6 Best Camping Cookware Sets of 2022

There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a camping cookware set.

So, to get you started, here are some of the most important things to keep in mind as you choose a cooking kit for your outdoor adventures:

Types of Camping Cookware

It turns out that there are quite a few different types of camping cookware sets, each with their advantages and disadvantages. Here’s what you need to know:

Cooksets

A cookset generally includes everything you’d ended to prepare a meal in the backcountry for a small group of people.

At a minimum, these self-contained kits usually provide a pot, pan, lid, and enough bowls for everyone to eat their meal. 

What sets a cookset apart from a collection of different camping items is that a cookset is designed to accommodate more than one person.

Additionally, the individual components of a cookset should nest inside of each other for easier storage.

Mess Kits

Mess kits are very similar to cooksets in terms of their components and design. Like cooksets, mess kits usually have a pot, pan/lid, and a bowl that all nest together.

However, mess kits are generally designed for individual campers, so they tend to be substantially lighter and more compact than cooksets.

That being said, due to their smaller capacity cooking, mess kits are best used for solo camping trips.

Individual Items

Finally, you can choose to buy the components of a mess kit or cook set individually to mix and match the items you like most.

While doing so allows you to get precisely the components you want, it is often the more expensive option.

Additionally, since the components of mess kits and cooksets are designed to nest inside of each other, buying items individually often results in a decreased portability.

But, purchasing individual items is ideal if you’re looking to customize your cooking gear completely.

Core Cookware Components

When searching for a camping cookset, keep an eye out for models that come with the following core components:

Pots 

A pot is considered an essential for any camping trip because it allows you to boil water and cook pasta or rice - two staples of outdoor eating.

In a cookware set, the pot also generally acts as a de facto carrying case as many of the other components nest inside.

Pans

Pans are a must if you like to fry eggs, bacon, or any other tasty delights while outside. Many cooksets also have pans that can double as a pot lid to save weight.

Plates & Bowls

Any good cookset should come with something to eat out of, whether that’s a plate or a bowl. Bowls are the most commonly included cookset item, but you may find some that also offer plates as an added bonus.

Mugs & Cups. The majority of cooksets will offer either a mug or a cup, which is essential if you want to enjoy some hot chocolate while outside. Keep in mind that some cooksets provide just one mug, which also doubles as a bowl to save weight.

Additional Cookware Set Components

In addition to the core components listed above, some cookware sets come with the following add-on items that make life just a bit easier while you’re outside:

Cutlery & Utensils 

Cutlery, such as spoons, forks, and even sporks, are must-haves for camping. However, keep in mind that these often aren’t included in cooksets.

Other utensils, including spatulas and serving spoons, are sometimes found in larger cookware kits that are made specifically for car camping.

Lids

A lid might seem like an essential piece of gear for cooking, but many sets opt not to include a lid in the interest of weight savings. Instead, many manufacturers expect that you can use your pot as a makeshift lid while cooking. But, lids that can also serve as a strainer are quite helpful.

Kettle

If you really enjoy hot drinks, a kettle is a great addition to any cookset. Although you can use a pot, instead, there’s nothing better than putting a kettle on the stove for an afternoon tea at the end of a camping day.

Pot Gripper

Pot grips are essential if your pots and pans don’t come with their own folding handles. When searching for kits with pot grippers, look for models that are lightweight and highly packable.

Coffee Maker

Some single camper mess kits will come with a french press-style coffee maker that can be used to brew a cup o’ joe right inside your pot. This is ideal for the coffee fanatics among us, especially if you were planning to carry a separate coffee maker, anyway. Check out our article on Easy Ways to Make Coffee While Camping for more information.

Popcorn Popper

Who doesn’t love popcorn? Some cast iron cookware sets will come with a popcorn popper that you can use to create a fun treat over the campfire.

Roasting Forks

S’mores are a staple of any camping trip, and roasting forks are an easy way to get your marshmallows perfectly toasted. These are a less-common add on to camping cooksets but are sometimes included in cast iron cookware kits.

Camp Cookware Buying Considerations

Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind as you shop for your next camping cookware set:

Weight

The weight of a cookware set is particularly crucial to backpackers, but it should be a key consideration for any camping trip. 

Aluminum and titanium cooksets tend to be preferred for backpacking trips because they’re lighter and more portable. Alternatively, steel and cast iron are ideal for car camping, where durability and ease of use are the top priority.

Capacity/Servings

Every camping cookset is designed to accommodate a certain number of people.

This is usually evident based on the number of bowls or cups that are included, but the size of the pot also indicates the appropriate number of servings you can make with your cookset.

For groups of 4, a pot size of 2.5L should be a minimum.

Storing & Nesting

To make packing easier, most cookware sets have components that nest inside each other and then fit into an included storage bag.

That way, you can save space in your pack, while still ensuring that you have all the gear you need to cook up a great meal while outside.