If you’re looking to improve your camp kitchen the next time you head out camping, you might be wondering how to put together an efficient, safe, and ergonomic Camp Cooking Station. In this quick guide, you’ll discover what the best kitchen gear you can buy looks like, along with some handy tips and tricks to make using your Car Camping Kitchen setup a breeze.
Essentials for your Car Camping Kitchen
Before you start loading up your boot, it’s a good idea to understand what the fundamental things you need for good Car Camping look like. To begin, you’ll want to take stock and research hardware that you’ll be able to rely on when you’re outdoors. Here’s a quickstart list to get you going:
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Stove -
Compared to the ol’ reliable campfire, a camping stove gives you unparalleled versatility and utility when it comes to having a mobile camp. A single burner is fine if you’re going out alone, but if you plan to cook for a few more people, then a two-burner is a better choice. Additionally, having some backup matches and fuel just in case offers an added layer of security.
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Cookware -
Without a doubt, the best camp kitchen gear and cookware are just as important as Stoves when it comes to reliable supplies for your camp cooking station. Principally, choose built-for-purpose camping pans, skillets, and pots that don’t take up lots of space, but give you good capacity depending on how many you’re cooking for. Focus specifically on one or two different-sized skillets and pots that you can do most of the cooking in. Be sure to bring a handy oven glove too, those things can get hot!
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Utensils and Tableware -
Of course, don’t forget you need some camping utensils to chop, peel, and stir your camping feast. Unless you have bare kitchen drawers, it’s not necessary to buy a house's worth of knives, boards, spoons, and so on; just choose what you have! The same goes for dinnerware, including plates, bowls, and cutlery. It goes without saying that you’ll also need the means to wash up after you’ve eaten, but this is a great environmental way to leave no trace when you head home.
How to Organise your Camp Cooking Station
To prevent your Car Camping break from becoming all about the kitchen prep, do the work before you head out. Putting together an efficient and effective camp kitchen starts with preparation, which you can do by making sure you:
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Write a checklist of all the things you need: equipment, food, and all
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Devise an ergonomic means of packing all of this up into containers, so it doesn’t take up lots of space in the car.
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Plan what meals you intend to eat when you camp, prepare ingredients, and store them in food-safe containers that you can refrigerate if necessary.
Setting Up / Packing Up
Once you’ve arrived, it’s a great idea to set up your camp cooking station before you consider cooking a meal, in order to make sure everything is set up safely and ergonomically. The very first step you should take is to organise a washing-up station, as well as a single area where you’ll cook everything, and a place to put your bins and waste. Once you’re happy with your setup, you’re ready to cook!
Leave No Trace
An essential part of camping that all outdoorsmen and women should follow is the no-trace rule, i.e., out of respect for the environment and everyone who enjoys it, clean up after yourself. Do your washing up before leaving, and dispose of the dirty dishwasher over a wide area. Likewise, take trash with you to dispose of at the nearest suitable convenience. If you’re heading to an established campground, they almost always have washing-up and disposal areas for your car camping kitchen setup.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, let’s go through the main points we’ve discussed here. If you don’t have one, invest in a camping stove suitable for the number of people you’re cooking for, alongside an appropriate amount of cookware as well as some spare fuel and lighters, just in case. For dishware and utensils, it’s fine to bring your own from home as long as it’s useful. Likewise, plan out a checklist and meals accordingly, and prepare any necessary ingredients. Finally, clean up after yourself and remove any trash you need before you leave.