Cooking a fresh meal when camping can be a really enjoyable experience for the family. Whether you are grilling some burgers, mixing up a stew or simply boiling some water, getting a great family camping kitchen setup can drastically improve your experience.
In this guide, I will go through all you need to get the perfect family camping kitchen setup.
If you’re in a hurry and want a quick, simple list of what you need to create a basic camping setup, see below:
Basic Camping Setup
- Camping Stove and Fuel
- Kettle/Pot
- Mess Tins
- Cutlery
- Mug
- Washing Up Supplies
Family Camping Kitchen
- Camping Stove and Fuel
- Kettle/Pot
- Frying Pan
- Tableware Set (Bowls, Plates, etc.)
- Cooking Utensils (Spatula, Chopping Board, etc.)
- Camping Kitchen Unit
- Camping Fridge or Coolbox
- Camping Table and Chairs
- Cooking Knife Set
- Collapsible Colander
- Water Carrier
Store Cupboard Extras
- Tin Foil or Food Storage Bags
- Air Tight Storage Containers
- Bin Bags
- Kitchen Roll
- Tin Opener and Bottle Opener
- Condiments (Salt & Pepper, Ketchup, etc.)
- Spices
- Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate
- Milk
Basic Camping Kitchen Items
If you’re just getting started with camping as a family or you simply don’t want to spend too much money on your family camping kitchen setup, you should probably stick to a fairly basic camping setup that you can build upon over the years.
The following items are the basics you will need to prepare simple meals for the family when camping:
Camping Stove and Fuel
When choosing a camping stove you need to make the decision as to which type of fuel you would prefer to cook with. There are 3 main types of fuel available for family camping stoves:
- Gas stoves – These stoves are run on either butane or propane gas and use either canisters or bottles to provide the fuel
- Electric grills – Using mains power supply (which you will have with an electric hook up pitch) these grills usually come in the form of a hot plate, which you can cook directly onto
- Solid fuel grill – A solid fuel grill is effectively a BBQ, using solid fuel to create heat for cooking, such as charcoal
I personally love the flavour you get from a charcoal BBQ when cooking food like burgers and sausages, however, some people prefer the convenience and ease of gas cooking. If you have an electric camping pitch, you might prefer to invest in an electric grill.
I wrote more on this subject in my guide to the best family camping stoves, comparing more than 20 stoves available on the market today. Below are my top picks from that guide:
Campingaz Camping Stove 1 Hob Multi-Cook Party Grill 400 CV | Multi Cook Gas Stove for Ultimate Flexibility
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Campingaz 2 Hob Camping Stove | Recommended Two Hob Gas Stove
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Campingaz Elite Camping Chef Double Burner And Grill | Recommended Two Hob Gas Stove With Grill
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Quest Deluxe Maxi Frypan | Recommended Electric Family Camping Stove
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Femor 3-in-1 Charcoal Smoker Grill | Recommended Solid Fuel Family Camping Stove
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You’ll also need to make sure you have enough fuel for your camping trip. If you’re buying a gas stove, you will need to check the type of gas your stove uses as this can vary between stoves. Also knowing the amount of gas your stoves uses is important as it will help you to plan ahead and not run out of fuel mid-meal. If you want to know how to work out what you will need, this guide will give you all the details you will need.
For solid fuel stoves, the amount of fuel you will need will depend on the size of the stove/BBQ you purchase. The key is to plan ahead and make sure you have enough for what you intend to cook.
Kettle or Pot
For a basic family camping kitchen setup, you are most likely to be cooking either stews or boiling water as these require few pieces of equipment. You will need either a kettle, which can be used for boiling water or a cooking pot, which you can use for both water and warming stews.
The following kettles have a good capacity for boiling water to pour onto noodles or couscous, as well as making a morning cuppa.
Hi-Gear 2 Litre Aluminium Whistling Kettle
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Vango 2 Litre Camping Kettle
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Quest Whistler 2.2L Camping Kettle
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Robens Tongass Enamel Kettle
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Hi-Gear Collapsible Kettle 1.5L
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If you’re want to get a pot for warming food over a flame, such as Bolognese or stew, the following camping cooking pots would be a good option, although you could bring just about any pan from home.
Trangia 27 Non-Stick Inner Saucepan
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MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot
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Trangia 25 1.5L Saucepan
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MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot - 1.6L
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Robens Ottawa 6 Litre Pot
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Mess Tins
Eurohike Mess Tins x2
For the ultimate basic family camping setup, instead of investing in bowls and plates, mess tins can be used instead.
A mess tin is a great alternative to bowls and plates because you can eat pretty much anything out of them. They are also strong, easy to clean and can be stored with little worry of them breaking.
Cutlery
Whilst you might be going for just a basic setup here you will still need something to eat your meals with (unless you’re just sticking to burgers and drinks of course).
For a family camping trip, investing in a specific cutlery set will mean you don’t have to take your finest silverware from home and risk it getting damaged.
The following cutlery sets are great for a basic and even more substantial camping setup:
Quechua Set Of 3 Hiker's Camp Plastic Cutlery Items |
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Hi-Gear Cutlery to Go |
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Hi-Gear 16 Piece Cutlery Set |
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Eurohike 12 Piece Cutlery Set |
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Eurohike 12 Piece Cutlery Set |
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4 Pack Wheat Straw Cutlery |
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Regatta Unisex's Cutlery Set-Black/Seal Grey, 4 Persons |
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Vango Family Cutlery Set Camping Cooking Equipment |
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Mugs
Any basic camping setup should have a mug in it! The type of mug you take with you is personal preference, but I would go for something that I can use for both drinks as well a soup or stew as this will reduce the amount of items you will need to buy and take with you.
Washing Up Supplies
The final items you will need for your basic family camping setup are washing up supplies.
A sponge and washing up liquid are the most basic things you will need, but you will also need a washing up bowl as well.
Family Camping Cook Sets
If you want to save yourself the hassle of buying plates, cutlery and cooking pots separately, you can buy some great cook sets, containing most of the items you need. The following cook sets are a great option for those who want all the cooking equipment and utensils they need in one compact set.
Quechua Hiker’s Camping Stainless-Steel Cook Set MH100
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Quechua Hiker's Camping SS Cooking Set With Non-Stick Coating MH500
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Family Camping Kitchen Items
If the basics sound a little too basic for what you need, or if you are simply looking to add to your existing basic cooking set then the following items are exactly what you will need to create the perfect family camping kitchen.
Frying Pan
One of the first items you should look to add to your expanded camping kitchen is a frying pan. Having the option to fry foods, such as bacon or sausages on your gas stoves will expand your meal options significantly compared to just using pots and saucepans.
The following frying pans will make a great addition to your camping kitchen.
Quechua MH100 Hiker's Camp Frying Pan
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Hi-Gear Non-Stick Frying Pan
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Quest Frying Pan with Removable Handle
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Mountain Warehouse Camping Frying Pan
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3 Way Outdoor Frying Pan with Removable Handle and Lid
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Tableware Sets
If you would like to sit around a table and eat a meal when camping as a family, rather than investing in some mess tins, you would probably be better off buying some plates and bowls to eat from.
The following tableware sets contain a mixture of plates, side plates and bowls, which should be all you need for your next family camping trip.
Large Plastic Picnic Camping Party Dinner Plate Mug Cutlery Set, 4 Person | Guide Price = £7.99 Contents:
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31 Piece Plastic Picnic Sets | Guide Price = £8.25 Contents:
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Eurohike 25 Piece Picnic Set | Guide Price = £14.00 Contents:
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GEEZY 16 Piece Melamine Camping Caravan Picnic Outdoor Dining Dinner Plate Set | Guide Price = £21.99 Contents:
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Sea to Summit Delta Camp Set | Guide Price = £ 22.00 Contents:
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16-Piece Melamine Outdoor Garden Camping Crockery Set for 4 People | Guide Price = £22.99 Contents
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Leisurewize LWACC379 Melamine 16 Pcs Dinner Set | Guide Price = £24.95 Contents:
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Odoland Camping Cutlery Set | Guide Price = £26.99 Contents:
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Flamefield CWK0116 16 Piece Colour Works Melamine Set-Multicoloured | Guide Price = £28.00 Contents:
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Hi Gear 16 Piece Bamboo Tableware Set | Guide Price = £35.00 Contents:
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Hi Gear 16 Piece Melamine Plastic Dinner Set | Guide Price = £35.00 Contents:
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Leisurewize 16 Piece Honeycomb Melamine Dining Set | Guide Price = £35.00 Contents:
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20 Pieces Wheat Straw Dinnerware Sets | Guide Price = £41.99 Contents:
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Hi Gear Deluxe 16 Piece Melamine Tableware Set | Guide Price = £45.00 Contents:
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Hi-Gear Delta 4-Person Picnic Set / Cool Bag | Guide Price = £45.00 Contents:
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Cooking Utensils
As well as improving your family camping setup with a good set of cutlery and tableware, you can also improve it with the addition of more cooking utensils.
With a basic setup, you are most likely just boiling water or soups and will only need something to stir with, but what if you want to cook some other foods, such as sausages or an egg? Having a set of kitchen utensils will make life much easier for you.
The main utensils you should be looking for are:
- Spatula
- Chopping Board
- Ladle
Extra items that are useful are:
- Tongs
- Scissors
- Tin Opener
Depending on what you are going to be cooking when camping, you may wish to bring more utensils with you.
The following cooking utensil sets contain all the items that you need for your family camping setup.
Quechua Kitchen Set MH500 | Guide Price = £9.99 Contents:
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Dexter Innovations 11 Piece Silicone Kitchen and Cooking Utensils Set | Guide Price = £24.99 Contents:
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OURLITIME Camping Kitchen Utensil Set | Guide Price = £27.99 Contents:
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Camping Kitchen Units
Having a dedicated cooking area when going on an extended family camping trip can make life far easier than setting up from scratch each time. Buying a camping kitchen unit is perfect for this, as it provides a solid surface for preparing and cooking meals, as well as storage for food, plates, etc.
Our guide to the Best Camping Kitchen Units provides more information and specifications for a number of kitchen units on the market. Our favourite was the CamPart Travel Camping Outdoor Kitchen, as it is a great all-round option, with plenty of storage space and a solid worktop.
Guide Price = £89.99
Key Features:
- Features two storage compartments with shelves
- Four height adjustable legs, side pockets and space for a stove
- Strong and lightweight aluminium frame
- Folds easily into included carrier bag weighing just 7.7kg
Camping Fridges and Coolboxes
Keeping your food fresh when away camping can be tough. If you don’t have access to a shop near where your staying, or just want to be able to keep some milk cold overnight, you will probably want to invest in a camping fridge or coolbox.
If you are just needing to keep something cold overnight, you might be able to get away with a passive coolbox, using ice blocks to keep the contents cold inside. Alternatively, for longer trips, you might want to invest in an electric coolbox or even a camping fridge. To find out more about the different options available, check out our guide to the best camping fridges and coolboxes.
Our top picks for keeping your food cold are as follows:
Quechua Rigid Camping Cooler Box |
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Hi-Gear 28-Litre 12V 240V Cooler |
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Dellonda 36L Portable Dual Zone Compressor Fridge Freezer |
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iceQ 42 Litre 3 Way Portable Absorption Cool Box |
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Camping Tables and Camping Chairs
Thinking about what you are going to eat and how you are going to cook it are the most important factors when creating a camping kitchen, but you should also think about where you are going to eat as well.
Some people will be happy eating a meal from their lap whilst sat in a comfortable camping chair. For others, a table is a must when camping (“why I lower my standards just because I’m camping?”). Whichever side of the fence you belong, below are a couple of suggestions for you:
Milestone Camping Portable Camping Table and Bench |
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Andes Folding Aluminium Camping Table |
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Hi-Gear Elite Double Table |
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Andes Folding Aluminium Camping Table - Large |
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Timber Ridge Directors Chair |
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These are just some of the options available to you. For more tips and recommendations, see our guide to the Best Camping Chair and the Best Camping Table.
Other Camping Kitchen Essentials
As well as all the items above, the following are other camping kitchen essentials that you should add to make life much easier at camp.
Knife Set
Unless you plan on bringing everything with you already chopped up, then chances are you are going to need a knife for preparing food for cooking. Bringing a few knives with you for doing this will save a lot of hassle when preparing meals.
The Jeslon Chef Knives Set is a great option for taking camping with you as all the knives come with protective covers, making them great for packing away as well as safe.
Collapsible Colander
Pasta is a staple of most camping trips and the chances are you are going to need to strain the used water from the pan once cooked. A collapsible colander is a great item for this as it can be stored away easily when not in use without taking up as much space as a normal colander. You can also use it for washing salad items before eating as well.
This Set of 2 Collapsible Colanders are very good value and a great addition to your camping kitchen.
Water Carrier
One of the major inconveniences of camping is not having a tap in your tent for use whenever you need water. Instead of making various trips back and forth to the nearest campsite water supply, a water carrier will save you a lot of hassle.
This Dutison Collapsible Water Container comes in various sizes and can be collapsed down to a small size to avoid taking up too much space in the boot of your car.
Store Cupboard Extras
By now you will have all you need to cook some great meals when camping as a family, however, you don’t want to forget those store cupboard essentials that you would usually have at hand in your kitchen at home.
The following items are those store cupboard extras that will make your life so much easier when camping (and you might kick yourself if you forget).
Tin Foil or Food Storage Bags
Before you even leave you will need to make sure you have a good supply of tin foil or storage bags for taking your food with you. This will also come in handy when camping as you can sometimes take a few leftover bits with you from meals and use them for the next day.
Air Tight Storage Containers
Air tight containers are great both before you go camping and also at the camp site.
Instead of carrying lots of large boxes of items, such as cereal, you can decant just the right amount for your trip, saving you a great deal of space in your car.
They are also very handy for when you are heading out for the day as they can be used for packed lunches as well as storing snacks.
Bin Bags
Probably one of the most important things you can take with you and one of the easiest to forget is bin bags. Make sure you take some with you so that you can keep your campsite clean and help protect the local wildlife.
Kitchen Roll
Kitchen roll is another essential that you can often forget when camping. It can be used for drying surfaces, cleaning grease from pans or even as a makeshift plate for food. Very versatile camping kitchen essential.
Tin Opener and Bottle Opener
If you are planning on having beans or some other tinned goods, you might just need to take a tin opener with you. Whilst most tinned foods have ring pulls these days, there are still some that need a tin opener in order to get at the contents.
The same goes for any bottles you take as well. You don’t want to be stuck with a beer you can’t open or some wine you can’t enjoy. Not good!
Condiments
Not a mealtime goes by without a request for ketchup in our house. Make sure you take all the condiments you need or else there may be trouble with your family (and who wants burgers without a bit of sauce?). Remember that condiments also stretches to salt and pepper!
Spices
If you’re planning on cooking some tasty stir-fry meals or stews from scratch when camping, make sure you pack some spices with you so that you can add some kick to your meals.
Pro-tip: If you don’t want to take lots of spice jars with you, a pill organiser is a great way to take a small number of lots of different spices.
Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate
Having a brew in the morning is a necessity. Don’t forget to take your tea bags or coffee of choice with you for your morning caffeine hit.
If you don’t want to compromise on your high-quality morning cup of coffee, you should invest in a Wacaco Minipresso. Just add your favourite grind and some hot water and you have a delicious morning espresso.
For the kids, a nice warm cup of hot chocolate is a great way to warm up before bedtime.
Milk
The final and possibly the most important essential you will need to take is milk. Whether it’s milk for your brew or for a bowl of cereal, make sure you don’t forget it (and keep it in your camping fridge).
Summary
I hope that after reading this guide you now know exactly what you need to take with you to make your perfect family camping kitchen. If there is anything I have missed then please let me know.
