Top 15 Camping Cooking Tips

For some campers, camp cooking is one of the most exciting activities in a camping vacation. The thrill of putting up a menu of different sumptuous meals, of putting together ingredients, of smelling the sweet aroma of meat, seasonings and vegetables, and of seeing the satisfied look on your family after feasting on the dinner you prepare can really ignite your excitement.

No matter how exciting, it is important to stress that camp cooking is more complicated than regular home cooking. Aside from the fact that you can't bring your entire kitchen with you to the camp and that if you forgot a type of ingredient, there is no convenience store you can easily buy, it also entails a lot more effort and hard work to ensure that you have a successful camp cooking experience.

Here are some useful tips for more fun cooking time:

Tip 1: Write down a menu of all the dishes you intend to cook in the camping trip. It is better to opt for simple dishes that wouldn't take your entire day preparing. From this menu, create a checklist of the ingredients, cookware and utensils you need to bring to ensure that you don't forget anything.

Tip 2: Prepare ingredients at home. Measure them and put them in resealable plastic bags with labels so that you don't spend all day cooking. Remember, there are still other activities to do.

Tip 3: Half-cook meat, poultry of fish at home. This will save cooking time as well as fuel for the stove. Place them in plastic containers and then freeze in the cooler. What's also great about this is that pre-cooked meat last longer than raw meat.

Tip 4: Rely on dependable camping stoves. You don't want your grand cooking endeavor be ruined by a stove that wouldn't lit up. It is better to opt for trusted brands like Coleman for your camping stoves.

Tip 5: Don't forget to bring a grate if you plan to grill. Don't assume that the camp site will have all the amenities that you need.

Tip 6: Bring extra matches and keep them dry by putting in waterproof containers like film canisters. These canisters are also great as containers for salt and pepper.

Tip 7: Be flexible in your menu. Don't wail or send your family to the next town to get you a green onion for your dish. Improvise or use an alternative ingredient that can be found within the perimeters of your campsite.

Tip 8: Bring small amounts of seasonings, condiments, and other food supplies to save packing space. Instead of bringing the huge bottle of ketchup, just bring sachets or transfer an amount enough for the whole family in a smaller container.

Tip 9: It is better to use block ice in your ice chest because it lasts much longer than cube or tube ice.

Tip 10: Rub the bottoms of pots and pans with dishwashing soap before cooking. This will make cleaning time afterwards easier.

Tip 11: Pocket knives come in handy during camp cooking. Use those that have locking features to avoid accidental folding of the blade when you cut up meat or slice a loaf of bread.
Tip 12: Never leave food outside your tent to prevent attracting bears or other animals.

Tip 13: Don't forget to bring a heavy duty aluminum foil and a couple of ziplock bags. They don't take up much space and have a wide variety of uses.

Tip 14: Cover pots and pans during cooking so the meals will get done faster and to save fuel. This will also keep unwanted insects out of your food.

Tip 15: Apply a little cooking oil on your camp grill so that food will not stick on it.