Coleman Canada

Camp Cooking Tips & Advice

1	There are two things to remember when it comes to campsite cooking: make it filling and make it easy. The best plan is to create a menu for every meal, and then write down what you'll need to prepare each item. Add salt, pepper, sugar and any other spices you like - and there's your food-packing list. Check out our checklists. It may seem tedious, but you'll be glad you spent the few extra minutes preparing at home when the rumbling in your stomach rivals the call of a lovesick bull moose.(Be sure to keep the finished menu with your food for reference at the campsite).
2	Take advantage of convenience foods. Boil-in-the-bag rice cooks up fast and easy and is well worth the few extra cents. Just-add-water foods such as soups, chili and cups of noodles make great no-cleanup meals and snacks.
3	Measure and combine dry ingredients ahead of time and put them in re-sealable sandwich bags. Remember to label the bags.
4	Insulated plastic mugs with lids you can drink through are great on camping trips. They keep hot beverages hot, cool beverages cool and insects out of everything.
5	If you plan to grill, bring a grate to put over the fire. Don't assume your campsite will have one.
6	Gather up a set of camping dishes and store them with your other equipment so they're always ready. If you're not sure what to include, go through your menu, meal by meal, and list the dishes and utensils you'll need for each one. And remember to pack what you'll need for cleanup - a dishpan, sponge or washrag, one or two drying cloths and soap.
7	Even if you've conquered the ”experienced climbers only” trail, ridden the roughest rapids and hooked the granddaddy of all catfish, a camp stove that won't light will be the most distinct memory of your trip. If you plan to cook, plan to invest in a quality camp stove.
8	Cover pots and pans whenever you're boiling or cooking. Meals will be ready faster and you will save fuel when you use lids. Lids also keep unwanted objects or creatures from landing in your food.
9	Cook meals like chili or stew ahead at home. They can be kept in a cooler and quickly reheated when you're hungry.
10	Bring small amounts of cooking supplies rather than big containers. For example, pour a few ounces of cooking oil into a re-sealable plastic jar rather than bringing the entire bottle.
11	Aluminum foil is a camp cook's best friend. Fold it into packets for steaming veggies on the grill. Wrap it around potatoes for perfectly baked spuds. Poke a few holes in it and cover your grate to keep food from falling into the fire. The uses are endless.
12	Don't forget the marshmallows.

Check back here now and again. We’ll be adding tips from time to time.