Posted by Holly Walton on 26th Sep 2024

How to Set Up a Kitchen While Camping

Creating a well-organized kitchen while camping can greatly enhance your outdoor experience, making meal preparation enjoyable and stress-free. A dedicated kitchen space ensures you have everything needed to prepare delicious meals, keeps your campsite clean, and helps prevent attracting wildlife. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up a practical and efficient camping kitchen, including expert tips to make your outdoor cooking experience seamless.

OLPRO Founder, Daniel Walton, reminds us to never cook inside a tent.

Why Is a Camping Kitchen Important?

Having a proper camping kitchen is crucial for a smooth camping experience. Not only does it allow you to cook and prepare meals easily, but it also keeps your campsite clean and safe. An organised kitchen area helps you store food correctly, manage waste effectively, and reduce your environmental impact by following Leave No Trace principles. Additionally, a good camping kitchen setup ensures you have a safe cooking area, which is essential to prevent accidents or unwanted animal encounters.

Choose the Right Location for Your Camping Kitchen

Selecting the perfect spot for your camping kitchen is the first step to setting up. Aim for a flat, stable area away from your sleeping quarters to keep cooking odours separate and reduce the risk of attracting wildlife. Look for a space that is sheltered from the wind but also has good ventilation to allow smoke and steam to disperse.

Factors to Consider for Your Kitchen Spot:

Safety: Choose an area away from dry leaves, grass, and other flammable materials. Ensure there is enough space for your stove or campfire, away from tents and other equipment.
Accessibility: Make sure the kitchen is easily accessible and close enough to a water source for easy clean-up.
Level Ground: A flat surface helps keep your cooking equipment stable and prevents accidents like hot liquids spilling.

Essential Equipment for Your Camping Kitchen

A well-equipped camping kitchen requires the right tools and supplies. Let’s look at the essential equipment to make your camping kitchen both functional and efficient. You can find a range of high-quality products for your setup at OLPRO.

1. Cooking Gear

The type of cooking gear you need depends on the size of your group and the complexity of the meals you plan to prepare. Here are some must-have items:

Portable Stove or BBQ: A portable stove or grill is a versatile choice for cooking. OLPRO offers a variety of options that are compact, lightweight, and easy to use, such as the Deluxe Camp Kitchen with Double Cupboard, which combines a portable stove with ample storage space, making it ideal for larger camping groups. Check out the OLPRO Deluxe Camp Kitchen with Double Cupboard for a multifunctional solution.
Cooking Utensils: Essential utensils include a spatula, tongs, ladle, and a multipurpose knife. For a lightweight and easy-to-clean set, consider a utensil set, designed specifically for camping needs.
Pots and Pans: Depending on your menu, you might need a frying pan, a saucepan, or a kettle. An Anodized Cook Set is durable, lightweight, and perfect for handling a variety of camping recipes.

2. Food Storage and Organisation

Proper food storage is vital to prevent spoilage and keep wildlife at bay. Here are some essential storage solutions:

Cooler Box or Bag: A cooler is essential for storing perishable items. They keep food fresh for extended periods, ensuring that you can enjoy your meals without worry.
Dry Storage Containers: Airtight containers are perfect for storing non-perishable items like pasta, rice, and snacks. They protect your food from moisture and pests, maintaining freshness.
Food Preparation Table: A sturdy table provides a clean, stable surface for meal prep and dining. The OLPRO Bamboo Camping Table is a compact, foldable option that is easy to transport and ideal for various camping activities. For more dedicated cooking tasks, consider the OLPRO Bamboo Cooking Table, which offers an elevated surface and extra space for preparing meals.

3. Cleaning Supplies

Keeping your kitchen area clean is vital for maintaining hygiene and preventing wildlife encounters. Make sure to pack:

Biodegradable Soap: Use an eco-friendly soap that won’t harm the environment.
Dish Scrubber and Cloths: A small scrubber and cloth are perfect for cleaning pots, pans, and utensils.
Trash Bags: Bring along several trash bags to collect food scraps and packaging, and always dispose of waste responsibly.

How to Set Up Your Camping Kitchen

Now that you have your equipment, it’s time to set up your camping kitchen. Follow these steps for an efficient setup:

1. Organise Your Cooking Area

Begin by setting up your cooking station with the stove or BBQ on a flat, stable surface away from flammable materials. Ensure your cooking utensils, pots, and pans are within easy reach. If possible, use a dedicated storage area like the OLPRO Pod Kitchen Storage Tent, which offers a sheltered place to store all your kitchen essentials and provides a safe, convenient space for food preparation.

2. Create a Food Preparation Zone

Designate a clean surface for food preparation. A portable table works well for this purpose. Ensure you have a cutting board, knife, and containers for chopped ingredients. Keep your cooler nearby but in the shade to maintain its temperature.

3. Set Up a Cleaning Station

Establish a cleaning station away from the food preparation and cooking area to avoid contamination. Use two containers – one for washing and one for rinsing. Fill them with water, add biodegradable soap to one, and place a drying rack nearby.

4. Implement Safety Measures

Keep a bucket of water or sand close to your cooking area in case of emergencies, particularly if you are using a campfire. Ensure all food is stored in airtight containers or a cooler to deter animals.

Expert Tips for Efficient Cooking While Camping

To help you get the most out of your outdoor kitchen, here are some expert tips from seasoned campers:

1. Pre-Prepare Ingredients

Chef and camping enthusiast Sarah Thompson recommends, “Prepare ingredients at home as much as possible. Chopping vegetables, marinating meats, and pre-mixing spices ahead of time can save you a lot of hassle at the campsite. It not only reduces prep time but also helps you minimise waste.”

2. Opt for One-Pot Meals

Camping expert Mark Jennings suggests, "One-pot meals are ideal for camping as they require less equipment and are easy to clean up. Dishes like stews, pasta, and curries are perfect, providing a hearty meal with minimal effort."

You can also check out the OLPRO CookBook

3. Plan Your Meals

Planning is key to a successful camping trip. Make a list of all the ingredients and equipment you’ll need for each meal. This ensures you pack efficiently and reduces the risk of forgetting important items.