Campfire Cooking Kit | Camp Cooking Gear

Why Quality Matters in Camp Cooking Gear

Your gear is your first and last lifeline in the wild. Poorly crafted pans and utensils can crack, warp, or fail when you need them most. That’s why we stock only the highest-quality outdoor cooking gear. From heavy-duty stainless steel pots to versatile griddles and multi-use utensils, every item we offer is field-tested for durability and performance.

If you’re setting up a full camp kitchen or simply need a frying pan to whip up your signature scrambled eggs, Self Reliance Outfitters has you covered. Our selection of cookware and dinnerware is designed to handle the rough conditions of backcountry camping and — most importantly — help you cook the delicious meals you crave. Who says roughing it means you have to sacrifice great food?

Campfire Cooking Kit Essentials

Every trip (and every traveler) calls for a different setup. However, a good camping cookware kit should include these basics:

• Durable Cookware (Pot or Kettle): A sturdy stainless steel or cast iron pot is a must for boiling water, cooking soups, and making stews. Many are designed to hang over a fire or sit on hot coals for optimal cooking performance.
• Frying Pan or Griddle: On a camping trip, you'll need a grill surface to fry up the day’s catch or flip pancakes. Many kits include a compact skillet or a small grill. The difference? A carbon steel skillet offers excellent heat distribution for searing, while a packable grill rack can turn your campfire into a barbecue.
• Cooking Utensils and Tools: Bring along sturdy utensils like tongs, a spatula, and a long-handled spoon or fork to safely handle food over the fire. Need to move hot cookware? Add a pair of heat-resistant gloves or a lid lifter to your camping checklist.
• Eating and Drinking Gear: You'll want to pack a metal cup or mug for coffee, a plate or bowl for meals, and a set of utensils to enjoy your food (along with the great outdoors).
• Cutting Board and Knife: A cutting board provides a clean surface for preparing food, while a reliable knife is essential for cooking and handling other survival tasks.
• Fire-Starting Tools: You can't cook without a fire. While waterproof matches and lighters are fairly common, it’s also wise to pack more rugged tools like ferro rods or fire-starting kits. Keeping these items on hand will ensure you can always get a flame going, rain or shine.

How To Choose the Right Camping Cooking Gear

Not every campfire cooking kit is built the same — and that's a good thing. Finding the right setup depends a lot on where you're headed, how you like to cook, and what kind of adventure you’re planning. Before picking your gear, ask yourself:

• How many people are you feeding? A solo camper can get by with one small pot, a compact pan, a cup or mug, and a few utensils. A family or larger group will likely need multiple pots and a larger pan to cook bigger portions, plus enough utensils for everyone to share.
• What kind of meals are you planning? Simple dehydrated meals typically just require a pot and boiling water. If you’re planning more elaborate meals like full breakfasts, grilled meats, or baked campfire bread, you’ll want additional cookware like Dutch ovens, griddles, and a broader range of utensils.
• How are you traveling? Backpackers need lightweight, compact, and multipurpose gear that won’t weigh them down. If you’re overlanding, car camping, or setting up a base camp, you can bring heavier cast iron cookware, full camp stoves, and an even wider assortment of cooking tools.
• Can you pack your outdoor gear smarter? Look for gear that can pull double (or triple) duty. A nesting canteen cook set, for example, works as both your water bottle and your cooking pot. This saves you space and weight in your pack. The less gear you have to haul, the better life is out in the wild.

Our Pro Tips for Better Camp Cooking

Great camp cooking starts long before you light the fire. With some smart preparation at home, you can make outdoor meals faster, easier, and a lot more delicious. Here are some tried-and-true tips:

• Plan Your Menu: If possible, choose meals that use minimal ingredients and cookware. One-pot dishes like chili, stews, and skillet breakfasts are always ideal.
• Pre-Chop Your Ingredients: Dice onions, peppers, and other veggies ahead of time and store them in resealable bags.
• Pre-Mix Your Go-To Seasonings: No need to haul your entire spice rack. Just combine your favorite spices for different meals by portioning them into small containers or zipper storage bags.
• Marinate Your Meats in Advance: Marinate and freeze any meats you prepare. They’ll act as ice packs and be ready to cook by the time you make camp. Brilliant, right?
• Measure Your Staples: Store food essentials like pancake mix, oatmeal, rice, and pasta in pre-portioned bags or containers. Label them so you can quickly grab what you need once it’s time to cook.
• Use Durable, Compact Storage: The last thing you want is a busted lid or a leaky mess halfway through your trip. The solution? Pack your food in tough, leak-proof containers that can take a beating on the trail.
• Include Some Quick Meals: Pack a few easy-to-prepare items like ramen, instant potatoes, or canned chili for those nights when you’re too tired for full camp cooking.
• Practice Fire Safety: Always have water nearby, and never leave your campfire unattended. Clear away dry leaves, branches, and other flammable materials around your fire site, and always fully extinguish your fire before heading to bed or leaving camp.
• Clean as You Go: It’s much easier to clean cookware immediately after use and while it's still warm. Plus, staying ahead of the mess helps prevent you from attracting wild animals to your campsite (trust us on this one).

Preparing Meals Outdoors: Backpacking Recipes

Once you've got your campfire cooking kit dialed in, try to plan a few healthy, simple, and satisfying meals that'll make all your cooking efforts worth it. These campfire classics are guaranteed to turn a good trip into a great one:

1. Bushcraft Breakfast Skillet

• What You Need: Eggs, bacon or sausage, potatoes, onions, and a little oil.
• How to Make It: Dice the potatoes and onions, and cook them in your skillet until soft. Add bacon or sausage as desired. Crack the eggs right into the pan and let them fry (or scramble) for a one-skillet breakfast that’s ready in minutes.

2. Campfire Bannock Bread

• What You Need: Flour, baking powder, salt, water, and optional add-ins like raisins or cheese.
• How to Make It: Mix your dry ingredients with water until they form into a dough. Flatten out the dough and cook it in your pan over the fire, flipping once. Golden, warm, and just a little smoky from the fire, bannock bread belongs next to every good camp meal.

3. Foil Packet Dinners

• What You Need: Meat (chicken, fish, or beef), chopped vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions), oil, and seasoning.
• How to Make It: Wrap your ingredients in foil and place them on a grill over hot coals. Rotate occasionally to ensure even cooking. In about 20-30 minutes, you’ll have a full meal ready with no pots to clean.

4. Wild Rice and Venison Stew

• What You Need: Wild rice, cubed venison (or beef), carrots, potatoes, seasoning, and water or bone broth.
• How to Make It: In your bush pot or kettle, simmer meat and veggies until tender. Add rice toward the end of cooking. This simple, hearty stew will warm you up even in cold weather.

5. Campfire Coffee and Bannock Combo

• What You Need: Coffee grounds, water, metal kettle or pot.
• How to Make It: Bring water to a boil in your kettle, remove from direct heat, stir in coffee grounds, let steep for a few minutes, then gently pour. Brew your coffee while your bannock cooks for the ultimate outdoor breakfast.

Why Buy Your Campfire Cooking Kit from Self Reliance Outfitters?

When it comes to outdoor cooking, real-world experience matters. At Self Reliance Outfitters, we don’t just sell gear. We know it, we live it, and we trust it. Our campfire cooking collection is handpicked by seasoned instructors and adventurers who know exactly what holds up when the going gets tough.

From complete campfire kits and survival gear to individual pots, pans, and utensils, each product reflects our commitment to quality and versatility. We understand the needs of campers, hikers, and bushcrafters because we're outdoors people too.

Ready to cook up something great on your next outdoor adventure? Explore our range of cooking kits and build the outdoor kitchen of your dreams. With the right gear in your pack (and a bit of know-how), you'll be prepared to grill, simmer, and serve delicious meals under the open sky.