Campground cooking help
 

HI- I realize this is not the place to ask this- but hopefully there are some of you out there who know where I can find this info.
We are ready to do some serious traveling after recent retirement.
There are 4 adults total- we have several planned trips scheduled in the next several months.
On a couple of these trips- we plan to fly to our destination- rent a van or RV and spend weeks on the road- with campground cooking on our minds.
Where can I find a site that can recommend cooking gear that I can purchase that is also acceptable to put in my luggage to take with me.
My career has been in food business- but I know nothing about outdoor cooking utensils- I know there must be some sort of great propane set that I can take along and of course purchase the propane after picking up our RV at the rental site.
Please advise if you know a site that is camping related and can help with this. Thanks

Will you be cooking on a stove in an RV, a propane camp stove, or over an open camp fire?

I'd just hit the nearest Wal-Mart when you arrive (via your flight) at your destination.

The RV will have all the cookware you need. If you are van camping, buy the little screw-on gas stove to heat things up and cook other stuff on the fire. Most camping site have electricity so you can "cheat" and buy a little electric eye or skillet to use.

Probably a lot cheaper than paying for the extra luggage fee nowadays. Have you checked how much you will pay for your checked bags now?

HI Suze- thanks for the quick reply-as I mentioned- cooking is what I did for a living- and there ain't nuttin I can't cook- lol- although there are trips that we plan to take that we will not do any cooking- a couple of places are scenic areas and secluded etc- and we would like to cook rather than eating out at times.
We will most likely have a van as our rental vehicle- so I was thinking a two burner type of campstove would work- but do not know where to order camping equipment- any help is appreciated. Our method of travel is flying to a point of entry- rental car at airport- then 2 or more weeks of scenic driving. Cooking along the way will be fun at some places- thanks

starrs has given you the answer you need - go to walmart. Some stuff you can buy at home, but the rest, like fuel you must wait until you arrive. You cannot transport cooking fuel (liquid or propane) on an airplane.

{robably the best site for camping equipment is www.coleman.com who make everything related to camping needs.

Walmart and Kmart and I think Sears and probably Target sell the Coleman line, as well as all the outdoor/camping/sporting goods specialty stores. Paragon (on Broadway and 17th St here in NYC), probably has a website that you can order from.

I'd also suggest just picking up items when you get to your destination and then if you want to keep them, package them up and ship them home.

Hope this helps.

For cooking on a campfire, bring LOTS of liquid dish soap. Make sure you coat the OUTSIDE of your pots with soap so when you wash the pots they are not blackened and ruined by the fire. An old Girl Scout trick.

Here's an old Boy Scouts trick. Forget about the OUTSIDE of the pots. They're going to turn black anyway if you use them over a fire. The food goes on the INSIDE anyway - nobody (in Boy Scouts) cares about the outside.

I would recommend going the electric route that starrs mentioned. If you rent an RV you'll want electric hookups anyway, and even with a van you can put them to good use.

Problem with any stove that uses fuel is that the stove itself has to be cleaned and free of any fuel residue to go in your checked baggage. If there's any fuel residue detected it could be confiscated. Not to mention you'll have to figure out what to do with any leftover fuel after each trip. Electric would definitely be the easier, safer way to go.

You can always use the campfire - most campgrounds will have a fire ring with a grate.

Definitely get a hobo pie maker. Get the double wide. Like this:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...amp;id=0031806

I line ours with foil and heat up things already cooked. You just put it in the fire for a few minutes. It is truly like having a microwave in the woods. Rice dishes work great. And no clean up!

It is also great for hot sandwiches. Yum. Melted cheese...

I also really like REI for camping gear. I recently bought a 2 burner Coleman stove that I really like:

http://www.rei.com/product/723280

But...it might be a bit large for putting in your suitcase. I'm not sure about the suggestions for waiting to buy stuff at Walmart at your final destination since you'll also have to transport those things back home...

I also like this cookset:

http://www.rei.com/product/625784

At the risk of being redundant:

From the TSA website:
Camp Stoves - These can travel as carry-on or checked luggage only if they are empty of all fuel and cleaned so that there are no vapors or residue left. Simply emptying the fuel container will leave flammable vapors. We recommend that you ship the fuel containers to your destination ahead of time - passengers frequently have to leave them at the checkpoint because of fuel vapors.

Link to that page is here: http://tinyurl.com/657lql

To be clear,
I'm not saying buy stuff at Wal-Mart to then bring home.

I'm saying buy an inexpensive Coleman one eye stove (with the screw on fuel canister) and/or an inexpensive electric one eye burner (wal-mart brand is fine) and use them while you are camping and leave them. You could do the same thing I do with beach toys at the beach - offer them to someone else (in the case, at the campsite).

It will be far cheaper and easier than hauling it on the plane.

For years we hauled hunting and fishing and camping equipment on trips. "In the good ole days" you could pack a cooler or Rubbermaid tub (wrapped with duct tape) with most of your camping gear and check it all on the plane.

Today, you cannot. Or, IMO it would be stupid to make that choice.

Here's a list of Coleman products carried at Wal-mart
http://preview.tinyurl.com/62ckpl

I'm talking about the little stove at the bottom of the list. It's what I use when the power goes out (leftover from camping days).

The dual eye stove is only $50 and gets great reviews. Consider that if you are going to cook a lot.

Or, if you have access to electricity at the campsite, one of these -
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catal...catNavId=90546

One of my favorite camping pictures is of the kids roasting marshmallows over the eye of the electric burner :-)

Please figure something out that doesn't involve buying junk and then leaving it behind. Which means it'll probably end up in a landfill.

If your point of camping is even remotely connected to the beauty of nature I beg you to do the responsible thing and bear the cost of shipping your items back home so you can reuse them.

One last point, "most camping site have electricity" and kids roasting marshmallows over an electric burner. There's something really wrong with this mental picture, IMO. Hint, hint--you weren't camping.

I know we weren't camping. We were doing a cross-country trip, staying in KOA Kamping Kabins. It was a great fit for the budget and the kids had a blast. This particular location was near Great Sand Dunes NP and I can promise they got more out of the experience than if they had stayed the night at the closest Comfort Inn.

We had birthday parties at a local state park too. The little boys camped in tents and we did as much as we could to give them (kids not related to us) a taste of the camping experiences. But, I will admit that when they wouldn't settle down for the night I made them get in their tents and pulled out a little TV/VCR combo and put in a movie. They loved it :-) and were asleep in about 30 minutes.

Phead, I grew up camping in National Forests, a lot of time in areas that did not have designated campsites. We set up camp near the mountain stream and spent a week there. I've backpacked. I spent the first 30 years of my life "real" camping.

But, the OP mentions an RV rental and many would say that is not "real" camping.

I did not suggest tossing the equipment in the trash (and headed to a landfill). I suggested offering the equipment to someone else at the campground. If they don't want/ need it, offer it to the campground host. I would imagine it would be fairly easy to find new owners for the purchased equipment.

One of my most memorable campsite neighbors was a mom with two kids in Montana. The kids were having a ball camping for most of the summer. On our second night there we learned from the mom that she and her husband were getting a divorce and she was camping there to go to college over the summer to get her master's degree in teaching. The camp hosts watched the kids while she was in class. She planned to tell the kids near the end of the summer that they weren't going back to home and dad, but her parents were working on getting an apartment for her that she could afford. A sad time for her, but she was giving her kids a great summer.

There are all ranges of camping. My ex and I were laughed at by the RVers walking the campground roads for exercise. When we were on the move, we often tossed our sleeping bags onto banana chairs that we had placed under the rhododendron bushes. We had a cooler, a milk crate with kitchen stuff and a one-burner stove on the table. That was all we unpacked for single nights.

BTW, we in turn laughed at the RVers with signs, rocking chairs and patio lights strung around their campsites.

All different kinds of camping for all different kinds of situations. :-)

kelliebellie -- sorry to hijack this thread -- but I think you just helped us with our Christmas shopping! We always called those "tart makers." We butter bread and then put all sorts of stuff inside; ham & cheese, pizza toppings, etc. The absolute best though is apple pie filling. Sitting around a campfire with one of those warming up your hands . . . heaven! We've done it for years but I had never seen a double one before. My family will love it. Thank you thank you thank you!

One purchase you might make that you would use when you return (bring it back) is a butane burner. It is a good tailgating, tableside prep applliance.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw...=butane+burner

It might be iffy to find on the fly at your destination, but the fuel is easy enough to get.
You can also do a lot of fireside cooking with a fry pan and a set of pans. You will need a grill to put over the coals of the fire for open fire cooking.
I recommend you make a list of what you are going to cook and then work backwards and fill in what you need to do it--obsessively!.
A plastic wash basin is a good thing.

Another thing about Walmart -- it is company policy to let RVers stay overnight in their parking lots. This is prohibited in some places, but as a general rule you can park at Walmart for a night if you can't find a campground.

Cooking on a camp stove is easy. You'll need to purchase fuel after you arrive, so why not just buy a simple stove then?

I would pack two good pans in your luggage. That's all you'll need.

I asked about the campfire, because that requires different equipment which gets very sooty/dirty, etc.

But a simply two burner camp stove is no different than cooking on gas at home.

If you really want a website... try www.rei.com

Yup, first one that pops up... a 2-burner Colman $59.95 which could easily fit in the bottom of a suitcase. Then you'd only need to pick up fuel upon arrival.

Before you proceed further..
Check www.rv.net full of info and the "forum" has personal advice..

We have a 2 burner Coleman stove and cook all sorts of things on it. It is pretty thin and definitely can be put in a suitcase without taking up much room. If you are going to be doing multiple trips like this, I would buy one and take it with me rather than buying one for each trip. The fuel canisters can be purchased just about anywhere - most stores in areas in which camping is popular have them, even gas stations and mini-marts.

I'll mention one more time the butane stoves I posted about. You can buy two of them for less than a Coleman stove, and have use of them afterward if you want. No liquid fuel.
The other possibility is to buy a gas grill at WalMart Walgreen's and use it for grilling or cooking. They are about $20--use butane canisters.

We have a table top propane grill. It works great for grilling, but pretty much sucks for cooking things in pots and pans. Even boiling water takes a long time - I think it is because the flame is so far from the bottom of the cooking vessel that they just don't get hot enough.

BKP - We bought our double hobo pie maker at Bass Pro Shops. We love it and now never use the single. For our annual camping trip I order this great chicken Indian rice dish from the local Indian place and then reheat it in foil in the woods. Everyone is always so jealous!

REI rents cookstove along with other camping needs at most locations.

I have been camping all my life and I can get by with two decent pans and a supply of tinfoil, paper plates, napkins,etc and a few condiments to add to what's in the cooler. I make a variety of tinfoil packets to put on the bbq with vegies, meat, etc. Also, if you are traveling in between camping, don't pass up the local diner or pizza place that looks good. You really only need one major meal a day. Then we have cold cereal, fruit, yogurt, sandwich stuff, cookies and snacks and some milk for breakfast and lunches. Most of all, have a great time seeing the USA on the scenic back roads.

You guys are great- I posted this question last night and I have so many replies- I am so grateful for all the help.
I spent 33 years working 15 hours a day in my own restaurant business- I feel like a bird out of a cage or someone out of a prison sentence--lol. I am finally able to have weekends- see the world- and sleep as late as I want = etc etc etc.
Looking forward to the future and glad I found this site that can help me make good choices in my travel experiences- thanks!!!

Are you sure the place you're renting the RV from, doesn't rent equipment as well?

Read this thread yesterday morning and last night heard radio ad for local social services agency for homeless. Camping equipment was one of the requests. So if you buy a stove at your destination, you might be able to donate it to the homeless. Some of the campgrounds we've visited have a swap area. You can ask the campground hosts. I bet there is always some camper who needs a replacement or a new camper with borrowed equipment who would appreciate a free stove. It doesn't have to be thrown away. You'll have a great time visiting local supermarkets and farmers markets. I love being able to cook with local ingredients. We combine restaurant visits with cooking on our own. Happy trails!

We've done lots of camping, including flying in and renting an RV and flying in and tent camping out of a rental car. Here are my thoughts:

The one burner stoves that screw on top of a propane bottle weigh very little and you just buy the propane bottles after you get there. I took 2 and was glad to have both. Lightweight pans don't weigh much and you pack things in them so they don't really take up al that much room.

Not every Wal Mart lets you "camp" on their parking lot--ours does not.

REI, and maybe some other places rent equipment but that can be hard to find.

There will be MANY places where you will not have electricity. IMO, if you only camp where you have elec. you are missing the most beautiful places to camp. There may also be places where you can't have a fire if they are in a high fire danger time.

Here's what I took:
COFFEE POT
FILTERS
HOT PADS
CUTTING BOARD
SKILLET
PANS
KNIVES
NALGENE BOTTLE FOR COFFEE CREAM
(Nalgene is sold in camping depts--doesn't leak)
SPATULA
RUBBER SCRAPER
SERVING SPOONS
EGG HOLDER
CAN OPENER

Here's what I bought after I get there:
FIRE LIGHTER
PROPANE
LANTERN FUEL
PLATES
PLASTIC CUTLERY
PAPER TOWELS
FOIL
GALLON OF WATER
WASH TUBS -2
ICE CHEST(S)
SALT AND PEPPER
DISH SOAP
FOOD

Of course, you will have made meal plans and lists so you will stop at a store and buy groceries and your paper/plastic goods and you are set.

The best website I have ever found for any kind of camping is www.rv.net/forums----very nice, helpful people there.

Even if you do have to pay luggage fees, remember you are saving a ton of money not staying in hotels and doing lots of your own cooking. A lot of people don't think a thing about spending $150+ a night to stay in a hotel but are screaming about paying $25 for a piece of luggage/duffel bag with things you are going to use for your whole trip.

Here are a few good websites for ordering things:
www.rei.com
www.rei-outlet.com
www.campmor.com
www.walmart.com

You should be able to get just about anything you need at your local WalMart if you don't want to have to pay for shipping.

We love doing our own cooking. It's part of the camping experience and saves tons of money.

We had no trouble transporting our well used one burner stoves. I think the only camp stove that would have fuel residue is the kind where you pour liquid fuel into it versus the kinds that use a bottle. Nobody had any idea what was in the duffel bag.

If you rent an RV, it will come with a stove and probably with rudimentary cookware.

Regardless of what you're camping in, in most campgrounds you'll be able to have a campfire and cook foil packets of whatever; just like using parchment packets in an oven. he scouts have lots of great recipes for these.

Another thing you might want to bring along is spices. If you plan out a menu of things you'd like to cook before you go, that will make shopping much easier and you'll know what spices you need. Just put the amount you'll need in a baggie. If a recipe uses a combination of spices, you can mix the spices together and label it.