Having the right camping cookware set for your outdoor adventure is crucial, and that is far from an understatement. It can be easy to think of camping as simply grabbing a good tent and sleeping bag then heading into the unknown. While you can certainly do that, it could lead to unpleasant or downright dangerous events. Before stepping into the beauty of nature, it is important to plan our what campfire cooking kit you need for your trip.
#1 GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cooking Set (23 pieces)
Verdict: The Best All Around Set
The Good Stuff:
- Non-stick everything without compromising durability
- Smart nesting design for easy and maximal storage
- Good mix of materials from aluminum to silicone for ideal performance
- Large variety of pieces to cover all your basics
Some Considerations:
Better suited for medium temperatures, so keep an eye out if you use it with larger or hotter campfires.
The Full Picture
Whether you are backpacking or car camping, GSI’s Pinnacle is aptly named. With almost two dozen pieces of high-quality cookware, it truly is the pinnacle of camping cooking sets. Each piece is made of a material that allows it to best serve its purpose.
#2 Stanley Base Camp Cook Set (21 pieces)
Verdict: Best set for family camping with kids
The Good Stuff:
- Bowls and plates are the perfect size for comfortable eating (you can actually put full servings on them!).
- Tough materials that should last for multiple trips
- The frying pan heats food evenly when used properly
- Stainless steel cookware makes it compatible with even extra hot campfires
Some Considerations:
Heavier weight limits it to car camping
The Full Picture
Though on the heavier side, this set’s larger-sized ware makes it an ideal choice for family camping. Kids and adults alike will enjoy eating off the plates and bowls. Easy cleaning also means the adults don’t need to shoulder all the cleanup after a meal!
#3 MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit (10 pieces)
Verdict: Best Solo or Duo Backpacking Kit
The Good Stuff:
- Has all the basics
- Can choose which size pot you want
- Durable materials that will last for hundreds of uses
Some Considerations:
Bowl size is a bit smaller than we’d have liked
Some trips might require supplementary items
The Full Picture
Compact and creative, this campfire cooking kit surprised us with its durability. Its components might be small, but each is made to last, and every inch of them is thought through. While the bowls are a little on the small side, the handle lip they have makes using them comfortable.
#4 Odoland Camping Cookware (8 pieces)
Verdict: Best Cookware-Only Set
The Good Stuff:
- Great price for a great quality product
- Excellent design blends function and aesthetics
- Everything fits in the bag for easy transportation
Some Considerations:
Since it comes with no plates or utensils, it can be tricky to find another set that packs well with this one.
The Full Picture
While this set is purely materials for cooking, it ensures that your meals will be prepared well and in style. We’d recommend this set to anyone who already has bowls or plates and simply needs something to cook with while outdoors. Note: the listing says it is 9 pieces, which is technically true, but it counts the extra carry bag as a piece.
#5 Overmont Camping Cookware Mess Kit (15 pieces)
Verdict: Best Budget Camping Cooking Set
The Good Stuff:
- Comes with everything you need on a trip for a super low price
- Packs up well to optimize space
- Lightweight (under two pounds!) makes it easy to port around
- Cleans easily and well (but only after decent soaking)
Some Considerations:
- Figuring out the nesting can be tricky at first
- No cooking knife included
The Full Picture
Investing in a heavy duty camping cooking set can be intimidating. That’s where Overmont has you covered with this mess kit. Not only does it come with all the basics for both cooking meals and eating them, but it does so at a budget-friendly price. This set is deal for campers who want to enjoy cooked meals on a trip or two a year without shelling out for a set.
#6 MSR Quick 2 System Cook Set (8 pieces)
Verdict: Best backpacking cookset
The Good Stuff:
- No-frills set that gets the job done
- Lightweight design that won’t drag you down
- Non-stick coating makes for easy cleaning
- Slick nesting design for easy storage
Some Considerations:
Does not come with cleaning tools or eating utensils
The Full Picture
Pack this up, bring some food along, and you are ready for the trail. The only downside is the set itself does not come with anything to clean or scoop with. But it shouldn’t be too hard to find some that actually fit within the nesting of the set. Otherwise, this set doesn’t mess around and is a great choice for beginner and experienced backpackers alike.
#7 Magma Products Gourmet Nesting Cookware (10 pieces)
Verdict: Best All-Stainless Steel Set
The Good Stuff:
- Ideal for camping with larger groups and making plenty of gruel
- Stainless steel construction holds up to hundreds of uses
- Nesting storage design makes it easy to bring along
Some Considerations:
- Its weight makes it only functional for car camping (or use on boats and in RVS)
- Only cookware, plates and utensils are separate
The Full Picture
You might not be able to take this set on the trail, but if you are camping in a car, boat, or RV this is going to be a go-to set for your trip. With multiple stainless steel pots of different sizes, you can prepare meals for groups large and small for years to come.
#8 Lodge Combo Cooker Cast Iron (2 pieces)
Verdict: Best Cast Iron Cookware for Camping
The Good Stuff:
- It’s cast iron, need we say more?
- Will last for years and then some
- Made in the USA
- Cooks anything anywhere in any heat
Some Considerations:
Being cast iron, these are heavy. This isn’t truly a con, but more something to consider.
The Full Picture
Sure, this is far from a full campfire cooking kit, but in a way cast iron was made for campfire cooking. Lodge offers three versions of this skillet: the shallow skillet, a 3-quart skillet, and a 5-quart skillet. Pick the one that is best for you and use it for the rest of your life. Then pass it down to your children when the time is right.
#9 Camping Silverware Set (23 pieces)
Verdict: Best Add-on Cooking Set
The Good Stuff:
- Enough silverware and plates for a full family
- Well-designed packing case makes for easy travel
- Several color options to match your family’s vibe
- Helps the environment by avoiding using plastic cutlery on trips
Some Considerations:
- A bit heavy overall (over 3 pounds)
The Full Picture
Like the item before this, sure, this isn’t a full camping cooking set. But it deserves a place on this list nonetheless. Most camping sets only come with enough for two people. So this set can serve as an excellent addition for larger families or camping groups who have plenty of people sitting around the fire enjoying a meal.
#10 Bisgear Camping Cookware Set (16 pieces)
Verdict: Another Great Budging Set
The Good Stuff:
- Budget-friendly without sacrificing quality
- Several color options to match your trip’s style
- Easy to pack and carry
- A few extra components that will save you from having to buy add-ons
Some Considerations:
- Make sure you get the right tank for the mini stove as it doesn’t fit all kinds
- Overall durable, but some scratches/scuffs might appear with regular usage
The Full Picture
Choosing between this and the other budget campfire cooking kit was a tough choice. The other one above was slightly better in quality we felt, but this one had more well-thought-out touches to it (such as a carabiner and a mini stove). The multiple color options make it a fun choice for families, though you may need additional plates and silverware as this is only for two people.
Choosing the Right Campfire Cooking Kit for You
To wrap up, let’s cover a few of the key considerations when choosing the right camping cooking set for your next trip.
- Number of persons it can serve
- Match the materials to the heat level you expect to use
- Double check the weight (unless you are using it for car or RV camping)
- Does it have everything you need? If not, make sure to get add-ons or accessories before heading out.
When you have the right campfire cooking kit with you, it can make mealtime the enjoyable experience it is meant to be. But come along with the wrong camping cooking set and your trip could hit a wall early on. We hope you found the right camping gear for you on this list and enjoy a well-made hot meal next time you are out in some fresh wilderness air.