Camping Kitchen
Healthy Effortless Meals

Planning a camping kitchen that functions well is crucial for preparation of delicious food even when out in the bush. Spend precious time relaxing with loved ones rather than struggling to prepare a meal without the necessary equipment.

Memory: This basic camp kitchen is all I need for a camping trip. A place to keep foodstuff cold, prepare something to eat or drink and do the washing up. Compact everything within easy reach.

This set-up even keeps crockery and dry food away from flies and ants in the handy zip-up compartment.

Preparing Meals

Even when camping, mealtimes are the most important time of the day.

This is the time when everyone should relax over an appetizing meal and ponder the adventures of the day.

Versatility is essential when planning an outdoor kitchen as campsites all have different facilities.

Some sites don't have electricity and even if they do a power outage can occur which makes preparing a meal a disaster if you don't have gas equipment to fall back on.

Careful planning of a chuck-box and kitchen for camping is essential to make preparing of meals easy and efficient while out in the open.

Basic Camping Kitchen

Electric or LP Gas stove in double or a single burner with a gas cylinder - this is ideal for boiling water and making delicious one pot meals.

A portable bbq and grill for succulent lamb chops or meat of your choice.

Folding table to use as a work surface for preparing dishes.

A chuck-box or crate to store tinned foods, tea, coffee and all dry foods, as well as crockery and cutlery.

Basin for washing up.

Water storage container.

Storage containers

Example of 3 Burner Camping Stove

Loose Utensils of Importance

Cast Iron pot and pan or any saucepan of your choice.
Small pot for veggies or cooking rice.
Sharp knives for cutting veggies or meat.
Veggie peeler.
Chopping board.
Mixing bowl which can double as salad bowl - One with a lid is handy to store leftovers in.
Stainless steel dish with lid.
Kettle for boiling water and teapot or coffee pot for the much needed brew.
Jaffle iron or snackwich maker.
Utensils like spatula, egg whisk, tongs and corkscrew.

See checklist for extra kitchen utensils needed on camping trip

Most campsites have built in camping grills for communal use

A kitchen needs not be extensive as long as the basic things can be done like boiling a kettle for a lovely cup of tea/coffee or making a hearty stew when its chilly, and having a barbecue on a warm summer night.

Things To Consider

Available space in the vehicle to transport equipment

What type of cooking you're fond of - do you like having a bbq or traditional cooking.

Outdoor Cooking Methodes

Open fire or barbecue. If the site does not have a built-in bbq you will need a portable bbq with a grill.

Cooking on a camping gas stove, some have ovens.

Cooking on electric plate or stove when facilities are provided by means of electric power points at individual sites.

Some sites have communal kitchens with stove and wash-up facilities.

Open fire cooking in a cast iron pot or Dutch oven.

Cooking with a Dutch oven

RV and caravan campers are lucky to have a kitchen, but additional out of doors cooking also needs planning.

When weather allows it's much more fun cooking out of doors. Food just tastes better in the relaxed outdoor atmosphere.

Tent campers need more planning for a camping kitchen. One of the major things to consider is space and weight, especially for transporting equipment.