When summer approaches, even the biggest stay-at-homes are likely to be lured outside: With a tent at a festival, a caravan to Italy or wild camping to Scandinavia – sunshine makes you want to camp. The possibilities are almost unlimited, from the small two-man tent on a campsite with three pitches to more luxurious option of luxury camping or long-term camping. There is not only something for everyone, but there is also everything allowed.

But for camp newcomers it can also be a bit overwhelming to prepare their first holiday with a tent, because there is a lot to think about: What has to go with it? What only takes up space? What should you never forget? And above all: What is there to eat? What do you need in the camping kitchen? What goes well with gas cookers and Co?

This also depends on whether you are travelling with your backpack or in a motorhome, whether you have a gas stove or grill with you, want to cook in your motorhome or on an open fire. However, there are some necessary tools you should not forget.

Basics for the camping kitchen

Apart from crockery and cutlery, which should definitely be on hand in sufficient quantity – who likes to eat soup without a spoon from a flat plate? – there are some camping basics that should not be missing in any outdoor kitchen:

• Plates, bowls, cutlery and glasses for all fellow travellers
• Best two pots and a pan (don’t forget a pair of pliers!)
• Can opener / Corkscrew / Bottle opener / Scissors (short: the Swiss Army Knife)
• A sharp kitchen knife and cutting board
• Lighters and matches
• Water boiler or kettle
• Cookware and grill utensils – spoon, spatula, ladle etc.
• sieve
• Coffee pot (French Press or espresso pots are ideal)
• aluminium foil
• A bowl set in different sizes for salad, vegetable waste, chips, fruit and much more …
• A cool box

Other things to consider:

Anyone who has ever cooked while camping remembers the moment to collect the dirty dishes for rinsing whilst noticing that without a sponge this will be an unpleasant thing. Fortunately, there are usually other travellers on a campsite who are more than willing to help out with such small necessities. But it is simply annoying to have ants overflowing the breakfast place in the morning because you had nothing to clean up the garbage from dinner. Also the breakfast juice in the glass tastes like the beer from the evening before because no detergent was taken along.

Thus, here are some basics for the hygiene and cleanliness around the camping kitchen:

• Dishwasher detergent and sponge
• rinsing bowl
• cleaning rags
• Dishtowels and towels
• Freshness bag and clips for sealing
• lockable storage containers
• Garbage bags and kitchen roll
• Linen bags and plastic bags are ideal for sorting, tidying up and transport
• All-purpose wipes, hand cleaner and hand cream

Basic ingredients for the camping kitchen

The tent is upright, the caravan is set up and now the first hunger appears: not a problem. If you have planned well, you don’t only have to have French fries on the campsite. The outdoor kitchen may not offer as many subtleties as at home, but it tastes better outside anyway. Some of the basics that shouldn’t be missing in the storeroom on the campsite are among others:

• Muesli, Cornflakes and Co
• long-life milk, coffee and tea
• Couscous, Bulgur or Polenta
• Pasta (and a glass of tomato sauce)
• soups in bags, puddings, semolina porridge or canned ravioli, when things need to go really fast
• Emergency ration: muesli bars
• oil, olive oil and vinegar, best decanted into smaller bottles
• Very important: salt and pepper
• Fresh fruit and vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and crunchy apples holdtheir own best … 

Tip: It’s worth thinking about what you might want to cook before you leave, and prepare the required spice cocktails in small glasses – you don’t have to carry so much, and everything tastes better immediately.

Even if it’s not quite the upscale kitchen, camping doesn’t mean you have to starve. Grilling, spaghetti aglio olio or tomato salad can be well prepared in the camping kitchen. You can also try one of our 5 Vegan Camping Recipes ! You are guaranteed to surprise your campingmates!