Bring cooking and kitchen outdoors

            For many people, food is always better when it's cooked outside. Here are some helpful hints to help you make the most of your camp kitchen and your outdoor cooking experience.

Simplify mealtime

            When you arrive at your campsite, find an appropriate area for cooking away from leaves, twigs, brush or anything flammable (including your tent) and sheltered from the wind. Your camp stove should be set up in a sturdy place where you have room to cook. Because you will not have access to a full kitchen, you need to put some forethought into your menu. Plan meals that can be cooked in one pot. Use lids for pots and cookware so that food will cook faster and will also stay warm while you prepare other items.

What you can do in advance

            You can save time by pre-cooking some items and storing them in your cooler. You should bring two coolers. In one, keep items that you will use frequently such as drinks and snacks and in the other, keep meal items. This will help to keep everything cold and keep ice longer.

            Before you leave home, pre-chill the contents of your cooler for maximum cooling efficiency. Keep your cooler in the shade and cover with a wet white towel to help keep the contents cool longer.

Good practices

            Covering your cooking area with a tarp at night will help to protect it form heavy dew or rain. Put food items in your car at night. Do not discard biodegradable items in the woods or campgrounds as they will attract unwanted insects and animals.