Camping is fun and fulfilling. It is also exhausting, and at the end of the day all you want to do is eat a wholesome meal and rest. Fortunately, the wild offers plenty to live off; all you need are utensils to cook whatever nature gives you.
The thought of carrying a cast iron on your back is, well, exhausting, so many people settle for canned foods that are minimally nutritious and only tasty because of the hunger pangs. However, you don’t need either of this – just bring a camping mess kit and you can prepare wholesome meals as easily as if you were back home in your comfy kitchen.
Camping mess kits are light and easy to carry around, and they come with everything you need to prepare tasty and nutritious meals. Here are reviews for the best camping mess kits in 2020.
The Best Camping Mess Kit
   1. Our Pick: MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit
BEST CHOICE
1. Our Pick: MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Affordable
- Comes with a complementary recipe eBook
PROS
- It is durable
- Comes with all the utensils you need
- Lightweight and compact; easy to carry
- BPA approved
- Non-stick surface for easy cooking and cleaning
CONS
- It is not anodized
DETAILS
MalloMe is the most popular camping mess kit with most campers for all the right reasons. It comes with all the utensils you need and more, and all at one of the friendliest prices in the market.
Key Features
- Compact and Easy to Carry
This camping mess kit is lightweight – it weighs less than a single iron cast and is easily manageable by a single hiker or two youth scouts. The different utensils also fold well and fit into each other to form a small, neat, and compact package that makes it all the more easy to carry around. It also comes with its own carry pouch.
- Aluminum-Made with Non-Stick Coating
This camping mess kit will serve you for a long time thanks to its aluminum construction. The different utensils are strong enough to endure all the harsh elements of the wild. Additionally, the pot and pan are non-stick coated – this not only prevents burning but also makes cleaning quick and easy. It should also be noted that the bowls and spoons are BPA free. However, the utensils are not anodized.
- 10 Utensil Pieces
This camping mess kit comes with all the utensils you need to prepare a wholesome meal outdoors. They include: pot with one-liter capacity, frying pan, two bowls, pot cover, soup spoon, spork, wooden spatula, cleaning sponge, nylon pouch, and a recipe eBook.
- Complementary Recipe eBook
The complementary recipe eBook that comes with this mess kit contains a variety of quick and easy recipes to guide you in preparing tasty and nutritious meals. It is easy to follow even for campers whose kitchen skills are wanting.
        2. Premium Pick: REDCAMP Aluminum Mess Kit
  PREMIUM PICK
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Incredibly light and small
- Cheap
PROS
- Weighs just one pound
- Small enough to fit in small spaces
- Comes with a one-year guaranteed warranty
CONS
- Sufficient for just one person
DETAILS
REDCAMP camping mess kit is one of the lightest and cheapest mess kits you will find around. Everything about it is convenient: it is lightweight, compact, durable, and just sufficient for a one-person camping venture.
Key Features
- Lightweight and Compact
Many campers have compared this mess kit to an iPhone owing to how small it is, and they are not far off the mark. The entire kit weighs just 1 pound. Combined, the lightweight and small size make this mess kit easy to carry around – you will barely notice it.
- Five Pieces
This kit comes with five pieces of the absolutely essential utensils that include a pan, pot, bow, and spoon. It also comes with its own mesh bag that fits perfectly for easy carriage. This is convenient for carrying, but it limits usage to just one person.
- One-Year Warranty
This mess kit is smaller than most others, but it is just as durable. In fact, REDCAMP is so confident in it that it comes with a one-year guaranteed warranty.
           3. Best Value: AnimaMiracle Camping Mess Kit
  BEST VALUE
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Premium quality
PROS
- Comes with all the utensils you would need and more
- Durable and good-looking
- FDA-approved
- Cooks quickly and easy to clean
- Compact and light-weight
CONS
- The cleaning sponge doesn’t last long
DETAILS
This camping mess kit is designed for the ultimate outdoor cooking experience. With 15 pieces, it is sufficient to cook enough food for two – and perhaps three for extreme survivalists. It is also light and easy to carry in spite of the extra pieces.
Key Features
- Small and Light
The fact that this mess kit has 15 pieces doesn’t compromise its portability. The pieces are designed to fit into each other so that you carry one compact package. They are also light-weight and the convenience they offer is certainly worth the extra space and weight.
- Strong and Durable
The pot and pan are made of anodized aluminum which is strong enough to withstand all that nature has to throw your way. They are also non-stick coated to prevent food from burning – the coating also makes cleaning a breeze. What’s more, the construction of each utensil is non-toxic and FDA approved.
- Quick Cooking
The aluminum material used on the pan and pot is a good conductor of heat. To this end, cooking is a quick affair and water boils in mere minutes. This is certainly convenient after a long trek or hike when you just can’t wait to eat and rest. Â
- 15 Pieces
This mess kit comes with enough utensils for two or three campers. They include: camping stove, fire starter, pot (one-liter capacity), pot cover, frying pan, buckle for your water bottle, wooden spatula, eating spoon, soup spoon, salad spoon, cleaning sponge, nylon carrying bag.
4. G4Free Camping Mess Kit
4. G4Free Camping Mess Kit
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Light and durable
- Wide range of utensils
PROS
- More than enough utensils for camping
- Compact, small, and lightweight for easy portability
- FDA-approved
- Easy and quick to clean
- Durable
CONS
- The product is still excavated
DETAILS
No convenience is spared with the G4Free camping mess kit. It comes with 13 pieces that make cooking outdoors easy and enjoyable. Each piece is also solid and durable, and it is amazing how the company balances durability with light weight.
Key Features
- Compact and Light-Weight
This whole camping mess kit weighs just 1.3 pounds, which is incredible considering that it consists 13 pieces. It also fits into one small and compact package as the different utensils are designed to fit into each other. For instance, the pots and pan feature folding handles – the pot is even spacious enough to fit the cooking stove and fuel canister. All these pieces fit into the complementary mesh bag for easy portability.
- Anodized-Aluminum Build
The pots and pan in this mess kit are made of anodized aluminum. This material is strong and capable of enduring impacts and other harsh elements as well as light for easy portability. The aluminum is also highly conductive of heat and supports quick cooking and boiling of water – this is convenient considering that time is critical in camping.
- Non-Stick Coating
The pots and pan are coated with a non-stick layer that prevents food from burning and makes it easy to clean up after cooking.
- FDA and BPA Approved
The anodized aluminum used to make these utensils is non-toxic, and the materials used to make the other utensils are safe as well. To this end, this mess kit is approved by the FDA.
- 13 Pieces
This mess kit comes with 13 pieces: one medium pot, one small pot, 3 bowls, a mini-stove, spoon, fork, knife, wooden spatula, dishwasher, carabiner, stove bag, and mesh bag.
5. Stansport 360 Stainless Steel Camping Mess Kit
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WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Durable, small, and light
PROS
- Extremely durable
- Copper-plated for quick cooking and even heat distribution
- Compact and lightweight
- FDA and BPA approved
CONS
- It comes with only three pieces with the capacity of serving only one person
DETAILS
The Stansport 360 camping mess kit doesn’t spare any expense when it comes to durability as it is made of pure stainless steel capable of enduring falls, high-intensity impacts, and virtually everything else that nature has to throw its way. It is also surprisingly light and efficient in spite of the fact that utensils are limited only to the absolutely essential.
Key Features
- Stainless-Steel Build
This is the first mess kit on the list to feature steel construction. This also makes it the most durable kit on the list as steel is incredibly strong – it also makes it ideal for extreme campers, hikers, cyclists, and generally anyone who take outdoor escapades to the limit. The stainless steel is also resistant against rotting and easy to clean thanks to the smooth, shiny surface. Â
- Small and Lightweight
This kit weighs just 1.2 pounds in spite of being constructed using stainless steel. The utensils also fit into each other to form a small and neat package that is easy to carry around – it is so small that it will easily fit into your backpack.
- Copper-Plated Surfaces
The pot and pan are lined with copper at the bottom. The copper is a good conductor of heat and speeds up cooking. It also supports even distribution of heat so that food does not get burnt in certain spots, which is usual in camping.
- FDA and BPA Approved
There is nothing toxic about any of the instruments in this kit. They are FDA and BPA approved, and reviewers have high praises for them.
- 3 Pieces
This camping mess kit comes only with the essentials: a pot with a capacity of 3 cups (and accompanying lid), a 6.25-inch frying pan, and a plate. It also comes with a complementary mesh bag.
6. Gear4U Camping Mess Kit
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Easy to carry and use
- Affordable
PROS
- Lightweight and easy to pack
- Sufficient for two to three people
- Compatible with all popular camping stoves
- Durable construction
- Approved by the FDA
CONS
- The pot and pan are not non-stick coated
DETAILS
The Gear4U is one of the best camping kits for minimalist campers as well as scouts, bikers, and backpackers, among many other outdoor enthusiasts. It consists of 13 items and even comes with a complementary dishwasher. It is sufficient for 2 campers, and minimalists can manage to squeeze in a wholesome meal for one more person.
Key Features
- Anodized Aluminum Construction
This kit comes with a pot and frying pan that are made of aluminum. The aluminum is anodized to improve its strength and durability, so the kit should serve you well for a long time. It is also a great conductor of heat, so cooking should be quick and simple.
- Compact and Lightweight
All the items in this kit fit in together to form one neat and compact package. The kit also comes with its own mesh bag for easy carrying. It weighs about 1.3 pounds, so it shouldn’t be much of a burden.
- FDA Approved
The anodized aluminum used to make the pot and frying pan as well as the materials used to make the other items on this kit is not toxic in any form. The kit has even tested and given the BPA and FDA approval, so there is no reason to worry about your health – just make sure you pick your foods well. Â
- Compatible with Many Stovetops
This kit doesn’t come with a stove, but it is designed to be compatible with numerous stovetops. As such, choose the most popular stove and chances are it will fit in seamlessly with your pot and frying pan.
- 13 Pieces
This kit comes with 13 pieces of all the utensils you would need to prepare and enjoy a wholesome meal. They include: one pot with a lid, one frying pan, two bowls, two cups with lids, a spatula made of bamboo, two sporks, a cleaning sponge, and a complementary nylon bag.
Camping Mess Kit Buying Guide
With such a wide selection of camping mess kits to choose from, it takes a keen camper to make the right selection. Take these factors into consideration to pick just the right kit for your needs:
- Purpose
There are diverse varieties of camping, and each variety demands a specific mess kit. For instance, you need a kit that can withstand open flames if you plan to cook over an open campfire. As such, take your camping purpose into consideration before settling on a mess kit.
- Material
The material used in the construction of your utensils, specifically the pots and pans, determines many other factors including weight, durability, cooking periods, and more. Most utensils are made of anodized aluminum as it is strong and a good conductor of heat. However, steel is a better option for extreme survivalists as it is more durable.
It is also important to check whether the pans and pots are non-stick coated as it makes cooking and cleaning easy.
- Size and Number of Items
Camping mess kits come with anywhere from three to 15 items or more. This depends on how many people they are intended to serve. If you are a solo camper, then it is advisable to buy a small mess kit as it weighs less and does not take up too much space. Most other mess kits cook for a maximum of two people but minimalists can squeeze in another person.
The number of items is also important. The bare essentials include a pot, frying pan, plate, and spoon. However, extra accessories such as sporks and forks also come in handy albeit they are recommended for casual campers.
- Weight
Weight is one of the most important factors to consider in any camping mess kit. Remember that you already have a load of luggage to carry, so it is important to keep the weight down as much as possible. The recommended weight range for camping mess kits is 1 – 1.5 pounds. However, you can afford to take on more weight if you are a duo, which consequently allows you to bring more items for even greater convenience.
- FDA Approval
Some of the materials used to make these camping mess kits may be toxic and hence unhealthy – using them may cause food poisoning and lead to a wide range of complications. As such, always check to see whether the camping mess kit is FDA-approved especially if it is made of anodized aluminum.
- Price
Camping kits vary widely in prices. The price is determined by a variety of factors including the material used, number of items, and so much more. However, considering that you will be using your camping mess kit for a long time, there is no need to compromise on quality just to save a few bucks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which is the best way to clean utensils in a camping mess kit?
A: This depends on the materials used. Utensils made of stainless steel are easy to clean as there are no risks of rotting. Utensils featuring non-stick coating are also easy to clean owing to the sleek and smooth surface. However, utensils made of anodized aluminum should be cleaned with a gentle sponge immediately after use and aired out to dry to prevent water buildup, which may cause rusting.
Q: How do you carry a camping mess kit?
A: Most camping mess kits come with their own mesh bags. However, these bags are not sufficient as most campers prefer to carry just one load. As such, the best way to do it is throw the kit in the backpack with the rest of the stuff. As such, carry a large backpack and arrange your stuff in a smart manner to save as much space as possible. Store the kit at the very bottom to distribute the weight evenly and save space.
Q: What is the average acceptable size of a camping mess kit?
A: The size of your desired mess kit should be determined by your needs. However, the average size of pots in most camping mess kits is 6 inches, and most have a capacity to hold 1 to 2.5 liters of water. The size of the overall kit depends on the number of items included.