Camp Kitchen Packing Errors to Keep away from

In my 10-plus years of tenting, I’ve realized an enormous lesson arduous approach: what you pack dictates your tenting expertise. Whereas it’s tempting to haul your total home to the campground to ensure you have each amenity attainable, typically much less is extra. In spite of everything, being open air is about having fun with nature, not rummaging by way of your automotive for that kitchen utensil or chef’s knife you swore you introduced alongside. To simplify your tenting expertise and outside cooking workflows, these are 10 issues it is best to positively skip when packing for a visit — and what it is best to make sure to deliver as a substitute, beginning at simply $5.

Don’t pack: Free kitchen utensils and knives

Pack this as a substitute: Freehiker Moveable Tenting Kitchen Utensil Set

Apart from annoying, it may be harmful to go looking by way of your tenting gear if you happen to’ve packed unfastened, uncovered kitchen utensils and knives. I realized early on that investing in a separate set of utensils for tenting, just like the Freehiker transportable tenting kitchen utensil pack, is a should. Now, I don’t need to shepherd something from my kitchen drawers to the automotive and again, nor do I danger shedding or damaging my nicer knives. This set comes with all of the necessities, together with cooking utensils, coated knives, consuming utensils, and even a reducing board. All the things suits right into a flat organizer bag and it’s even on sale for 38% off.

Don’t pack: Your nonstick pans

Pack this as a substitute: Lodge 10.25-Inch Solid Iron Skillet

I spent a couple of early tenting journeys bringing frying pans from my very own kitchen to the campground and regretted it every time. These pans, whereas excellent to be used in my dwelling, weren’t constructed for the camp kitchen. This Lodge forged iron skillet, nevertheless, is a flexible piece of cookware that may be dragged throughout the grates of a campfire pit with out worry of dings and scratches. Its even warmth retention and distribution additionally makes it nice for live-fire cooking, whether or not you’re cooking up post-hike burgers or sizzling canines. You possibly can seize one for less than $20.

Don’t pack: Your pots from dwelling

Pack this as a substitute: Msr Nonstick Ceramic Coated 2-Pot Tenting Cook dinner Set

It might be tempting to seize a pair saucepans out of your cabinet, however the handles can get in the best way of packing while you’re already attempting to suit your important camp gear. This set of two  nesting nonstick ceramic pots is on sale and comes with a removable deal with for simple storage. (Each pots share the identical deal with, saving much more area.) Plus, the ceramic nonstick coating makes for fast cleanup.

Don’t pack: Too many unfastened water bottles

Pack this as a substitute: Digury Retailer 5-Gallon Water Jug

After tenting for over a decade, I’ve realized that packing too many unfastened water bottles makes for a disorganized campsite. As a substitute, I acquired a 5-gallon water jug that I refill earlier than a visit. That approach, I solely have to deliver a few water bottles that I can refill from the bigger water jug. It additionally doesn’t damage that having the transportable jug makes it straightforward to fill pots for boiling water or washing dishes. Seize this Digury water jug for 23% off. 

Don’t pack: On the spot espresso

Pack this as a substitute: Stansport Percolator Espresso Pot

Don’t resign your self to dangerous espresso on the campsite. Whereas it appears simpler to deliver alongside instantaneous espresso, I’ve discovered that I crave a extra flavorful cup of caffeine after an evening of sleeping within the tent. With a handheld handbook grinder and this Stansport percolator espresso pot, you’ll be able to simply make 9 cups of nice espresso in minutes. You possibly can snag this percolator for less than $16.

Don’t pack: Paper plates and bowls

Pack this as a substitute: Wealers Stainless Metal Messware Package

Paper plates and bowls actually have their time and place at events or cookouts, however if you happen to’re an avid camper, you’ll need a reusable set of sturdy dinnerware in your tenting gear. Not solely is that this extra sustainable, nevertheless it’ll prevent cash in the long term. This chrome steel messware equipment comes with two plates, two bowls, two cups, and two units of cutlery. All the things stacks neatly collectively and suits right into a mesh bag for easy storage and transport. 

Don’t pack: Plastic baggage of spices

Pack this as a substitute: Coghlan’s Multi-Spice Container

As soon as upon a time, I ready for tenting journeys by pouring spices into plastic snack baggage, solely to misplace them by the point I acquired to the campground. Nowadays, I maintain a separate set of spices which are neatly organized in a container much like Coghlan’s multi-spice container. This $5 container has segments for six spices, together with paprika, curry, cayenne, garlic salt, black pepper, and salt.

Don’t pack: A soft-sided cooler bag

Pack this as a substitute: Coleman Chiller Sequence 60-Quart Wheeled Moveable Cooler

Whereas delicate cooler baggage are nice for picnics or seashore days, a multi-day tenting expertise would require a rugged arduous cooler that has extra capability and higher cooling. The Coleman Chiller Sequence cooler retains contents chilly because of its insulation and may maintain as much as 47 cans with 30 kilos of ice. It additionally has wheels and an extendable deal with so you’ll be able to simply roll it to your campsite, and it’s on sale for below $40 proper now.

Don’t pack: A stick flashlight

Pack this as a substitute: Consciot LED Tenting Lantern, 2-Pack

As a substitute of bringing a stick flashlight that gained’t have the ability to rise up by itself or forged a large gentle, seize this two-pack of Consciot LED tenting lanterns which are 32% off. These waterproof and battery-powered lanterns can attain as much as 1000 lumens, so whether or not you’re cooking dinner after sundown or organising your tent at the hours of darkness, you’ll have sufficient gentle throughout your total campsite. 

Don’t pack: Plastic or paper cups

Pack this as a substitute: Sunwill Insulated 14-Ounce Tenting Mug

For having fun with your drinks, plastic or paper cups ought to be changed with insulated mugs that may maintain your drinks hotter or cooler for longer. The now-$13 chrome steel tenting mug  has a spill-resistant lid for simple sipping, whereas the double wall vacuum insulation retains your drinks chilly or sizzling for hours. Obtainable in a number of engaging colours, this mug has been bought by over 1,000 Amazon buyers prior to now month.