For many campers, cooking outside is part of the joy of the whole adventure, but unless you’re going to be having a picnic for every meal, preparation and planning can go a long way towards maintaining mealtime joy rather it turning into a bit of a punishment. So here are some ideas to keep camping mealtimes happy.
- Many campers really enjoy the process of cooking while camping.
- Preparation and planning can really help to keep cooking and mealtimes running smoothly.
- Hints and tips for successful cooking while camping.
Making a plan before you go is a good idea. If you have a rough idea of the meals you intend to cook then you can make a list of the food you need and the equipment you need to cook it. By ticking off items on the list, you can see whether you’re missing any essential item, and if so decide whether to make an extra purchase or change the menu.
Find out as much about the facilities available (or not) where you’ve chosen to camp because the meals you’re planning may lend themselves to certain environments – and check the weather forecast – casseroles in a heatwave or salad in a blizzard might not be quite what you fancy.
Similarly, if you’ve got your own camping table then you have more control over where you are cooking and where you can put your equipment, but if meals are going to be prepped from the ground, some recipes might prove more difficult than others. If you think it through, at least you can decide whether you’re happy with your menu.
Prioritise what needs to go in your cool box. Cold drinks are highly desirable but keeping perishable food at the right temperature is essential (you could even take it frozen). You can always invest in or borrow another cooler just for drinks if you have room. Chilling non-perishable food items before you go will help keep everything cooler for longer, even if there’s no danger of them going off.
If you’re buying new equipment, think about size and weight. Ask yourself how much space it will take up in your vehicle and make sure you have room – especially important if you’re on foot or bike. Really, you want to take the minimum amount of kit but things like utensils and cutting board are still useful.
Space saving items such as collapsible bowls and lightweight re-usable plates and cups can be used time and again, and if you’re a regular camper they’ll soon prove their worth with no breakages and far less environmental impact than disposable items.
If you’re planning on cooking over a fire or with a barbecue, some campsites may provide kindling and firewood, if not, you’ll need to take your own, as well as skewers and grill shelves. Otherwise remember you’ll have to take a camping stove and fuel.
We know we don’t have to tell you this, but it’s up to the camper to make sure they’ve put out any fires completely, gathered up all food waste and rubbish, and cleaned up properly. The campsite may well have designated recycling bins – check them out when you get there so it’s easier to keep items separate from the start.
And don’t forget the bin bags!