The best camp cookware often consists of a set of pots and pans, reusable plates and bowls, durable cutlery and utensils, and food storage containers that are built for the long haul.
Trekking into the wilderness affords an escape from the hustle, clutter, and worries of our busy modern lives. But just because a camping trip means leaving behind whatever gadgets and appliances most of us use on a daily basis, it doesn't mean your adventure has to be fraught with needless difficulties.
With the right gear, time spent out in the field can be rustic yet convenient when it comes to preparing food. In fact, with a good set of camping cookware, you can move beyond the basic need for nutrition and prepare meals that are truly tasty — and may even resemble what you'd whip up at home.
As happens with so many people who find themselves spending more time hiking and camping, I went through an evolutionary process with the gear I use. I started off with an older, heavier air mat and sleeping bag and my first tent was a cheap and flimsy model I found on eBay for the same price as a single tank of gas. My first boots were hand-me-downs.
Same goes for the cookware I used — I bought my first set for five or six dollars at an army surplus store. It was made of thin, stamped aluminum, and after only a few uses, the metal tarnished with exposure to moisture, the pot and pan discolored from the flame of the stove, and all the components became so warped and dented that the set no longer fit together properly.
How to shop for camp cookwareIn retrospect, what was I to expect? You get what you pay for, to a degree. What might be a pleasant surprise to you, though, is how many high-quality camp cooking sets you can get for a modest price. There is plenty of great camp cookware available between $20 and $30 that are designed to last for years of use with proper care.
When shopping, it's important to keep in mind not only how you intend to use the cookware but also how many people you intend to cook for, how long you intend to camp, and whether you'll be backpacking, car camping, or a mix of both. The answers to those questions greatly influence the type of cookware set that's right for you.
To help with the decision process, I took on the task of trekking into the backcountry with a backpack full of cookware to find the best of what's currently available. With gear from brands like GSI and Snow Peak, I hiked, camped, and backpacked stocked with quality cookware that helped keep me (unsurprisingly) well-fed.
Here are our top picks for the best camping cookware:Updated on 7/9/2020 by Rick Stella: Added a section on how to shop for camp cookware in the intro, updated the copy of each selected set, checked the availability of all products, and updated the pricing, formatting, and links throughout.