A great set of cookware – one that’s versatile, compact, durable, and easy to wash without running water – is a huge value add for car camping culinary sessions. Our team of outdoor gear experts has made over 500 meals in campsites all over the world. From straightforward eggs and bacon to more elaborate meals for large groups we know what really matters in the camp kitchen. We researched 50 pots, pans, and table sets and tested the most promising options side-by-side.
If you need the heat to go along with your stainless steel or cast iron, you’ll want to check out our list of the best camping stoves as well. To keep your perishables fresh over a long weekend, we’ve tested and reviewed our favorite coolers, and for the ultimate campsite meal time set up, pick up a top-tier camping table.
Quick Picks for Camping Cookware
Check out this quick list of the best camping cookware, or continue scrolling to see our full list of favorites with in-depth reviews.
Best camping cookware overall: Stanley Adventure Base Camp 4 ($90)
Best cookware for gourmet & open-flame camp cooking: Lodge Dutch Oven Combo Cooker ($61)
Best compact cookware: Sea to Summit Alpha 1.1 ($60)
Best non-stick cookware: GSI Bugaboo Base Camper Large ($125)
Best cookware for large groups: GSI Glacier Stainless Troop Cookset ($150)
Best camping dishes: GSI Infinity Deluxe Table Set ($75)
Lightweight/compact cookware for camping & short backpacking trips: GSI Pinnacle Dualist HS ($95)
Fast & convenient cook system for hot water & coffee: Jetboil Flash ($130)
Luxury compact stove & cookset combo: Jetboil Genesis Basecamp ($400)
What’s new
The CleverHiker team has been sautéing, scrambling, and boiling big time in the backcountry to get some more meals out of our favorite camping cookware while also testing out some newcomers:
- We love the Stanley Adventure Base Camp 4 for its high quality and reasonable price when cooking for a small group.
- The Lodge Dutch Oven Combo Cooker is an absolute classic all-star for its incredible heat retention and even cooking.
- If you need easy cleaning convenience, the GSI Bugaboo Base Camper Large is a non-stick wonder in the campground kitchen.
Stanley Adventure Base Camp 4
Best camping cookware overall
Price: $90
Weight: 4 lb. 13 oz.
Includes: Stainless steel pot with lid (3.7 qt.), small frying pan, 4 plates, 4 bowls, cutting board, spatula, serving spoon, 4 sporks, drying rack, spoon rest
Pros
- Affordable/great value
- Relatively lightweight/compact
- Convenient
- Durable
Cons
- Frying pan and plates on the small side
The Stanley Adventure Base Camp Cookset 4 is high quality, affordable, and includes everything you need for great camp cooking. The heavy stainless steel cookware is super durable, and the BPA-free dishes and utensils are lightweight and convenient. While this set may be a bit on the small side to cook for large groups, it’s just right for couples and small families. The Base Camp set has a great ratio of sturdiness to portability, and extras like collapsible utensils, a dish rack, and a cutting board make it easy to choose the Base Camp Cookset for our adventures time and time again.
Lodge Dutch Oven Combo Cooker
Best cookware for gourment & open-flame camp cooking
Price: $61
Weight: 13 lb.
Includes: Deep cast iron skillet (3.2 qt.), lid that doubles as a frying pad
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable
- versatile (can be used on a stove, over fire, in the oven, etc.)
Cons
- Very heavy
- Slight learning curve to cook in and clean
A cast iron skillet, like the Lodge Dutch Oven Combo Cooker, is undoubtedly one of the best ways to cook outside. It’s heavy, but cast iron is incredibly tough, versatile, and fun to use. We love it because it disperses heat evenly for searing and frying. It takes a while to get the technique down, but once you get used to cooking in cast iron, you’ll never go back. Cast iron rusts if exposed to prolonged moisture, and it needs to be washed in a specific way to preserve the non-stick coating. That said, when cared for properly, cast iron tends to get better with age. We like the Combo Cooker for camping because it’s deep enough to use for soups and stews, and it comes with a lid that can be used as a frying pan.
Sea to Summit Alpha 1.1
Best compact cookware
Price: $60
Weight: 14.1 oz.
Includes: 1.2L pot, strainer lid, 1 bowl, 1 mug
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Versatile bowls
- Erognomic mugs
- Great locking handles
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- No frying pan
- A little on the small side
The Sea to Summit Alpha 1.1 is small and lightweight, so it makes packing for trips and storing it at home much easier. The Alpha set’s pot is great for boiling water for hot drinks or cooking up a batch of chili. The bowl is super practical, and we love that the mug is a typical shape instead of triangular or bowl-shaped like in some other nesting sets. Alpha pots, dishes, and utensils are also available individually so you can customize your set.
GSI Bugaboo Base Camper – Large
Best non-stick cookware
Price: $125
Weight: 3 lb. 4 oz.
Includes: Aluminum pot (5 qt.), small pot, small frying pan, 2 lids, cutting board, pot grip, stuff sack
Pros
- Non-stick
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
- Large volume
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Non-stick coatings aren’t super durable
- No built-in handles on small pot & frying pan
The GSI Bugaboo Base Camper Cookset covers all your camp kitchen needs and has an impressive volume to weight ratio, so it’s big enough to cook for a group and a cinch to pack. The non-stick coating makes it possible to cook food with less oil, and the pots and pans are really easy to clean in the field with minimal water. Coated cookware tends to wear out quicker than pots made with other materials (1-5 years). That said, the convenience of the Bugaboo Base Camper set might be worth the tradeoff in durability. You can extend the life of non-stick cookware by using soft utensils that don’t scratch the coating and using medium heat instead of high. The similar Bugaboo Camper set is also popular; it includes plates and mugs in lieu of the frying pan and has slightly smaller pots.
GSI Glacier Stainless Troop Cookset
Best cookware for large groups
Price: $150
Weight: 8 lb. 6 oz.
Includes: Stainless steel pot (8.5 qt.), medium pot, 2 lids, large frying pan, stuff sack
Pros
- Large capacity
- Very durable
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy/Bulky
When you have a large group of hungry campers to cook for, you can’t mess around with small cookware. You need full-size, durable pots and pans like those in the GSI Glacier Stainless Troop Cookset that can handle real large-batch cooking. This set isn’t cheap, but since it’s made with heavy-gauge stainless steel, you can count on it to stand the test of time. It’s often worth it to spend more money one time to buy something that will last instead of buying cheap stuff that will inevitably break. Whenever we head out for multi-day trips that call for serious camp cooking, the Troop Cookset is one of the first items on our list.
GSI Infinity Deluxe Table Set
Best camping dishes
Price: $75
Weight: 3 lb. 4.8 oz.
Includes: 4 plates, 4 bowls w/ lids, 4 cups, 4 insulated mugs w/ lids, stuff sack
Pros
- Excellent value
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Color-coded
- Bowls double as containers
Cons
- A bit bulky
- No utensils included
If you need a great dish set for camping, we’re big fans of the GSI Infinity Deluxe Table Set. It comes with four full-size place settings complete with plates, cups, mugs, and bowls that all fit nicely into a mesh bag. We love that each person can have their own color-coded dishes to make it easier to keep track of them in camp. And the bowls can double as containers with tight-fitting lids, so they can be used to stash leftovers in the cooler. All parts of this set are BPA-free, lightweight, and durable. A full table set like the Infinity Deluxe is a great place to start when you’re building your camp kitchen because it eliminates the need for single-use tableware and is infinitely useful for everything from picnicking to expeditions.
GSI Pinnacle Dualist HS
LIghtweight/Compact cookware for camping & short backpacking trips
Price: $95
Weight: 1 lb. 7 oz. / 12 oz.(Set/Pot and Lid Only)
Includes: Aluminum pot (1.9 qt.), lid, 2 bowls, 2 insulated mugs w/ lids, 2 folding sporks, stuff sack
Pros
- Versatile (can be used for short backpacking trips)
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Stuff sack doubles as wash basin
- Sporks included
Cons
- A bit heavy/bulky for backpacking
- Smaller capacity
- Bowl-like mugs are a bit awkward
If you do a little backpacking as well as camping and you want a cookset that can handle both, the GSI Pinnacle Dualist HS is an excellent option. The pot’s coil base helps increase surface area to speed up the water boiling process by 30%, so you can get food on the table faster. We love how all the components nest neatly together in the pot with room for a large fuel canister as well. This set is very compact for car camping, but a bit on the bulky side for backpacking unless you’re hiking as a group. That said, it’s a great value for what you get and great for anyone who needs a single set that can pull double duty.
Jetboil Flash & Sumo
Fast & convenient cook system for hot water & coffee
Price: $130 (Flash) / $180 (Sumo) both include stove & cookset
Weight: 13.1 oz. / 1 lb. (Flash/Sumo)
Includes: Stove, aluminum pot (1 qt. Flash / 1.9 qt. Sumo) with insulated sleeve, lid, cup, stabilizer
Pros
- Fast
- Lightweight
- Convenient
- Compact
- Fuel-efficient
- Push-button ignitor
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- No simmer control
- Smaller capacity
If you’re looking for a fast and efficient way to boil water for coffee, tea, or instant meals, look no further than the Jetboil Flash and Sumo Cooking Systems. The Flash is more compact so it can be used for camping and backpacking, and the Sumo is great for group cooking in the frontcountry since it has a larger capacity. Both cook systems boil water in under two minutes, so you can have a warm drink or a meal in your hands almost instantly. If you’re a big coffee drinker, you may want to consider getting the Flash Java Kit, which includes a french press accessory. This bundle will save you a few dollars versus buying the Silicone Coffee Press (fits Flash) / Grande Press (fits Sumo) separately.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp
Luxury compact stove + cookset combo
Price: $400 (includes stove & cookset)
Weight: 9.31 lb.
Includes: Stove, aluminum pot (5.3 qt.), lid, ceramic-coated frying pan, windscreen, regulator
Pros
- Very compact with inclusion of folding 2-burner stove
- Efficient
- Auto ignition
Cons
- Expensive
If you need full-size cookware in a compact package, you’ll love the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System. It comes with a super unique 2-burner stove that folds and nests neatly inside the large pot, making it easy to pack and carry. The Genesis pot has coils at the base to speed up the boil time and make better use of your fuel. The set includes a 10-inch, non-stick frying pan as well. The Genesis Basecamp System is on the spendy side, but it’s worth the cost for those that prioritize portability and fuel efficiency. The Genesis Stove is expandable using the Jetlink port to connect with the Luna Satellite Burner or the HalfGen burner (sold separately).
What’s Most Important to You in Camping Cookware?
PRICE
If you’re starting from scratch, a cookware set that includes the most pieces for the money might be your best bet. If you already own some items building a customized kit might be better. For those that plan to do a little backpacking as well as car camping, lightweight/compact cookware that could be used for both activities provides an excellent bang for your buck, though we prefer to have a separate ultralight cookset for backpacking.
Most pieces for the price
Highest quality pots / pans
Compact / most versatile sets
WEIGHT / SIZE
Sets that nest together in a compact package are great for camping, but you’ll need a set with a balance of size and functionality to feed a big group. Weight isn’t quite as important for car camping, but it’s still nice when your cookware is easy to tote and doesn’t take up a ton of space. If you have a small vehicle, limited storage space at home, or you’ll be carrying your stuff into the campsite, consider going with a lightweight/compact set. If you’re looking for ultralight and more compact cookware for backcountry use, check out our Best Backpacking Cookware list.
Lightest / most compact cookware
Best medium-size cookware
Best large cooksets for groups
MATERIAL
Each material has its strengths and weaknesses in regards to cost, weight, heat distribution, and durability. Stainless steel is the most durable, but it’s heavier and prone to hot spots, so it’s best for attentive cooks. Cast iron is extremely durable and cooks beautifully over an open flame, but it’s really heavy and requires special care. Aluminum is extremely lightweight, affordable, and distributes heat well, but it’s not as durable.
Best stainless steel cookware
Best cast iron cookware
Best aluminum cookware
The GSI Glacier Troop Cookset has a large CAPACITY for cooking & boiling water for hungry groupd
The Sea to Summit Alpha 2.2 (aluminum) & Sigma (Stainless) are Lightweight & compact for frontcountry camping
The Jetboil Flash & Flash Java Kit make hot water & coffee instantly – wherever you are
The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System features large-volume cookware & a super compact stove that nests inside
The GSI Infinity Deluxe Table Set eliminates the need for single-use dishes & we love that it’s color coded
Cast Iron is heavy, but it’s durable, a great value, & highly versatile for home & camp cooking
Critical Camping Cookware Considerations
COMPETING YOUR CAMP KITCHEN
Great cookware is at the heart of every delicious outdoor meal, but it takes a few more things to make a camp kitchen hum. Here are our favorite products in each of the following categories:
- Camping stove
- Knife set / pocket knife
- Eating utensil(s)
- Ultralight cup(s) / travel mug(s)
- Coffee maker
- Spice kit
- Quick-dry towel
- Sponge / scrubber
- Lighter
- Camping table
- Cooler
- Cooking utensils
- Can opener, corkscrew/bottle opener or multitool
- Cutting board
- Wash basin
- Eco-friendly soap
- Storage bin(s) (for food and gear)
- Water container
For a complete list, check out our Ultimate Camping Checklist.
CAMPING FOOD
When you’re camping near a vehicle, you can get more creative with your camp food. Since you don’t have to carry your food far, you can bring heavier and fresher stuff – like vegetables and dairy. Canned and pre-made foods are nice and easy, or you can cook from scratch. You’ll need a cooler and plenty of ice to keep perishables chilled, and we usually organize dry goods in a clear plastic bin with a lid. At night, we simply stash it in the car to protect food from wildlife.
Honorable Mentions
This camping cookware has what it takes to make your meals at your next campground:
MSR Quick 2 System Cookset – A compact camping cookware similar to the Sea to Summit Alpha Cookset. We ultimately prefer the Alpha because it’s slightly less expensive, has attached handles, and better mugs.
MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set – A higher-quality, but more expensive and slightly less durable type of non-stick cookware for camp cooking.
