The Ideal Cooking Setup for Your Next Camping Trip

Camping is all about having fun, exploring new places and spending some relaxing days in the wild. But going on a camping trip requires you to have the proper equipment. Besides the tent, clothes, lighting, sleeping bags and blankets, you need to have a suitable cooking environment, especially if you’re camping for more than a couple of days. Having the right cooking setup can make your trip simpler and more enjoyable.

Solar Oven

Are you familiar with solar energy? This is a clean, renewable source that helps in the reduction of deforestation, fossil fuels and glasshouse gas emissions. It’s a very popular principle that’s even used in making camping ovens. This innovation collects solar energy, stores it, and uses it to cook meals. A sustainable option like this is perfect when you’re in the wilderness.

There are a number of manufacturers on the market, which means plenty of choices for you. The most important thing is to invest in a high-performance camp oven for cooking that will match your needs. These ovens are lightweight and affordable and can be a game changer on your camping trip. In general, they can reach temperatures of 260 degrees Celsius when placed underneath direct sunlight.

These ovens can prepare a meal in about 20 minutes under perfect conditions. They fold up when you’re finished, saving a lot of storage room. Additionally, there are some hybrid options, a mix of solar energy and a 12-volt electrical outlet. Besides the baking option, you can also cook and steam your food. This is a practical addition to your cooking gear no matter if you’re traveling alone or with a few more people.

The first thing to consider when buying this oven is the temperature. It’s not worth the money if the oven doesn’t get to the temperature you want. The temperature can vary from one model to another, but they usually reach between 160 and 180 degrees Celsius. There are more powerful models, of course, if that’s what you need.

The oven’s capacity also varies. Some can cook for 1-2 people, others have the capacity to cook for 8-10 people. So, knowing your companions can make a difference. Keep in mind that the larger ones are more expensive. Portability is also important. A lot of ovens come with their own handle-equipped cases, and for some, you need to buy the case separately. Overall, there’s something for everyone, so do your research.

Camping Stove

Camping stoves can be a great addition to your camping cooking setup. There are 2 choices: portable and freestanding stoves. The freestanding ones are heavier, larger and have more than 2 burners. You can place them anywhere and are perfect when you’re cooking for a large group of people.

Portable stoves are also known as tabletop stoves. They need a flat surface to work safely and properly. You can place them on a chair, bench or the camping table. They’re smaller, lightweight and have fewer burners. You can use them to cook food for one or two people. So, if you’re a large group of friends, you should invest in a freestanding stove.

As a heat source, they use propane. This makes it simple to regulate the temperature. These little gasoline canisters are easy to find. You can get them in almost every retail store or gas station. You should bring at least one extra bottle when you go camping to avoid running out of fuel.

Make sure the stove is wind resistant because wind can be a meal-killer. Get a shield on 3 sides of the stove so it’s safe to use and won’t cause any fires while you’re in the forest. Simmering control is another practical feature to have. Some meals require finesse when cooking. Why not have it while camping?

Firestarter

You might not need it for the camp oven for cooking, but a firestarter is a practical way to start a fire. It’s a camping accessory that comes in many sizes. If you haven’t used one, ask the seller, read the instruction, watch YouTube videos and read reviews. This will help you a lot. There are 3 main types of firestarters, flint and steel, magnesium bars and ferrocerium rods.

Flint and stone are the oldest fire-starting methods known to men. When the stone hits the flint, it breaks off small particles. These particles come in contact with oxygen and ignite. Due to their 50% cerium content and varying amounts of lanthanum and iron, ferrocerium rods produce hotter sparks. Magnesium bars have a ferro rod on top and are shaped like a bar. You first shave the magnesium into the wood bundle and use the ferro rod to light it up.

Pots and Pans

It doesn’t matter if you’re using camp ovens or stoves, having proper pots and pans can make cooking much easier. You don’t have to own a lot, you just need the right size and material. You can buy them in sets to save some time and money. Some of these sets even include cups, plates or mugs.

When it comes to materials, aluminium is one of the best choices. It’s lightweight, affordable and a good heat conductor. However, it can break down easily if you’re not careful. Stainless steel is also an option. It’s durable, scratch resistant but it’s heavy. Its only downside is that it’s more expensive.

Utensils

It doesn’t matter what you’re cooking. At some point you’ll need to chop food, stir the pots, serve the food, and, of course, eat it. Having the right utensils can make things much easier. You don’t need a lot. Pack the same number of forks and spoons as the number of people coming to the campsite. Have at least one wooden spoon and a spatula. Tongs would be nice for serving salads or handling the meat on the grill.

Sharp knives are a must. Grab a couple and store them properly. A chopping board will make meal prep pretty simple. It’s a good idea to pre-plan the meals so you’ll know exactly what you need. This way you won’t carry any extra weight on your shoulders.