Food is a big part of any camping trip. Without food, people will have no energy for fun, activities, chores, cooking and so on. It is important that people have some sort of plan on how much food they will eat in the camping trip. Of course, you will need very good cookware when you are spending time in the outdoors. Here are some top notch camping mess kits you need to see. These items that I have listed are some of the very best that I am aware of that can cook foods while in the outdoors. If you’re searching for an amazing cookware that has lots of consumer reviews, then these mess kits below are excellent choices.
Best Camping Mess Kits – Quick Chart
Camping Mess Kits | Weight | Material | Largest Bowl Capacity | Compact |
1. Light My Fire 8-Piece BPA-Free Meal Kit 2.0 | 13.5 oz | BPA-free materials | 30.4 oz | Yes |
2. Stanley Base Camp Cook Set For Four | 5 lb. 6 oz | 18/8 Stainless Steel | 3.5 L | Yes |
3. Wild Peak Titanium Lightweight 3-Piece Cookware Set | 13.6 oz | Titanium | 40.5 oz | Yes |
4. Stansport 360 Stainless Steel Mess Kit | 1.2 lbs | High-quality stainless steel | 3 Cups | Yes |
5. MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit Backpacking Gear | 1.6 lbs | FDA APPROVED Non-Toxic Anodized Aluminum | 1L | Yes |
6. ‘Fozzils Solo Pack (Cup, Bowl, Dish) | 4 oz | BPA free material | One 20 oz bowl | Yes |
7. Flash Personal Cooking System | 1.3 lbs | Aluminium | 1L | Yes |
8. GSI Outdoors – Halulite Microdualist | 1 lbs | Halulite | 1.4 liter pot | Yes |
9. GSI Outdoors – Bugaboo Base Camper | 2 lbs | Non-Stick Coated Aluminum, Nylon 6-6, Silicone | 5 qt | Yes |
10. Coleman 5-Piece Aluminum Mess Kit | 1 lbs | Aluminum | 16 oz | Yes |
11. MSR Alpinist 2 Camping Cook Set | 1.71 lbs | Hard anodized aluminum | Yes | |
12. MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot | 14.1 oz | 7.2 x 7.1 x 3.7in | 1.6L | Yes |
13. GSI Outdoors Cascadian 1-Person Table Set | 7.4 oz | Flexible polypropylene, 100% Recyclable Cascadian | 6-in bowl | Yes |
14. BeGrit Camping Cookware Mess Kit | 1.6 lbs | 410 stainless steel | 3 cups | Yes |
15. GSI Outdoors Gourmet Nesting Mug and Bowl | 3.2 oz | BPA-free polypropylene construction | 14 fluid oz | Yes |
How To Choose A Camping Mess Kit
Types Of Camping Mess Kits
Cookware
The cookware that we use will certainly have an impact on the taste and flavor of the foods that we are going to cook. Mess kits will often have a pot, frying pan and several other cookware. So it is better to choose the right cookware for the right recipe that you are going to cook while camping. There are many different types of materials that can be used to make cookware. These can come in many shapes and sizes as well.
Tableware
We need tableware so that we can easily serve and enjoy our foods. Most mess kits will include a few tableware items. There are many materials that can be used to make a very good tableware. Most tableware items that are included in a mess kit are bowls, plates, cups and flatware.
Stove + Pot Combo
This is a canister stove and a pot that can be combined into one object so that the object has more stability and support. I love the way this set makes cooking easier and simpler. This set of cookware is very good and very easy to use. I love that this cookware set is very easy to carry because the items are very portable. This set will often not have any tableware at all.
Disposables
These are very affordable while providing a lot of benefits. Disposables are often made from plastic, wood and paper. The best thing about disposable items is that we do not need to wash them or clean them. We can just throw them away. There are items that are sold as a set that are disposables. However, these items do not have any cookware or any item meant for cooking.
Choosing The Camping Mess Kit Material
Titanium
I just love titanium because this is very good. I love that this material is very scratch resistant and this does not bend easily which makes this very durable. It is true that titanium is lighter than most metals which is why a lot of people pick this material for backpacking and camping purposes. One of the best materials that I know of that has a lot of rust resistance and corrosion resistance properties. This is definitely one of the best materials that I know of but unfortunately, this also cost a lot.
Hard Plastic
This material called offers a lot of benefits. Hard plastic camping mess kits tend to be very lightweight. The simple fact is that items made from hard plastic are very durable. The low price of this material is the reason a lot of companies use this for their items. Mess kits made from this material will not have any cookware. This material is meant to be used for the tableware items.
Soft Plastic
I love soft plastic and this material has a lot of advantages over other materials. This material is very good and very affordable. I know a lot of soft plastic camping mess kits that are very lightweight and easy to carry. This is very good and very flexible which makes the mess kit items foldable and very compact. Items made out of soft plastic cannot be used for cooking.
Stainless Steel
The amount of benefits that stainless steel offers is enormous. This is a very durable material that is very easy to clean. Scratch resistant and this metal does not bend easily also. I love how shiny and beautiful this material can become. This is naturally nontoxic and safe because this is very rust resistant and corrosion resistant.
Wood
I love wood and this material has a lot of advantages over other materials. The price of wood is very affordable. Wood has been known to create amazing and disposable items. This has been proven to be very safe, nonreactive and nontoxic. People love to get camping mess kits made out of wood because they tend to be durable also.
Choosing The Nonstick Coating
Teflon Nonstick Coating
This is often used in a lot of cookware to make the surface more nonstick. Cookware with this nonstick coating are very easy to clean. There is still a lot of people who are afraid of Teflon because of PFOA. PFOA is a substance that was used to create Teflon and this can make people sick.
Ceramic Nonstick Coating
This coating is very popular and can be found in a lot of pots and frying pans. I love this coating because this makes cooking a lot easier. There are a lot of people who prefer to use ceramic nonstick coating even though this coating is not as affordable as Teflon. This is very safe and does not have a bad reputation like Teflon does.
Health Concerns You Need To Consider
BPA Free
This substance called BPA can be found in a lot of items that we use every day. It is because they are often found in plastics. The substance called BPA has been known to cause heart problems and cancer. There are many things that can go wrong if we ingest a lot of BPA so we must stay away from this.
Phthalates Free
There are many dangers to phthalates which is why we should always be careful when getting plastic items. Make sure that your items do not have phthalates because this can cause heart problems and cancer. There are many items that have phthalates so we must make sure to stay away from them.
Other Things To Think About
Pot Capacity
For mess kits, it is good to know the capacity of the biggest pot. This way you can plan on how much food you can cook and if you can use the pot as a bowl. It is also good to know if you are just boiling water. If you have lots of people in your group, you can boil or cook foods for them depending on the capacity of the pot.
Durability
Since mess kits for the outdoor are often lightweight, there is always a chance that they will not be durable. That the company used less materials to make the item lighter in weight. It is for this reason that you need to make sure that you are getting something that is very durable. I like my items to be durable also since I can save lots of money if I don’t have to replace them or repair them for years to come.
Compact
If the mess kit is compact, then this is a great feature since you can bring the item if you go backpacking. They can fit in your backpack and will not take too much space. This is a great feature to have so that you can bring the item to other outdoor activities like a picnic or the beach. It is nice also if the item has a nested design. We can organize the set and pack them easily.
Conducts Heat
Always check how much heat is conducted by the mess kit if you are getting it for cooking purposes. If you just want a lunch box then you do not need to consider this. The more heat the item conducts, the less gas that you will use. Gas is very important while camping. You do not want to get another gas canister from a store since the store maybe 2 hours away.
Price
Since you may only be camping with your group for a limited amount each year, it is best that you just get something affordable rather than something expensive. However, if you are going to use it all the time then you should get a high quality item that works well. There are lots of items to choose from and you can get an affordable mess kit that works very well also.
Handle / Pot Gripper
Mess kit handles are often very flimsy and they feel like they will bend when I put a lot of water in the pot. Pot grippers are very strong and lightweight. These can lift pots and other cookware very easily. This can prevent our skin from getting burned also. Getting a pot gripper is often very useful whenever I go backpacking.
Best Camping Mess Kits
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1. Light My Fire 8-Piece BPA-Free Meal Kit 2.0
Weight: 13.5 oz
Material: BPA-free materials
Largest Bowl Capacity: 30.4 oz
Compact: Yes
Short Review: This camping mess kit is unbelievable and lots of men and women think so too. The picnic plate, food containers and camping cutlery in this mess kit is entirely made of plastics from plants. This is constructed out of plastic that is always 100% BPA free which makes the perfect mess kits for scouts and for your kids lunch box for school. Stackable camping dining set with elastic harness to keep the camping bowls and plates together and closed. This amazing item has a lot of positive customer reviews and that’s why I know that you will not feel disappointed about your choice to obtain this. This works amazing and saves me a considerable amount of time and effort.
2. Stanley Base Camp Cook Set For Four
Weight: 5 lb. 6 oz
Material: 18/8 Stainless Steel
Largest Bowl Capacity: 3.5 L
Compact: Yes
Short Review: You certainly will love and make use of this cookware and tableware for the outdoors constantly. This is constructed out of 18/8 stainless steel this cooking set is strong, scratch proof and rustproof. This set comes fully loaded with 21 different pieces that can cook meals for small or large groups without taking up too much space. Amazing cooking set that brings the convenience of your kitchen to the outdoors. This is superb which is the reason I like it. This came from a fantastic company and I find this item to be really impressive.
3. Wild Peak Titanium Lightweight 3-Piece Cookware Set
Short Review: This is a rather incredible set of outdoor mess kits. This is constructed out of Titanium which provides strong ultralight multifunctionality while in the outdoors. The cookware set is tasteless, odorless, does not corrode or rust, is non-allergenic. You can cook two items at once with the benefits of double boiler cooking. If you love camping, then this is a great item to have because this makes camping more fun. I love this item because it has lots of features, well-made and comes in a low price. Compact design makes this very desirable because we need all the room in our backpacks.
4. Stansport 360 Stainless Steel Mess Kit
Weight: 1.2 lbs
Material: High-quality stainless steel
Capacity: 3 Cups
Compact: Yes
Short Review: If you wish to get a remarkable cookware for backpacking then you need to try this out. This is constructed out of rugged, high-quality stainless steel with copper bottoms for uniform heat distribution. This 3-piece set nests together and packs into its own included nylon mesh cover. The stainless steel mess kit sets compactly together so there is no need for a surplus of dinnerware when you’re traveling or on-the-go. It is amazing that this is very compact which allows us to have more room in our backpacks. This is a multipurpose outdoor item. I am rather happy with the functionality and capabilities of this item. The finest part of this item is the affordable price tag that it has.
5. MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit Backpacking Gear
Weight: 1.6 lbs
Material: FDA APPROVED Non-Toxic Anodized Aluminum
Largest Bowl Capacity: 1L
Compact: Yes
Short Review: I just like this set of backpacking mess kits because it is fantastic. All the pieces of this camping pot set are stored together and are extremely portable in their convenient carry bag. This is constructed out of solid and light aluminum oxide, which is high-temperature and friction-resistant. Each cookware set has a non-stick teflon coating for easy cleaning and durability. This is amazing! This can cook foods while in the outdoors. This is the type of quality I expect from this company. All items should have the same durability as this one so that everything will last for quite a while. Multi-purpose item that makes the outdoors a lot easier.
Check Out My Other Reviews – camping fire tinders – camping waterproof tarps – portable gas griddles – camping pads – camping stoves |
6. ‘Fozzils Solo Pack (Cup, Bowl, Dish)
Weight: 4 oz
Material: BPA free material
Largest Bowl Capacity: One 20 oz bowl
Compact: Yes
Short Review: This camping mess kit is pretty great. You should check out this item. It is really inexpensive and very compact. The design gives the bowls an elegant look that is perfect for camping trips and other outdoor adventures. Comes with plates and bowls so you can enjoy your meal easily. Can be used at home, for work, for school and for outdoor camping trips. I find this item to be exceptionally useful and it came sooner than anticipated. This is very high quality and has an excellent price tag. This is a very versatile item to have for the outdoors. For the price tag, this item is well worth it. There are a great deal of people that do not want to deal with difficult to use items.
7. Flash Personal Cooking System
Weight: 1.3 lbs
Material: Aluminium
Largest Bowl Capacity: 1L
Compact: Yes
Short Review: I am usually blown away mainly because this cookware for the outdoors is very exceptional. Just really like this item! This heats up instantly with the convenient and reliable pushbutton igniter. This has a bottom cup that doubles as a measuring cup and a bowl. This amazing cookware can boil water in a lightning-quick 100 seconds, making it the fastest Jetboil ever. Everything you need to cook and to enjoy foods while in the outdoors. All you need is a good spork and you are all set. This item is one of the greatest that is available right now which is why I am certain that you will be surprised at how amazing this is. The design is rather useful which is the reason I like to highly recommend this item in this website.
8. GSI Outdoors – Halulite Microdualist
Weight: 1 lbs
Material: Halulite
Capacity: 1.4 liter pot
Compact: Yes
Short Review: This set of outdoor mess kits that you are going to check out is really great. This set is crushproof, heat-resistant and the nylon lid won’t deform in packs and this also includes an integrated strainer. The folding handle locks into place for cooking and secures entire set for transport. This has a nesting design allows ultralight stoves and fuel canisters to store within set. I will always look for this company in the future due to the fact it has developed a great item with an innovative design. A very versatile item that gives lots of usefulness while in the outdoors and this is very high quality as well.
9. GSI Outdoors – Bugaboo Base Camper
Weight: 2 lbs
Material: Non-Stick Coated Aluminum, Nylon 6-6, Silicone
Capacity: 5 qt
Compact: Yes
Short Review: If you want something marvelous then this outdoor cookware meets your requirements. This cooking set is great for a small group as it includes two pots, a frypan, two nylon strainer lids, a cutting board, a folding pot handle, and a stuff sack. This features a folding gripper handle that locks on to exterior brackets to make cooking a breeze. This is very portable because this is ingeniously designed to nest into the stuff sack that doubles as a sink for washing. This is among the best because of the price. I really like that this has a whole lot of positive customer feedback simply because it is a fantastic indication that this is awesome.
10. Coleman 5-Piece Aluminum Mess Kit
Weight: 1 lbs
Material: Aluminum
Capacity: 16 oz
Compact: Yes
Short Review: I really like this set of outdoor mess kits. This is constructed out of aluminum which makes for easy cleaning and healthy cooking. This mess kit is multipurpose and can be used for cooking at home or picnic, and can be used for backpacking or car camping as well. The weight is very light. I use this just as directed. This is still working great. If you consider the attributes of this item, they are superb. It is mainly because of the design. You can actually tell that this is extremely effective simply because of the volume of positive customer feedback.
Check Out My Other Reviews – camping propane grills – three person tent – backpacking water filters – hiking boots – army duffle bag |
11. MSR Alpinist 2 Camping Cook Set
Short Review: This unbelievable camping mess kit will fulfill your needs. This is constructed out of hard anodized aluminum pot is strong, light and provides more even and efficient heat transfer than titanium. This includes full-featured cook and eat system for two as it comes complete with a double-wall Insulated mugs and deep dish plates. This cookware set is ideal for alpine ascents or long-distance journeys. The company did a great job considering that I really like the design of this item. We are always looking very compact items such as this one so that we will have more room in our backpacks. One of the greatest I know of and I hope that you think about the features on this item because this is amazing.
12. MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot
Weight: 14.1 oz
Material: 7.2 x 7.1 x 3.7in
Largest Bowl Capacity: 1.6L
Compact: Yes
Short Review: This cooking pot for backpacking is amazing and plenty of men and women believe so too. This has a stainless steel construction that has lots of durability, time tested and trusted by mountaineers. The cookware has the ability to be nested for easy and compact storage. Stainless steel Pan Handler and Pot Handle has simple design for ease and durability. This is definitely worth the money and you will not be sorry. This item has an affordable price and it is able to make that happen without sacrificing very important features. I think this is amazing. This does everything as advertised. This is exceptionally resilient and a great item to have for outdoor adventures.
13. GSI Outdoors Cascadian 1-Person Table Set
Weight: 7.4 oz
Material: Flexible polypropylene, 100% Recyclable Cascadian
Largest Bowl Capacity: 6-in bowl
Compact: Yes
Short Review: This tableware for the outdoors can be one of the very best things that you have ever bought. This is constructed out of 100% recyclable polypropylene, this BPA-Free dining set does not only have a small ecological footprint. This is brilliantly designed with sturdy, wide-handled cutlery fits easily in gloved hands while the lightweight dinnerware washes up easily and can be conveniently stored in the included mesh bag. It seems like a lot of time is used in making this item extremely good. If the item has a very good design, it is not extremely difficult to use it. The space saving design allow us to carry more items in our backpacks. I really like that this is pretty resilient also.
14. BeGrit Camping Cookware Mess Kit
Weight: 1.6 lbs
Material: 410 stainless steel
Capacity: 3 cups
Compact: Yes
Short Review: You will need to check out this mess kit for backpacking before this is sold out. This is constructed out of 410 stainless steel material, make it easy to clean and more durable. This features a folding handle design and compact size, easy to take and save your space. I am so glad that this item is very useful as well as remarkable. The affordable price tag is also a big bonus. This mess kit is perfect to camping, hiking, backpacking, picnics, outdoor adventures, and other outdoor activities.
15. GSI Outdoors Gourmet Nesting Mug and Bowl
Weight: 3.2 oz
Material: BPA-free polypropylene construction
Largest Bowl Capacity: 14 fluid oz
Compact: Yes
Short Review: Among the best things I like is this set of outdoor mess kits. This is constructed out of EVA foam insulated sleeve prevents the outside from burning your hands. This features color-coded to coordinate with other nFORM Crossover items for easy, personal identification. Dual-port Sip-It top and compact shape for comfortable left- or right-hand use. The price tag of this is extremely affordable that it is difficult not to notice it. This is great for the outdoors and performs very well plus this is high quality. Overall, a very good item to have for camping or backpacking adventures.