Campfire cooking is more than the classics like s'mores and chili dogs. While these are delicious, sometimes you just want something a bit more sophisticated. These campfire cooking kits are just the thing to help.
Elevate your culinary game while enjoying the great outdoors with these pots, pans, skillets, & utensils. The meals will be so amazing, no one will believe you are "roughing it".
These must-have campfire cooking kits come in all shapes, sizes, materials, & prices. This article will help you pick out the mess kit that is right for your travel and family needs. So cook up some cast iron chicken breasts or teriyaki skewers while enjoying the great outdoors.
Here is what I will share with you in this article:
Jump to:
- My Experience with Campfire Cooking
- The Why
- What to Look For
- Types of Materials
- Best Reviewed Campfire Cooking Kits
- Best Overall Campfire Cooking Set
- Best Cast-Iron Campfire Set
- Best Lightweight & Compact Kit
- Best Deluxe Kit
- Best Budget Set for Singles or Couples
- Best Kit for Large Families
- Other Equipment for Campfire Cooking
- Pricing & Product Summary
My Experience with Campfire Cooking
I have been camping since college & we started my youngest at 1 year old with a love for the great outdoors. Over the years I have cooked a lot of BBQ Chicken over grates, campfires, & propane flames.
The decades of experience & knowledge helped me compile the best campfire cooking kits here for you today. Though my husband is the fire starter, I am the backcountry cook making favorites like Teriyaki Flank Steak or a skillet of sausage, eggs, & cheese.
The Why
Why buy one more thing for camping? Campfire cooking sets are ideal for hikers, rock climbers, backpackers, RVing, and all outdoor enthusiasts.
Simply using the same cookware for a home gas range isn't ideal. Campfire cooking is best done with the right equipment. I've included all the options, pros, & cons when shopping.
What to Look For
Before buying one take all of these factors into account. This way you will spend the money on the best buy for you.
- Kit Size, Weight, & Portability - small sets of cooking equipment that are easy to pack, haul, & carry are ideal for backpackers especially. Decide if you want something lightweight or if the weight doesn't matter which may be the case for RVs & trailers.
- Sturdy Longlasting Materials - the materials used in campfire sets are strong & withstand the high heat of cooking directly over the flames. Look for quality products with durability that will last for years with great reviews. Buy ones made from the top materials I share in the next section.
- Easy to Use & Clean - whether you are backpacking or trailer camping, cleaning dishes is not easy or fun. Picking sets that are easy to use & clean should be a top priority and all these sets are just that.
- Packing Ease & Storage - having a set already packed and ready to grab is great for those that are often on the go. Having designated camping cookware saves time when packing & ensures you don't leave something behind.
- Saves Money - these sets can last for years if not decades. Cooking your own meals versus dining out while traveling saves a lot of money.
- Eating Healthy Food You Love- and the final bonus is cooking what you love & eating healthier. Saute up some freshly caught fish and vegetables over your fire instead of grabbing some local fast food near the campground.
Types of Materials
Cookware that is ideal for use over a campfire, camp stove, grill, or grate is typically made of solid materials. Cowboy campfire cooking calls for equipment like stands, fire set-up, tools, utensils, dutch ovens, griddles, pots, & pans.
The top materials used in campfire cooking sets include the following:
- Cast Iron - strong material that gets screaming hot & cooks evenly with a simple wipe-down for clean up.
- Wrought Iron - sturdy like cast iron but not commercially made as much as cast iron.
- Stainless Steel - durable and more lightweight than iron products.
- Aluminum - lightweight, nonstick, & heats quickly & evenly; hard-anodized pans are recommended.
Iron products are what I recommend if weight is not a priority. There is a slight difference between cast-iron & wrought iron, but both are excellent. For a light load, choose hard-anodized aluminum pans. They may not be fancy and hand-forged but they will do the job.
#ad This post includes affiliate links where I may receive compensation.
Best Reviewed Campfire Cooking Kits
For the best money can buy, check out this list of top-rated sets. Prices range from $20 - $200.
- BEST OVERALL CAMPFIRE COOKING KIT - Stanley Base Camp Cook Set for 4
- BEST CAST IRON CAMPFIRE SET - Lodge Seasoned 5-Piece Cast Iron Set
- BEST LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT KIT - Alocs Camping Cookware
- BEST DELUXE SET- Stanley Adventure Even-Heat Camp Pro Cookset
- BEST BUDGET SET FOR SINGLES OR COUPLES - BeGrit Backpacking Camping Cookware
- BEST KIT FOR LARGE FAMILIES - MEETSUN Camping Cookware Mess Kit
Best Overall Campfire Cooking Set
This set is sensational on so many levels. It is priced right and has 21 pieces. This set weighs less than 6 pounds & nests together for space-saving easy storage, hauling, & packing. It's my #1 pick for families. Here are more features & why I love the Stanley set.
Stanley Base Camp Cook Set for 4
- Stainless Steel 21-piece set (BPA-free)
- Compact nesting design & locking bungee
- Rustproof & scratch-proof pot & fry pan
- Dishwasher safe & easy to clean
- 4 plates, bowls, & sporks
- Cutting board, utensils, & more!
- Top-rated & great customer reviews
Best Cast-Iron Campfire Set
I will never stop raving about cooking with cast iron. It is sturdy, cooks evenly, & the pans can last for generations. This cookware set by Lodge is fantastic & almost 7000 happy customer reviews agree. It is heavy, 28 pounds together, and bulky which makes it best for trailer or RV camping. The only con is like all cast iron pans, they are not for the dishwasher.
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5 Piece Bundle
- 2 skillets, dutch oven, lid, & griddle
- Preseasoned & easy to wipe clean
- Heat resistant up to 500°
- Will last for decades
- Made in the USA
Best Lightweight & Compact Kit
Super light, durable, & compact. The hard-anodized aluminum heats quickly to save on time and fuel. This cookware set is great for backpackers, hikers, & those that like to travel light.
Alocs Camping Cookware
- The complete set weighs only 2 pounds
- 3 pots with lids & a frying pan
- Easy to fold, nest, bundle, & pack
- Wipes clean easily
- Use on a camp stove or over a fire on a grate/stand
- Heat-resistant silicone handles
- Inexpensive & top-rated
Best Deluxe Kit
This top-rated set has all you need for a tasty adventure. Like my top pick overall, this one is made by Stanley. They have been making products for the outdoors for over 100 years!
Stanley Adventure Even-Heat Camp Pro Cookset
- Stainless Steel 11-piece set (BPA-free)
- Compact nesting design & locking bungee
- Rustproof & scratch-proof pot & fry pan
- Dishwasher safe & easy to clean
- Cutting board, utensils, & more!
- 8 pounds so good for trailer, RV, or truck camping.
- Top-rated & great customer reviews
Best Budget Set for Singles or Couples
This set costs little but is not cheaply made. The bargain price for 8 pieces cannot be beaten. Small, lightweight, & compact design is ideal for backpacking, rock climbers, or backcountry hikers. It's the perfect price & size for solo campers or couples.
BeGrit Backpacking Camping Cookware
- Less than $25
- Weighs 1.75 pounds
- 2 pots, fry pan, 1 lid, 2 plates, & 2 mugs
- Stainless steel sturdy design
- Easy to clean & use
- Small set, the large pot fits probably 2 packs of ramen
- Ideal for 1-2 campers on a budget & packing light
Best Kit for Large Families
My #1 overall pick is ideal for families of up to 4 people. If you have a larger group, here is a set of cookware best for your big family. It comes with two large pots, a 4-liter & 3-liter, large enough to cook for many at once.
MEETSUN Camping Cookware Mess Kit
- 37 pieces in this big camping set
- 6 sets of eating utensils, cups, & plates
- 2 Large cooking pots with lids
- Kettle & round pan included
- Bonus: Cleaning brush & spatula
- All fit into the carrying case
- Lightweight at under 6 pounds total
- Stainless steel makes it durable & easy to clean
- SUPER LOW Price makes it a huge value
Other Equipment for Campfire Cooking
Here are the must-have items for campfire cooking. These utensils, stands, gear, & other equipment make cooking so easy. Don't forget about making some campfire cocktails & buy a camping bartender set!
- Campfire Grill Grate - Adventure Seeka Heavy Duty 24" Folding Campfire Grill
- Propane/Butane Burner - Gas One GS-3400P Propane or Butane Stove
- Fire Mitts - RAPICCA Heat/Fire Resistant Leather Gloves
- Utensils - Camp Kitchen Cooking Utensil Set
- Cleaning Kit - Sea to Summit Camp Kitchen Clean-Up Kit
- Storage Bags - Frelaxy Compression Sack
- Fire Starters - Melt Candle Company Fire Starter
- Spice Kit - GSI Outdoors Spice Missile
- Campfire Tripod Stand - Stansport Tripod Cooker with 17" Grill
- S'mores Kit - Tapirus Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
- Instant-Read Thermometer - ChefsTemp Pocket Pro Digital Thermometer
Pricing & Product Summary
Here are recommended products that are shared in this article. Shop them today & buy these top-rated items at great prices. This buying guide includes the top 6 products from this article & current prices.
The Short Order Cook participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you!
Leave a Reply