Introduction
Apart from the amazing scenery and fresh air, cooking over an open fire is one of the best things to do while camping.
Not only do meals cooked over an open fire seem to taste better, but they seem to be healthier too.
Moreover, there’s something awesome about an open fire cooking as it creates lifetime memories and makes you feel closer to your ancestors.
But, if you’re going to camp, you should invest in cookware specifically designed for cooking over an open fire.
Fortunately, we have done the research and have put together this list of the best camping cookware for open fires. Let’s get started.
How To Choose Camping Cookware For An Open Fire
Cooking over an open fire requires cookware built with solid construction and made from quality materials that can withstand an extreme heat.
The cookware made from heavy gauge metals are considered the best ones for cooking over an open flame as it’s quite rugged and sturdy and safe to use.
First of all, determine if you need a cooking set or individual pieces.
Cook sets include a number of pans, pots, and lids as well as some extras like plates, mugs, or cups. If you’re ready to splurge a cook set with extras is an excellent choice.
If you’re camping in a small group, purchase only minimal cookware that you can use on an open fire. Those camping alone can simply buy a few individual pieces like one pot and a pan.
The cookware material is another factor to consider when choosing top quality camping cookware for an open flame.
There are nonstick, cast iron, titanium, stainless steel, hard-anodized aluminum, and aluminum cookware.
8 Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire
There are hundreds of camping cookware products available on the market today, but not all of them are designed for an open fire.
We’ve found several best camping cookware for an open flame.
1. Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire – Lodge 3 Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker
Lodge 3 Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker is an essential piece of camping cookware for those who often cook over an open fire.
This cast iron cooker is notable for its durability, versatility, and design.
It’s possible to use this cast iron combo cooker as a dutch oven, a fryer, or a deep skillet.
Regardless of the food you are cooking over an open fire, you can be sure that this cast iron combo cooker will do its job perfectly.
Moreover, the lid included for the cast iron cooker will double as a griddle or shallow skillet, letting you make a couple of meals at the same time.
Made in the United States, Lodge 3 Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker features a natural easy-release finish and ensures even heating and durability.
Whether you need to sauté, sear, braise, simmer, bake, fry, or roast, this combo cooker will do the trick.
If you take care of this cast iron combo cooker in the right way, it will serve you for a long, long time. We highly recommend using it.
Click here to view Lodge 3 Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker on Amazon.com
2. Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire – Yodo Anodized Aluminum Camping Cookware Set
If you’re on a tight budget but still need a top-quality camping cookware set, consider Yodo Anodized Aluminum Camping Cookware Set.
Unlike cast iron cookware, this anodized aluminum cookware set is lightweight and portable, making it an excellent choice for backpackers.
Designed for 4 to 5 people, this camping cookware transfers the heat quickly, helping you save fuel and time.
Despite being made of hard anodized aluminum, this camping set isn’t non-stick yet it ensures healthy cooking.
Known for its durability and functionality, Yodo Anodized Aluminum Camping Cookware Set is multipurpose, meeting the requirement of camping cooking, stir-frying, frying, and boiling.
The set features one pan, three pots, a large plate, 2 medium plates, 5 bowls, a rice ladle, a soup spoon, and even a mesh storage bag and a loofah sponge.
This is a fantastic set of camping cookware that is well designed.
The foldable handles on a soup spoon, frying pan, and the pot will help you save space. Cooking in the woods has never been easier!
Click here to view Yodo Anodized Aluminum Camping Cookware Set on Amazon.com
3. Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire – Comfort Loft Open Flame Camping Cook Set
Perfect for budget-minded travelers, emerging campers, and scouts, Comfort Loft Open Flame Camping Cook Set is one of the best camping cookware for an open fire.
This is a situation where the design, top quality, durability, and versatility pair together to ensure the best cooking experience.
Made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, Comfort Loft Open Flame Camping Cook Set stands up to any type of heavy use.
You can safely cook your favorite food in the pot a campfire or camp stove without worrying about the parts of cookware melting.
Comfort Loft Open Flame Camping Cook Set isn’t cumbersome and it’s pretty lightweight, making it a better choice for short-term camping trips.
The cookware ensures successful cooking over an open fire, but there’s one drawback – it’s not non-stick cookware.
Grab some steel wool or sand to clean the cookware in case it has burnt-on grease or food.
Apart from excellent durability, this versatile cookware will serve you for many years to come.
This open flame camping cook set includes 3 separate pans and pots so if you need to cook for a large camping company you can easily do this.
Moreover, the set features fold-away handles along with a nesting design making travel and storage easier.
Click here to view Comfort Loft Open Flame Camping Cook Set on Amazon.com
4. Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire – Texsport Heavy Duty Over Fire Camp Grill
Welded of the top quality steel, Texsport Heavy Duty Over Fire Camp Grill is a versatile camping kitchen accessory that allows you to grill your food as well as cook other meals in the pot or pans.
This over fire camp grill can be used instead of a regular gas stove in the woods.
It’s versatile, sturdy, and comes in 3 sizes: extra-large, large, and medium. Texsport Heavy Duty Over Fire Camp Grill is lightweight and compact since the legs are folded underneath.
Created for outdoor fire pits, you can actually adjust it to any open fire to cook a delicious dinner.
Thanks to its heavy-duty steel mesh top, angle iron design, and strong legs, this over fire camp grill can hold heavy pans and pots with stability and ease.
Click here to view Texsport Heavy Duty Over Fire Camp Grill on Amazon.com
5. Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire – Ultralight Portable Cooking Pot/Mug Open Campfire Cookware
Made of premium grade titanium, the Ultralight Portable Cooking Pot/Mug Open Campfire Cookware is a must have.
It’s durable and versatile and can be used for making soups, oatmeal, coffee, hot chocolate and even desserts, as well as for mixing pancake batter.
It’s extremely light, super handy size, and easy to carry, making this mug an excellent option for backpackers.
Despite high durability, the Core Element’s mug is non-toxic and absolutely hypoallergenic. You can use this portable mug at home as it’s dishwasher-friendly.
The drawback is that handles of the mug can get hot during the cooking process, so it’s important to be careful.
The lid of the mug can double as a mini frisbee. When it comes to the Ultralight Portable Cooking Pot/Mug Open Campfire Cookware, the possibilities are endless.
Click here to view Ultralight Portable Cooking Pot/Mug Open Campfire Cookware on Amazon.com
6. Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire – Odoland 10pcs Camping Cookware Mess Kit
Odoland 10pcs Camping Cookware Mess Kit is one of the best camping cookware for an open fire that includes 10 pieces of high-quality cookware for two people.
The kit features tea kettle, aluminum non-stick frying pan, aluminum non-stick pot, 2 4oz stainless steel cups, knife, fork, serving spoon, and carabineer.
The kit has heat-resistant and thermally insulated plastic handles.
All cookware pieces have a non-stick Teflon coating, ensuring the kit’s durability. It’s also super easy to clean.
The cookware conducts heat fast and it cooks the food faster.
The anti-slip design provides a comfortable and firm grip in the hands.
The foldable handles help to save space. Plus, portable and small-sized objects in this camping cookware mess kit can be stored together.
Thanks to its quality, versatility, and durability, Odoland 10pcs Camping Cookware Mess Kit is ideal for hiking, camping, picnics, backpacking, and other activities.
Click here to view Odoland 10pcs Camping Cookware Mess Kit on Amazon.com
7. Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire – Camping Equipment, Wuudi Outdoor Camping Pots and Pans
Lightweight, durable, and compact, Wuudi Outdoor Camping Pots and Pans are made of aluminum, easy to clean (the set includes a great loofah cleaning sponge), and easy to store.
The cookware set is ideal for backpacking, camping, emergency preparedness, hiking, or other outdoor activities.
It can also be a part of any necessary survival kit as it weighs only 224 grams and is easily foldable.
No matter what you decide to cook – be it a vegetable stew, a comforting soup, or festive hot chocolate – you can make it in this set. This camping cookware set features a camping pot and a camping bowl.
The mesh bag is an added bonus that will help you store your cookware safely when traveling.
Plus, Wuudi Outdoor Camping Pots and Pans can work well with the twig burner stove.
There are some little drawbacks though. The pot and bowl don’t nest and the rubberized handles are too close to the flames so the plastic on them can easily melt away – if you are not careful.
You can prevent this problem by removing those rubberized handles. Overall, this set is some of the best camping cookware for an open flame.
Click here to view Camping Equipment, Wuudi Outdoor Camping Pots and Pans on Amazon.com
8. Best Camping Cookware For Open Fire – Qunlei Camping Cookware Mess Kit
If you’re looking for camping cookware for an open fire that has a ton of great features and is highly portable, Qunlei Camping Cookware Mess Kit is right for you.
This top quality set features wood burning camping stove, hard anodized aluminum non-stick pot, non-stick pan, pot cover, 3 BPA-free bowls, water bottle buckle, folding stainless steel spoon, fork, and salad knife, wooden spoon spatula, BPA-free soup spoon, nylon travel bag, and cleaning loofah.
Approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Qunlei Camping Cookware Mess Kit is absolutely safe to use for the whole family.
With the weight of just one pound, this 16-piece kit is lightweight and portable as it can be folded in a little bag.
The Qunlei cookware set is renowned for its durability and it’s an excellent choice for picnics, mountaineering, backpacking, hiking, wood camping, and even backyard camping.
The collapsible stove will make things easier. We love this cookware set!
Click here to view Qunlei Camping Cookware Mess Kit on Amazon.com
Tips For Cooking On An Open Fire
There are a few things you need to think about when looking for camping cookware.
First of all, consider if you are going to be cooking directly on top of the open flame, using coals, or setting up a grill on top of the large open flame since they all come with different needs and challenges.
Since you are planning on cooking on an open flame we recommend using cast iron if possible since it distributes heat evenly and is extremely durable, but you also need to think about how you are going to reach the hot iron skillet while it is over the pan.
However, it is heavy, so aluminum might be your best bet.
We recommend bringing specialty gloves, such as Keiby Citom Fire Resistant Gloves, to protect yourself when reaching into the open flame.
Additionally, it may sound obvious, but it is worth drilling this into your head: plastic will melt on an open flame.
Consider this when bringing utensils or looking at any cookware that has plastic or rubber parts.
Should I Get A Complete Cooking Set Or Just A Few Pieces?
As I am sure you have now noticed, camping cookware for an open fire comes in a variety of sizes and shapes and serves plenty of various cooking needs.
In our opinion there is no wrong answer, it just depends on what type of camper you are, and how much weight you can handle.
For instance, if you’re a solo backpacker, you need to choose compact and lightweight cookware.
If you’re going to opt for car camping with the family, you might choose cookware that is a larger size and weight but also provides more options and can feed more people.
What Material Is Best For Cooking On An Open Fire?
When it comes to cooking over an open fire, cast iron cookware is probably the best choice if you can handle carrying it.
The thick and heavy nature of this metal makes cast iron an ideal conductor of the heat, helping the food cook better over an open fire.
Additionally, cast iron is a much healthier cookware than other metals.
For instance, modern non-stick cookware contains Perfluorocarbons or PFCs that are highly toxic to our bodies.
Conclusion
It’s not easy to find the best quality camping cookware for an open fire, but our top 8 picks are really the cookware pieces worth investing in.
If you’re an occasional camper, no worries – you can use all sets for cooking at home as well.
Before you make your final choice though, consider your needs, camping location, and a number of people who are going to camp with you.
Camping cookware makes for a wonderful gift, as well.
Lover of hiking, nature, camping, bird calls, and more. I run ATO and do my best to provide interesting information for my readers to help make their outdoor adventures more fun.