for a multitude of other uses that you see fit.
Camping plates, on the other hand, are often just a
waste of pack space and weight, and are usually
considered a luxury by experienced campers.
Dishes come in three different forms:
(1) Polypropylene – Weighs about 2.5 ounces
and costs around $3. They are not very long
lasting, however, and would need to be replaced
often.
(2) Stainless Steel – Heavier than
polypropylene weighing from 2.5 to 3.5 ounces,
and cost around $7-10.
(3) Titanium – As with pots and pans, it’s your
best bet as they weight less than two ounces, but

7. they are more expensive. A bowl is going to cost at
least $15 and a cup can cost upwards of $40 most
places.
Cutlery
What’s out there?
Cutlery is going to be beneficial unless you want to
eat with a stick. Cutlery comes in three different
types:
(1) Plastic – Made of lexan, tritan, or acetal. A
thing called a “spork,” which is a combination
fork/spoon knife is great for saving room in your
pack, and only cost around $2-3, but they often
scratch, which can hold bacteria.
(2) Aluminum – Lighter and more heavy
durable than plastic, but cost is around $7.

8. (3) Titanium – Even lighter than those above,
more durable, but cost is higher at around $10.
Finally:
Cleaning Supplies: What you
might want to bring along
It is recommended that you carry a biodegradable
soap, scouring sponges, and dishtowel with you.
To properly clean dishes follow these guidelines:

9. (1) Heat sterile water with your stove, and pour
some into each dirty dish.
(2) Clean with scouring sponge using the
biodegradable soap only if it’s necessary, and then
dry with the dishtowel, or set out to air dry.
Be sure to always wash dishes at least 200
feet from any water source to avoid any kind
of contamination, or 200 feet from your
campsite to avoid attracting unwanted
wildlife.

10. (1) Heat sterile water with your stove, and pour
some into each dirty dish.
(2) Clean with scouring sponge using the
biodegradable soap only if it’s necessary, and then
dry with the dishtowel, or set out to air dry.
Be sure to always wash dishes at least 200
feet from any water source to avoid any kind
of contamination, or 200 feet from your
campsite to avoid attracting unwanted
wildlife.