Triad Camping

7 August 2009

Forget The Kitchen Sink But Bring The Stove

Posted by Terry under: backpacking; cooking; gear .

Whether you’re on an easy day hike skirting around that pristine six-mile lake loop or sweating it out in the back-country for weeks on end, one of the handiest supplies to take along is camping kitchen supplies—cooking supplies that is. Yes, there’s nothing like a nice bowl of Ramen or a Lipton packet to warm up that hiking spirit by hike’s end. The one problem no one likes to admit: Most newbies aren’t sure what they’ll need or what they won’t, especially if they are concerned about keeping that backpack lighter. Here, we’re going to tell you all that you’ll need to take and eat, broken into bite-sized sections with some helpful what-foodstuff-to-pack hints. One thing you won’t need this time around, however, is the kitchen sink.

Let’s start out easy and begin with what you must/should bring on any hike, as long as you’re going to be cooking out-of-doors this is to say. The one item that tops the list is a cooking stove. Now, these come in various price ranges, but most quality ones that will last quite some time should cost less than $50 bucks. Additionally, you’ll need either a gas canister or other portable gas canister to attach to the stove. It’s imperative that you check to make sure the stove works and properly attaches to the gas canister before heading out—dry Ramen and crunchy macaroni only fuel you for so long! Either bring a wind screen for the stove (you’ll save tons of fuel) or build a rock wall every night to keep the flame burning hot.

Other pertinent related items to cooking with a stove include a pot set, frying pan, spatula, hot pad, pot grabber, grill rack and other cooking utensils. In order to eat, mind you, be sure to pack plates, bowls, cutlery, knife, drinking cup, thermos, can/bottle opener, and a collapsible water container. Other useful supplies include tin foil, cloth napkins and biodegradable soap. These things don’t have to weigh a lot either. Durable plastics and hybrid metals make carrying all that you need not so overbearing. The typical rule of thumb for such luxury, though, is the lighter the object the more it will cost. Don’t let either a healthy budget or a collapsing wallet decide whether you hit up the triad or not. Rich and poor sons and daughters alike take to trails equally here.

In either case, you want to bring the most caloric rich foods that weigh the least when frolicking on the footpath; it’s best to think in terms of meals and snacks. Such foods that provide not only nutrition but also are worth their (light) weight include some of the cheapest grocery store stock. For breakfast, be sure to pack oatmeal, granola, breakfast cereal bars, cereal, fresh or dried fruit, jam, pure syrup, and instant coffee, tea, cocoa, (powdered) eggs and milk, pancake mix and the like. Eating such foods at home may break the wasteline, but these foods pre-, mid- or post-trek will keep you fit and energized.

Lunch and dinner ideas are often centered around the stove to boot. Again, instant is the magic word: instant soups, noodles, sauces (for rice for example), gravies, protein meals and such will keep you full and happy. Other lunch and din-din ideas are even easier: canned or packaged meats, peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches, pasta, rice, eggs, cheese, potato flakes, non-bruisable veggies, freeze-dried meals, bouillon cubes, raisins and crackers all make great inclusions to much-needed meals. For dessert pack in marshmallows, powdered pudding mix, cookies, nuts and candy bars—these double as snacks as well. Don’t forget spices, seasoning, butter, salt/pepper, and your other favorite condiments (packing them in smaller bottles for rationing is a good idea). Cooking for yourself in the great outdoors is a simple feat, yes, but one that truly re-energizes you and keeps you bouncing over rock and ridge.

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