Building the Ultimate Camp Kitchen Setup
Food preparation while camping can be tricky, and can turn into a frustrating situation when you're not prepared. After a long day of hiking, fishing, or swimming, coming back to a campsite without a functional kitchen doesn’t make for a relaxing dinner. It can be time consuming and messy to prepare a meal on your outdoor adventure, but the right camp kitchen gear can make all the difference.
CAMP TABLES AND COOK STATIONS
Getting the tools to create optimized camping kitchens will make your trip overall more enjoyable. For example, using the right camp tables and creating an optimized cook station will set you up for success.
Cooking while camping can be a fun experience for everyone, but there are some key components to remember as you build your setup and collect the gear required for all of your ultimate camp kitchen needs.
For an efficient portable camp kitchen, have multiple tables that serve their own different purpose. You may want one table for food preparation and paper towels, another to keep plates, and one for your stove or grill. Even though you’re camping, you want to think of your camp kitchen setup similarly to what you would want in your own home.
CAMP KITCHEN TABLE
This Camp Kitchen Table is a handy, multipurpose outdoor cooking station. It comes with a large main platform to cook on with your camp stove. The adjoining two side platforms are the perfect place to keep your prepped food, utensils, and cutting boards. Once the after-dinner dishes have been tackled, use the large wire rack underneath the main platform to store your pots, pans, and dishes as they dry.
Not only are there multiple spaces for you to keep your cookware, it’s also convenient to take with you anywhere you go. If the ground is uneven there is an adjustable-anti-rocking foot so your hot chili isn’t at risk of spilling due to wobbling. There’s also a convenient carry bag that you can use to store your camp kitchen table until you need it again.
CAMP TABLE
This Camp Table is perfect for preparing meals alone or together. Generously sized and supporting up to 90 pounds, it can handle all of your ingredients, prep items, and camp stove with ease. There’s over 3.5 feet of prep space, so everyone can be involved to get dinner served.
This Camp Table is not just for cooking, either. Because of its large size, there’s enough room to pull up some chairs once dinner is ready and eat right on the table. Relax with some after-dinner beverages and pull out your favorite board game. The table is easily leveled on uneven ground with it’s adjustable, anti rocking foot.
COOKING STATION SHELTER
No matter the weather, you’ll still need to cook. With the Trail Fly 14 Camp Tarp, you can use your outdoor camping kitchen while staying safe from the elements. This camp tarp can be customized to keep you covered no matter what circumstance—from snow to sun to rain.
Use a variety of pitching options, like the auxiliary rain cover, cooling sunshade, and wind block to help you cook your meal. It may be raining outside, but your cooking station and camp stove will remain dry. But, it’s not just rain or snow that it protects you from—the updated polyester fabric offers UPF 30 UV protection on even the sunniest days.
STOVES AND GRILLS
Firing up the grill and cooking for friends and family is one of the most memorable parts of camping. Enjoying delicious food is a must when staying outdoors, making a reliable camp kitchen with a stove or grill essential.
Consider creating a modular system that has both a stove and a grill, and then adding on depending on your needs. You may be someone who wants to grill anything and everything, or, you may be someone who can’t imagine camping without a big pot of chili simmering away on the stove.
Regardless of your preferences, you don’t need to break the bank buying as you start building your camp kitchen. There are many affordable camp stove and grill models. With so many stoves on the market, it can be hard to determine what is the best option for you. Here are some options that will help narrow it down.
SPRK⁺ CAMP STOVE
The SPRK⁺ Camp Stove is small, but mighty. It’s a compact, all-in-one stove that is ready to take your camp cooking to the next level. It has room to fit up to 11” pots and pans, with a convenient compartment that fits an 8 oz butane canister. To stay safe, there are adjustable feet that will stay level on any service.
You don’t need to worry about burning your food or waiting forever to boil a pot of water—the SPRK⁺ Camp Stove has a high-precision simmer control that gives you control of your stove temperature. You also won’t be fiddling with lighting the stove as the auto-ignition makes for fast, easy starts. WIndy days are no match for this stove, either, as the double-walled wind protection helps to maintain a strong and consistent flame.
SPRK CAMP GRILL
Grilling and camping are the perfect pair—there’s nothing like firing up the grill and enjoying a meal by the campfire. Since you can’t pack up your grill from home, the SPRK Camp Grill brings the flavor to your camp kitchen no matter where you are.
A compact, all-in-one design makes this grill the perfect camping accompaniment. There are precise temperature controls, an easy-to-clean ceramic grate, and an integrated fuel compartment that will guarantee the perfect sear on that burger or steak at your campsite. The removable drip tray makes for easy cleanup, while the auto-ignition makes for a fast start.
IGNITE PLUS CAMP STOVE
Camping with a large crew? Cooking for them doesn’t have to be a stressful situation. You can cook up the perfect breakfast, lunch, or dinner with the Ignite Plus Camping Stove. This camping stove is built to last—with thick-gauge steel, you can count on this being your stove for many years of rugged outdoor use.
Perfect for a large crowd, the innovative simmer control allows for high-precision flame adjustment, while 10,000 BTU burners give you the options of a light simmer to rolling boils. The Ignite Plus Camping Stove is JetLink compatible so you can connect from the output on other Eureka! Stoves to create your ultimate camp kitchen.
POTS, PANS, AND SKILLETS
Picture this: A large pot of stew simmering away, burgers searing on the grill, and fresh summer corn cooking on the stovetop. To make your camp cooking dreams a reality, you’ll need a variety of pots, pans, and skillets.
Just like when you cook at home, you’ll need different pots and pans depending on what you are planning on making. Not having the right tools to cook with is a frustrating experience, so be sure that you are prepared to grill steaks, fry up some eggs, or cook up some vegetables.
COOKING UTENSILS
Utensils designed with outdoor cooking and eating in mind are a must for avid campers. Single-use plastic utensils break easily, need to be trashed after heavy use, and are bad for the environment. Camping utensils are both lightweight and compact, making them easy to pack with your other camp kitchen essentials. Camping utensils are versatile and multi-functional, and can hold up to years of use. Don't forget a portable spice rack to up the flavor of your food.
CAMP WATER
Having enough water, whether by bringing it with you or using a filter system if you’re near a water source, is a critical component of camp kitchens. When you cook at home, you’re probably unaware of just how much water you are using when you cook and clean. Just filling up a sauce pot can use as much as four quarts of water, while cleaning your cookware while camping can easily use more than a couple gallons of water.
The solution to this is either bring large jugs of drinking water with you or by using a gravity filter system if you are near a water source. Campsites will often have water available, but you’ll need to remember to bring large jugs to bring back to your tent.
CAMP COFFEE
There’s nothing like waking up on a cool summer morning and sitting down with a fresh cup of coffee just taking in the scenery. There are many ways to brew a cup while you’re in the great outdoors, but some options are more appealing than others.
Instant coffee is always an option, as is cold brew. Your camp stove can help you with your coffee making-efforts by boiling water that you can then use to pour into a French press or other filter.
Sometimes, though, you just don’t want to mess with the hassle of the traditional methods, which is where the Camp Cafe comes in. You can brew quality coffee for your entire crew quickly and cleaning up is a breeze. The 80oz kettle boils water twice as fast as a standard kettle, and the components nestle together nicely for easy transport and storage.
If you’re not looking to make coffee for a large group, consider the Flash Java Kit. This is a personal cooking system that will whip up an individual cup of coffee in no time. Your water will boil in 100 seconds, leaving you with the quickest french-pressed coffee you’ve ever had.
FOOD STORAGE
Food storage should do the following when camping:
- Keep things organized and easily accessible.
- Keep animals away from your food.
- Keep dry food dry and cold food cold.
Food can attract unwanted wildlife like bears to your campsite, so remember to practice safe storage throughout your trip. Never leave food or trash inside your tent or unattended and make sure all food is secured.
Food poisoning can be a major risk while camping. Don’t let your perishables go bad with inadequate temperatures. Brands like Yeti and Pelican make high-quality, nearly indestructible coolers that will guarantee your perishables stay safe. Don’t run the risk of your food going bad—you may not know it and wind up with food poisoning (not fun while camping!) or you may go hungry.
For dry foods, plastic storage bins work well. You should get plastic bins that have a tight, secure lid so water can’t get it. Storage containers aren’t expensive, can generally stack on top of each other, and don’t take up too much room. For easier access, use clear containers.
DISHWASHING
Washing dishes is never a fun task and can be especially difficult while camping. Every camp kitchen needs a sink or a tub to clean your dishes. Collapsible sinks are an efficient way to get your dishes done after cooking.
Consider buying multiple collapsible sinks, as the 3-sink technique will come in handy here. The 3-sink technique is a reliable dishwashing process that gives each sink a specific purpose:
- Wash (Kitchen Sink 1)
- Rinse (Kitchen Sink 2)
- Sanitize (Kitchen Sink 3)
The 3-sink method prevents cross-contamination and keeps your dishwashing to a manageable level.
In addition to sinks or tubs, you’ll also need a handful of other products to wash your dishes. Store these items in your camp kitchen:
- Sponge
- Brush or scrubber.
- Biodegradable soap
- Sanitizer (either capfuls of bleach or tablets)
- Reusable towels
- Paper towels
GARBAGE AND WASTE
When it’s time to pack up and head home, keep “Leave No Trace” in mind. Essentially, you want your campsite to look exactly as it did when you arrived. There are seven “Leave No Trace” principles and are as follows:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire)
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Bring garbage bags with you and clean up as you go and help keep your space tidy. If your campsite has a place where you can safely dispose of your garbage bags, use that. If not, take all of your garbage with you and dispose of it when you arrive back home.
CAMP CHAIRS
Finally, don’t forget about camp chairs! Eating, chatting, and drinking around the fire is much less enjoyable when you don’t have a comfortable chair to sit in. You’ll want something that is durable and that you won’t mind sitting in for a few hours.
There are many options out there for camp chairs and they all have different features. For convenient eating, get a chair with a small table to hold your plate and drink. Planning on hanging around the fire for a while? Then go for something that has a drink holder. Whatever chair you decide on, make sure that it has the features you need for a moment of relaxation.
ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS EVEN MORE WITH YOUR ULTIMATE CAMP KITCHEN
This isn’t your grandpa’s camping trip. Camping has evolved over the years to give campers everything they need for the ultimate outdoors vacation. Camp kitchens have so many components that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with wear to start. Using this list of items can have you cooking in no time. From stoves to grills to utensils and everything in between, you can make your camp kitchen fully functional and create memories that last a lifetime.
