EDITORIAL 1 – TOP TIPS FOR YOUR CAMP KITCHEN

Sharing meals with friends and family while camping in a stunning setting must be one of the greatest outdoor pleasures in the world. It creates memories that’ll live with you for the rest of your life, so you must get it right. Follow our top tips for a great camp kitchen experience, and you’ll have no excuses for not producing quality food. ​

Plan before you go​

Your meal or menu plan will help determine how much food to pack for the trip or adventure. This useful plan also helps reduce food wastage and tells you what cooking gear to pack so that you only take what you’ll use. For example, if your plan says that Friday is pizza night, it might be a good idea to pack the Cadac Pizza Stone and pizza dough. Stackable tubs and the Front Runner Dometic Wolf Pack Pro will help you to be organized and keep ingredients fresh. ​

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Before you head off camping, you can prepare food, such as chopping onions or slicing peppers, and store it in a Dometic-powered cooler. You can also store a pre-cooked stew, curry, or Bolognese in the freezer compartment of your powered cooler. Pre-measure the spices you’ll need for your meals and put them in space-saving containers. ​

Open sky cooking expert Sarah Glover says we can learn much from the fresh produce in the area we travel through. “If you can’t find what you are looking for, why not try something local? Not only does it add to the sense of adventure, but it also supports the local communities.” ​

Keep it simple. ​

Get a reliable gas cooker and think of one-pot meals, as there are many great one-pot recipes. A good cast iron pot and pan is a good start for gear. Depending on the weather and availability of wood or briquettes, you can cook on a fire, too. Hamburgers, hotdogs, and food in foil are easy to do on the coals. If you have the time, try using a cast-iron potjie or Dutch oven; they are great for stews, roasts, or baking bread on a campfire. ​

You don’t need much to make tasty meals—just the right ingredients. We asked Sarah what two pieces of cooking gear she never hits the road without: “When camping, I always take a propane portable cooker and a kit to make a fire”. ​

Tried and tested​

While it may be nice to experiment and try new things in the kitchen, you need time, a recipe, and the right ingredients. There’s nothing wrong with doing a trial run at home. When camping, stick to your tried and tested options or the things that your friends and family love. Take along all the things you love using when cooking outdoors. If camping in the cold, ensure that there are at least two fire cooking options in your group, one to cook on and one to keep everyone warm.​​

When it comes to Sarah’s gear, reliability is non-negotiable. “You need to pack the right stuff. I use certain equipment for its versatility and durability; it needs to withstand the rough elements of the wild.” ​

Get organized ​

This will make the difference between enjoying the camp cooking experience and not enjoying it! You don’t want to be stressed while trying to find things. You want to be able to enjoy the experience, so ensure your gear and food are organized and well-stored. Read the recipe and get all the necessary ingredients and gear before cooking. You don’t want to have to get a key ingredient off the far end of a dusty roof rack while in the middle of cooking. ​​

The Front Runner Dometic Under Rack Table is the perfect large surface to help you get organized. Make it the centerpiece of your mini-kitchen with designated zones for cooking, prep, serving, and cleaning up. Make sure it’s protected from the wind and rain. The Front Runner Dometic Drop Down Table is a game-changer and a useful compact kitchen surface. ​​

Clean and tidy ​

No one likes waking up at a campsite with dirty dishes and bottles everywhere. Ensure everything is cleaned after use and returned to its proper place. Keep your workspace clean, especially when cooking meat, chicken, or fish. The following Front Runner Dometic products will help you achieve this: a Bin Liner Holder, a Foldaway Washing Bowl, and a Pro Water Tank. Get water out of this tank when you need to clean up, and the environment will thank you for using eco-friendly soap. Lastly, don’t forget to organize your trash: make sure you can separate recycling, compost, and other waste types.

Be patient ​

Especially if cooking on a fire, it takes time to get it to the right temperature to cook what you want. You don’t want to burn things; you’ll learn how to get it right with time. Make a big enough fire, so you have enough quality coals to cook everything you need.”​

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Always safety first​

Make sure everyone in your camping party knows the location of your fire extinguisher, a must-have for any outdoor cooking setup. Familiarise yourself with the local regulations regarding cooking with gas or on an open fire. Some places don’t allow it at all. ​

Don’t tease the local wildlife with the smells of meat or fruit, as they’ll come and look for it when you are asleep. Also, ensure your tent and kitchen are properly closed when heading off for an activity, as you never know who (or what) might crawl into it. ​

The above tips are guaranteed to elevate your camp cooking capabilities, and your fellow adventurer’s stomachs will be eternally grateful. From planning and prepping to cooking and cleaning, every step is an opportunity to make your outdoor adventures memorable. Time to gear up and be organized and let the great outdoors provide the perfect backdrop for your next culinary creation. Happy camping and happier cooking!