It’s no mystery that a meal cooked at camp tastes better, but it’s ever so easy to slip into packing chaos when it comes to camp kitchen gear. We’ve been trying to dial in the optimal camp kitchen kit for years, balancing the need for delicious and varied meals in the backcountry with not packing the proverbial kitchen sink. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite camp kitchen accessories for our overlanding trips that keep hunger at bay no matter where we roam.
VSSL – Java G45 Coffee Grinder
If you live by the adage, “But first, coffee,” the G45 Coffee Grinder from VSSL should be on your radar. With 50 grind settings and an efficient grinder, you’d think that would be enough, but the VSSL team designed this piece of kit to go above and beyond. The handle transforms into a locking carabiner, so it’s easy to attach to your pack or cook kit. The magnetic knob provides ample purchase stashes in the lower section, and the whole thing fits perfectly into an Aero Press, making for a compact brewing kit that fits anywhere. The overall build quality inspires confidence, and any coffee lover can be sure that they’ll be using the G45 both at home and on the trail for years to come.
MSRP: $220
Snow Peak – Chopping Board Set
Snow Peak is legendary for the design and durability of their gear. With their roots in titanium wares, the product line now includes tents, apparel, and everything you can imagine you’d need to cook in camp, ranging from ultra-minimalist backpacking to giant car camping kitchens that can feed a large group. While we keep plenty of Snow Peak items in our rotation, the Chopping Board Set goes on every single trip. It provides a sharp knife and sturdy cutting board, no matter if we’re preparing a feast or chopping up some meat and veg for some hasty kabobs over the campfire. The board folds in half to serve as a case for the knife that’s magnetically secured to keep everything safe and secure. The board also fits into the IGT System to serve as a prep surface.
MSRP: $65
Sea to Summit – Detour Series Cook Set
The Detour series from Sea to Summit includes kitchen items that strike a great balance between packability and usability. Stainless steel construction is durable and easy to clean, while the collapsible silicone components provide excellent space savings. If you’re looking for a compact cook kit that will last for years with proper care, this is a great choice that travels really well.
The Detour series is BPA-free and features stainless construction. The utensils include texture on the handles for grip. Polished sections are easy to clean up, and the triple-ply bottom of the cooking pot provides even heat distribution. Silicone sections allow for collapsing construction while remaining sturdy when deployed. Plus, everything packs down for easy transport, especially for motorcycle explorers. Check out our review.
MSRP: Starting at $200
Ignik – Firecan Elite Fire Pit
When time and conditions allow, we love to have a campfire at every opportunity, but prep, weather, and other factors mean that’s not always a possibility. However, the Firecan Elite Fire Pit from Ignik has made it easier than ever to still enjoy a fire when we don’t have time to gather firewood or under certain burn ban restrictions. The quick-connect hose and easy ignition mean that we can have a fire within minutes of parking the rig. The flame is fully adjustable to dial in the heat, and when you’re done, the whole thing packs up into a convenient package. We’ve paired it with the 20LB Tank Case Seat so that we can set the Firecan up anywhere around camp, and it’s an extra seat if guests stop by to enjoy the fire.
MSRP: $300
Jetboil – Genesis Base Camp 2 Burner
For decades, I used the same green two-burner stove for most of my overland cooking needs. It didn’t simmer great, and it was a pain to light on occasion, but it had mostly worked for countless trips. Then I on a trip last fall I got a chance to use the Genesis Base Camp system from Jetboil, and I quickly realized why I had been seeing more and more of these amongst friends and around the Overland Expo camping areas. For starters, the pot, skillet, and burners all pack up into a surprisingly small carry case. The burners provide every level of heat you could need to cook up a great backcountry dinner that rivals anything you might make at home. If you need more culinary tools, your Jetboil backpacking stove can be attached to the Jetlink system.
MSRP: $450
Geyser – Portable Camping Shower System
We’ve been big fans of the Geyser Shower System for years, and not just for our personal hygiene purposes. It’s a great way to get dish duty taken care of while using a shockingly small amount of water. The sponge system makes it easy to scrub stubborn messes, and the Geyser System provides hot water to break up baked-on food quickly. When it’s post-dinner shower time, you can swap out the sponge in seconds. The Geyser is a great option if you’re traveling with minimal dishes and don’t want to deplete your water supply in the pursuit of keeping them clean.
MSRP: $320
Zarges – K470 Aluminum Storage Case
The camp kitchen category is easy to get disorganized, so we always prioritize a good storage system to wrangle the chaos. The latest iteration of our camp kitchen all packs into a Zarges K470 Aluminum Storage Case. It’s a heirloom piece of kit that works for a wide range of gear storage solutions. Plus, you can further organize it with a number of products from Zarges. I appreciate that Zarges has committed to building a number of case sizes for years and this allows you adopt a stacking system without fear of it being discontinued. This box rides atop another Zarge case that holds essentials in my truck 24/7 and with the addition of one strap the whole thing remains sturdy and secure across any terrain.
MSRP: $461
Dometic – GO Hydration Water Faucet
Water is one of the most important supplies on any trip, but wrangling large plastic containers and jugs gets old fast. Add a touch of civility to your camp kit with the Dometic GO Hydration Water. It remains one of the most useful and innovative campsite gadgets we’ve come across.
The faucet is a self-contained water pump with a hose that is long enough to be used with almost any water container. The rechargeable battery and mini pump are self-contained in the faucet itself, and it can dispense a liter per minute or about 150 liters per charge. A magnetic base keeps it in place on ferrous surfaces, and a simple finger tap on the touch-sensitive top turns it on and off. There’s even a small LED light built in, so you don’t have to power up lights at night for that quick drink. If you don’t have a gravity-fed water system (or even if you do), the Dometic GO is a great way to dispense water. It’s also a great addition to any campervan setup.
MSRP: $100
