10 Best Campfire Cooking Kits For Quick & Delicious Meals
The Stanley Adventure Camp Pro Cookset is a standout option that's suitable for all types of camp cooking. It comes with a 4.75qt pot, a 9qt saucepan, and an 8.5" frying pan. All three of these have a lid and are built with tough stainless steel. This makes them perfect for use on the campfire or on a camping stove.
One thing I like about this kit is that the pots have a multi-layered even heat design that delivers uniform heat distribution when cooking over the campfire. You will also get two trivets, a cutting board, a spatula, and a spoon with your set. The entire kit is designed to fit together and pack away into a tight bundle, which makes it a good option if you're tight on space.
A little side note: Something I have noticed is that stainless steel isn't great for cooking things like stews or roasts that need low heat for a long time. You're better off going for a cast iron Dutch oven for foods like this.
Camping can be super fun and rewarding, and you can make it even better by getting your hands on a quality campfire cooking kit. There's just something special about cooking your dinner on a fire that can't be beaten. Between the crackle of burning wood and the aroma of delicious food, campfire cooking can elevate any outdoor adventure.
In this guide, I’ll lay out my favorite campfire cooking kits, along with some pros and cons. I’ll also include tips, a buying guide, and talk about the essential elements that make a complete kit. If you haven't tried campfire cooking, you need to!
My Review Process
I'm a motivated camp chef, and I've spent years refining my recipes and choosing the perfect equipment. I've drawn on this experience to put together this list of the best campfire cooking kits on the market today.
Because of the variety of campfire cooking kits, it can be a hassle choosing one. Some trap flavors well but weigh a lot, while others are lightweight but won’t last more than a year or two. I gravitate toward stainless steel kits but cast iron and aluminum all have their uses. In my experience, durability, packability, weight, and how easy it is to clean are all key considerations.
Best Overall Campfire Cooking Kit
The Stanley Adventure Camp Pro Cookset is a standout option that's suitable for all types of camp cooking. It comes with a 4.75qt pot, a 9qt saucepan, and an 8.5" frying pan. All three of these have a lid and are built with tough stainless steel. This makes them perfect for use on the campfire or on a camping stove.
One thing I like about this kit is that the pots have a multi-layered even heat design that delivers uniform heat distribution when cooking over the campfire. You will also get two trivets, a cutting board, a spatula, and a spoon with your set. The entire kit is designed to fit together and pack away into a tight bundle, which makes it a good option if you're tight on space.
A little side note: Something I have noticed is that stainless steel isn't great for cooking things like stews or roasts that need low heat for a long time. You're better off going for a cast iron Dutch oven for foods like this.
Best Cast Iron Campfire Cooking Kit
I love cast iron, and the Bruntmor Camping Cooking Set doesn't disappoint. The 7-piece set includes a 12" cast iron skillet, a 4.5qt pot, a 2.5qt saucepan, and a 20" x 9" reversible griddle. These are manufactured with food-grade cast iron, and all surfaces are pre-seasoned so that you can start cooking immediately.
There's also an 8.6" trivet, a lid lifter, and a nifty wooden carry case that really caught my eye. The lid on the larger pot has a rim around the edge to hold coals, which is great to see, and the heatproof carry handle makes it easy to carry around.
Being cast iron, this kit is obviously quite heavy and weighs in at 40.9 pounds. But I'd seriously recommend considering it if you're looking for quality cast iron cookware to use on your next camping trip.
Pro tip: Never use detergent on your cast iron cookware, or else you will damage the seasoning that protects the metal and gives a non-stick finish.
Best Stainless Steel Cooking Kit
This compact camp cooking kit stands out as one of the best options on the market, and it's easy to see why. It includes three pots with lids, a steaming basket that doubles as a strainer, and a frying pan. All items are made with premium 304 stainless steel, which means that you can use them over a fire without worrying about damaging them.
You can also choose from a non-stick or plain stainless steel frying pan. I'd go with the stainless steel option for camping, as it's easy to damage the non-stick coating. The set also comes with a carry bag so you can pack it away safely when you're finished cooking. The entire kit comes in at 9.58 pounds, making it a relatively lightweight option.
I don't love stainless steel for campfire cooking, but many other experts rate it, and this kit is a great option if you do go down the stainless road.
Best Grill & Skillet Combo
This one's a little different from the other sets on my list, but it's an excellent option nonetheless. It includes a spike that you can hammer into the ground next to your fire, a skillet plate, and a grill plate. These slide over the pole and can be adjusted to the desired height over the fire.
The thing I like most about this model is that it packs down into a compact carry bag. This makes it easy to throw in the back of the car alongside the rest of your camping gear. It features more than 300 square inches of cooking space, and the plates pivot 360 degrees for easy serving and heat adjustment.
While this is only useful for grilling and frying, it's still an attractive campfire cooking tool that I'd recommend adding to your collection. After all, who doesn’t like frying up a feast over a campfire!
Best Backpacking Cooking Set
This compact 13-piece kit is a lightweight, portable option that's great for backpacking trips. It includes a pot with a lid, a frying pan, a kettle, two stainless steel cups, utensils, a spatula, and more. There are two mesh storage bags that enable the kit to be packed away tightly, and the entire set only weighs just over two pounds.
All three cooking vessels feature non-stick surfaces and heat-resistant handles, making them perfect for cooking over small fires or gas stoves. The main downside of this kit is that the pots and pans are small, but they're still great for cooking a tasty feed for one or two people.
Best Non-Stick Cooking Set
For a complete solo cooking set, you can't go past this 10-piece kit from Rlrueyal. It includes everything from a skillet and frying pan to pots and camping cups. I particularly like the removable handle design, which makes it easy to maneuver your pots when they're on the fire.
The entire set packs down into a small carry bag, which makes it suitable for backpacking and hiking. It weighs in at just 1.9 pounds, making it one of the lighter options I've seen. But it is small, so don't expect to be able to cook a full meal for a large group in one hit.
Best Solo Campfire Cooking Set
If you're looking for a small, compact cooking set for solo camping trips, you can't go past the Odoland Camping Cookware Kit. It includes two non-stick aluminum pots, cutlery, a stainless steel cup, and two carry bags. What's more, it comes with a mini gas stove that's compact and can be used anywhere (gas not included).
One thing that stands out about this model is the non-slip, heat-resistant handles on the pot. The non-stick coating means that it also doubles as a small frying pan.
It's not the easiest thing to cook bacon and eggs in something small like this, but I've done it plenty of times, and they taste just as good.
Best Lightweight Campfire Cooking Set
If you're looking for a lightweight campfire cooking kit for multiple people, KingCamp has you covered. Its 25-piece stainless steel kit weighs in at less than 3 pounds, and it includes two pots, a frying pan, three plates, three bowls, and three cutlery sets.
The high-quality stainless steel finish on the pots and pan makes them great for use on a small cooking fire, and the heat-resistant PVC handles reduce the risk of getting burned. On the downside, this is another quite small model, and the frying pan is only 7.2" in diameter. But this is still large enough to cook a tasty feast, and I’d highly recommend giving it a closer look!
Best Compact Campfire Cooking Set
This unique cast iron cooking kit from Lodge is one of the most interesting designs I've seen. It features a frying pan/pot along with a lid that doubles as a hotplate or grill. There are heavy-duty heat-resistant carry handles, and the entire kit packs away into one compact bundle.
The cast-iron components come pre-seasoned so that you can cook on them immediately. There's even a guidebook full of tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your purchase. I'd seriously recommend having a look at this model if you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary to add to your camping kit.
Best Budget Campfire Cooking Set
Although some campfire cooking kits can be pricey, there are still plenty of decent options if you're on a tight budget. Take this kit from Smokey Camp, for example. It includes two non-stick pots that double as frying pans, a lid, two bowls, and more.
What's more, the entire kit weighs in at just over a pound, making it an excellent choice for hiking and backpacking as well. It is a little flimsy when compared to a more expensive product like the Stanley Adventure Pro Cookset, but it’s still a great option as far as budget camp cookware goes.
If you need something that's friendly for your wallet, look no further!
What Your Campfire Cooking Kit Should Include
In my experience, there are a few key things that everyone's camp cooking kit should include.
- Pots or other cooking vessels - Something to cook in is one of the most important things to have. I love my cast iron, and I'd recommend that everyone has at least a few Dutch ovens in their kit, but there are a few other options as well. Stainless steel works well, especially for frying pans, and some aluminum and enamel camping cookware is also decent. If you're hiking or backpacking, you will want to go for a lighter aluminum model.
- Lid lifter - If you’re using cast-iron or stainless steel pots with lids, a lid lifter is a must. They make it super easy to remove hot lids from your pots to check your food.
- Stainless steel utensils - I'd highly recommend getting a decent set of stainless steel cooking utensils. I've found that plastic or wooden ones tend to melt or burn when I'm cooking over a fire, no matter how careful I am.
- Heatproof gloves - There's nothing worse than trying to pull a hot camp oven off of the coals without adequate heat protection. Everyone's campfire cooking kit should contain a pair of heatproof gloves to help with moving hot things around. Welding gloves are a great choice.
- Grill grate - A grill grate that you can place over the fire will let you cook meat and vegetables to perfection. It lets the smoke and flavor from the fire really penetrate the food, and you can even get a nice char on the outside if you want.
- Campfire tripod - You will want to hang your pot above the fire for some meals rather than placing it in the coals. The best way to do this is to use a simple tripod with a hanging chain and some sort of hook to attach your pot. Make sure you use a high-quality metal tripod around fire so that it doesn't melt or get damaged in some other way.
- Coal shovel - A small coal shovel will help you move hot coals around for even heat distribution and a nice flat cooking surface. This is especially important if you're using a Dutch oven or anything else directly on the coals.
Along with these campfire cooking essentials, there are plenty of bits of gear that you can add to your cooking kit. I'd highly recommend getting your hands on the following to ensure you eat in style on your next camping adventure.
- Firestarter - Before you start cooking, you need a way to start your campfire. There are loads of lightweight and eco-friendly firestarters out there.
- Camp kitchen - On the simplest level, a camping table will give you a surface to prepare food on. However, there are also specialized camp kitchens which include benchtops, sinks, and storage space. These are excellent, and I'd highly recommend one if you want to cook in style.
- Cleaning supplies - Carrying a few basic cleaning supplies with you on your next adventure will help you clean up all your gear BEFORE you pack it away. Trust me, it's worth putting in the extra effort to do this. You won’t have to worry about jobs like washing your camp ovens and other camp cooking equipment when you get home.
- Plates, cups, bowls & utensils - Durable, easy-to-clean crockery and utensils will make your next camping trip a breeze. I always go for stainless steel when I can find it, as it's unbreakable and super-easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth or a piece of paper towel.
Campfire Cooking Kit Buying Guide
Campfire cooking kits come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, which makes it difficult to choose the best option for your needs. I love camp cooking, and I've tried dozens of different kits over the years.
I've drawn on this experience to put together the following list of things to consider when you're buying a campfire cooking kit.
Cost
For many people, the price of a campfire cooking kit is a major decision-making factor. I'd recommend setting your budget early so that you know how much you're willing to spend. Then, you can immediately discount anything that's too expensive.
If you’re looking for a basic, no-frills kit, you can expect to pay anything from less than $50 to around $100. The price increases from here, and the most expensive kits can reach $500 plus. Remember, you don't have to spend your whole budget, as there's a decent chance you'll find what you're looking for at a lower price.
Material
Camp ovens and cookware generally come in one of three materials:
- Cast iron - Cast iron is a favorite among most seasoned camp cooks. It's durable, great for use on a fire, and almost impossible to damage. However, it's usually very heavy and quite bulky.
- Stainless steel - Stainless is lighter and more portable, and it's still pretty durable. Modern stainless steel cookware can also come with features like a multi-layered base to improve the cooking experience.
- Aluminum - Most of the cheaper non-stick kits on the market are aluminum. It’s relatively durable and super lightweight, but don't expect aluminum to last as long as cast or stainless.
Weight
Campfire cooking kits can range from as little as a pound to 50 pounds plus, so it's important to pay attention to weight when you're buying. This is especially important if you're planning on a camping style like backpacking or hiking and need something that's light and portable.
Portability
Most campfire cooking equipment is designed to be portable and easy to transport. Look for something that packs away into itself to form a small, compact bundle.
Durability
If you're only going to use your outdoor cooking kit occasionally, durability won't matter very much. However, regular camp cooks should look for high-quality campfire cooking equipment that's designed to last.
Cleaning
I'd highly recommend choosing a campfire cooking kit that's easy to clean. Generally, I find that cast iron and non-stick are best for this, as they usually only need a quick wipe-over when you're done. Stainless can be a bit more stubborn and require a decent scrub to get properly cleaned.
Accessories
Most camp cooking equipment kits come with various accessories. These can include everything from gloves and lid lifters to plates, bowls, and cutlery. Pay attention to what you get with your kit to make sure you're making the right choice.
Summary
My number-one all-around camp cooking kit choice is the Stanley Adventure Even-Heat Camp Pro Cookset. This is closely followed by the Bruntmor cast iron set and the Wealers stainless steel cooking kit. If you’re looking for a budget option, the Smokey Camp Backpacking Cooking Set stands out as an attractive choice.
The most important things are to consider your needs and take your time choosing the right option. And remember to get out and enjoy a delicious camp meal when you receive your new cooking gear!
Common questions
I’m happiest on long backpacking trips into little-known pockets of wilderness, skiing down backcountry mountains, and on all-fours, scrambling the rocky spines of alpine ridges. When I'm not adventuring in the outdoors, I'm most likely writing about them.
*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.
