True: An active day outdoors can make even the least fussy fare taste delicious (instant potatoes, anyone?). But with the sort of camp kitchen gear available today, foodie culture is alive and well in the wild. And while camp cooking gear alone might not make you an accomplished chef, great cooks (and great cooks to-be) all share one trait: They take great pride in their tools.
Not every modern cooking item can be as straightforwardly genius as the Rolla Roaster, but any of the innovative ones listed below would make worthy additions to your outdoor camp kitchen.
Coleman Cascade 222 2-Burner Camp Stove
Large enough to fit your full-size pots and pans but compact enough for a weekend trip, the propane-powered Cascade 222 2-Burner Stove from Coleman is a hit with hungry campers.
A carry handle makes it easy to tote this stove from car to campsite, and two adjustable burners and precise rotary knobs allow for heat control. Adjustable side burner shields protect the flames from gusts (they fold up into the lid if you need wiggle room for larger cookware). And the removable cooktop makes it easy to clean up the chili splatter after dinner. When it’s time to head home, secure the regulator arm in the stove’s built-in storage spot, then close and lock the lid over the burners for trunk-friendly transport. $170
YETI Rambler French Press
Whether making coffee for one or for a group at the campsite, a French press makes it easy. And the Rambler French Press from YETI is the perfect pick for the job, getting points for being as stylish as it is functional. It looks just as good on your kitchen counter at home as it does next to your camp stove. In true YETI style, its durable, rust-resistant metal construction can take a beating, whether falling off the picnic table or getting banged around in the back of your car. Double-wall, vacuum-sealed insulation keeps two to four servings of coffee hot and ready to pour. If you don’t feel like doing dishes at camp, worry not: This press is dishwasher safe. $110
Coghlan’s Heavy Duty Camp Grill
If you prefer to cook your camp meals over an open flame, the Heavy Duty Camp Grill from Coghlan’s will do the job nicely—and setup doesn’t take much more than, well, starting the fire. Foldable legs deploy to a functional height that works just as well over a campground fire pit as a DIY blaze (built to Leave No Trace standards, of course). Since it’s made of heavy-duty steel, it’s sturdy enough to load up with your favorite cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. When you’re done cooking your main course, the legs fold flat under the 24-by-16-inch cooking surface. Worth noting: It’s not designed for direct contact with food like burgers or kebabs, so don’t forget to pack some foil if you want to grill. $39.95
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet – 10.25 inch
Whether you’re cooking over a propane stove or an open flame, seasoned campers know there’s nothing quite like cast iron for crafting a camp meal that tastes like it was made in an actual kitchen. It’s durable, long-lasting, naturally non-stick and can be used for everything from meat and potatoes to fireside cobbler. This one is even pre-seasoned, so it’s ready to use right out of the box.
The 10.25-inch skillet will fit on most camp stoves and is perfect for sautéing, searing and frying. It may be heavier than your average stainless-steel pan (it’s a smidge over 5 pounds), but that density helps it retain heat for even cooking. $27.95
Lodge Dutch Oven
Hang it from a tripod system or set it on a grill grate over the fire: Either way, the Lodge Dutch Oven is the perfect tool for cooking camp chili or tenderloin. Like the Lodge skillet, the pot is pre-seasoned and ready for your favorite roast or stew.
There are also 6-quart and 8-quart versions, but the 4-quart version is a pretty sweet size for camping. It holds about a gallon, plenty to feed two to four hungry campers. At 13 pounds, it’s a little heavy, but at 10 x 3.5 in., it’s compact enough to squeeze into a packed trunk. $64.95
Coghlan’s Cast-Iron Camp Cooker
Pudgy pies, tuna melts, one perfect single-serve grilled cheese… if you’re looking for an easy, fun way to make an individual meal or quick snack, this cast iron cooker is where it’s at. A long handle makes it easy to roast over a campfire from your camp chair, and the pre-seasoned cast iron is a just-right size for slices of bread, cheese and meat. A hinged edge makes it easy to check on cooking progress without singeing your fingers.
While this tool seems custom-made for sandwiches, it’s also an easy way to grill veggies and make desserts like hand pies. Just fill the basin, close the lid and stick it over a fire or in hot coals. You’ll have a piping-hot treat in no time. Grab one for every member of the crew. $18.85
OXO Camp Stove Kettle
No camp kitchen would be complete without a kettle. After all, it’s an efficient way to boil water for everything from camp coffee to freeze-dried meals, and it frees up your pot for cooking morning oats on a second burner.
The Camp Stove Kettle from OXO is a favorite thanks to thoughtful features like a drip-free spout, snug lid and overhead silicone handle that stays cool to the touch and frees up stovetop space. The handle even collapses for easy storage and the stainless steel keeps the entire package light. $49.95
OXO Camp Cookware Set with Travel Bag
If you prefer to keep things simple when it comes to your cookware, you’ll find a comprehensive but uncluttered answer to your needs in the OXO Camp Cookware Set. It comes with the essentials to prepare a delicious camp meal, including a stainless-steel saucepan and stockpot with lids, a pre-seasoned carbon-steel fry pan (with a removable handle for compact storage) and a silicone trivet to protect your picnic table. The saucepan is big enough to cook nearly two cups of rice, while the stockpot can hold about six to eight servings of chili and comes with a perforated lid for strain-ables like pasta. It’s everything you need to prepare most camp dishes—and it nests together for ultimate packability. $159.95
OXO Outdoor Cutting Board and Tray Set
For folks who prefer a full-size chopping surface and plentiful space to put ready-to-cook ingredients, a camp cutting board is worth the real estate. This one from OXO has non-slip edges and grooves to catch excess liquid. The tray also features a rim to keep loose veggies from rolling into the dirt during transport from table to pot. When you’re done with dinner or just decided to build PB&Js instead, the two separate pieces nest together for storage. $24.95
GSI Outdoors Destination Kitchen Set 24
There’s something beautiful about wrangling all your loose kitchen gadgets in a well-organized case. It looks nice, and more importantly, it saves you from having to dig through a full box of camp kitchen supplies to find a grater. The Destination Kitchen Set from GSI Outdoors holds 24 pieces of cookware, including a small cutting board, utility knife, spatula and whisk. Two little screw-top vessels can hold dry spices and two squeezable containers hold liquids like oil and soy sauce. It all folds into a zippered nylon case with a handle, so you tote it to your cook station, lay it out and get to work. $59.95
OXO Compact Can and Bottle Opener
If there’s one thing you don’t want to forget to stash in your camp kitchen box, it’s a can opener. Canned beans, chili and tuna are a lot harder to enjoy without one, and it’s pretty hard to hack together a substitute. Store a dedicated can opener like this exceedingly portable one from OXO with your camping gear, and never again resort to prying open a tin with your steak knife.
This compact version is just as functional as your full-size one at home, right down to the included bottle opener. An integrated magnet to help keep lids from falling into your can of soup (or worse, onto the ground) once you’ve sliced them free. $19.95
Full Windsor Magware Magnetic Flatware – Single Set
There may not be a better looking, more durable and more compact flatware set for camping than this kit of sturdy aluminum silverware from Full Windsor. Thanks to magnets in the handles, you can snap them together before sliding them into the included storage pouch—no more loose utensils banging around in your camp kitchen box. The whole package is lightweight but durable enough to last for many camping trips to come. $35.
GSI Outdoors Infinity 4-Person Compact Table Set
Once everyone in your crew has their own utensils, bestow upon them their own set of dishes. Ideally, make it a color-coded set like this one from GSI Outdoors so everyone knows they’re eating from their own plates and drinking from their own cups.
The set’s four colors forestall any mixups, and the BPA-free polypropylene material is durable and easy to clean. The funky triangular-shaped drinking vessels nest together in storage, and the mugs come with sleeves and lids with spouts for sipping hot drinks. $42.95
Humangear Stax 4-Piece Interlocking Container Set
Bland cuisine? Not at your campsite. Make sure of it by toting your favorite spices in these handy vessels. A set or two of Humangear Stax Containers can hold three square meals’ worth of salt, pepper, herbs, or even chia seeds or salad toppings.
Each set includes four containers (two small, one medium and one large), and sets are available in three sizes. The small version is perfect for spices and seasonings, while the medium works well for individual snacks or pre-measured ingredients like garnishes. They can double as storage for supplements or toiletries as well. Twist-on lids with silicone gaskets provide watertightness, ensuring your favorite sauces stay secure. $12.95
BearVault B475 Trek Bear Canister
If you’re camping in bear country and your campsite doesn’t have a food storage locker, pack a scent-proof food storage system like this one from BearVault. A wide mouth and twist-off lid make it easy for you to pile in your snacks (but hard for a bear to get into, after you screw it closed with two securing clicks). The 9.3-liter bucket can hold up to five or six days’ worth of food and has been tested and certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. But the standout feature may be the transparent sides: They make finding what you’re looking for at mealtime quick and painless. $89.95
Reliance EcoCore Aqua-tainer Water Jug
Whether you’re staying at a campground with water spigots galore or boondocking in a national forest, a water jug is never a bad idea. You can use it for all kinds of tasks like scrubbing your dishes, washing your hands or refilling your water bottles before a hike. The 26-liter EcoCore Aqua-Tainer from Reliance features a hideaway spigot for streamlined storage, and the structured container can be easier to carry from the car to the camp table than a flimsy water bag or cube. $24.95
OXO Outdoor Wash, Dry and Stow System
Doing dishes at camp doesn’t have to be a pain. The Outdoor Wash, Dry and Stow System from OXO transforms from a spacious storage box for cooking utensils to a wash-and-rinse basin complete with a drying rack, just about as close to your home kitchen sink as you can get in the woods.There’s even a utensil box to store forks and knives when not in use —no wasted space.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to pack a small bottle of castile soap, and not only for scrubbing dishes—it pulls double duty as hand soap, shampoo and laundry detergent, too. $59.95
Editor’s note: This article was updated on March 20, 2025 with new products.
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