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Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon, Sedona, & the Southwest

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Home/Equipment Guide/Backcountry Kitchen Gear

Backcountry Kitchen Gear

Summary: Only take what is absolutely necessary! You don’t need to have extra utensils and dishes. Truly think of what you NEED and take only those! Double up where possible.

The kitchen seems to be one of the hardest areas for people to exercise control, in both equipment and food. They see those wonderful new nesting pot sets and feel the need to bring every single one along with them. Heaven forbid that they should break up the set—it wouldn’t look as good or nest as perfectly if every piece wasn’t there. Besides they’ve paid good money for them—there’s no way they’re going to leave any of them behind! Never mind the fact that all they will have to do is boil water! So why take along the frying pan and three different saucepans? Then they load up with dishes like cups, plates, bowls, and full sets of silverware.

Having all of this stuff is great for car camping, but when you carry everything on your back, every extra ounce is your mortal enemy. Don’t get in the habit of thinking, “But it’s only a few ounces.” Pounds are made up of ounces! It absolutely amazes me to see the stuff people will carry; often without any thought whatsoever to what they will actually need!

While instructing backcountry courses for the Grand Canyon Field Institute, the backpacker’s kitchen was the area I could reduce much of the weight from the participants’ packs. So avoid these mistakes and even help your pocketbook by determining what items are essential. Purchase and carry only what you will need.

Two of the most important kitchen topics are food and stoves. Since they are so important, I felt it best to cover them on their own pages. In Backcountry Food, I discuss what types of food are best for your backpack trip, both for ease in preparation as well as in being most satisfying on the trail.

In Backpacking Stoves, you’ll find information on the types of stoves available to the lightweight backpacker and the pros and cons of each style.

If you’re interested in being more creative on the trail with your food, be sure to visit the Camper’s Cookbooks page to learn about some of the best cookbooks available for learning about dehydrating, packing, and preparing your own meals on the trail.

Of all of the utensils available to the backpacker, I use only a large soup spoon or “spork.” Nothing else! Think about it carefully, we’re not worrying about Mother telling you not to eat out of the pan! I will boil water for my hot drink first, followed by the preparation of the meal in the saucepan. I eat the meal right from the pan. This has the added benefit of cutting back on washing extra dishes as well.

There is no need to carry a fork; most backpacking foods don’t require the use of one. A Lexan spoon is very lightweight and will not melt or break, and they are available in most backpacking supply stores. Unlike the metal ones (which are heavier anyway) the Lexan spoon will not get too hot to handle. I use the larger soup spoon size rather than the teaspoon.

After you’ve planned the kind of food and stove you will be using, it is time to decide on your dishes and utensils. Many people make the mistake of carrying too many dishes. I carry three items. . . that’s all! I use a lightweight, insulated mug with a lid, a large Lexan spoon, and a saucepan with a lid. I also carry a pocket knife which comes in handy for many things.

When you are sharing your meals with a companion, all they should need is another cup, bowl, and a spoon. How do you eat noodles without a fork? Simply break the pasta into spoon-size bites before cooking.

If your saucepan doesn’t come with a lid, just use a piece of foil. I know it might seem complicated at first, but believe me, the weight you save will make it worth the effort.

For some great ideas and guidelines for choosing your kitchen equipment, be sure to check out Gretchen McHugh’s book, Hungry Hiker’s Book of Good Cooking. This cookbook covers stoves, food dehydrators, dishes, and water bottles, as well as tips on menu planning for both short trips to long journeys with different sizes and types of groups, including children. Included in this marvelous book are recipes geared to the special needs of backpackers. Best of all, the recipes are made for real people with real ingredients! Be sure to check it out if you can still find it.

The best way to prevent rodents from getting into your food is to use a lightweight wire mesh Outsak® Animal Resistant Storage Bag. Available from the manufacturer, Simple Outdoor Solutions, as well as numerous retail outlets including the Backcountry Office on both rims, Grand Canyon Village Market Plaza (General Store) and more. Find out where they sell them by following this link. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Some recommended products below may include affiliate links for which I may receive a commission if purchased when clicking through. Please note that I only recommend products that I feel are worthy, and you will not pay any extra when purchasing through these links. Click here to read the full disclosure statement.


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Backcountry Food

Summary: Preparing your own food allows you to get creative and use healthy ingredients while being …

Backcountry Kitchen Gear

Summary: Only take what is absolutely necessary! You don't need to have extra utensils and dishes. …

Backpacking Stoves

Summary: Canister-type stoves are the easiest and safest to use but are more expensive and generate …

Backpacks

Summary: External frame packs tend to be less expensive, easier to fit, cooler, lighter weight and …

Boots & Footwear

Summary: Boots that have good soles made with high-quality material, such as Vibram®, which grip the …

Outdoor Clothing

Summary: Due to the low humidity in canyon country, temperatures can vary widely between night and …

Equipment Rentals & Purchase

Grand Canyon & Flagstaff Grand Canyon Outfitters - (928) 638-2262 Convenient location, the …

Flashlights and Lanterns

Whether it’s being caught out on the trail after dark, finding the latrine in the middle of the …

Seat Pads

You've heard people "trash talk"? I'm about to "tush talk." There is a lot of good advice about …

Sleeping Bags

Summary: The type of sleeping bag that will work best for you will depend most on your use. …

Sleeping Pads

Summary: Therm-a-Rest has always made of the best backpacking mattresses, both in comfort and …

Socks

Summary: Socks with plenty of cushion in the heel and toe box are important, but make sure your …

Tents

Summary: Shelter is important for more reasons than just rain and snow. Consider where you will be …

The Wonder Bucket!

Summary: A folding bucket is one of the most useful, versatile items in my pack. It is good for …

Walking Sticks & Trekking Poles

Summary: Walking sticks take much of the strain off of your lower body and joints, allowing your …

Water Purification

This section discusses water purification; its purpose and the equipment required to achieve clean, …

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