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If you want the best camping experience possible, you need a Mess Kit. Mess Kits save so much space packing since you don't need to pack loads of pots and pans and all your cutlery! It's all conveniently packaged into just the essentials so you can enjoy your meals without having to lug around half the kitchen! I love them, and so I thought it would be a great idea to introduce a selection of my favourites, so you can grab one before your next trip.
How We Uncover The Best For You
We are happy to draw on our experience when we write these reviews. We also do a lot of research and get other campers' opinions. That way we hope to provide you with the best information possible to make your choice easier. We uncovered the best products to fit the relevant categories below.
Best 4-Person Mess Kit
We Chose This Because
- Enough for 4 people
- Teflon coatings
- Versatile
Things We Love:
This is a really nifty piece of kit, especially if you're cooking for 4 people! It fits together really well into a small pack and only comes out at 3.6 lbs which is ideal for a quick family trip away.
What's more, beyond the cooking equipment (including a high-quality nonstick Teflon Pan) it comes with a basin so you can wash up nicely after your bacon and eggs in the morning!
Things To Know
The mess kit includes 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 mugs and 2 pots (2L&3L), as well as a frying pan, and it all comes in a nice stuff sack. The pots and pans are made from high-quality aluminium with non-stick Teflon coatings, and they come with a detachable handle that clips into place on any of the pans, making packing and storage so much easier than bringing pots and pans from home!
Best Couples Mess Kit
We Chose This Because
- Enough for 2 people
- Practical Design
- Easy to Store
Things We Love
The complete set is made of 8 pieces and still weighs under 2 lbs! The clever design of the cookware means it is also incredibly easy to store and carry with you on long hikes - fitting perfectly into the 2L pot.
Things To Know
The set includes a 1.5L & 2L pot (as mentioned above), 2 plates, and 2 cups for your morning brew of choice. There is also a shared pot handle and a pot lid with a hole for straining and insulating lids for the cups. The 1.5 L pot is also non-stick so you can cook to your heart's content without worrying about stuff sticking to the pan.
Best Budget Mess Kit
Stanley Base Camp Mess Kit for 4
A Cracking Choice For Cheap And Cheerful Camping
We Chose This Because
- Affordability
- Interesting Features
- Easy to Clean
Things We Love
I think the Stanley Base Mess Kit is a great option for your next camping trip, you won't find much better for the price! It's super easy to clean and is made of durable rust-proof and scratch-proof stainless steel which is ideal for camping.
Things To Know
As well as a 3.5 L pot this mess kit comes with a frying pan, cutting board, drying rack and locking band to keep it all safe.
It comes with 4 plates and bowls, and on the cutlery side, it comes with a spatula, serving spoon and sporks, so you can enjoy whatever you've made from scallops to soup.
Best Ultralight Mess Kit
We Chose This Because
- Lightweight
- Simple Design
- Space-saving Features
Things We Love
I love to cook, and on camping trips that could mean bringing a heavy pot to cook in, which is a hassle to have to carry, especially if you're backpacking rather than car camping. That's why I absolutely love this Mess kit - it's made from lightweight material and weighs less than 0.5 lbs!!!
Things To Know
What's really clever is the pot lid doubles perfectly as a pan, so you save on space and weight, which I think is genius. The kit is simple and consists of a pot and pan and when you're camping light that's all you really need! There is space inside the pot for a small stove or canister, or some extra space for ingredients!
The titanium equipment is durable and rust-resistant, and the food you cook on it won't take on a metallic taste, so all your bases are covered! Go out and grab one for your backpacking adventures today.
Best Solo Camping Mess Kit
We Chose This Because
- Perfect for One
- Easy Storage
- Washing Feature
Things We Love
I could say this is the pinnacle of solo mess kits, but I'm not that cheesy... It's ideal for taking on those special trips that you can only do solo. It's designed to all fit neatly together for easy storage and comes in a waterproof container so you'll never have to worry about rain ruining your cooking equipment. As with the other mess kits featured in this article, it is super lightweight, which makes it perfect for the solo camper.
Things To Know
This incredible kit includes a 1.1L pot, a mug, a strainer lid, a folding spork and of course the waterproof sack. There is more to this list than you think, firstly the wide mug is really well-insulated and doubles as a bowl, and the waterproof sack doubles as a handy little washing-up basin.
The design of the kit makes it a must-have for your next solo camping trip.
Best Camping Mess Kit For You?
A Buyer's Guide: Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but it can be a hassle if you're not properly prepared. One essential item for any camping trip is a mess kit. A mess kit typically includes plates, bowls, cups, and utensils, and sometimes also includes a storage container.
When choosing a mess kit, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Number of Campers
Consider the number of people you are camping with. If you are camping with a large group, you may want to look at the contents of the mess kit to avoid carrying duplicates of some items which can happen when everyone has their own set.
Weight and Size
Consider the weight of the mess kit. Although less important when you are car camping, if you are camping in a remote location, you may have to carry everything with you, so it's important to choose a lightweight option. Important to take into account the number of people you're feeding. Well-designed kits allow compact packing and space-saving features are helpful when you are camping in a group.
Materials
When camping, it's important to have a mess kit that is both durable and easy to pack. Stainless steel mess kits are some of the most durable and wear-resistant on the market, but they can be heavy and inflexible, making them difficult to pack. Aluminum mess kits are tough and light, are cheaper and heat quickly. Titanium mess kits are rust-free and ultralight, but they can be very expensive. Plastic mess kits are light and can be BPA-free, but they can be heat-sensitive and difficult to clean. Silicone mess kits are reusable and easy to clean.
Contents
When choosing a mess kit for your camping trip, consider your needs and preferences in order to find the best option for you. Look for a mess kit with a pot or a pan, cup, fork, spoon, mug and bowl.
The Best Mess Kit For Camping- Your Questions Answered
We know how many decisions you will be making in preparation for your camping trip. And we understand you will have lots of questions. What we like to do in our articles is to try to address that by including a frequently asked questions section.
Your Answers Are Just A Short Distance Away, Keep Reading!
What Comes In A Camping Mess Kit?
There is no standard format for camping mess kits, it is up to you how complex you need your mess kits to be.
It can be as simple as a pot and a bowl or plate, or it can be on the more complex and more expensive end with a separate frying pan, mug, any number of pieces of cutlery, strainer, or cutting boards amongst other things.
In terms of your basic mess kit for camping, we'd recommend a pot (with a lid), a mug, as well as a plate/bowl or spork for every person.
How Do You Use A Mess Tin?
A mess tin is the saucepan/pot that comes as part of the mess kit. It can be used for frying ingredients or can be filled with water to boil.
Some mess kits will have a few different-sized mess tins which give you flexibility for your cooking. In some mess kits, the lid of the pot (as in some of the products listed above) doubles as the mess tin and can be used to fry or boil food in!
Can You Use A Mess Kit On A Stove?
Yes, often you can use the pots and pans from the best mess kits for camping on the stove. The pots and pans would be perfectly capable of handling the heat of a conventional home stovetop if they are designed to withstand the heat of a direct gas flame.
The temperature of the flames of camping stoves or campfires varies across the surface of the pan, with a hotspot directly above the flames, which are often a lot hotter than the temperatures of a home oven, so the manufacturers of outdoor cooking equipment have to bear this in mind when designing their mess kit.
While conventional pots and pans may be a better choice to cook with at home, you can safely use the pots and pans in a camp mess kit on your stove at home.
Please note, however, using an induction hob will change things as the metals that can be used on these stoves are quite specific.
Are Mess Kits Dishwasher Safe?
Many modern mess kits for camping will be dishwasher safe as they are made of sturdy materials that can handle the soapy environment of the dishwasher.
However, some mess kits are made of cast iron or carbon steel and are definitely not dishwasher safe. If you put cast iron or carbon steel in the dishwasher the non-stick surface will be removed and the surface will rust, so you will have to remove the rust and re-season your pots and pans. Not a good idea!
Our Choice For A Family Trip
Our Choice For A Couples Getaway
Our Choice For Campers On A Budget
Stanley Base Camp Mess Kit for 4
Our Choice For A Lightweight Adventure
Snow Peak Trek Titanium Mess Kit
Our Choice For Solo Expeditions
Having a mess kit is a really smart way to equip yourself for all your camp cooking endeavours. They're great for backpacking too as they are designed to be compact and easy to include in your pack. Why not have the equipment you need for a great meal in the wilderness? With the best mess kits, it's possible.
Keep Asking Questions And We Will Keep Finding Answers For You.
