The 10 Best Camp Kitchen Essentials from REI

We don’t have to sacrifice the luxuries of a home-cooked meal just because we’re not at home. And as much as we love hot dogs and s’mores, a steady diet of these campsite trademarks can’t be good for us (so we’re told). Thanks to REI, we now have plenty of solutions when it comes to cooking outdoors, whether we’re seasoned camp chefs or merely graduating from making trail mix. To help you find the right options for you, we’ve assembled a guide to the best camp kitchen essentials from the outdoor retail giant.

Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen

Set up camp with Mountain Summit Gear’s Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen, a 13.5-pound aluminum cooking space that features two countertops, extra shelving, and two foldaway side tables — and sets up in under a minute. After you’re done, you can fold this down to 19.7” x 4.3” x 31.5” and store it inside the included carrying bag. Opt for this over the non-Deluxe option since you’ll get considerably more shelving without taking up much more space — and for only $20 more.

Camp Chef Everest 2X Stove

It’s hard to wander around the campground vicinity without spotting at least a handful of these quality dual-burners from Camp Chef. Equipped with a three-sided windscreen, the Everest 2X is compact and affordable, and packs 20,000 BTU to each burner via a 1-pound propane tank (sold separately). To give you added versatility, the stove is also compatible with griddles and skillets, and features knobs so you can control each burner separately. 

Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill

Weighing just 23.5lbs, this handy Takibi grill from Snow Peak features a 17” x 13” cooktop for roasting vegetables and grilling meats. To tailor the heat intensity, you can raise and lower the surface to one of three positions. What’s more, this unit can double as a fire pit for making s’mores after your meal. When you’re done, it folds up and stows away easily, taking up just 22” x 25” x 6”.

Kelty Chef Roll Bag

Staying organized after unpacking a carload of gear can be tricky. But with Kelty’s Chef Roll Bag, at least the camp kitchen side of things can be hassle-free. This is a super convenient storage rack that can be hung on any roof rack or tree but totally works when lying down flat as well. Now you can store all your utensils, spatulas, and even seasonings inside its four zippered pockets.

GSI Outdoors Rakau Knife Set

GSI has some of the best outdoor cooking options available, and this Rakau Knife Set is no different. Packed inside the PET cloth zipper case along with a microfiber cloth, the all-in-one kit features a stainless steel paring knife, bread knife, and santoku chef knife, each sporting a waterproof wood-laminate handle and equipped with a sheath for safety. Meanwhile, the bamboo cutting board helps with your food prep and the knife sharpener keeps your tools ready to go.

Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet

It’s not always easy to find clean water when hiking, and even if you do have access, you’ll need a constant flow of clean water when it comes to cooking and preparing food. This GO Hydration Water Faucet from Dometic is exactly what it sounds like, helping you create a quasi-sink by attaching it to a water reservoir or jug. No more foot pumping, either; this unit operates with a simple touch button.

Fozzils Snapfold Bowl XL

Ditch disposable bowls and bags and opt for the extra-large version of Fozzils’ Snapfold Bowl. Whether you’re making a salad or sharing chips, this topo-patterned contraption is the easiest and most affordable way to get the job done. It stows away easily and sets up in a flash. Best of all, the budget-friendly price makes it next to impossible not to grab a few of these for your next trip.

GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset

Preparing and cooking a two-course meal at the campsite is challenging enough, but make sure you don’t forget containers to eat out of and store the food in once you’re finished. Weighing well under 4lbs in all, this Pinnacle Camper Cookset from GSI includes enough dishes and mugs for at least four eaters, as well as aluminum-constructed pots (3L and 2L) and a frying pan.  

YETI Tundra 35 Cooler

If you make too much food, don’t fret. YETI’s 28.2-liter Tundra Cooler won’t just keep your drinks cold and ice frozen but will keep your hot food hot as well, thanks to the PermaFrost insulation and super rugged rotomolded construction. At 20lbs empty, the chest is easy enough to lug to the campsite as a makeshift fridge and is compatible with padlocks to keep out furry critters.

Mountain House 3-Day Emergency Food Supply Kit

REI may be a hub for all things in the outdoor gear and clothing realm, but lest we forget that they also carry an assortment of edible products. With a 30-year shelf life, this Emergency Food Supply Kit includes 18 servings that will last a single person three days, featuring delicious items like biscuits and gravy, granola and blueberries, chicken fried rice, and beef stroganoff.