Perfect Camp Kitchen Gear
Every Camp Kitchen Needs The Right Gear
Nowadays, it is much easier to bring the comforts of home along on adventure travels. This includes gear for the perfect camp kitchen. There is plenty of items available to add to your mess kit. Below are a few items we think should not be overlooked.
The AeroPress Go
AeroPress
AeroPress Go brings delicious fresh coffee to your campsite. Easy to set up and use, plus it packs away in a small space.
Highlights: The AeroPress Go is a travel coffee maker that brews American, espresso, and cold brew–style coffee. It is optimized for traveling, camping, at work, and just about anywhere. It is a compact and lightweight system that is durable, packs up neatly, and is simple to use. The kit only weighs 16 ounces and when packed together the dimensions are 4×4.5×7.2 inches.
The system includes a mug with lid, 350 micro-filters in a storage carton, chamber, plunger, filter cap, filter holder, stirrer, and a scoop.
MSRP: $31.95
www.aeropress.com
Tread’s Take: This coffee maker is easy to use and makes a great-tasting cup of coffee. It’s extremely portable and fits in a pack or can be kept with the rest of the camp kitchen items. We love the design that packs everything that is needed together in one complete package. The system also cleans up easily and avoids additional coffee ground mess.
All-in-One Mini Stove
Kovea
Highlights: The Kovea all-in-one Mini Stove is a simple solution that comes with everything needed to get started cooking. Packed within the sturdy hard case is a ceramic-coated, cast-iron pan, burner, and removable pot. The system is easy to travel with as well as clean. The system weighs 5 pounds 9.6 ounces and is extremely compact at 12x10x4 inches.
MSRP: $99
www.nomadicaoutfitters.com
Tread’s Take: This is a blast from the past with its retro styling. The all-in-one system makes it easy to set up and start cooking. A clever design feature is the ability to use the lid as a plate or bowl. It’s very compact and great for solo travelers who don’t want to keep their travel gear to a minimum. This requires butane gas cans rather than the traditional propane. We also like how portable it is due to the included hard-shell case.
Wolf Pack
Front Runner Outfitters
Highlights: Made from black, high-strength plastic, these cases are designed with integrated grips for carrying and can be stacked with multiple cases. These are versatile and can be used in a cargo bed, truck bed, or on a roof rack. Each weighs about 6.6 pounds with the exterior dimensions of 20.1x 15.8×9.1 inches.
Additional accessories are available to work in conjunction with the Wolf Pack, including a Hi-Lid, Organizing Labels, and Roof Rack Bracket. The Front Runner Flat Pack is a padded storage solution that offers internal protection. A smaller Cub Pack is also available.
MSRP: $59.95
www.frontrunneroutfitters.com
Tread’s Take: There’s a reason Front Runner Outfitters Wolf Packs are so popular. They are portable, lightweight, and easy to use. Their versatility makes them one of the best storage solutions for not only kitchen items and food, but for recovery and camping gear as well. With food items, we do suggest to not store on a roof rack as perishables can go bad under the heat of the sun as well as dust can enter these cases. They are not the strongest cases on the market, but at a price point that won’t break the bank, these are essential in keeping your camp kitchen organized and secure.
Kinjia 2-Burner Gas Stove
Primus
Highlights: The Primus Kinjia 2-Burner Gas Stove is compact and lightweight for travel. The dual burners allow to cook two different pots at different temperatures. This grill weighs 8.2 pounds and is 18.7×11.6x 3.1 inches and has an output of 10,200 Btu; 3,000 watts x 2.
MSRP: $189.95
www.primus.us
Tread’s Take: This is a good option for those looking for portability with some power to cook using pots and pans. It’s not the largest surface area so space is tight, but it is extremely compact, making it great to save space. The build quality is solid and the wood handle makes it easy to carry. A separate carry bag is also available.
Camp Kitchen Gear: Campfire Cookset (Small)
Primus
Highlights: The Primus Campfire Cookset is made with durable 18/8 stainless steel designed to last for years. The set consists of two pots (1 and 1.8 liter), two lids with integrated colanders, and a frying pan with a foldaway handle. These can be placed on a grill or an open flame. Also available in a Large size cookset.
MSRP: $99.95 (small)
www.primus.us
Tread’s Take: This is a beautiful cookset solution to keep with all of your camping essentials. The pots and pans are durable and the stainless steel finish looks nice. It comes with a small carry case to store the items, which nest comfortably within themselves so as to not take up much space. One detail we appreciate are the leather pull tabs on each of the lids. We found the small set to work well for one to two people, but would suggest the larger set for more people or larger meals.
Adventure Chef 6-inch Folding Chef Knife
Messermeister
Highlights: The Messermeister Adventure Chef 6-inch Folding Chef Knife features a German steel blade with a razor-sharp 15-degree edge. The knife uses barrel spacers to create an open-frame design that allows water to flow through the handle slot, making the knife easy to clean. An integrated liner lock system keeps the blade safely in place while in use. Made from German 1.4116 steel that can easily be resharpened and last a lifetime. The knife weighs 5.4 ounces.
MSRP: $79.95
www.messermeister.com
Tread’s Take: As anyone who works with knives knows, a quality knife is worth the investment and in this case this knife is one to add to your collection and be rest assured that you won’t need a replacement. At $80 it doesn’t necessarily break the bank, but it is a price point that will have some stop to consider the purchase. This is a high-caliber piece designed by professional chef, Adam Glick. The high-grade, top-quality knife is easy to clean by hand (not suggested to clean in a dishwasher). We like that it folds and locks into place for safety and security. It also takes up less space for travel without the need for a separate sheath. The lifetime warranty is also a bonus.
Kovea
Bamboo One Action Table
Highlights: The Kovea Bamboo One Action table is a versatile and attractive camp table that sets up in seconds. Made from bamboo and aluminum, this table has telescoping legs to allow for three different heights, making it great for food prep, dining, and as a camp chair side table. There are two sizes available. An optional carry bag is sold separately.
MSRP: $185-$249.95
www.nomadicaoutfitters.com
Tread’s Take: This is one of the best tables we’ve had a chance to use. It’s not only extremely versatile and functional, but it has good looks to boot. The table sets up in seconds and is easily adjustable to the various heights. The table is solid and stable, so it won’t topple over with the wind picks up. It provides ample room for food prep, dining, or as a workstation. It folds in half nicely to save on storage space, but does have a little bit of weight and does take up cargo room overall. We suggest pairing it with the optional carry bag to keep the table clean and protected. The carrying case also make it easier to carry and store. The table is a bit higher in price than others, but is well worth the investment.
Front Runner Outfitters
Camp Kitchen Utensil Set
Highlights: The Front Runner Camp Kitchen Utensil Set is a staple in many overlander’s kitchen kits. Each utensil has a composite handle that offers a weighty grip. The complete utensil kit includes the following items: (4) serrated knives, (4) steak forks, (4) dessert spoons, (4) teaspoons, (1) chopping board, (1) paring knife, (1) bread knife, (1) carving knife, (1) serving spoon, (1) spatula, (1) BBQ/Campfire fork, (1) bottle opener and corkscrew
MSRP: $59.95
www.frontrunneroutfitters.com
Tread’s Take: This utensil set is comprehensive with its items for both eating and cooking. It’s a quality kit that should last for years. The tool roll-style storage ensures everything gets put back in its place and folds up for easy portability. When unrolled, it is easy to hang near your cooking station to have each utensil at a hand’s reach. One small concern we found was with the material of the rollup case. It is quite thin and the knives can pierce through it so you need to be a little careful. Using the included carabiners makes it easy to hang for quick access.
The OVRLNDR Press
Planetary Design
Highlights: The Planetary Design OVRLNDR Press is a 28-fluid-ounce French press with rugged construction for use on the road or in the outdoors. Constructed with double-wall vacuum insulation to keep coffee hot, a lockable, spillproof lid and a Bru-Stop plunger and plate assembly, which stops the brewing process once fully depressed to prevent coffee from becoming overly bitter. Available in four colorways.
MSRP: $50
www.planetarydesign.com
Tread’s Take: This coffee maker is easy to use and makes a great-tasting cup of coffee. It’s extremely portable and fits in a pack or can be kept with the rest of the camp kitchen gear items. We love the design that packs everything that is needed together in one complete package. The system also cleans up easily and avoids additional coffee ground mess.
(Editor’s Note: A version of this story appeared in Tread March/April 2021.)
