Camping Kitchenware

There's nothing like ending a long day of backpacking with a hot meal before bedtime. The past few years have seen considerable advances in lightweight materials technology, so its easier than ever to get a decent meal while out on the trail. Here are a few basic items you might need. If you are looking for info on Camping stoves check out our buying guide.  Happy trails!

Cookware

Those dehydrated meals aren't going to heat themselves, you know. Unless you love the taste of freeze-dried beef stew, you'd better bring a few pots and pans (a griddle, a wok...) to your campsite. You have fewer choices here, but there are a few fun specialty pieces that might be nice to have in addition to the basics.

Solo Cooking Set  An all-in-one set consists of a cooking pot/mug and sometimes a drinking cup.	Pots and Pans  Camping pots and pans often have folding handles or no handle at all. Most are available in non-stick aluminum  or titanium ; you can also find aluminum,  titanium,  cast iron  (very heavy) and stainless steel.	Handles  If your pots don't come with folding handles, you'll probably want to buy a few separately.	Other Cookware Specialized pieces like a wok  or a griddle  aren't strictly necessary but might be a great addition to an established camp.	Mess Kits  Mess kits are a great way to get your camping kitchen together in a hurry. You can buy kits for two or for a whole family.

Flatware and Dishes

If you're cooking for one, an all in one pot/mug might be enough. (It saves you weight, too.) If you have a whole crew, you'll probably need a few plates, bowls and cups. Don't forget flatware and cooking utensils!

Dishes

Orikaso Dishes  Lightweight plastic that folds flat for storage. Available as a mug,  bowl  and plate,  or as a set.	Aluminum Dishes  Aluminum is inexpensive and lightweight. Look for a stacking set.	Light My Fire Meal Kit  Plates, a cup, a bowl, a cutting board/strainer, and a spork. They all fit together for easy transportation.	Titanium Plates  Titanium is expensive, but it's lightweight, strong, non-reactive and scratch-resistant.	Lexan  Lexan is a brand-name polycarbonate plastic. It is lightweight, colorful and durable.

You'll also need something to wash down all that chow....

Camping Cups  Titanium or polycarbonate plastic is your best choice here; anodized titanium is now available in a wide range of colors (see above).	Insulated Camping Mugs  An insulated mug will keep your coffee, tea, or cocoa nice and toasty on a cool morning.	Orikaso Mug  Folds flat for storage, holds hot or cold beverages.	Lexan Wine Glass  GSI makes a line of Lexan glassware that stows inside itself. Look for the martini,  margarita,  pilsner  and Champagne  glasses as well.

Flatware and Utensils

Light My Fire Spork  This spork manages to squeeze in a knife as well. Unlike other Fork-spoon combos this gives you true fork and spoon components.	Folding Utensils  Folding utensils, like this folding spork, are lightweight and save space in your pack.	Folding Chopsticks  These wood and steel chopsticks separate into two stackable pieces when not in use.	Cooking Utensils  Folding cooking tools let you cook more and carry less. Titanium, aluminum, silicone and bamboo are all good choices.

Coolers

If you're taking a picnic trip or doing an overnight, a cooler is a great way to keep your fresh foods ready to eat.

Insulated Lunch Bags	Picnic Coolers	Wheeled Coolers	Insulated Wine Carriers	Insulated Beer Carriers

Coffee and Tea

The trail has become more luxurious -- You don't have to tolerate percolated coffee just because you're a hundred miles from Starbucks. There are decent coffee presses that will brew up a pot of joe as good as what you'd have at home. Tea drinkers have always had the advantage, but tea accessories for camping have improved in the last few years as well. Don't forget an insulated mug 

Teapot	Coffee Press	Travel Coffee Grinders	Tea/Coffee Filters	The Tea-zer Tea Tumbler

Water Filtration and Storage

Water is both essential and heavy. Make sure you have the best gear for carrying it or the right equipment for preparing your own from rivers or snow.

The Katadyn Vario  combines two kinds of filter technologies so that you can choose the best one for your situation.	Purification tablets  or solutions,  like these from Potable Aqua,  are compact and lightweight but may leave a chemical aftertaste.	You can also get purifier water bottles,  but they can be slow (frustrating if you're thirsty).	Heavy-duty, reusable water bottles  are a must for anyone, from day hikers to backwoods campers. Nalgene,  Camelbak  and Sigg  are popular brands.	There are several kinds of collapsible water carriers ; most are either the dispenser style seen here or the "hydration bag"  style.

Miscellaneous Items

Here are a few more kitchen items you'll want to have handy.

Camping Kitchen Sink  Easier than washing your dishes in a stream, and more environmentally friendly.	Microfiber Towels  Super absorbent, very lightweight. Most come with a storage pouch.	Multi-purpose Soap Popular brands include Dr. Bronner's  and Hiker's Wonder Wash.  Use them for your dishes, your clothes and yourself!	Spice Wheel  Don't forget the seasonings! A salt and pepper shaker  is a good companion.	Camping Lighter  It's going to be hard to make dinner if you can't get the stove lit.

External Links

• About.com -- some helpful suggestions about brands and essentials.
• MSRcorp.com -- This article from camping gear manufacturer Mountain Safety Research has a helpful comparison between different camping cookware materials.