Cooking at the campsite : the complete guide

Whether at the campsite or on the road, the preparation of meals is in itself one of the key elements of an unforgettable experience. One of the challenges is to prepare meals that are as flavorful and delicious as those we cook at home. Having the right cooking material allows for the preparation of very elaborate meals, and this, despite the most rudimentary of conditions.

Of course, the quantity of cooking articles and the equipment at your disposal will certainly be different whether you are a fan of trekking or wild camping, or the owner of a tent trailer, a trailer, a truck camper or a class C, B, or A RV (you know, a 45-foot-long motorhome, equipped with a washer dryer combo, 2 air conditioners, 2 television sets, a full kitchen and a semi-Olympic pool!) If you are leaving for a trek of many days or if you need to walk more than 30 minutes to get to your camping spot, odds are that you will leave your cast-iron pan home.

Always leave with drinking water

A drinking water tank is essential. Depending on your camping spot, drinking water will be more or less close by. On top of saving you numerous round trips, it is a good way to avoid waste. Although many recreative vehicles are equipped with a water tank, few will use that water for consumption, hence the benefit of having one specifically for drinking water.

A good cooler to preserve food

You are in a tent and your car is your camping spot? You absolutely need a cooler. It acts as your portable refrigerator and will ensure the preservation of your perishables. Having at hand, food that needs to be kept fresh allows you to vary your meals.

If you simply feel like having a picnic or are leaving only for the weekend and are only bringing essential food, a conventional cooler should be enough. For a longer period of time, pick a larger cooler. Choose a model with a drain and make sure that the cover is well insulated.

For longer trips or for large families, the electric cooler can be the quintessential tool. There are different categories, each with different capacities and sizes. If you are looking for a little electric cooler that is not too expensive, the thermoelectric cooler (or Peltier) is inexpensive, can be carried easily and doesn’t consume a lot of energy. Ideal for a picnic or for a weekend, it is unarguably the most widely used electric cooler.

The absorption (or three-way) cooler can use different energy sources, which makes it quite versatile. Perfect for camping, the absorption cooler can use gas or use electricity from a cigarette lighter socket or on sector, depending on the model. The other advantage of absorption technology is that it is silent. You can therefore put your cooler in a tent or inside an RV and still sleep soundly.

The compression cooler is, for its part, much more sophisticated. In fact, it is not very far from a classical refrigerator. Its refrigeration capacity is truly impressive, even at very high ambient temperatures. It can be used as an extra refrigerator, and even as a freezer for the high-end models. Contrary to the previously mentioned coolers, it can work without fault. However, this type of cooler is not without flaws. It is unfortunately more sensitive to shocks. Ideal in recreative vehicles or boats, its small size is optimal for vehicles with reduced space and it is the perfect choice for long trips.

What size electric cooler to choose? If it is only for a day or a weekend, a cooler with a capacity between 20 and 40 liters should be suitable. Between 40 and 60 liters, you will have enough room to keep drinks and perishables cold. Beyond 60 liters, the capacity is perfect for long stays at sea, at the campsite or on road trips! A capacity of about 40 liters is the norm for most electric coolers that are on the market and therefore seems to be the right compromise for most uses.

For cooking: the camping stove or the BBQ grill

There are two kinds of cooking devices for camping: the camping stove and the BBQ grill. Small single burner camping stoves are light and compact. They are a very good solutions for fans of trekking and light camping, because they are easy to store and to carry. However, they are not ideal when cooking for a whole family. A regular size camping stove would be more useful in that case. Generally fitted with two burners, it allows to cook more than one dish at time. Contrary to the small single burner stove, it is easier to adjust the flame and thus better control the temperature.

Small single burner stoves work with different types of fuel, which differentiates them from one another. The most popular ones use propane or naphta, whereas others use kerosene, methyl alcohol or liquid petroleum gas. Some are multi-fuel and can burn naphtha, kerosene, and liquid petroleum gas. Some also use wood. Most regular size stoves use butane, naphta or propane. For its part, the grill will use charcoal or propane. Some even use electricity, which is much less convenient while camping or on the road.

Wind greatly diminishes the efficiency of camping stoves, which greatly increases fuel consumption. For best results, we recommend sheltering yourself from the wind when cooking or using a windbreaker.

As far as camping BBQ grills are concerned, there are two types: charcoal or gas fueled. In both cases, small and inexpensive ones are available, perfect for camping. In some camping sites, including SÉPAQ’S and Canada Parks’, it is possible to find BBQ fireplaces. Charcoal fueled, most of them are equipped with a grill that allows us to cook our victuals. Only the briquettes are missing.

And why not both!!! If your type of camping allows you to carry them, why not equip yourself with a both small barbecue grill and a a regular size camping stove? Every food item needs a specific cooking method. If both cooking devices are on hand, you will have the possibility to use the appropriate way of cooking the food that will be served at your feasts. The grill will allow you to cook meat and vegetables cooked in foil, whereas you can use the camping stove to cook bacon and eggs, pasta, rice or any other main dish or accompaniment for your festivities.
Pots and Pans

Good camping cookware is essential for preparing meals. Quality pots and pans generally made of aluminium, stainless steel or titanium. Choose a set that is both resistant and light. Favor a nesting set in order to save space and stay well organized. Camping cookware comes in a great variety of combinations, containing one, two or even three pots between 1.5 and 3 liters, with a pot gripper or a folding handle. The cover can be used as a frying pan or as a colander. Most include a storage bag. Whether you are a completely independent solo trekker or a small family in an RV, you will certainly find a set that will meet your needs.

Dishes and cutlery

For minimalists, trekkers or those who plan to walk the Camino of Santiago, some will settle for a simple multi-tool such as a Leatherman’s Juice CS4 and a Spork, eating straight from their mess kit to avoid carrying dishes. A stainless steel cup will complete the kit. On top of the usual accessories (knife, scissors, pliers, etc.) the Juice includes a can opener, a bottle-opener and a corkscrew. The Spork, for its part, is an hybrid type of utensil combining a spoon and a fork, Spork being a play on the words spoon and fork. Some will prefer a set of utensils held together by a little carabiner. This option, on top of being more convenient than the Spork, is much more resistant.

For all other types of camping, ordinary dinnerware can work. The only important point is to choose a material that is resistant to shocks and nicks. The dish set should also be light and stackable in order to save space. We have chosen for a 16-piece Corelle set that contains four large plates (10.25 in), four small plates (8.75 in), four bowls (22 ounces) and four 12-ounce cups. It is possible to add other items to the set by purchasing them individually.

For beverages, same rule as for the dinnerware: opt for tempered glasses, non-cutting as wells as very resistant to shocks and shattering. We have chosen a set of Duralex transparent Picardie tumblers in tempered glass. Duralex also offers classical stemware that offers a good durability.

Useful accessories not to forget

You should bring at least one good sharp knife. If you want to cook like home, bring these three knives: one chef’s knife or a santoku, a pairing knife and a serrated knife (mainly for bread). For our part, we also bring a knife sharpener in order to always have sharp knives handy.

Among useful accessories to bring, we recommend a cutting board, a measuring cup, a colander, plastic plates, resealable bags, paper towels, napkins and aluminum foil, lots of aluminum foil, especially if you are fans of barbecued “vegetables cooked in foil”.

For breakfast, the camping toaster is an interesting accessory. It is used on any camping stove burner. If like us, you love good coffee but you don’t own a 45-foot long motorhome, equipped with a washer and dryer combo, 2 air conditioners, 2 television sets, a full kitchen and a semi-Olympic pool as well as a top of the line espresso machine like the one at home, an italian coffeemaker is an excellent compromise. There is a wide range, from the classical Bialetti to the mini Outbound for camping. The Bodum French press is also a good option.

You have children? Have them cook over a campfire! They will remember this unique experience for a long time. To that effect, get a few accessories for cooking over a wood fire: long handled forks for sausages and marshmallows and grill baskets for fish and grilled cheese sandwiches. Buy peace: have as many forks or baskets as you have kids! This will save you a lot of trouble.

Are you leaving for a romantic getaway? Bring a fondue set. Chinese fondue needs almost no preparation. Furthermore, it is an ideal meal to relax and enjoy those wonderful moments in nature.

Finally, do not forget the can opener (an essential!), a bottle opener and a corkscrew for wine bottles.

A tip for giving a romantic atmosphere to your meals: one or two candle lanterns. Light and foldable, this classic lantern is also perfect for fans of trekking, canoe-camping and winter camping. It allows to eliminate humidity, gives a bit of heat and natural light.

That’s it?

Of course not, but let’s say it is already a very good start. You can complete with specific accessories depending on your needs and the types of meal that you prefer. Here is a tip to help you complete your list: note everything that you use to cook for a week at home. It is very likely that it is what you will need for your camping trip!

Last recommendations before leaving

When you come back home, make sure that everything has been washed and is clean before storing your equipment. Your nose will thank you for sparing it the smell of food that has been fermenting for a few months, if not a year, in your RV or your storage bin.

As we advised you in our article entitled RV camping: the must-haves, we recommend that thekitchenware and cooking devices that are meant for camping in your RV remain in the RV for camping, in order to avoid ever forgetting anything. For those who go camping in tents, the famous plastic bin remains ideal to keep everything together.

Also, get into the habit of replacing the material that you have used during your camping trip (resealable bags, paper towels, napkins, aluminum paper, etc.). Nothing is more unpleasant than realizing that something is missing, especially after we arrived at our destination, all set up, far from grocery stores or other sources of supply.

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