Cooking Gear

Food is important to your outdoor fun and safety. Here's some ideas for good cooking and eating.

Eating Gear Essentials

  • Bowl
  • Cup
  • Spoon

Optional Eating Gear

  • Plate
  • Fork
  • Knife

The bowl, cup, and spoon will be enough for most meals. The plate, fork, and knife will be helpful for meals with meats and other difficult-to-cut items. Consider a wide, flat bowl, maybe even with a lid like Tupperware, that combines the best of both. If your cup is insulated, hot drinks will stay hot longer. If it has marks or you add them, you can use it as a measuring cup for cooking. If you have a pocket knife (and you should), you may not need a separate knife for eating.

Cooking Kit Essentials

  • Salt and Pepper Shaker(s)
  • Cooking Oil
  • Plastic Spatula
  • Pot Lifter
  • 6-8" Non-stick Skillet
  • 1-2 quart Pot w/Lid
  • Dish Detergent
  • Scrubbing Pad
  • Small Dish Towel
  • Plastic Bags (trash, sooty pots)

Cooking Kit Options

  • Large Plastic Spoon
  • Water Purification Tablets
  • Extra Salt and Pepper
  • Spices
  • GI-type Can Opener
  • Paper Towels
  • Plastic Tarp (for cooking area)

Cooking oil and detergent should be carried in small leak-proof squeeze bottles. The detergent should be obviously different in color from the oil to prevent mix-ups. Get a plastic spatula that won't scratch your skillet. Slots and holes in the spatula make it hard to clean, so avoid them if you can. You may not need the pot lifter if your pot and pan have handles, but if you buy a regular pot and pan from the market, removing the handles and using the lifter will save weight and bulk. Be sure your skillet has a durable non-stick coating. Get a larger one if you think you want bigger pancakes or omelets. You can eat out of the skillet to save on carrying a plate, but consider a plastic spoon or fork to avoid scratches. Don't even think about using a knife. Make sure your scrubbing pad won't damage the non-stick coating on your skillet. A #10 tin can will work as a pot, but will take up more space, and won't come with a lid. If your pocket knife has a can opener, you may not need one in your cook kit---just don't leave your knife home. Extra salt and pepper may be a good idea for longer trips if your shaker is small. Paper towels are great for wiping out left over food before dishwashing, and many other things. A small plastic tarp or sheet, perhaps 2 by 3 feet, makes a good cook surface and dish drainer if you have to cook on the ground. If you like seasoned salt or other spices, bring them along too. Plastic film cans make good containers. Camera stores often have dozens they will give you. Water purification tablets are optional if you have a water filter. If not, you really need them. Boiling works fine for purifying, but you can't boil in the middle of a hike. Put all this stuff in a heavy "zip-lock" bag or nylon bag so it's all there when you need it. Separate bags for your pot and pan would be a good idea.