Hey everyone! Today I’m excited to dive into something thrilling—outdoor cooking gadgets!
I love cooking outdoors, and I’ve got a fantastic lineup of tools and gear that make our culinary adventures in nature even more enjoyable.
While some items will be common, multi-use tools are essential, so it’s worth revisiting them.
Table of Contents
Choosing Your Cooking Method
Cooking Over the Campfire
When cooking over a campfire, a fire grate is a must-have. I use a 24-inch fire grate from Camp Chef, and they also offer a 36-inch version.
This grate is fantastic because you can build your fire beneath it. The grate has foldable legs, allowing you to set it up at the perfect height or balance it on rocks to fit your fire pit.
1. 10-Inch Skillet: This skillet is incredibly versatile. We use it for everything, from sautéing vegetables to making breakfast scrambles. The flat bottom allows for even cooking, making it a go-to for frying.
2. Grill Pan: This cast iron piece features grill lines, which is perfect for grilling meats. There’s nothing like that sear from a grill pan over an open fire.
3. Two Dutch Ovens: We have two sizes— a 2-quart Dutch oven for smaller meals (enough for two) and a 5-quart Dutch oven that we rely on for larger meals. We’ve made everything from chili to chicken stew, and I’ve even baked bread in it!
4. Oven Mitt and Tongs: When you’re cooking over a campfire, things get hot, so a strong oven mitt and sturdy tongs are crucial for safely handling hot cookware.
The Propane Stove Solution
While campfire cooking is undoubtedly my favorite, there are times when I can’t have a fire, whether due to fire bans or time constraints.
In those cases, I rely on my trusty Jetboil Genesis Base Camp Cooking System. This two-burner propane stove runs off those convenient little green Coleman one-pound propane tanks.
However, you can also purchase an adapter to connect it to a larger 20-pound propane tank, which is ideal when camping near your RV.
The Jetboil can be bought as a standalone unit or as a complete cook set, which includes a 5-liter pot and a 10-inch skillet.
Everything folds up neatly and fits into a handy carrying case, making it perfect for storage and transport.
Lightweight and Collapsible Cookware
One of my most exciting recent finds is a Lightweight and Collapsible cook set. They are well-known among backpackers for lightweight gear, but we decided to use them for our outdoor cooking.
The set includes:
– 2.8-liter pot
– 1.3-liter kettle
– 8-inch pan
– 4-liter pot
Baking on the Go
If you’re interested in baking while camping, you might have heard of the Swedish-made Omnia Oven.
It’s a great solution for baking items on your stovetop, and I’m particularly excited because I’m currently rising a loaf of jalapeno cheddar bread that I plan to cook later today.
Another handy gadget is a long-nozzle lighter. I prefer these over traditional lighters, as they keep my fingers safely away from the flame when igniting a propane stove or campfire.
Coffee: The Essential Element
Now that I’ve got my cooking and dinnerware sorted, I must address one crucial element: coffee. My go-to coffee solution is the insulated French press by Planetary Design.
It comes in several sizes: 20-ounce, 32-ounce, and the 48-ounce, which I often go through every morning. I’ve been using this French press for about two years, and it’s still in perfect condition!
To store coffee, I use Airscape containers from Planetary Design. These containers have a unique lid that allows you to remove the air before sealing, keeping coffee fresh.
Since I live on the road, I also have a hand-cranked grinder that is small and easy to store, which is perfect for freshly ground coffee.
Choosing the Right Coffee Mug
Once brew coffee, I need the right mugs to enjoy it. My everyday mugs are double-walled stainless steel, which keeps our coffee hot.
On particularly chilly days or when we’re heading out for a walk, I prefer the GSI Outdoors Infinity mug.
This lightweight option doubles as an insulated mug with a lid, making it perfect for camping and backpacking.
Instant Coffee Without Compromise
For those days when making coffee feels like too much hassle, I’ve found a great instant coffee brand called Alpine Start.
Founded by a rock climber in Boulder, Colorado, who wanted to create delicious instant coffee, Alpine Start has a regular coffee as well as unique flavors like dirty chai latte and coconut creamer latte.
Trust me when I say you have to try it to believe how good it is!
Cleaning Up After Cooking
After cooking and enjoying our meals, the next step is cleaning up.
Most of the time, I do dishes in the sink of the RV, but there are occasions when I need to wash outside or use a different water source.
Here are my favorite cleaning solutions:
1. 20-Liter Kitchen Sink: Made by Sea to Summit, this waterproof fabric bag folds up and can hold 20 liters of water. It’s perfect for washing dishes or even draining our grey tank. When full, it holds its shape like a bucket.
2. Collapsible Bucket: I also have a handy collapsible bucket that’s super easy to store. It’s versatile enough for washing dirty items, including grey water or even our feet after a long hike.
3. Solar Shower: I use a Nemo Helio LX solar shower, which is great for rinsing off without wasting fresh water. Sometimes, I prefer using creek or lake water, and this solar shower allows me to do just that.
4. Quick-Drying Dish Rag: One of my favorite discoveries is a quick-drying, odour-free dish rag from a company called Lunatic. It’s abrasive and helps clean dishes thoroughly.
5. Cleaning Cast Iron: When it comes to cleaning our cast iron, I always avoid soap. Instead, I use Lodge’s scrapers that form to the shape of our pans. They make cleaning so much easier.
6. Natural Hand Sanitizer: I can’t discuss cleaning without mentioning Shower Pouch, which makes all-natural hand sanitizers. Their hand sanitizer is 60% alcohol and comes in a convenient flat bottle with a spray nozzle, making it easy to carry around.
The Perfect Outdoor Table
Throughout this entire process, I must mention my favorite outdoor accessory: the table for Christmas. It’s a tailgate table that folds in half, making it super easy to transport.
When it’s set up, it’s quite spacious, allowing me to cook and serve food at the same time.
The collapsible design allows me to store it neatly in the basement of our RV, and I can easily set it up outside. When I use my propane stove, we always keep a trash bag handy.
Bringing It All Together
In summary, my outdoor cooking gear is designed to be compact, efficient, and effective. From essential cooking tools to smart dinnerware, every item plays a part in making outdoor cooking experience more enjoyable.
I hope you found this guide helpful as you embark on your outdoor cooking adventures. If you have any questions about gear or outdoor cooking in general, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Happy cooking!
