What is a camping cooking set called?

A camping cooking set can often be referred to as a mess kit and includes utensils for cooking and eating. In other parts of the world, such as Australia and New Zealand, you may hear of these being referred to as a billy can.

Can you use aluminum pans for camping?

Most aluminum pans can be used for camping, but coals can burn very hot, so it is recommended that the aluminum pan is elevated above them.

Is cast iron cookware good for camping?

Cast iron cookware is excellent for durability but not suitable for camping where a lot of walking is involved, due to its weight.

Is stainless steel or aluminum better for camping cooking sets?

There are a few things that set stainless steel and aluminum apart when it comes to cooking. Aluminum heats up faster, more evenly, and arguably looks better than stainless steel. On the other hand, stainless steel is less prone to scratches, more forgiving with cleaning, and the better quality sets cost a little more.

The 8 Best Camping Cooking Sets for Outdoor Enthusiasts [2022]

If you want to enjoy healthy, home-cooked food on the go, a camping cookware set will give you all the pots, pans, and utensils you need to chow down with friends and family.

From simple pots and pans through to comprehensive camping cookware collections, the cookware you need to take with you will depend on where you are going and how many people you want to feed when you get there.

Table of contents

Things To Consider With Camping Cooking Sets
The 8 Best Camping Cooking Sets
Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

Things To Consider With Camping Cooking Sets
The 8 Best Camping Cooking Sets
Final Thoughts

Things To Consider With Camping Cooking Sets

Before you rush out and buy any old mess kit, consider the following from your camping cooking set.

Cookware

In order to heat your food, you will need to have pots and pans with you. Most sets contain a least 1 pot and 1 frying pan, while some more expensive kits may come with pots and pans of different sizes.

A separate lid is also useful as it helps to keep the heat in and let the steam escape for safer and more thorough heating, and some kits even come with multi-purpose handles that can be clipped onto each of the pots and pans, making them easier to lift off the stove.

Utensils

You will, of course, need something to eat your food with, and most mess kits come with cutlery included.

As outdoor eating is not all about fine dining, multi-purpose utensils make it easy to eat your food without worrying about lots of extra things to carry around with you. Sporks — a pronged spoon that can be used to stab food or scoop it up — are very commonplace in camping cookware sets, as are spatulas that can be used for cooking and foldable knives or forks that take up less space in your cookware set.

Hot Tip: Look for utensils that are easy to clean and resistant to rust if you want them to be useful for many adventures to come.

Materials

Your outdoor cookware needs to be made from strong and durable materials while still being lightweight and versatile. Stainless steel is a popular choice as it lasts well and is resistant to scratches. Affordable and easy to transport, stainless steel pots and pans are often found in less expensive mess kits.

Aluminum is also an excellent choice as it is able to conduct heat extremely well, even on a small camping stove. While not as durable as stainless steel, it is still a good choice for use in the great outdoors. If you are planning on using your camping cookware for many years to come, invest in a set that features hard-anodized aluminum pieces that are incredibly hardwearing and excellent to cook with.

Suppose you want to really impress your fellow campers. In that case, you could even consider titanium cookware that is super lightweight and easy to cook with, or go retro with heavy but almost indestructible cast iron pots and pans that can be used for cooking over fire, charcoal, or gas.

Nonstick Coatings

If you can, look for a cooking set that has a nonstick coating. These types of pans need very little oil to cook with and can be cleaned up super quickly. A word of warning, though — the coatings do eventually scratch off, making them less effective over time.

Size

If you are looking to feed the masses, you will need to consider the size and volume of the pots and pans you buy. While a 750-milliliter to 1-liter pan will be enough for a delicious dinner for 1, 2-liter pans are perfect for 2 people, 3 liters for 3 to 4 people, and you could consider even larger 4-liter versions if you want to feed more than 5 people at a time.

The logic behind this works in reverse, too. There is no need to carry around large pots and pans if it is just the 2 of you out in the wilds, and the bigger the pan, the heavier it will be, too, so keep that in mind when it comes to packing.

Portability

If you are car camping or traveling in your RV, you can opt for super-sized, super-heavy, high-quality cookware as you won’t need to lug it around with you. If, on the other hand, you are planning on trekking or hiking over long distances, you should consider the overall weight and size of your cookware before you buy.

Bottom Line: Most camping cookware sets have been designed to let the pieces nest inside each other or come with a compact carry bag to ensure that they don’t take up too much room in your backpack.

The 8 Best Camping Cooking Sets

1. Camping Cookware Set for Budding Outdoor Enthusiasts

DISCOUNT: 20%

BEST OVERALL: MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Gear

This 1-liter pot is made from durable anodized aluminum and includes a full set of accessories, from a spatula to a cleaning sponge. It is highly convenient for all types of backpackers.

MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit

This little camping cookware kit contains everything you need to enjoy alfresco dining wherever you are headed. Featuring 10 different pieces, it comes with a nonstick pot and pot cover, a nonstick pan, 2 bowls, a folding steel spork, a soup spoon, a wooden spoon spatula, a cleaning sponge, and a nylon drawstring pouch for easy transportation.

Designed to fold down into a small collapsible bundle, this awesome little travel kit is lightweight, practical, and perfect for hiking trips and camping. Designed to conduct heat nice and quickly, this has everything you need for solo dining.

What We Like

The kit has everything you need to get started

What We Don’t Like

The pots can get scratched quite easily

2. High-end Camping Cookware Set

UPGRADE PICK: Stanley Base Camp Cook Set

This practical choice includes 21 nested components, including a pot, a cutting board, bowls, sporks, and even a rack to dry dishes. A space-saving and convenient design that is easy to clean and easy to carry on outdoor trips.

Stanley Base Camp Cook Set for 4

Enjoy freshly cooked meals for all the family with this awesome 4-person cookware set. Made from 18/8 stainless steel, this cooking set is incredibly strong and durable while still being compact and lightweight enough to carry around with you.

Featuring 21 pieces in all, it includes a 3.5-liter pot, a 3-ply frying pan, a cutting board, spatula, serving spoon, 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 sporks, a dish drying rack, and a heat resistant bungee, amongst other useful items. Designed to all nest together when not in use, this set is hardwearing, easy to clean, and perfect for family camping trips.

What We Like

This is a rugged and durable set

What We Don’t Like

The spatula is not very heat-resistant

3. Stovetop Mess Kit for Quick and Easy Meals for 2

Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set

Made from 18-8 stainless steel, this durable choice includes a lightweight design that allows you to prepare meals or make hot drinks. It includes 2 versatile cups that can be used at the same time.

Stanley Cook Set – 24oz Kettle with 2 Cups

This high-quality and well-designed cooking set has been designed for outdoor cooking, boiling water, or making a much-needed cup of coffee. With a vented top to let steam escape or strain liquid, this is a versatile and easy-to-use cooking utensil that has many different uses on the road.

Made from 18/8 stainless steel, it comes with 2 insulated portable 10-ounce tumblers for hot and cold beverages, and the cooking pot comes with a locking handle for safer cooking. Incredibly lightweight and compact enough to be carried with you virtually anywhere, this stovetop mess kit is an excellent choice for hiking, fishing, and camping trips.

What We Like

This steel cooker with nesting cups is surprisingly versatile

What We Don’t Like

The stovetop cooker is a little wobbly

4. Traditional Cast Iron Camping Cookware Set

Bruntmor Pre-Seasoned Camping Cooking Set

This 7-piece cast iron collection comes with a vintage-design storage box for easier handling. Ideal for use on a fire or even in burning ash. Easy to use and easy to clean.

Bruntmor Pre-Seasoned 7 Piece Heavy Duty Cast Iron Dutch Oven

This incredible Dutch oven set is made from top-quality materials and offers everything you need to cook up hot food.

Create amazing meals using the 12-inch cast iron skillet, the 4.5-quart Dutch oven pot, the 2.5-quart saucepot, and the 9-inch heavy-duty cast iron griddle, and with an 8.6-inch trivet and lid lifter included, you really can cook like you are back at home.

Designed for use over an open fire or on burning ash, this set comes in a convenient wooden box that looks super classy and makes it easy to transport the cookware set in one go. Made with pre-seasoned and nonstick surfaces, these high-quality pieces not only cook beautifully, but they are also incredibly easy to clean.

What We Like

This cast iron set looks and feels like it really has been made to last a lifetime

What We Don’t Like

The wooden box could be better

5. Complete Camping Mess Kit for Family Vacations

DISCOUNT: 12%

1,497 Reviews

Odoland Camping Cookware Mess Kit

This 22-piece set includes everything you need as a group of 4 people. The nonstick pans are highly durable and made using Teflon coating for maximum convenience. This makes each piece easy to clean.

Odoland 22pcs Camping Cookware Mess Kit

Offering excellent value for money, this 22-piece camping cookware set has everything you need to cook up a storm for up to 4 people. With a large-size hanging pan, a nonstick pan, a kettle, 4 stainless steel dishes, 4 stainless steel cups, 4 spoons, 4 forks, and some useful bags, this is an awesome cooking set that can be used over an open fire, or on a portable stove.

With each piece featuring a nonstick Teflon coating, the set is easy to clean and incredibly durable, and the pots and pans conduct heat quickly to allow for even heat distribution to ensure beautifully cooked food every time.

What We Like

This is a great set for family camping trips

What We Don’t Like

The cups are a little on the small size

6. Camping Cookware Set for You and up to 4 of Your Fellow Travelers

DISCOUNT: 9%

Yodo Camping Cookware Set

This collection made from durable and lightweight anodized aluminum is ideal for groups of up to 5 people. It includes quick-heat transfer to save on fuel. All the pieces stack together and are easy to clean.

Yodo Anodized Aluminum Camping Cookware Set

Designed to offer everything you need to cook fresh meals for up to 5 people, this useful anodized aluminum cooking set comes with large, medium, and small cooking pots and a 7.7-inch frying pan.

It also features 1 large plate, 2 medium plates, 4 bowls, a rice ladle, and a loofah sponge for easy cleaning. Offering fast and efficient heat transfer, you can enjoy safely cooked food, and the tough and durable construction of the pots and pans makes them perfect for use over an open fire or camping stove.

With a foldable handle also included, this pan set will feel just as safe as cooking back at home, and with a mesh carry bag, you can keep all of your cooking gear neatly stashed away when not in use.

What We Like

The anodized aluminum is really good at heating up fast while also being easy to clean

What We Don’t Like

These pans do not come with a nonstick coating, so you need to be aware of that when cooking

7. Excellent Stacking Cookware Set

RedCamp Camping Cookware Mess Kit

This 11-piece collection is made from lightweight and durable anodized aluminum that is an excellent heat conductor. The set is easy to clean and collapsible, which makes it highly portable.

RedCamp Camping Cookware Mess Kit

This impressive camping cookware kit is perfect for hiking, camping, and fishing trips and comes with everything you need to cook your own meals in the great outdoors.

Featuring 11 separate pieces, it includes a nonstick pot with a pot cover, a nonstick pan, 2 bowls, 1 ladel, 1 folding spoon, 1 loofah, and a travel drawstring pouch for easy storage and transportation.

Compact and lightweight, this set collapses into itself when not in use, making it perfect for stashing in your backpack. Easy to clean and just the right size for cooking a full meal, the pots and pans in this set have been designed to be used with gas-powered camping stoves.

What We Like

This cookware set offers a lot of gear for your money

What We Don’t Like

Not as durable as other sets

8. Comprehensive Cooking Set, Complete With Its Very Own Stove

Aire Camping Cookware Set

This collection of 16 pieces is made from non-toxic anodized aluminum alloy. It includes stainless steel cutlery, and all the elements can stack together to make them more convenient to carry.

AIRE 16 Pcs Camping Cookware Set

Made from premium anodized aluminum alloy, this camping cookware set is non-toxic, hardwearing, and designed to offer fast and even transfer of heat.

This set offers a nonstick pot, a nonstick frying pan, 2 bowls, a soup spoon, wooden spoons, a stainless steel cutlery set, a sponge, and a nylon carry bag. Designed to offer absolutely everything you need to get cooking, apart from the ingredients, this cookware set also includes a mini stove with piezo ignition, meaning that you don’t even need to worry about finding a way to heat your food.

Compact and highly portable, this set fits neatly in the largest pot for safe and easy storage. Offering the capacity to feed 2 to 3 people, this is an excellent cookware set for camping, fishing, and hiking trips.

What We Like

Having a cooking stove included is super useful

What We Don’t Like

The pans are quite small

Final Thoughts

Cook like a boss, even on the go, with a durable and reliable camping cookware set. Made from lightweight materials that come with nonstick coatings and efficient conductivity, these impressive little cooking sets are almost as good as anything you would find back at home.

Portable, practical, and perfect for prepping, cooking, and enjoying your favorite meals, all of these cooking sets and mess kits offer everything you need to eat healthy, homestyle food.

Things To Consider With Camping Cooking Sets

Cookware

Utensils

Materials

Nonstick Coatings

Size

Portability

The 8 Best Camping Cooking Sets

1. Camping Cookware Set for Budding Outdoor Enthusiasts

MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit

2. High-end Camping Cookware Set

Stanley Base Camp Cook Set for 4

3. Stovetop Mess Kit for Quick and Easy Meals for 2

Stanley Cook Set – 24oz Kettle with 2 Cups

4. Traditional Cast Iron Camping Cookware Set

Bruntmor Pre-Seasoned 7 Piece Heavy Duty Cast Iron Dutch Oven

5. Complete Camping Mess Kit for Family Vacations

Odoland 22pcs Camping Cookware Mess Kit

6. Camping Cookware Set for You and up to 4 of Your Fellow Travelers

Yodo Anodized Aluminum Camping Cookware Set

7. Excellent Stacking Cookware Set

RedCamp Camping Cookware Mess Kit

8. Comprehensive Cooking Set, Complete With Its Very Own Stove

AIRE 16 Pcs Camping Cookware Set

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

What is a camping cooking set called?

Can you use aluminum pans for camping?

Is cast iron cookware good for camping?

Is stainless steel or aluminum better for camping cooking sets?

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