CAMP COOKING AND CAMP FOOD IDEAS

A solid camp kitchen doesn't need to be complicated - it just needs to be well thought out. The five things to get sorted first are: a reliable heat source, versatile cookware, a prep and storage surface, a complete cutlery and dinnerware set, and a system for cleanup. For the heat source and cooking in one, the 2 Burner Stove & Oven Combo lets you boil, fry, and bake at the same time, essential when you're feeding a crew. For cookware, cast iron is the gold standard at camp: it handles campfires and gas stoves equally well and only gets better with use. A prep and storage surface keeps your kitchen organised and off the ground. Rounding out with plates, mugs, and cutlery means you're ready to eat the moment the meal is done. For a full breakdown of what to pack, our guide to choosing camping cooking gear covers every category in detail.

It's almost always the small stuff: a can opener, a cutting board, a pot scraper, or cooking oil. These items are so routine at home that they don't make the packing list, but without them, camp cooking quickly becomes frustrating. Lid lifters and heat-resistant gloves are also commonly left behind, which becomes a real problem the moment you're trying to handle a scorching camp oven over the coals. A good habit is to write your checklist from the meal plan backwards, think through every step of cooking and eating each dish, and you'll catch the gaps before you leave home. Our camp kitchen essentials blog has a handy rundown of the items most campers wish they'd remembered to pack.

Cast iron rewards good habits. After cooking, clean your cast iron while it's still warm and this makes removing food residue much easier. Use warm water and the Cast Iron Scrub rather than soap, which strips the seasoning that builds up over time and keeps the surface naturally non-stick. Once clean, dry it immediately and thoroughly. Moisture is cast iron's biggest enemy. While still warm, apply a thin layer of Cast Iron Seasoning Oil and wipe off any excess. For storage, keep your cast iron in a cool, dry place and use canvas camp oven bags to protect it during transport and prevent moisture from building up between uses. With this routine, your cast iron will last generations and actually improve the more you use it.

More than most people expect. A camp oven's ability to hold and distribute heat evenly makes it one of the most versatile pieces of cookware you can own outdoors. The classics are damper, slow-cooked stews, casseroles, and roasts, all of which benefit from the long, gentle, even heat cast iron provides. But you can also bake bread, cook curries, make cobblers and desserts, fry, roast vegetables, and even make pizza. The Camp Oven 5-in-1 takes it even further, functioning as a grill plate, flat plate, wok, camp oven, and pizza oven in a single piece of gear. For bigger groups, the 9 Quart Camp Oven handles family-sized meals with ease. If you want inspiration for what to actually cook, our cast iron cookware blog is full of ideas from sunrise pancakes to slow-cooked stews by the campfire.

Enamel is one of the easier materials to care for at camp. Wash with warm water and a mild detergent. Unlike cast iron, enamel is perfectly fine with soap. Avoid abrasive scrubbers or steel wool though, as these can scratch and chip the enamel coating over time. A soft brush or sponge does the job well. Rinse thoroughly, then dry completely before packing away to prevent moisture sitting inside stacked dishes. When storing, avoid stacking too heavily or tossing loosely into a bag, as chips and cracks tend to happen in transit rather than at the campsite. Wrapping pieces individually or using cloth separators is good practice for longer trips. The 12 Piece Enamel Dinner Set is a great option if you're after something durable and easy to maintain. It includes plates, bowls, and mugs and is built tough enough for years of camp use.