Build the Perfect Camp Kitchen

🍳 BUILDING THE PERFECT DISPERSED CAMPING KITCHEN

Hello campers! 👋

One of my favorite parts of camping is the food.

There’s just something about making breakfast outside with a cup of coffee nearby that makes even a simple meal taste better.

But when you're dispersed camping, there's no picnic table waiting for you. No sink. No electricity. And the nearest store might be a long drive away.

The trick isn't bringing your entire kitchen with you. It's building a simple camp kitchen that has everything you need—and nothing you don't.

🏕️ START WITH A GOOD COOKING SETUP

For most trips, you really don't need much.

A basic setup might include:

• Camp stove
• Fuel
• One skillet
• One pot
• Spatula or cooking spoon
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Lighter or matches
• Plates, cups and utensils

That's enough to make everything from bacon and eggs in the morning to burgers, tacos or chili for dinner.

Keep all of it together in one tote or box. When it's time to go camping, grab the box and your kitchen is basically packed.

🔥 DON'T RELY ON THE CAMPFIRE

Cooking over a fire is one of the best parts of camping—but I wouldn't make it your only option.

Fire restrictions can change quickly, especially when you're camping on BLM or National Forest land.

Weather can also ruin your plans.

A small propane camp stove gives you a dependable backup when a campfire isn't an option.

Just remember to use stoves and cooking equipment in a properly ventilated outdoor area and follow current local fire restrictions.

💧 WATER IS PART OF YOUR KITCHEN

When you're dispersed camping, there's usually no faucet nearby.

You'll need water for drinking, cooking, cleaning dishes and washing your hands.

It's surprising how quickly you can go through it.

Bring more than you think you'll need, and I like the idea of keeping drinking water separate from water used for washing and cleanup.

It makes managing your supply much easier.

🧊 KEEP COLD FOOD COLD

A good cooler setup can make or break a longer trip.

Pre-chill your cooler before leaving home and start with food that's already cold or frozen.

Instead of constantly opening the cooler trying to decide what to eat, have a rough meal plan before you leave.

Another trick is keeping drinks in a separate cooler. Everyone can grab a drink without letting warm air into the cooler holding your food all day.

☕ DON'T FORGET THE COFFEE

Maybe this one isn't technically essential...

But I'm putting it on the list anyway.

There aren't many better ways to start a camping morning than sitting outside with a hot cup of coffee.

And you definitely don't need electricity to make a good cup.

⭐ GEAR PICK OF THE WEEK

☕ Camp Coffee Percolator

For a dispersed camp kitchen, I like keeping things simple—and a good old-fashioned percolator fits perfectly.

Add water and coffee, put it on your camp stove, and you've got hot coffee without needing electricity, chargers or another gadget taking up space.

It's also hard to beat waking up on a cool morning, firing up the stove and smelling fresh coffee brewing at camp.

👉 Check out the camp percolator:

☕ THIS ISSUE IS SPONSORED BY MKC OUTDOORS COFFEE

Of course, a percolator isn't much good without some great coffee to put in it.

MKC Outdoors Coffee is coffee made for people who would rather start their morning looking at mountains, forests and campfires than sitting in traffic.

Whether you're brewing a pot at home or firing up the camp stove miles from the nearest campground, start the morning with a good cup of coffee.

👉 Check out MKC Outdoors Coffee:

🧼 CLEANUP DOESN'T HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED

Bring a small wash basin, biodegradable soap where appropriate, paper towels and plenty of trash bags.

Wipe food residue from dishes before washing them. It saves water and makes cleanup much easier.

Most importantly, don't dump food scraps or dirty dishwater right beside your campsite or near a water source. Follow the rules for the public land you're visiting and Leave No Trace recommendations for disposing of wastewater.

🐻 FOOD STORAGE MATTERS

You're probably not the only one interested in what's for dinner.

Depending on where you're camping, food can attract everything from mice and raccoons to bears.

Don't leave food, trash or other scented items sitting around overnight.

Some areas require specific bear-resistant food storage, so check the regulations for your destination before leaving home.

📦 BUILD A "CAMP KITCHEN BOX"

This might be my favorite tip.

Instead of packing your kitchen from scratch before every trip, build one dedicated camp kitchen box. Mine is a Craftsman VersaStack tool box.

Keep things like:

• Cooking utensils
• Can opener
• Lighter
• Aluminum foil
• Paper towels
• Trash bags
• Seasonings
• Zip-top bags
• Dishwashing supplies
• Coffee supplies

inside permanently.

When you get home, clean everything, replace what you used and put the box away.

Next trip? Grab it and go.

💡 QUICK CAMPING TIP

Plan your first night's dinner before you leave.

After driving for hours, finding your campsite and setting everything up, you probably aren't going to feel like preparing an elaborate meal.

Make that first dinner something easy.

Save the big camp breakfast for the next morning when you can slow down, fire up that percolator and enjoy it.

🌲 NOW YOU JUST NEED A PLACE TO COOK

Once your camp kitchen is packed, it's time to find somewhere to use it.

Camping in the USA helps you discover free and dispersed camping locations across the country, including GPS coordinates and information to help you plan before you leave.

👉 Find your next free campsite:

📬 QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What's the one food you ALWAYS make when you go camping?

Hit Reply and let me know. I'm especially interested in those ridiculously simple camp meals that somehow taste amazing when you're eating them outside.

See you out there!

Kevin

Camping in the USA

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