Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
There’s something about campfire cooking that is incredibly satisfying, especially if you have the right kind of campfire cooking kit.
Maybe it’s the open fire, the smoke, or the fact that it feels like how we imagine our forefathers felt when they first discovered fire. Whatever it is, cooking over an open flame at a campsite is absolutely exhilarating.
The thing is, cooking over an open flame presents a number of challenges. You have little control over how much heat your campfire produces and how much is transferred to your campfire cooking kit.
Unless you intend to use a camping stove or a butane canister, which, to be honest, neutralizes the whole “feel like a caveman” experience.
If, on the other hand, you are all about open fire cooking, you will need some skills and, most of all, the right campfire cookware. On this list, you will find some of the best campfire cooking kits on the market for your next camping trip.
Best Overall Campfire Cooking Kit: GSI Outdoors-Pinnacle Base Camping Cook Set
Capacity: 4 people
Number of pieces: 8
What’s in the set:
- One five-liter pot
- A folding pot handle
- A nine-inch frying pan
- Two lids
- A 3-liter pot
- A cutting board
- A carrying bag
When it comes to making excellent campfire equipment, GSI Outdoors has a wonderful reputation. They have been making reliable camping cookware since 1985, and in that time, they have learned how to do it properly.
This GSI Outdoors-Pinnacle Base Camping Cook Set has 8 pieces, and while that is enough for any reasonable camping cookware set, there are a few things that could be included but aren’t. These include spoons and sporks.
However, GSI Outdoors made this camping cook set modular, meaning you can keep adding the pieces you need to the set as needed. This GSI Outdoors-Pinnacle Base Camping Cook Set takes the top spot because it comes with 8 pieces and is still technically incomplete, but it doesn’t limit you. You can start with these 8 pieces and go from there as your campfire cookware needs change.
Designed to cater to up to four people, this camp cooking set is perfect for campers who prefer to make stews and soups on their travels.
The pots have the edge over most other brands because they have easy-to-grab, foldable handles. The lids also have minute holes where you can dump hot water, making your cooking experience seamless.
What We Like:
- It comes with 8 pieces
- Modular means that additional pieces can be added as needed
- Cooks for up to 4 people
- Great for soups
- Foldable handles
What We Don’t Like:
- The set doesn’t come with camping utensils
Best Family Option: KingCamp Camping Kit Camping Set
Capacity: 3 people
Number of pieces: 18
What’s in the kit:
- One stainless steel pot (1 liter)
- One stainless steel pot (half-liter)
- Three plastic bowls
- One stainless steel frying pan (half-liter)
- Three sets of tableware (3 knives, 3 forks and 3 spoons)
- One folding plastic spoon
- One wooden spatula
- One folding stainless steel fork
- One carry bag
Do you love camping with the family? If so, this KingCamp Camping Kit Cookware Set is your ideal campfire cookware set. This camping set has 18 pieces and includes nearly everything you’d need as a camp chef.
This is a lightweight, easy-to-use, and even easier-to-carry set of cooking utensils that can be used in any kind of campfire, including a stove, a tripod, or even a huge bonfire. It comes with a carrying bag, which makes it even more convenient.
Made out of aluminum, this KingCamp Camping Kit Camping Set is an excellent conductor of heat, which makes your cooking easier and faster, saving you time and fuel.
This campfire cooking kit set comes with bowls, spoons, and even a knife. The plastic bowls and spoons are made of food-grade material, making them safe to use. This family camping cookware set is ideal for making breakfast, lunch, and dinner out in the wild.
What We Like:
- It’s a complete set with bowls, spoons, and knives
- Made out of aluminum, which is a good conductor of heat
- Easy to clean
- Easy to carry
- The plastic utensils are made out of food-grade material
What We Don’t Like:
- The pot handles aren’t as sturdy as they could be
Best Durable Option: GSI Outdoors, Pinnacle Dualist II Camping Cook Set
Capacity: 2 people
Number of pieces: 11
What’s in the kit:
- One 1.8-liter stainless steel pot
- Two 20-oz bowls
- A strainer lid
- Two Sip-It Tops
- Two 20-oz mugs
- Two folding sporks
- 1 welded sink
The first thing that stands out about this GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist II Camping Cook Set is that the pot (1.8 liters) has convenient graduations molded into it, making measuring a breeze.
But that isn’t the only noteworthy inclusion in this functional design. The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist II Camping Cook Set comes with handy spouts that make it easy to pour water and rehydrate meals when cooking. This cooking set features a nonstick coating with Teflon Radiance Technology, which gives it exceptional nonstick performance and makes the utensils easy to clean and care for after use.
Furthermore, this nonstick coating is scratch and abrasion-resistant, enhancing its outdoor performance.
This GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist II Camping Cook Set is designed for two. If you are keen on camping with your significant other, you will find the mugs, folding sporks, and sip-it tops ideal for you.
Finally, the pot is made of stainless steel, making it durable. The lids, even though they are made out of nylon, are crushproof and heat-resistant, which keeps them from deforming during use.
What We Like:
- The nonstick offers excellent service
- Durable
- Made out of stainless steel
- Features a functional design
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t Like:
- You only get one pot and no frying pan
Best Complete Option: Stanley Base Camp Cook Set for 4 With 21 Pieces Campfire Kit
Capacity: 4 people
Number of pieces: 21
What’s in the kit:
- Four bowls, 22 oz.
- A stainless steel cooking pot with a vented lid (3.5 liters)
- A stainless frying pan
- A cutting board
- Four 6-inch plates
- A sponge-securing cord
- A serving spoon
- Sporks
- A Spatula
- Bowls dish rack
This Stanley Base Camp Cook Set for 4 with 21-Piece Campfire Kit is phenomenal in that it’s a complete set that will make you believe that you are still in your kitchen at home. In many cases, even the most avid campers tend to forget at least two things regarding their camping kitchen set: the sporks and a serving spoon.
You don’t have to worry about that anymore because they’re all included in this Stanley Base Camp Cook Set for four with this 21-Piece Campfire Kit.
Designed with utilitarianism in mind, this Stanley Base Camp Cook Set for 4 with 21-Piece Campfire Kit is ideal and efficient. Not only is it easy to use, but it’s also easy to store and transport as it stacks neatly and securely using the sponge-securing cord.
Made from 18/8 stainless steel, this Stanley Base Camp Cook Set for 4 with 21-Piece Campfire Kit is both tough and durable. They are designed to be strong, rustproof, and scratch proof, so you don’t have to worry about maintenance.
What We Like:
- Strong and durable
- Packs easily
- Made out of stainless steel
- Comes with a spork and a spatula
- They have hook holes for easy hanging
What We Don’t Like:
Best High-Capacity Option: MSR Flex 4 Cook Set
Capacity: 4 or more
Number of pieces: 13
What’s in the kit:
- One nonstick hard-anodized aluminum pot (3.2 liters)
- One dual-handled hard-anodized aluminum pot (5.3 liters)
- Two aluminum Strainer lids
- Four DeepDish plates
- Four Insulated Mugs (10.2 oz.)
- One Talon pot handle
With a 5.3-liter pot and another that offers you 3.2 liters, this MSR Flex 4 Cook Set is the campfire cooking kit with the highest capacity on this list. Designed to cater to four or more people, this MSR Flex 4 Cook Set is a complete set ideal for people who like to go camping with their family or friends.
With the large capacity of pots, you can easily cook several dishes at once. The two pots that make up this MSR Flex 4 Cook Set come with a strainer lid, allowing you to drain any excess liquid from your food without using a colander. This reduces the number of utensils you need to carry on your camping trip.
This is a complete camping cookware mess kit with deep dish plates and insulated mugs for your convenience. Campfire cooking has never been easier.
What We Like:
- High capacity pots
- Insulated mugs
- Ideal for large groups of at least 4
- Easy to carry
- Pots include strainers
What We Don’t Like:
- Doesn’t come with a storage bag
Factors to Consider When Looking for the Best Campfire Cooking Kit
As you can see, there are many options. The problem with having too much of something on the market is that you are more likely going to run into some that aren’t of high quality or suitable.
To choose the best campfire cookware kit for your specific needs, you need to consider a few factors. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when buying the best campfire cooking kit.
Campfire Cooking Set Accessories
What’s included in the kit determines its versatility. Some campfire cooking sets are very basic and don’t come with necessary utensils such as serving plates, sporks, or even serving spoons.
While some of these things are considered frivolous by some minimalist campers, it all comes down to your specific needs. If you want a camping cookware set that will mimic your kitchen, then you need to find one that comes with everything you need.
Another thing to consider on the list of items included in the kit is a carrying bag. Unless the manufacturer specifically made the utensils fit into one another, and eventually all go into the biggest pot, making the whole set a breeze to carry, you really should be on the lookout for a carrying bag. Without it, you will have difficulty transporting and managing your campfire cooking set.
Storage
This ties into the previous point: if you buy a set of campfire cooking utensils with a carrying bag, you will find them easier to store after cleaning. Otherwise, you need to choose an option that allows all the utensils to fit into one another and finally into the biggest pot.
Stacking the cooking utensils together will make your life much easier while out in the wilderness. Because some of these sets come with 15 pieces or more, losing some will be easy if you don’t have a management or storage system in place.
Camping Style
What kind of camping cooking do you prefer? Are you an open fire or camp stove person? Would you prefer to build a fire pit, grill your food, or rehydrate it?
Your camping style will determine the kind of camping cooking gear you need. If you prefer a campfire grill or an open flame, then buy a cooking set specifically designed for that purpose. Some cast iron pots aren’t ideal for open flames, and some don’t work well with camp stoves.
In general, if you intend to use cooking gear made out of stainless steel, you should be okay regardless of the heat you use. However, if you buy composite cookware, you might want to keep that away from open flames.
That said, open flames are difficult to manage, and a very strong fire can cause damage to even cast iron cookware such as a Dutch oven, which means that you also need to know how to manage your fire pit well, regardless of your chosen cookware.
Quality of the Material Used
Very few factors are as important as the quality of the material used to build the camping cookware you choose. It should be the first thing you pay close attention to when trying to find the best camping cooking set for your needs.
Some materials are ideal for specific utensils. For example, you can get by with plastic bowls, sporks, and cups, but that won’t work with anything else. If you intend to cook over an open fire, then you are better off using stainless steel or cast iron products. Stainless steel tends to last longer and works perfectly well over open flames.
On the other hand, cast iron skillets and cast iron pans are tough and durable, but they require extra care as they must be seasoned from time to time, or they will develop rust. Another issue is that they tend to be heavy, which makes them inappropriate for campers who prefer to travel light. They are, however, perfect for people who like to go car camping and don’t mind the extra weight.
Finding the best camping cooking set for your specific needs is all about learning about those needs. Unfortunately, this is something that you can only do with experience. You must first go camping with what you have, try using them, realize the mistakes you made, and correct them.
That said, having a cast iron Dutch oven is always a safe bet. It’s slightly heavier than most camp cooking gear, but it’s multi-purpose, tough, durable, and can take any flame you throw at it.
With that in mind, the options mentioned above are all very useful. You just have to determine whether they are useful to you and your style of outdoor cooking.
FAQ
What’s the best type of campfire for outdoor cooking?
The teepee is the best type of campfire for outdoor cooking, mostly because it burns steadily for a short period of time, allowing you to get your meals done quickly.
Can you use your cast iron frying pan over an open flame?
Yes, cast iron is one of the toughest and most durable materials for campfire cooking sets. Cast iron utensils are made out of solid iron and, as such, can work well with an oven, a stovetop, or even an open flame.
What is the best material for the ideal camping cookware?
Even though cast iron is reliably tough, it’s quite heavy. Hard-anodized aluminum is the best choice when it comes to backcountry use. Not only is it lighter than cast iron, but it also conducts heat evenly, is easy to clean, and is coated with nonstick finishes in many cases.
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Last update on 2023-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
