favorite kitchenware?

[Bobbie Mayer]

I bought a set of nesting pots that fit inside my 10 inch Dutch oven, which fits into a dishpan, which fits in the cabin. Works great. I'll probably not take all the pans, every time, but so far am just seeing what I use most. I have a silicone scraper and a silicone "cookie spatula" which is small and great to use. I need bowls- haven't figured out what to get yet. I have a flexible plastic cutting board.

For coffee I ended up with a small Keurig. I also have a pot to heat water and a non-electric plunger-type coffee maker.

[SimplyLesa]

I'm a stove geek and natural-rustic cooking nut (been at it since i was a young kid and have to convert recipes to fit my MCS).
I love my Esbit multifuel set. I even use it with a tiny ceramic frypan from WallyWorld. I have a Trangia as well. They are basically the same. I do like my Heat Mate and have an Origo (same company) stove on my wish list.
I also miss my GSI Haulite tea kettle I will get a new one tho the thrift store won out for the time being.
I also have a couple sets of Stanley pots which have drain holes in the lids.
I don't like the Origami plate sets. I thought I would love the stemless wine glasses but I keep knocking them over.

[Green Frog]

I am a frequent shopper in Goodwill, DAV, and other thrift shops. For pots and pans, I collect up Revereware™ Stainless cookware with copper bottoms. I keep enough stuff in the Burro all the time for basic needs (percolator, small sauce pans and skillet) then add any extra stuff I need for special occasions when I want to make a big pot of Gumbo or whatever. You didn't ask, but my tableware and dishes also came from the same types of places, with a set of stainless I got for 25¢ each and Rubbermaid™ plates, cups, etc. I should mention that the cast iron griddle I got for my gas stove is also an important part of my cooking program.

Froggie

[RogerDat]

Does my heart good to see that green frog is another percolator coffee camper.

One thing I have not seen mentioned much is a griddle, if you use a Coleman stove as we do it is very useful. Not as useful as a deep skillet but being thin it is easy to pack and provides a large surface area for cooking larger quantities when the kids or grandkids are along. We can do bacon/sausage, eggs and hash browns for breakfast on it for two easily. Or pancakes for the whole crew.

We use a nested camping set similar to the stainless one shown but in aluminum, having a couple of nested pots and a fry pan lid. Coffee percolator, old smaller percolator minus guts for heating water. All the silver ware and utensils fit in a rolled up towel. Plenty of aluminum foil. We have a couple of plastic insulated mugs good for keeping beverages hot or cold.

Then we come to the battle ground. Mess kit plates vs. disposable plates, folding cups vs. disposable cups. On the one hand hate the bulk of the disposables, on the other hand when we cook over the campfire there is almost no dishes to wash. Wife also likes disposable plates for food prep surface.

We also carry a small folding campfire grill, and a larger grill that started out life as a small oven or maybe refrigerator rack. The small grill is enough for some things such as toasted sandwiches and is used as legs to support one side of the larger grill, other side of larger grill rests on log or maybe fire ring edge.

Camper pie irons, set of extendable forks for marshmallows or hot dogs, campfire popcorn popper. And a clamshell grill with extendable handle. Two small nested dish pans, one with nested strainer.

Entire kitchen will fit in a medium sized plastic bin, under the table or in the back of the TV to be brought out when cooking. The grills and such store flat in a bag because they tend to be dirty from the fire.

If you haven't guessed yet we don't cook inside much. :-)

[Donna D.]

Stansport is almost exactly like the Magma set, but less stout and far less expensive.

Only YOU can decide what works best for YOU and how you wish to spend your money.

Frankly, I believe ONE and DONE. YMMV

[Sharon D]

It is true that only I can decide, but I love learning about options and success/failure stories, If you are a one and done kitchenware person, feel free to brag about your monogamous relationship. If you are a player, I would love to hear about your thought processes in making your selections. If you are a serial monogamist, I would be i terested in hearing about why you traded up or down.

Thanks to the people who joined in this conversation, I am now looking hard at the Aeropress. Is the rubber cap worth the extra money?


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[stevebaz]

I don't leave home without 4 of these. I washed a million of these in junior high and high school. Best item for potlucks and eating on your lap.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by stevebaz

I don't leave home without 4 of these. I washed a million of these in junior high and high school. Best item for potlucks and eating on your lap.

How in the heck to you stir your different foods together with something like that?

[Glenn Baglo]

Kinda "Orange is the New Black" theme.

[SimplyLesa]

I love my coffee though not a snob, I have been spoiled by my years in Costa Rica - home roasted beans and all. Down there we used Coffee Socks. I love both the Melitta systems and good ole Cowboy coffee. Mostly because clean up is easier. I haven't tried the Areo press I figure that if I am annoyed by French Press and I am that I won't wanna mess with it. My coffee two cents.

[Jim Bennett]

Lesa, cleaning up the AeroPress is extremely easy. Knock the puck out, and a quick 5 second wipe. Drip Through and Cowboy Coffee both can be a good way to extract the coffee.

I do Cowboy Coffee all the time if there is a big crowd camping. The trick (for those no aware) is not boiling the water, before or after the coarse grounds are dumped in. Then decant the coffee off within a few minutes after the grounds go in, and you will not draw the bitterness out of the coffee. I have converted a few folk who swore the it was nothing but tar (or mud).

[stevebaz]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

How in the heck to you stir your different foods together with something like that?

Good food is not supposed to touch.

[SimplyLesa]

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by stevebaz

Good food is not supposed to touch.

Oh, yes it is. How do you think stuff like stews, sauces and the such were invented?

My mom likes to tell the story about me and 'potgetta'. I would mix the food on my plate and say potgetta (put it together). ☺

[Gilda]

I am loving the diversity of ideas for the camping kitchen. We all enjoy our own preferences. I think more along the line of Green Frog; keeping the equipment minimal, serviceable and low-cost. I do go a little overboard, however, when it comes to glamping at the dinner table. (see photo). Note that we have individual trays that can be used for place settings or transporting items or for eating on your lap. Of course, a table setting would not be complete without flowers. Note the canning jar mug and the big insulated mug. Both have screw-on caps to cut down on spillage in transport. Almost everything is second hand. I have great fun poking around thrift stores for the "perfect find".

[Marsha D]

I try to keep things minimal, too. I found this great set of collapsible bowls that we use for cereal, yogurt, salad, and to store leftovers.

[Nut501]

Originally Posted by Ian G.

My favorite is our Magma Nesting Cookware, it will outlast our Boler
Magma Nesting Cookware

Next favorite is our coffee maker, the AeroPress
AeroPress® | AEROBIE® High Performance Sport Toys

Ian,
Did you buy the Teflon finish cookware or the regular?
Thanks,

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Nut501

Ian,
Did you buy the Teflon finish cookware or the regular?
Thanks,

I'm not Ian, but I bought the Ceramica non-stick coating. Having used it for 1 1/2 years now, it is holding up great. We do stuff the original packing in between the pots while travelling to protect them (though it is getting quite tattered), but just ordered pot protectors from Magma earlier this week.

Seriously, I would bet that this set is as good, or better, than what many people use at home. The heat transfer on the set is great. I had been using my backpacking set, which works great for the right application (and is nice and light), but it is WAY easier to burn, and harder to control temps with.

I know some scoff at the cost, but one does have to be willing to pay, if they want quality. We love cooking fantastic meals while trailer camping, and this Magma set just adds to the experience.

Here are the pot protectors Magma now sells for $10 plus shipping. We had thought to make something, but buying is a way more cost effective use of my time. Can't comment on them, as they are in the mail.

[DaMScampers]

http://gsioutdoors.com/products/pdp/pinnacle_10_frypan
A great light fry pan.

http://gsioutdoors.com/products/pdp/.../camp_cookware
Stockpot with built in grips and strainer.


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[sarahspins]

I have that GSI frying pan and the Pinnacle camp set, I love them - they've held up great for me over 4 years of car camping, and seem to be a perfect match for our scamp. The pinnacle camp set easily fits inside the opening of the upper kitchen cabinets in our scamp (door openings are approximately 9 3/4" wide).