Thanks to high-tech culinary camping gear, the days of beans in a tin can are over. But not all luxuries are worth their weight. Design the right gourmand’s field kitchen.
By Doug Schnitzpahn
Base-camp Range
Coleman’s EvenTemp InstaStart 3-Burner Stove has both the power and the cooking options necessary for preparing more sophisticated meals. For pancakes or buffalo burgers, pick up the compatible nonstick griddle (sold separately); for more delicate jobs, use the simmer setting. It pumps out a respectable 28,000 propane-powered BTUs, and the instant ignition means it’ll fire up every time. $119; coleman.com
Hand Tools
The stainless-steel Rolla Roaster Folding Fork telescopes from 7.5 inches to 48 inches, making it easy to roast from your camp chair. $25; rollaroaster.com
A Better Brew
Brunton’s BrewFire Dual-Fuel may look better suited for an indoor kitchen, but this eight-cup stainless-steel coffee maker actually runs on propane or butane, which brings all the quality of a home brewer to your beachside camp. $161; brunton.com
Tip: It’s not just food that needs to be stored in a campground’s bear locker. Bug spray, toothpaste, and even ChapStick smell tasty enough to demolish a tent for.
Workspace
Success in any kitchen depends on an organized workspace. The Kelty Basecamp Kitchen folds up and fits nicely in its own carrying bag (below), while providing a stable platform for your stove, a huge countertop, and plenty of storage when set up. Its shelves also work well with Kelty’s Binto box organizers. $160; kelty.com
Lighting
The Black Diamond Apollo is lightweight (a tad more than 11 ounces) and small (its legs fold up when not in use) enough for a backpack, yet bright enough to illuminate your entire base-camp kitchen and tent. It runs on four AA batteries for up to 60 hours and warns you when it’s running out of juice. $50; blackdiamondequipment.com
The Kitchen Sink
Granite Gear’s Kitchen Sink is a big step up from doing the dishes under the spiggot of a water jug. This 2.25-gallon collapsible tub includes a thoughtful touch: handles, which make it easier to haul the dirty water away from camp and water sources for eco-friendly disposal. $22; granitegear.com
Pots And Pans
The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Basecamper Cookset has a special juiced-up Teflon coating for easy cleanup and even heating. Plus, its five-and-three-liter pots and lids, 10-inch frying pan, cutting board and gripper all fit into one small unit. The pot lids also serve as strainers. $100; gsioutdoors.com
The Right Dish
While camping, a bowl is really the only dish you need. It might feel strange eating a pork chop out of one, but it’s even harder to eat cereal off a plate. These Snow Peak lacquered wooden Japanese Bowls wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end sushi joint, and the same handcrafted design means they’re plenty durable. $180 (for a set of three); snowpeak.com
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This article originally appeared in the July/August 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.
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