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Camping is a lot of fun but it can be stressful as well if you aren’t properly prepared. There are many things that you need to consider and what you need to take with you will depend on several factors, like the weather, the number of people, and how much time you’re going to spend outdoors. You probably know the camping essentials you need – a quality tent, appropriate clothing, water, and torch light, but you’ll need to think about the camp kitchen essentials as well.
Good food is crucial for every great camping experience and you need the right equipment to make it. There are a lot of delicious recipes that may require different tools, however, most of the time, camping food is simple enough to be cooked fast. When it comes to choosing the ultimate kitchen camping essentials, you can only take as much items as your vehicle allows.
Here are the 5 camping kitchen essentials that’ll make cooking in the outback a breeze.
A High-Grade Stove: Firebox Stove to Cook Any Dish
You’ll need a practical stove that offers many ways of cooking your food. There are a lot of models on the market and choosing the right one can be challenging. One option that you can go for is the versatile multi-fuel Firebox stove. This is a folding stove that can use wood, gel fuels, gas burner, fuel tabs, charcoal briquettes, and others. This means that you’ll be able to use it in the way that best suits your needs and preferences.
It’s easy to use because you don’t need to assemble different parts and pieces. Its hinged construction enables you to quickly set it up and pack it after you’re done. It is sturdy, stable, and portable.
You can opt for the stainless steel Firebox stove that’s extremely durable and corrosion-resistant. Its hinges are tough and will stay in place without moving. The other option is titanium. It’s the same size as the stainless steel but much lighter. It’s also more corrosion resistant and cools down faster. If weight is the determining factor, the titanium stove gives you the larger size but it’s more convenient for carrying it in your backpack because it’s almost half the weight. They both can fit pans and cups of all sizes.
The Nano version is more compact than the previous two, which makes it the ultimate backpacking Fire box stove. It offers everything that the others have but it is in a much smaller size. It fits in your pocket and can be adjusted for smaller cups or larger pans. Which one you’ll choose depends on your needs and preferences.
The stove can be upgraded with various accessories. You can separately get grill plates, boil plates, adjustable fire grates, and gas burners. There are also combo kits that include everything that you might need. From different plates to fire sticks and an organiser case, the Fire Box stove kit has it all.
A Good-Quality Cooler to Keep Your Food and Drinks Fresh
Coolers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs. Depending on the food and drinks you usually take camping, you can choose different types of coolers. They’re very useful to have because your food will always stay fresh, you’ll have cold drinks whenever you need them, and you don’t need to spend much for a quality product.
- Soft-sided coolers are made for smaller amounts of food. They’re efficient, durable, and lightweight;
- Hard-sided coolers are harder to transport when fully loaded but they offer more powerful options. Some models come with wheels so you don’t have to carry the heavy weight by yourself;
- Electric coolers are convenient for those who have power supply access and you won’t have to use ice for cooling your food. The downside is that it might not work as well when you unplug it.
A Few Items of Cookware that You’ll Use for All Recipes
After deciding on a stove, you need to choose the cookware. It should be compatible with the stove because, otherwise, there’s no point in bringing it. If you opt for the fire box stove, you can use any cookware that you have because it can be adjusted to fit different sizes. Before taking anything, consider the number of people, the recipes you’re going to cook, and the weight you’re prepared to take.
You can always take the things you have at home but it’s a good idea to pick items that you’re only going to use for camping because you won’t risk damaging your home cookware. Choose several pots and pans that can be used for most of the dishes that you plan to cook.
Dedicated Tableware that’s Durable and Sturdy
Just like with the cookware, you can always use what you have at home. However, ceramics are too fragile to take camping. For this reason, you’ll need tableware made from strong materials that’ll withstand the transport and the camp side. Enamel dishes are durable and made for camping.
If you want an eco-friendly alternative, go for bamboo dishes. Look for something that’s easy to clean but if you don’t fancy the idea of doing dishes when camping, use 100% compostable disposable plates.
A Set of Utensils and Some Additional Accessories
In order not to forget something that you’ll definitely need, you want to have dedicated camping utensils that you’ll store with the other camping equipment. You can choose folding knives but they aren’t as efficient as full-sized knives. Go for folding utensils if space is really an issue because they’re light and compact.
If you frequently go camping, invest in a quality set that’ll last you a long time. This can only be for the items that you use the most, like forks and spoons, tongs, a bottle opener, and a cutting board. You may find it useful to have heat-resistant gloves for protection, and a thermometer to tell you the exact temperature of the meat you’re cooking or the inside of the oven.