The Best Camping Cookware of 2024

Having started my adult camping ventures with a collection of mismatched plates and cookware, I appreciate the efficiency and convenience of getting a fully stocked camp kitchen in one go. Whether starting from scratch or looking to overhaul your camp kitchen, the 21-piece Stanley Adventure Base Camp Cook Set has you covered.

In terms of cookware, the 3.5-liter stainless steel pot and three-ply frying pan offer solid heat distribution and performance for preparing more complicated camp meals. I appreciate the inclusion of a cutting board, spatula, and serving spoon to streamline meal prep and dishing out portions while everything is still hot. It also comes with bowls, sporks, a trivet, dish drying rack, and a vented pot lid for straining. A quality knife is about the only thing missing from this comprehensive cook set.

The Details: Stainless steel | 5.7 pounds

Whenever possible, I try to choose equipment and gear that’s multipurpose. Take the Sea to Summit Detour Cook Set, for instance. It’s compatible with gas stoves and induction cooktops alike, making it a great investment for campers who also travel by RV or boat.

For me, the packability afforded by the compact design is where this cookware stands out. The 3-liter pot, bowls, and mugs nest together and compress down to just 2.5 inches tall. The rubber silicone stays rigid when unfurled, and the stainless-steel pot handles add stability while moving or pouring. I also love that it’s made to be “rattle-proof,” so there’s no clinking and clanking if carrying over land or transporting on rough roads.

The Details: Stainless steel and silicone rubber | 2.8 pounds

To minimize my packed weight on thru-hikes or backpacking trips, I look for all-in-one cooking systems instead of piecing together cookware and stoves from different brands or product lines. When every ounce counts, these integrated systems offer the lightest and most compact options. Totaling 7.1 ounces and spanning just 5.1 x 4.4 inches, the Stash Cooking System can easily fit into most hiking backpacks, even the more minimalist varieties.

Everything stores inside the 0.8-liter pot, including the fuel stabilizer and fuel canister. Since it’s so packable and incredibly fuel efficient, it’s a useful accessory to have when I’m car camping, too. It can boil water in a few minutes, so I can reserve my stovetop for sautéing, simmering, and more precise cooking needs.

The Details: Aluminum (pot) and titanium (stove) | 0.44 pounds

If space constraints and weight aren’t an issue, this high-quality cookware delivers incredible functionality to satisfy even the most ambitious camp chefs. The stainless-steel construction not only looks the part, but it offers enhanced heat distribution and durability for years of outdoor adventures. Between the stock pot, saucepan, frying pan, and corresponding vented lids, the menu is only limited by one’s imagination and cooler space. The addition of a collapsible cutting board, utensils, and trivets go beyond the usual wares I find in most cook sets for an upgraded cooking experience. All 11 pieces nest together in the largest 4.75-quart pot for compact and convenient storage. The locking bungee system that attaches between the two pot handles is a thoughtful detail for secure and easy transport.

The Details: Stainless steel | 8.2 pounds

To upgrade your camp kitchen in one fell swoop, the Bugaboo Camper Cookset is a great choice. The four-person cook set stacks neatly into the three-liter pot and a stuff sack that also serves as a wash basin for dishes. I love how intuitive and quick it is to pack up. It takes just a minute or two to load the sets of mugs, bowls, and plates into the two-liter pot, then tuck it into the larger three-liter pot with the frying pan and folding interchangeable handle. Being able to swap the handle from the nine-inch frying pan to the two-liter pot with a single hand is incredibly convenient, especially when managing multiple pots and pans. I’m also a fan of the integrated strainer lids, which stay cool enough that you can safely hold the top while draining.

The Details: Aluminum (pots and pan) and Cascandia BPA-free plastic (mugs, bowls, and plates) | 3.3 pounds

A cast iron skillet is about as classic as camp cooking gets. I love the 10.25-inch version of this Lodge skillet, as it’s large enough to cook for a small group, but not too big that it prevents another pot or pan from fitting on my two-burner camp stove. It’s also a highly versatile piece of cookware. From cooking eggs and pancakes to stir fries and more complicated skillet dishes for dinner, it comes in handy for virtually every meal. And the more you use it, the better seasoned it gets. From the start though, it comes pre-seasoned with 100 percent vegetable oil, so you can use it right out of the box.

The Details: Cast iron | 5.3 pounds

If cooking for a crowd, I opt for equipment and recipes that are geared for cooking in bulk. The Troop three-piece stainless-steel set does just that. Between its 8.5-liter pot, a 5-liter pot, and 10-inch frying pan, there’s ample volume and functionality for larger and elaborate meals.  I love how the pot handles are designed to lock up, saving space on the stovetop so I can have two pots or a pot and frying pan cooking at the same time. The stainless-steel construction also works well for cooking on a grate over an open fire. Despite its weight and volume, I’m impressed how the three-piece set neatly stacks and stores in a stuff sack for easy transport.

The Details: Stainless steel | 8.4 pounds

When cooking outdoors, I look for equipment that will simplify packing, meal prep, and cleanup. This ceramic cookware set simplifies things with a single removable handle that serves both pots, plus a lid that doubles as a strainer. The ceramic coating on the 1.5- and 2.5-liter pots delivers nonstick performance that makes gourmet camp cooking a far easier task. When it’s time to wash, it takes minimal effort to scrub away any remaining food.

I’m also a big fan of this ceramic cookware for its lack of chemical additives — a risk when cooking with nonstick Teflon equipment. While cast iron also offers safe nonstick cooking, the reduced weight of ceramic-coated aluminum lightens the load. I appreciate the Fusion pots’ space-saving, stackable design for backpacking or overnight trips, but tacking on the MSR ceramic skillet could be worth the broader menu options for group trips and car camping.

The Details: Aluminum with a ceramic coating | 1 pound