A camp cookware set is the heart of every outdoor kitchen. Get the choice right and a kettle, pot and pan will last you ten years of trips. Get it wrong and you'll be back at the supermarket halfway through your first weekend.
Start with group size, not gear size
If you cook for one or two people, look for a 1.0-1.5 L pot and a kettle around 0.8 L. Couples doubling as gift-buyers should size up to 1.8-2.5 L. Anything bigger than three people needs a dedicated 4 L pot plus a separate kettle so brews don't queue behind dinner.
Anodised aluminium vs stainless steel
Anodised aluminium heats up fast, weighs little and forgives a clumsy pack. Stainless steel handles abuse better, scratches less and is the right choice if you cook over an open fire. Most weekend campers are happiest with anodised aluminium; van-lifers and overlanders should look at stainless.
Foldable handles save space
The cheapest space upgrade in your kit is a set with foldable handles. You'll pack everything inside the largest pot and save the boot for what really matters: more tea bags.
What to leave out
Skip oversized plates, novelty mugs and any cookware with non-stick coatings that flake. They look great on day one and disappointing on day three. Read our field-tested cooking tips for the kit we actually pack on real trips.