Camp Kitchen Packing Errors to Keep away from

In my 10-plus years of tenting, I’ve discovered an enormous lesson laborious means: what you pack dictates your tenting expertise. Whereas it’s tempting to haul your complete home to the campground to be sure you have each amenity attainable, typically much less is extra. In any case, being open air is about having fun with nature, not rummaging by 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 undoubtedly skip when packing for a visit — and what it is best to make sure you carry as an alternative, beginning at simply $5.

Don’t pack: Unfastened kitchen utensils and knives

Pack this as an alternative: Freehiker Moveable Tenting Kitchen Utensil Set

Except for annoying, it may be harmful to look by your tenting gear if you happen to’ve packed unfastened, uncovered kitchen utensils and knives. I discovered early on that investing in a separate set of utensils for tenting, just like the Freehiker moveable tenting kitchen utensil pack, is a should. Now, I don’t should shepherd something from my kitchen drawers to the automotive and again, nor do I danger dropping or damaging my nicer knives. This set comes with all of the necessities, together with cooking utensils, lined knives, consuming utensils, and even a slicing board. Every little thing 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 an alternative: 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 house, weren’t constructed for the camp kitchen. This Lodge forged iron skillet, nonetheless, is a flexible piece of cookware that may be dragged throughout the grates of a campfire pit with out concern 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 under $20.

Don’t pack: Your pots from house

Pack this as an alternative: Msr Nonstick Ceramic Coated 2-Pot Tenting Cook dinner Set

It could be tempting to seize a pair saucepans out of your cabinet, however the handles can get in the way in which of packing whenever you’re already making an attempt 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 straightforward 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 an alternative: Digury Retailer 5-Gallon Water Jug

After tenting for over a decade, I’ve discovered that packing too many unfastened water bottles makes for a disorganized campsite. As an alternative, I obtained a 5-gallon water jug that I refill earlier than a visit. That means, I solely have to carry a few water bottles that I can refill from the bigger water jug. It additionally doesn’t harm that having the moveable jug makes it simple to fill pots for boiling water or washing dishes. Seize this Digury water jug for 23% off. 

Don’t pack: Prompt espresso

Pack this as an alternative: Stansport Percolator Espresso Pot

Don’t resign your self to unhealthy espresso on the campsite. Whereas it appears simpler to carry 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 guide 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 under $16.

Don’t pack: Paper plates and bowls

Pack this as an alternative: Wealers Stainless Metal Messware Equipment

Paper plates and bowls definitely have their time and place at events or cookouts, however if you happen to’re an avid camper, you’ll desire 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 stainless-steel messware package comes with two plates, two bowls, two cups, and two units of cutlery. Every little thing stacks neatly collectively and suits right into a mesh bag for easy storage and transport. 

Don’t pack: Plastic luggage of spices

Pack this as an alternative: Coghlan’s Multi-Spice Container

As soon as upon a time, I ready for tenting journeys by pouring spices into plastic snack luggage, solely to misplace them by the point I obtained to the campground. As of late, I preserve a separate set of spices which can be 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 an alternative: Coleman Chiller Sequence 60-Quart Wheeled Moveable Cooler

Whereas gentle cooler luggage are nice for picnics or seashore days, a multi-day tenting expertise would require a rugged laborious 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 an alternative: Consciot LED Tenting Lantern, 2-Pack

As an alternative of bringing a stick flashlight that received’t have the ability to rise up by itself or forged a large gentle, seize this two-pack of Consciot LED tenting lanterns which can be 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 nighttime, you’ll have sufficient gentle throughout your complete campsite. 

Don’t pack: Plastic or paper cups

Pack this as an alternative: Sunwill Insulated 14-Ounce Tenting Mug

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