Best Camping Cookware of 2023 (Review And Buying Guide)

This won’t be the last time that you see GSI Outdoors on the list here, and that’s because this company has really put in the effort to make some of the most versatile and useful camping cookware on the market.

The Pinnacle camper cooking set not only features quality pots and a skillet, but it also features a number of useful extras that many cookware sets don’t include. To build a similar set would require a substantial investment in bits and pieces. We’re talking things like mugs, plates, a strainer, and a washbasin.

The cookware itself is anodized aluminum, making it non-stick, and very lightweight. The entire 23-piece kit weighs just 3.63 lb. Check out everything that’s included:

• 1 3L Pot
• 1 2L Pot
• 2 Strainer Lids
• 1 9″ Fry Pan
• 4 14 fl. oz. Mugs w/ Insulated Sleeves
• 4 14 fl. oz. Bowls
• 4 7.5″ Plates
• 4 Sip-It Tops
• 1 Folding Pot Gripper
• 1 Welded Sink

The only real concern with this set is the fact that the non-stick coating will come off eventually, and the pot handle does have a habit of getting a little hotter than you might like it to. Otherwise, this is one of the best options anywhere.

Some people swear by cast iron when they’re cooking on an open fire, and if you want that true rustic camp experience then the Lodge combo cooker is going to be your best bet. Good quality cast iron is known for its ability to hold and distribute heat very evenly, so you can expect a high-quality cook when you use this set.

Featuring a 10 and 1/4″ skillet/lid and a 3-quart saucepan, you can cook pretty much anything you’re going to want over the fire or the camp stove. They come fully seasoned already which means it has been heated and coated with oil multiple times to get a kind of baked-on coating that protects it from corrosion. 

It wouldn’t hurt if you did a bit of seasoning on your own by oiling the cooking surface and letting it heat up a few times. You never want to use unseasoned cast iron as it’s notorious for corroding very quickly and the best way to be certain that your seasoning is up to par for a set like this is to do it yourself, just to make sure. 

Also, be aware that the saucepan is flat bottomed. Pots that have flat bottoms can develop hot spots when used over coals, as opposed to those designed with tiny feet.

The big drawback to a set like this is going to be the weight. The saucepan and skillet together will add about 20 pounds to your pack. That means the set is better suited for camping when you have a vehicle handy in which to store your cookware.

When it comes to affordability and versatility, you can’t go wrong with the Redcamp camping cookware mess kit. Available in sets ranging from 9 pieces up to 23 pieces, these cooking sets are great for their affordable price points and remarkably low weight.

The 12-piece mini set is made from anodized aluminum and weighs under one pound, making it the most efficient set you’ll find in terms of weight and features these items:

• 1 5.9” Frying Pan 
• 1 Medium 5.9” Anodized Aluminum Pot 
• 1 Pot Cover 
• 2 Bowls with 1 Soup Bowl  
• 1 Survival Bracelet
• 1 Tool Card  
• 1 Ladle 
• 1 Stainless Steel Folding Spoon
• 1 Loofah
• 1 Storage Bag

As you can see it’s not a gigantic size, but it’s more than efficient for one person. Their 23-piece set can cook for up to four and only weighs 3.3lbs.

The Primus PrimeTech stove set really sets the bar for complete camp cooking sets. Cookware and stove together, the set is designed to maximize cooking quality while reducing the effect of the elements like wind. 

The integrated burner features a windscreen, and you have the ability to adjust the flame intensity to ensure you’re not burning everything you cook. The pots are coated aluminum and include one ceramic-coated pot, a lockable handle, and a lid that doubles as a strainer.

The pots heat up fast and are consistent in their heating as well. The stove uses fuel canisters like typical camp stoves but the design greatly reduces fuel consumption while keeping the heat stable. This will save you time and effort, as well as money.

The entire set becomes cumbersome if you’re backpacking as carrying the fuel tanks is less than ideal, but if you have a vehicle handy then this could be a great option.

Made from 18/8 stainless steel and featuring 19 pieces, the Stanley adventure camp cook set is high enough quality that you could easily use these pots and pans at home.

The skillet really excels at browning meat and the heat distribution for all the pieces is above average, but you’ll still want to keep an eye out in case hotspots form.

Being stainless steel it’s remarkably durable so it should stand the test of time for you. As with any stainless steel though, cleaning can be a bit of a chore and will require some scouring if you’ve got a baked-on mess. It’s also worth noting that the set weighs around 5 lb, which is a little bulky compared to some others. If space is at a premium, this might not be the best choice. If you’re driving up to the campsite though, this will be a welcome addition to the trunk of the car. 

What do you get in the 19 piece set?

• 1 3.5L pot
• 1 vented lid
• 1 7″ 3ply frying pan
• 1 cutting board
• 1 spatula with extending handle
• 1 serving spoon with extending handle
• 4 6” plates
• 4  22oz bowls
• 4 sporks
• 1 dish drying rack
• 1 heat resistant trivet
• 1 locking bungee

If you’re looking for a cook set built for one that won’t take up a lot of room and still gets the job done reliably then the MalloMe camping cookware mess kit could be a good choice for you. This tiny set is a very budget-conscious option and weighs just 1.17 lb.  Since it comes with its own mesh bag for storage and travel, you can easily hang this off of a backpack and it will mostly stay out of the way.

Given the price point, you’re not getting the highest quality cookware on the market when you go for this kit. It’s also only suited for a single person so it’s not the kind of thing you’re going to bring along on a family camping trip. That said, if you’re not super gung-ho about your cookware and looking to invest a lot of time and money into a kit, and this will definitely get the job done for you without breaking the bank.

The 10-piece kit includes:

• 1 1L Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Pot
• 1 Pot Cover
• 1 Nonstick Pan
• 2 BPA Free Bowls
• 1 Folding Stainless Steel Spork
• 1 BPA Free Soup Spoon
• 1 Wooden Spoon Spatula
• 1 Cleaning Sponge
• 1 Nylon Travel Bag Drawstring Pouch
• Perfect Marshmallow Roasting and Smores Making Guide with 10 recipes in case you’re not 100% confident in your Smores game.

Similar to the GSI Pinnacle set, the GSI Bugaboo base camper is a little more cost-effective and features a more basic set of items that are still at the same high level of quality. The set is great for cooking reasonably sized meals for up to three people.

The pots and pans in the set are Teflon coated to ensure that your food won’t stick and it really makes clean up easy at the end. In fact, the storage bag also doubles as a cleanup sink. Be aware that metal utensils will scratch that surface off.

 This version doesn’t feature all the extras that you’ll get in the Pinnacle, instead, it’s made up of the following:

• 2 pots
• 1 frying pan
• 2 nylon strainer lids
• 1 cutting board
• 1 folding pot handle
• 1 stuff sack/sink

When it comes to value for your money, the Snow Peak Personal Cooker 3 is definitely one to check out. While it may not be as versatile as some of the other cookware we’ve listed, the lifetime guarantee means that if something goes catastrophically wrong, at least the company has your back.

You can tell from the picture there aren’t a lot of frills and gimmicks going on with this one, and it’s true that it’s a very simple set. It heats quickly and is very durable since it’s made from stainless steel. The pot is great for heat retention and if you’re making tea or coffee for yourself, or a pot of soup, you can expect it to stay at a hot temperature for quite a while.

On the downside, you need to watch out for those hot spots while cooking, and the plate that comes with it is on the small side.  Another potential problem is the skillet can be very inconsistent with cooking. Those hot spots we mentioned really come into play with this, possibly due to the thickness of the metal. 

Overall, it’s a great set for the single backpacker, or a couple camping together if you have extra plates and bowls. The set includes:

• 2 pots
• 1 frying pan
• 1 lid
• 1 plate
• 1 bowl
• 1 carrying case

If you’re serious about keeping it light when you’re camp cooking, and by that we mean it’s just you and your backpack living as simply as you can out in the woods, then the MSR Trail Mini solo cookset is going to be the best bet on the market for you.

Make no mistake, this is not a seriously sophisticated cooking set. You won’t be grilling up steaks, making cakes, or even complex meals with this. What you will be able to do is heat stuff efficiently and quickly and keep yourself fed while you focus on the more fun aspects of being in the woods.

Weighing in at a barely-there 7.2 oz, the Trail Mini is as small as its name implies. The anodized aluminum pot can hold 0.75 L, and when you pack it away it can also hold its own Pocketrocket stove and fuel canister. 

As we said, this is not for cooking a big camp breakfast with eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Instead, this is the sort of thing you’ll use to heat up water for soup or maybe boil some pasta or beans.

When it comes to bare bones camp cooking, this is a great option for the Spartan camper who doesn’t want to be weighed down. 

The set includes:

• 1 0.75 L anodized aluminum pot
• 1 16 oz. plastic bowl
• 1 clear lid with straining ports
• 1 mini pot lifter
• 1 stuff sack

Roughing it means different things to different people and how rough you get when you’re camping really depends on your own comfort level. If you’re not willing to sacrifice your gourmet tendencies, then the GSI Outdoors gourmet kitchen set might be a good option for you.

This kit isn’t pots and pans, it’s the accessories you need to elevate your food from bacon and eggs cooked over open fire to a tasty and well-made feast that maximizes your ability to produce a high-quality meal under difficult circumstances.

You can use this kit to whisk up some light and fluffy scrambled eggs, or even a simple cake batter that can be cooked over a fire. The cutting board ensures a little more control and efficiency over how you prep your food and there’s even a camp towel to keep things neat and tidy.

 The 11 piece set includes:

• 1 collapsible whisk
• 1 pivot spoon
• 1 pivot spatula
• 1 spice shaker
• 2 condiment containers
• 1 cutting board
• 1 scrubber
• 1 scraper
• 1 camp towel
• 1 ballistic nylon case

Obviously this kit needs to accompany one of the other cookware sets that we’ve listed if you’re interested. If you don’t want to sacrifice the quality and preparation of your food just because you’re camping, this adds another level to camp cooking that every other kit will ignore.