As the end of the week approaches, do you start to dream of disappearing to a place by a lake or on a mountain top? Do you already imagine yourself packing your backpack for the end of the week or disconnecting from the hustle and bustle, even if it’s only for a few days?

If you often feel the need to get away, you are not alone. We humans have been sleeping under the stars for centuries. More and more people are rediscovering the joys of hiking and camping. The best thing about going off the grid for a few days is that it’s a getaway that’s within the reach of even the smallest budgets. All you need is the essentials, such as a tent, a sleeping bag and a hiking backpack, to store everything you need.

Part of the charm of camping is cooking over a wood fire. Grilling meat is good, but not always practical as you need a grill that is not practical to carry around several kilos of raw meat. Cooking something in a small pot or pan is much more convenient and you can really get creative with your meals. This doesn’t mean you have to drag half your kitchen across the country. You can buy a small kitchen kit that is perfect for camping. The best kitchen kits, like the ones we offer, contain everything you need in a neat package, ready for your next weekend.

Wuudi Outdoor Picnic Kitchen Set

Put your cooking skills to the test the next time you go camping with this great camping kitchen kit. This 10-piece set contains everything you need to cook amazing meals when you’re out in the rough. The pieces are made from FDA approved anodised aluminium, which is safe to use, and it comes with its own mini camping stove so you can stop and start cooking as soon as your tummy rumbles. Everything is packed into a small, easy-to-carry package, and with the Wuudi 10-piece camping cookware set, you’ll have everything you need for a true gastronomic experience in the wild.

 

Light My Fire 8-piece BPA-free mess kit

Camping is easy with this 8-piece plastic kit. It contains everything you need to make outdoor life super easy. The Light My Fire 2.0 8-piece BPA-free meal kit contains all the dishes and cutlery you need to enjoy your meals in style. The compact design makes it easy to attach all the contents of the multi-purpose plate and ignition and the harness keeps everything tight and tidy so the contents don’t get scattered around your backpack.

It comes with a handy little cup that unfolds when you need it and closes when you’re done for easy storage. Choose from a variety of fun colours, making it ideal for families. Get a different colour set for each camper. This kit is also dishwasher and microwave safe, so you can use it for backyard barbecues too. A sleeping bag is also necessary for camping, so check out our selection.

Features

TiooDre Kit de Batterie de Cuisine Camping

Life has never been easier with this complete mess kit from TiooDre comes complete with cooking utensils, tableware and cutlery and even a small camping stove and fire starter for the backpacker on the go. The cookware is non-stick and easy to clean, so you can focus on outdoor activities rather than boring tasks. Enjoy this set by the beach or river and if you love fishing, you can also cook whatever you catch with delicious sides. This set is designed to keep you cooking outdoors for years to come.

MalloMe – Canteen kit for camping

This small MalloMe hiking kit takes the hassle out of packing for your next hike, as everything you need to prepare quick and easy meals is included in the kit.

It’s lightweight, yet durable enough for camping, and the heat-resistant handles fold up when it’s time to pack up and go. It comes with cooking utensils and a folding fork. Once packed, it’s a neat little unit that comes with its own carry bag, making it ideal for all your outdoor adventures.

Terra Hiker Kitchenware for camping

It’s the ultimate in cooking utensils for a romantic weekend getaway. The Terra Hiker Camping cookware set includes a pot, pan and kettle for the perfect breakfast, lunch or dinner. These cookware items conduct heat extremely well, allowing you to boil water for coffee or tea in just a few minutes, which is ideal when you need a hot drink on a cold morning. The handles are heat resistant so you won’t burn your fingers, and all the cookware is non-stick so it’s easy to clean with the lovely loofah sponge that comes with this set. When you’re done, everything stacks neatly into the pot for compact and convenient transport.

MSR Quick 2 system cooking set

Getting away from it all is a necessity from time to time, but that doesn’t mean you want to go alone. A large group can be fun, even a bit overwhelming, so it’s often better to go in smaller groups. It is usually enough to invite a friend or someone special. You’ll still have peace and quiet, but you’ll have someone to share it with. When you venture out, this Ultralight camping kit is the perfect companion for preparing great meals for two.

With the MSR Quick 2 System Cook Set, you get two deep plates that are perfect for hearty meals and even soups. Plus two insulated cups for hot drinks. The cookware is lightweight, but sturdy enough to prepare three-course meals if you really want to impress your travel companion. Everything comes together in a neat little nest when you’re ready to pack up and go.

Queta Picnic Camping Hiking

For the solo hiker who doesn’t need much gear, this is the best first aid kit for hiking. Its small size makes it barely noticeable in your backpack, yet it contains everything you need to cook delicious meals on the go. The pot and pan are made of high quality anodised aluminium, which is easy to clean, and everything fits together perfectly when you’re done. It’s a neat little gift for the independent person who likes to travel. Queta this range also comes with more parts if you find yourself travelling with a companion.

Lightweight mini size for individuals

Small size takes up very little space

High quality anodised aluminium pot and pan

Non-stick and easy to clean

Practical storage bag included

Queta

1 pound

AnimaMiracle camping cookware

AnimalMiracle has designed this complete, lightweight kit for the serious backpacker. It comes with all the utensils and cookware you need for the ultimate camping cooking experience. It is compact and portable for those trips where you want to move from place to place and the high quality pots and pans will make cooking in the great outdoors a breeze. The cookware distributes heat quickly and evenly for quick and easy meals and the camping stove lets you cook anywhere. The AnimaMiracle 14/15 pcs camping cookware is a great take-anywhere cookware set that is also easy to use at home when you don’t want to be confined indoors.

Features

High quality camping cookware

Compact and portable

Ideal for any outdoor activity

Excellent and even heat distribution

AnimaMiracle

1.4 lbs

Features to look for in camping kitchen kits

Kitchen set up – When you’re camping you don’t want to pack a lot of equipment, so the kitchen set up should be simple. All you need is a small pot to boil water or make soups, stews or sauces, and a frying pan to fry simple foods like bacon or sausages. Of course, if you’re camping by the water, fish can also be on the menu. Some of the canteen kits in our selection also include a small camping stove, making them very handy when you’re trekking on open roads

Usability – Once you’ve bought your first canteen kit, you’ll realise just how practical and useful they are. The kits in our selection are perfect for anywhere you want to cook outdoors and that includes boats and backyards as well as forests and mountain trails. They are useful for cooking light, healthy meals when you are out and about and many also include plates and cutlery so you can cook, serve and eat your meals with a simple canteen kit.

Weight – If you frequently find yourself hiking on wilderness trails or open roads, you’ll appreciate any hiking gear that won’t weigh you down. That’s why, when it comes to weight, the mess kits in our selection are made from durable and lightweight materials. A stainless steel mess kit will certainly last you a lifetime, but this metal is quite heavy and therefore may not be a wise choice for backpackers.

Materials – Hiking and camping can be rough, so a metal cleaning kit is a must for durability. This doesn’t mean you need a bulky or heavy kit. The bowls in our selection include pots and pans made from lightweight materials such as anodised aluminium, which is just as strong as it is light. Other elements of the kits can be made from food-grade plastic, which is easy to store and use for food storage and consumption.

Efficiency – After a long day of hiking, the last thing you want to do is spend hours preparing your dinner. You want cookware that heats up quickly and distributes the heat evenly so you can clear your kitchen in no time, then sit back and enjoy the food you’ve prepared. Packing your cookware should also be efficient, so the kits in our selection have been designed to pack easily so you can be on your way in a flash.

Number of parts – Some canteen kits come with a multitude of different parts. If you are a backpacker, less is definitely more. On paper, kits with lots of parts may look attractive, but you need to consider how many of these parts you actually need. Consider the type of food you plan to cook and what you need to eat. Anything more than that can become excess baggage. The number of pieces in the kit will also depend on the number of people who will be travelling with you. If you intend to drive to your destination, this may not be a problem, but if you are going on a hike and taking all your gear with you, you should only take the essentials.

Portability – Many of the bowls in our selection can be packed nest-like in the largest pot. This means they will take up minimal space in your backpack, making them very portable. When hiking or camping, this compact convenience is a must. Not only does it give you easy access to your cooking utensils, but it also makes the whole kitchen kit portable and hassle-free.

Accessories – Hiking is an activity where too many accessories can be a bit of a hassle. The best mess kit is one that contains a few cooking utensils, a soup plate and some cutlery. One or two cooking utensils are also needed, as well as a cup for hot drinks or water. It is also handy to have a small camping stove, as you may not be able to build a campfire everywhere you go. Other than that, there is usually no need for additional accessories.

Durability – One thing you want from a canteen is that it will last for many hikes and camping trips. A cheap kit may look OK, but it is usually made from fragile materials, so it can be replaced fairly quickly. A good quality canteen need not be expensive, but it should be durable. After all, camping is very rarely an activity where you are on flat ground and your mess kit can fall or be knocked over twigs or rocks. You need something durable that can withstand a bit of rough treatment.

FAQ

What is a Camping Kitchen Kit and why do I need one?

A mess kit is a set of cooking utensils, cutlery and plates that has been specially designed for camping and hiking. Originally, these kits were used by the military in the field or on a tour of duty.

You may ask yourself if you really need a mess kit. It really depends on how often you go camping or hiking. If you like to walk to your campsites or just walk on trails or open roads, you probably need a mess kit just to have all your cooking needs in one convenient package.

What’s in a standard kitchen kit?

The most basic mess kit contains only a few basic items such as a pot and pan with a lid that fits both, a small camping stove, some simple utensils, a soup plate, a cup and cutlery. Most also come with a cleaning sponge and a nylon carry bag for storage. Most of the items are collapsible and usually fit well in the largest item, which is usually the pot.

What are the usual sizes of the pots and pans included in a camping kit?

The size of the pots and pans in a camping kit are usually smaller than normal cooking utensils. They can range from about 5 to 7 inches in diameter and the handles are usually foldable for easy storage.

Why buy a camping kitchen kit?

You may think it would be easier and more economical to make your own canteen. Economically, perhaps, but it won’t be easier. Buying a complete canteen is easy, because everything you need has already been thought of. More importantly, most complete canteen kits have been designed so that all the items can be stored in the pot, making it a tidy and easier to carry around.

How do I clean my canteen kit?

Many canteens come with their own little sponge and this is the best thing for cleaning your canteen. Avoid taking ordinary cloths on long journeys. Food gets stuck to them and they take a long time to dry. Boiling water in your pots and pans makes it easier to remove food scraps, but you can also use cold ashes from your fire or sand to remove clumpy food particles. Once cleaned, make sure everything is completely dry before rewrapping.