Guest Post
Gourmet Camping Cooking Equipment
When our family is on a camping trip, we eat in style because we use gourmet quality camping cooking equipment.
In camping, nothing can be worse than being in the middle of nowhere and then realizing you forgot your wok, for the many stir fries you planned on cooking. Our wok works double time because we don’t only use it for stir frying, we use it for making pancakes, frying fish, soups, cowboy chili, and pancakes. The right camping equipment always makes a difference.
However, you really have to be organized when you are carrying a near complete camp kitchen. So one of the best investments you can make for camping trips is to find the right bins to store your camping cooking equipment in. It should fit in your vehicle, with easy access in and out. It should be see through clear.
We’ve used Sterilite and Rubber maid bins to house our camping cooking equipment and food. Each bin holds it own particular items. You could designate one bin for plates, bowls, cutleries, napkins, kitchen towels, plastic wraps, ladles, etc. One for all the canned goods, peanut butter, bottled stuff. One for all the snacks and carbs like bread, crackers, cookies, nuts, dried fruits. One for condiments, sauces, grains, tea, coffee, cocoa, pasta. Find your own system that will make things easier for you to find items. Label them as necessary so other family members know where to put the camping equipment and supplies back. Keeping food and camping cooking equipment contained in containers make for ease in getting things in and out.
I remember our first major camping trips when I used just paper bags and plastic grocery bags to store our camping cooking equipment. That was a pain and the bags lasted about two days and then they were goners. We ended up stuffing things here and there randomly, piling this over that, which made it inconvenient to find things. So try to find containers suitable for your camping style and vehicle cargo space.
Here is camping cooking equipment checklist for cooking and serving food:
- Wok
- Small Propane or Charcoal BBQ
- Cooking Grill / griddle/ Grate (for campfire cooking)
- Camp Stove
- Propane Cylinders, Liquid Gas or Charcoal
- Pots & Pans with lids / Mess kits
- Eating Utensils – sporks, knives, forks, spoons, plates, bowls, cups, mugs
- Can Opener/Corkscrew/Bottle opener
- Coffee and Tea Paraphernalia
- Thermos
- Dish soap
- Dish scrubber, pot scourer, gloves, dish cloths
- Peeler
- Cutting Board
- Colander
- Match sticks
- Storage containers
- Pot holder, barbecue mitts, tea towels
- Basin for washing
- Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
- Hot pads
- Plastic Wrap
- Paper Plates/ paper cups/ plastic cutlery
- Napkins
- Tablecloth / Clips
- Ladles, Tongs, knives, Turners
- Skewers, Roasting forks
- Ziploc bags of different sizes
- Trash Bags
- Grocery bags
- Paper Towels
- Condiments for cooking ( salt, pepper, seasonings, Olive oil, butter, Balsamic )
- Water Jug
- Coffee drip cones and filters
Author: Mark Keeler
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Camp Cooking Made Easy
Camp cooking can be as elaborate or simple as you want it to be. If you want to prepare quick and simple but nutritious meals while you are camping, camp cooking doesn’t even have to require a fire. But if you are interested in fueling your camping trip with a feast, camp cooking can allow you to make hot, healthy foods that are as good as you can make them at home in your own kitchen.
Camp cooking does not have to be limited to sandwiches and baked potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil. Almost any cooking method you use in the kitchen can be duplicated around the campfire. For example, use a dutch oven or pit cooking to bake your food. You can also easily fry foods in a pan over a grill, or boil, braise and roast. What type of camping cookware is best for you? Camp cooking and clean-up can be easy or a hassle, it all starts with great camping equipment.
Some pots/pans come in sets that mate together or “nest” for storage and even allow you to tuck a canister of fuel inside them. This comes in handy when you’re looking to save room while camping.
Following are some camping items to take with you if you are planning on preparing some meals around the campfire. These common kitchen items will allow you to duplicate tasty meals while you are out of doors.
Salt and pepper
Other of your favorite herbs and spices
Cooking oil
Pot holder
Hand-held can opener
Aluminum foil
Tongs and spatula
Cutting knives
Cutting board
Mixing bowl
Paper or plastic silverware, plates and cups
If you have just a few campers and are looking for some simple camp cooking, try the easy and quick technique of tin can cooking. All you will need is a clean tin can a one gallon size can works well. Your source of heat can be a small campfire, or if wood burning is prohibited, a small buddy burner will work well, which can be found at sporting good stores or online. Place your meal in the tin can and simply heat the contents of your can over a flame. You will have a hot meal ready in minutes. This technique works great for soups, beans and tuna fish.
A more time-consuming camp cooking technique that also produces tasty meals is pit cooking. Pit cooking is great for items that can be wrapped in aluminum foil to be cooked. It is also a great camp cooking method if you are using a dutch oven or cast iron cookware. Pit cooking warms your food by heating rocks and coals that are buried in the ground. As the rocks cool off, their emitted heat cooks the food. To pit cook, first dig a hole that is about three times larger than your cookware. Line the pit with rocks and build a fire in the middle. Once the fire has burned rapidly for about an hour, push the hot coals and rocks into the center. Layer your wrapped food or covered skillets on top of the rocks and coals and place more on top. After a few hours, you will have some delicious camp food to enjoy.
Author: Philippe De Tiege
Article Source: EzineArticles.com