If you are hiking to a remote camping location your kitchen probably won’t be your top priority. Camping close to your vehicle gives you the upper hand when it comes to your camping kitchen.
I have put together a list of 10 basic camping kitchen items that are a must have to make your experience in the kitchen great every time. Some of the best meals that I have had in my life have come out of the camping kitchen so I always feel like setting it all up is worth it.
My Camping Kitchen:
1. The Coleman Pack-Away® Deluxe Camp Kitchen is up first and a must-have. It serves as a prep, cooking, and cleaning area for all kitchen activities. The kitchen includes a paper towel holder, condiment racks, removable sink basin, pantry shelf, and a lantern hook. It is built with a heavy duty steel frame and comes with a one year warranty. The camp kitchen is easy to use and relatively cheap for how functional it is. 
2. Next is your cookware. The OUTAD Portable 10 Piece set has all of the lightweight cookware that you’ll need. And, it stores totally compacted. You get the cauldron, pot, large frying pan, small frying pan, 3 plastic bowls, 2 spoons, and a loofah sponge. They are made with hard aluminum oxide to stand high temperatures and abrasion. The dishes also have folding handles that are flexible and easy to use. 
3. Don’t forget your cooking utensils. The Running Trade 7 Piece Camping Utensil Set includes a cutting board, tongs, 2 spoons, scissors, a spatula, and a knife all in one bag. Just unzip and you have everything you need.
4. Most people bring their own eating utensils but it’s a good idea to keep at least one Red Rock Outdoor Gear Mess Kit as a back up. It has everything you might need to enjoy a meal, with durable materials that will last. 
5. You could use a cooker like the Etekcity Ultralight Portable Stove. But, if weight isn’t an issue, I prefer the Coleman Flow Grill Stove. It can handle more items at a time and since it is larger it is much more stable. The stove fits perfectly on the Deluxe Camp Kitchen making it perfect for camping, hunting, and even tailgating. It also comes with a 3-year limited warranty. 
6. For the cooler, I always use my YETI Tundra 75 Cooler (you can read my full review here: YETI Tundra Cooler). It’s the perfect size cooler and will keep your food fresh for longer than any other.
7. You can’t cook what you can’t see, therefore, make sure that you have a good lantern. The Etekcity Portable Outdoor LED Camping Lantern is plenty bright for cooking once the sun sets. Hang it from the convenient lantern hook on the Deluxe Camp Kitchen and forget about it. The battery should last you the duration of your trip.
8. Water is a necessity so the Coleman Water Carrier is common sense. There are usually areas to fill up with water near camping grounds, so you can carry this one empty to your site to save on pack weight. Use your container for drinking water as well as water for cleaning your kitchen. 
9. A cleaning kit is important for keeping your gear nice and your kitchen organized. I like the Rubbermaid 4-Piece Sinkware Set. The drying rack is nice for dishes, especially if you are sharing with a large group. You can use the brush for cleaning the kitchen set before you put it away as well. 
10. Last but not least, a collapsible garbage can like the Coghlans Camping Trash Can. Pack out everything that you pack in. A lot of people do not account for their garbage or don’t do the best job cleaning up after themselves, so, having a garbage really helps remind your group. 
I want to hear from you
What does your kitchen setup look like? Do you have any on the mentioned items? Feel free to leave a comment, I always love to hear from you!