The Perfect Car-Camping Kitchen

by Brad Lane + · Published May 15, 2015 · Updated May 14, 2015

car camping kitchen Car camping might not be as “extreme” as a 14-day climb up El Capitan or a five month journey on the Pacific Crest Trail, but there is one definite advantage of packing up the vehicle and utilizing the trunk space, and that is the delicious, gourmet food you can whip up at the campsite. Some ultimate Macaroni & Beef Pasta perhaps? How about French toast, or maybe you are a fan of a properly cooked soufflé? Whatever your culinary dreams may be, the following camp-kitchen gear can help you put a little flavor into your camping experience:

REI Camp Kitchen TableYou have to hand it to the team over at REI for the exclusive camp kitchen table. Easy to fold up, this table is the base of your basecamp kitchen set. With two flat surfaces to cover everything from your dual burner to your cutting board, this table set also provides wire and mesh racks to store extra dishes, food items, and your grandma’s blueberry pie.

Yeti 45 CoolerDon’t let your yogurt go bad with the Yeti 45 cooler. Featuring permafrost insulation, a no sweat™ design, and a bear-proof structure, this is one cooler that won’t only keep your strawberries fresh, but will also keep your woodland buddies from making a midnight snack out of your leftover food.

Primus FireHole 200 Dual BurnerThe Primus FireHole dual burner is akin to having your kitchen stove in your car trunk. Able to boil water in three minutes, this dual burner is easy to ignite and fast to start your cooking experience. An essential item for the car-camping kitchen, this is one durable dual burner that won’t only get the job done right, but it will get the job done for years to come.

Snow Peak Multi-Compact Cookset, Cookers & CutleryComplete your stove situation with the wide selection of titanium and aluminum cooksets from Snow Peak. Good for every cooking desire you might come across (baking, frying, boiling, simmering, roasting, etc.), these cooksets are built for the outdoors in weight and efficiency. Top it off with a few essential cutlery options including large spoons and spatulas, and you might find yourself using this system both out of the trunk and at home.

Coleman Stainless Steel 12-Cup Coffee PercolatorFor many, just by bringing the coffee and Coleman percolator the camp kitchen is set. And why not? What’s better than the early sun rising next to the sounds and smells of your percolating coffee? Renown by cowboys and weekend warriors alike, the coffee percolator is an efficient way to deliver a delicious and strong cup of coffee from every use.

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Plate, Mug &SilverwareSet the table right with a collection of stainless steel plates, mugs, and silverware. Easy to clean and built to last, the stainless steel silverware collection packs so easily you might consider throwing it in your pocket each time you go out on the town to eat. And at the camp-kitchen site, the plate and mug not only make for a 1^st class dining experience, but also allow for the most hygienic alternative for many meals to come.

Lehaman’s Hand-Cranked BlenderWho says you can’t have margaritas in the backcountry? With the Lehaman’s hand-cranked blender you can have any beverage of choice while camping. Easily attachable to the picnic table or the back of your tailgate, perhaps the best drink of choice is a protein shake after you shed a few calories hand cranking the blender.

Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink, Wilderness Wash, & Pocket TowelsJust because you are camping, doesn’t mean certain hygienic standards can’t be met. With the Sea to Summit line of products you can literally bring the kitchen sink to your campsite. Throw in some biodegradable soap to the mix and your kitchen tools can be cleaned with ease. And by using a quick drying microfiber towel to dry everything off (including your hands), you can effectively cut down on the waste and disposal of paper towels.