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Camping Gear Deep Dive #4: Camp Kitchen Gear and Cooking Tools

Discover essential camping kitchen gear for families. Compare buy, rent, and DIY options for cookware, stoves, coolers, and food-safe tools.

Camping Kitchen Gear and Cooking Tools with kids

🍳 1. The Outdoor Kitchen Mindset: Minimal, Smart, Efficient

Cooking outdoors isn’t about gourmet meals — it’s about feeding your family without losing your mind.

A good camp kitchen setup should be:

  • Portable and compact

  • Easy to clean

  • Safe for kids to be around


Let’s break it down into four key areas: cooking, prep, food storage, and cleanup — and explore when it’s best to buy, rent, or DIY.


🔥 2. Camp Stoves and Cooking Gear

You’ll need a reliable heat source — especially with young kids who need meals on time.

🛒 Buy:

  • Two-burner camp stoves (Coleman, Camp Chef)

  • Single-burner butane stoves for quick meals

  • Foldable grill grates for fire pits

🔄 Rent:

  • Some campgrounds or gear rental shops offer stove kits

  • Great for first-timers or flight travel camping

🧰 DIY:

  • Use foil-wrapped campfire cooking (watch kid safety!)

  • Make a can stove or alcohol burner (more for backpackers)


Verdict: For families, buying a reliable stove is worth it. Rental or DIY can’t match ease + safety.


🧂 3. Cooking Tools and Utensils

Here’s where a little prep makes everything smoother.

🛒 Buy:

  • Nesting cookware sets (pots, pans, lids)

  • Heat-safe utensils (silicone or bamboo)

  • Long-handled tongs and roasting sticks

🔄 Rent:

  • Some car camping bundles include cookware

  • Sanitation may vary — bring dish soap just in case

🧰 DIY:

  • Use your home kitchen tools, but avoid glass

  • Prep meals in reusable containers before leaving


Verdict: Buy once, reuse often. Choose multipurpose, lightweight gear.


🥫 4. Coolers, Food Storage & Packing

Cooler choice can make or break your trip — especially in warm weather.

🛒 Buy:

  • Insulated hard coolers (YETI, Igloo MaxCold)

  • Soft-sided lunch coolers for snacks

  • Dry storage bins for pantry items

🔄 Rent:

  • High-end cooler rentals (like YETI) are available in outdoor hubs

  • Best for long trips or flying in

🧰 DIY:

  • Freeze water bottles as ice packs

  • Use zip-top bags inside cloth totes to layer food

  • Dry foods in plastic crates


Verdict: Buy a solid mid-range cooler if you camp more than twice a year.


🧼 5. Cleaning and Dish Setup

Nobody likes dish duty — but it’s part of the gig.

🛒 Buy:

  • Collapsible sinks or buckets

  • Biodegradable soap + scrubbers

  • Quick-dry towels + drying rack

🔄 Rent:

  • Rare. Most people bring or DIY dish kits.

🧰 DIY:

  • Use a large bowl or pot as a dish basin

  • Hang mesh bags for drying

  • Make a 2-bucket rinse system with soap + clean water


Verdict: A small dishwashing kit is worth buying. Easy to store and reuse.


🧺 6. Tabletop Gear & Eating Tools

Kids drop things. A lot. Let’s make that less painful.

🛒 Buy:

  • Reusable plastic or bamboo plates

  • Durable camp cutlery (Titanium if you’re fancy)

  • Waterproof tablecloth + clips

🔄 Rent:

  • Bundled rentals might include these, but breakage = fees

🧰 DIY:

  • Use old takeout containers or picnicware

  • Pack one color per person for easy tracking


Verdict: Buy lightweight, durable dishes. The investment is small and lasts years.


🧭 7. Our Favorite Family-Friendly Camp Kitchen Brands

Category Brand Suggestions
Stoves         Coleman, Camp Chef, Eureka
Cookware         GSI Outdoors, Stanley Adventure, MSR
Coolers         Igloo, YETI, RTIC
Utensils         Light My Fire, UCO Gear, Sea to Summit
Cleanup         REI, Sea to Summit, Coghlan's

📌 Conclusion: Simplify the Kitchen, Enjoy the Trip

When it comes to outdoor cooking with kids:

  • Stick to the basics

  • Plan meals that double as leftovers

  • And don’t forget the marshmallow sticks


The less time you spend managing gear, the more time you get to spend enjoying your family — and that’s the real goal.