Best Camping Cookware For Outdoor Adventures
Anyone who has spent time in the outdoors knows everything tastes better in the woods. Whether you backpack your meals in or haul them in a pull trailer, having the best camping dishes can make camp cooking and eating that much easier.
At A Glance: Top 3 Cookware Sets
- Best For Backpacking MSR Quick 2 System Cook SetJump To Review
- Best For Car Camping gear4U Camping Cookware KitJump To Review
- Smallest Cookware Set TOAKS Titanium 2-piece setJump To Review
We can’t guarantee these sets won’t keep you from burning the mac and cheese, or from overcooking the scrambled eggs, but we do know they will make cooking and cleaning better, so you can get back to enjoying your time amongst the great outdoors.
The following are some of our top choices that give you the best options when you are out camping. Sets that combine options for cooking, with price, functionality, and of course weight. But don’t forget to bring along your spice kit, as ultimately it is what you put in your food that makes it tasty!
Top Product Overview
 | Best For Backpacking
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 | Best For Car Camping
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 | Smallest Cookware Set
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Best Camping Cookware
MSR Quick 2 System Cook Set
If you want absolutely everything you need in a cookware set for 2 people for a backpacking trip this weekend, then the MSR Quick 2 system is an absolute dream.
As you probably know, MSR produces some of the best outdoor gear for backpackers, and this is no exception.
The materials are top-notch and lightweight – the two pots are hard-anodized aluminum with a non-stick coating. So, also easy to clean, which is a bonus when you don’t have a kitchen sink with you.
The total cookware set weighs in at 1 pound 12 ounces, which is ideal when you consider you get everything you need, and maybe more. The plastic bowls and cups are designed to slot inside the whole set with ease. And, there is a strainer lid on the pot, which easily clips into place with a folding, rubberized lid that is perfectly sized.
This is a set that I personally bought for this summer after my last cookware set took years of abuse, and I am very impressed. MSR just keeps on designed and manufacturing some of the best, but perhaps not cheapest, gear around.
Pros
- Lightweight & compact
- Variety of pots and a pan
- Fits neatly into one pot
- Smart design for backpackers
Cons
- Expensive compared to other sets
gear4U Camping Cookware Kit
When you’re ready to throw your life on your back and head for the hills, pack this lightweight kit and you’ll eat well all week. This 13-piece kit offers everything you need including a non-stick pot with a lid, 2 bowls, 2 folding cups, and 2 stainless steel sporks (you know, those funky little things that are a combination of a spoon and a fork).
Additionally, bonus items include a ladle, a bamboo spatula, and a sponge. Just lay them all out on the camping table, while you are car camping this summer, and you will feel spoiled for choice!
Most of the cookware is made from FDA-approved hard-anodized aluminum, which is not only durable and made to last, but is also lightweight. The other items like the spatula and folding cups and bowls are BPA-free and guaranteed to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- FDA approved Aluminum
Cons
- Only 2 person use
- Hot liquid makes it hard to hold
TOAKS Titanium 2-piece set
This simple cooking and camping cookware set is light enough for backpacking and solid enough for car camping, making it one of the best camping dishes we have found.
Made of titanium, you can be sure you will get a lot of quality without a lot of weight. In total, the set weighs in at only 8.2 oz (231.1g), which is great news if you have to carry this on your back.
The larger pot holds pot has a capacity of 1600ml (1.6L) while the smaller pan has 490ml, which is around half a liter. A lot less, but still great for frying or even boiling a quick cup of water.
It also comes with a handy mesh sack, to help you keep organized while at camping and when packing everything into your backpack for the day.
Pros
- Multifunctional uses
- Comes with a drawstring bag
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only 1 person set
Wealers Complete Mess Kit Set
This stainless steel cook set comes with cups, bowls, utensils, and a mesh bag to hold it all in. You can get it for two people or four, and with the strategic packing, you can use this for both backpacking and trailer camping.
It’s eco-friendly camping cookware, and safe for everyone – since it is lead-free, BPA-free, and latex-free. Wealers offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, just in case you ever have an issue and need to contact them.
Pros
- Lightweight & easy to clean
- Mesh bag for easy storage
- Big enough for full meals
Cons
- Hard to hold with hot liquid
- Plates curved more like bowls
Odoland 22-Piece Camping Cookware
This all-in-one kit offers more than just camping dishes and spoons. You use this camping cookware for everything from cooking to eating to cleaning up.
The 22-piece set includes a large cook pot, a camping kettle, dishes, cups, and utensils for four people. With its ability to fold and nest, this set won’t take up valuable space in your camper, but might make you feel you have your whole kitchen at your fingertips.
The cook pot, kettle and pan are all made from high-quality aluminum alloy that is also non-stick. The pot is 4L and ready for just about anything, including being hung over a campfire with friends. The kettle is 1.5L and can also be hung.
The dishes and utensils are all stainless steel, with the utensils folding to take even less space in this camping cookware set.
Pros
- Large kettle can be used many ways
- Nonstick surfaces
- No-heat pot handles
- Compact
Cons
- Small cups
- No bowls
- Too heavy for backpacking
Bisgear 13 piece-Mess Kit
This simple set offers everything one person needs to eat, drink and be merry. It includes a plate, bowl, spoon and even chopsticks. Made from stainless steel, this kit also comes with a carrying bag and can be washed in the dishwasher. You may even have enough extra room in your backpack for a special dessert.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Made from stainless steel
Cons
- Storage bag doesn't drain well
Sea to Summit Alpha Camping Cookware Set
The Sea to Summit Alpha Camping Cookware Set is some of the best camping cookware you’re likely to find, especially if you don’t mind spending a few bucks.
This camping cookware set comes with everything you need to feed 4 people including 2 pots, 4 bowls, and 4 mugs.
The cookware set packs into itself to save space in your pack and the whole weight weighs just 48 ounces, so you’re not going to notice it much in your pack either.
The pots are made from hard-anodized aluminum which not only makes them light but durable too. They are extremely scratch resistant and their nonstick coating makes them a breeze to clean.
The pots also come with a pivot lock handle for safe use, the lids are designed for straining, and they have a textured bottom so they don’t slip on uneven surfaces.
If you’re willing to pay the price, this is one of the best cookware sets around.
Pros
- Lightweight for adding to your pack
- Space-saving design so it always fits
- Durably made from hard-anodized aluminum
- The pot comes with a folding handle and easy drain lid
- Set includes everything you need
- Easy to clean and scratch-resistant
Cons
- A little expensive
GSI Outdoors - Pinnacle Base Camper, Camping Cook Set
Another one of the best camping cookware sets is the GSI Outdoors – Pinnacle Base Camper, Camping Cook Set.
This set comes with a 2-liter pot, 1.5-liter pot, 8″ frypan, 2 nylon strainer lids, a cutting board, a folding pot handle, and a waterproof welded bag to keep everything together that also doubles as a sink for washing.
There is everything you need to make a delicious meal and they have even thrown in the kitchen sink, how convenient is that!
Not only do you get a washing tub but the pots and pans are covered with a Teflon non-stick coating which makes them extremely easy to clean.
Everything in the set is durably made, even the stuff sack, so nothing comes apart while you’re backpacking.
The pots and pans are hard aluminum which can handle a few hundred knocks without even a sign of damage, the only issue is they make the set quite heavy.
Weighing in at over 4lbs for the set, you might not want all of this in your backpack but spread out and shared it would be very manageable.
Pros
- Includes a stuff sack that works as a basin
- Light and compact for portability
- Comes with a durable Teflon non-stick coating
- Includes everything from a pot to a frying pan
- Heats up fast for fuel efficiency
Cons
- Quite heavy at over 4lbs
- A little on the expensive side
Snow Peak 3 Piece Titanium Cookset
One of the best camping cookware sets when it comes to portability has to be the Snow Peak 3 Piece Titanium Cookset.
This camping cookware set comes with a large 26 ounce and small 18-ounce pot with lids and handles and a frying pan. So how much space do you think it will take up, and what weight will it be?
You’ll be surprised that it weighs just 3.2 ounces and pack down to 5.5 x 2.25 inches, and you can even store a Snow Peak Gigapower stove or lantern and fuel canister inside it. You’ll never even notice it in your backpack.
Being made from titanium, this camping cookware is super durable and cooks well. Some people find it a little thin, but it gets the job done, but it’s not a non-stick so cleaning might be a hassle.
One thing you have to bear in mind is that this set is designed for one person and doesn’t have the volume to cook for two, so don’t be surprised if you can’t make enough for yourself and your friends.
Pros
- Affordable for the quality
- Incredibly lightweight at 3.2 ounces
- Compacts down super small
- Can store a stove or lantern and fuel canister.
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- Can be a little thin for some
- Only feeds one person
What To Look For In The Best Camping Cookware
Types of Camping Cookware
The first thing you need to make sure of is picking the right camping cookware set for you. Some come with pots and pans others come with pots, pans, and dinnerware.
Mess Cookware Sets
Mess cookware sets come with everything you need including pots, pans, mugs, plates, bowls, and sometimes even knives, forks, or sporks. They make it easy, as you have everything in one place and get in all one ‘add to cart’ click.
Group Cookware Sets
These cookware sets come with pots and pans that are large enough for you to cook group meals with, hence the name. The sets are much simpler and will probably not include any mugs, plates, bowls, or forks like the Mess sets mentioned above.
Individual Cookware Sets
These little camping cookware sets are made for the solo traveler and have a small capacity for cooking for just one, maybe 2 people at a push. These are the lightest and most compact options and ideal for solo backpackers who like to travel as light as possible.
What is the cookware set made from?
Aluminum
Most camping cookware is made from hard-anodized aluminum which is both durable, scratch-resistant and is one of the best materials at conducting and distributing heat. This makes it a lot easier to cook with as you don’t get hold and cold spots which can lead to burnt food or uncooked portions.
Aluminum is also quite affordable and thus has a great balance of quality, durability, and cooking performance when it comes to camping cookware, and it’s a light metal too.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is another common material used in camping cookware and it’s both the most affordable and durable of them all. But, what it makes up for in durability and affordability, it loses in its cooking performance and weight.
Stainless steel doesn’t spread heat very evenly, especially when compared to aluminum, so you will find you might burn things like scrambled eggs or have one part of your steak done more than another.
Stainless steel is also pretty heavy, so it will add to pack weight. It’s a good option if you’re on a budget but be prepared for some brunt bits.
Titanium
Titanium is also used in camping cookware and is the happy medium between stainless steel and aluminum. It’s lighter than stainless steel and aluminum and is better at distributing heat than stainless but not as good as aluminum, making it about average when it comes to cooking performance.
It’s also in the middle when it comes to durability and affordability, being more durable and affordable than aluminum but less durable and more expensive than stainless steel.
If you want to save some cash by avoiding aluminum, jump to titanium instead of stainless steel.
Non-Stick Coatings
Some camping cookware, usually the better sets, come with a non-stick coating that can either be made of Teflon or ceramic. Having non-stick pots and pans, as I’m sure you know, makes both cooking and cleaning a lot easier. They are especially useful with scrambled eggs in both the cooking and cleaning process.
Camping cookware with a non-stick coating is usually more expensive than ones without but in our eyes it’s worth the investment every time as it’ll save more meals and you’ll waste less time on the clean-up.
What do you cook when camping and how much of it?
When you’re camping do you just boil some pasta and add a bunch of pesto to it? Or are you a little more adventurous and like to have a few pots and going at the same time to make a more complex meal?
When looking for your best camping cookware set, check whether it suits your cooking style. Is there a lid for every pot or just one? If just one, you can only boil one pot at a time efficiently. The same goes for if you only have one handle that you have to switch between each pot as you use it.
No matter how simple or complex the meals you make are, there will be a camping cookware set out there that matches them perfectly.
Packed Weight And Size
Something everyone needs to consider when camping, especially if you’re backpacking, is the packed weight and size of what you’re carrying.
Camping cookware can be extremely light and compact weighing just 3 ounces and squeezing down to packed dimensions of 5.5 x 2.25 inches. This is ideal if you’re cooking for one as you’ll barely notice it in your backpack.
But if you need a larger set, say for 4 people, expect the set to weigh around 4lbs and take up quite a bit of space. This is fine as long as you remember to spread the load across the camping party, but not ok if you’re carrying it by yourself.
Does it come with a bag?
Some of the best camping cookware sets include a bag that holds it all together while you’re hiking or driving from a to b. Sometimes these bags can double up as washing basins which can make life extremely convenient, as cleaning everything becomes so much easier.
Look for sets that come with a good bag or are at least modular and pack up into themselves for space-saving.
Our Favorite Camping Cookware
The best camping cookware if you’re looking for something lightweight and small is the TOAKS Titanium 2-piece set. This set is super light, packs down small, and it does pretty well when it comes to cooking performance and durability too. For a one-person set, you can’t beat it.
- Specifications--Pot: size-about 105x129.5x117mm, capacity-1000ml; Bowl: size-about 117x50mm, capacity-500ml; total weight: 130g. Note: manual measurement ±5g/±5mm.
- High-quality--This cookware set are made of 99.8% titanium, acid and alkali resistance, corrosion resistance, never rust, solid construction and fantastic heat transfer. Titanium does not have any reaction with the drink, maintaining its original taste.
The best camping cookware set, if you’re car camping, is the gear4U Camping Cookware Kit. This kit comes with 13 pieces including everything you might need to cook with and eat and drink from. It’s made from aluminum making it both light, durable and it has great heat distribution for top-quality cooking performance.
- ★ INCREDIBLE VALUE ★ Mess kit includes 1 collapsible anodized aluminum non-stick pot with lid, 1 collapsible anodized aluminum non-stick frying pan, 2 BPA-FREE bowls, 2 stainless steel sporks, 2 silicone folding cups with lids, 1 BPA-FREE soup ladle, 1 bamboo spatula & 1 sponge for easy cleaning! All items stack together and fit into the included nylon bag for easy carrying. Weighing only 1.32 pounds this kit also saves space in your pack, see product description for dimensions.
- ★ SUPERIOR QUALITY ★ This built to last kit designed for 1-2 campers is a compact space saving cookware set that is made of the highest quality durable, non-toxic anodized aluminum. Bowls, soup ladle, sporks, cups, and spatula are BPA-FREE! This complete set has everything you need for camping, hiking, or for use with an emergency kit.
The best camping cookware set for backpacking is the MSR Quick 2 system. It might weigh just under 2lbs, which is a bit heavy for backpacking but it comes with two pots, plates, cups, and more, in a tiny compact size. You get everything you need packed up into a 7.75 x 5 inches 1lb 12-ounce package.
- Two-person backpacking cookset is lightweight (1 pound 12 ounces), compact (packed size 7.75 x 5 inches), and efficient for backcountry trips
- Includes 1.5L hard-anodized non-stick aluminum pot, 2.5L hard-anodized aluminum pot, strainer lid, 2 deep dish plates, 2 insulated mugs, pot handle
