camp cookware

[ScouterMom]

I have an old aluminum camping cookset that my parents used for canoe camping 30 yrs ago.  it is NOT non-stick, except for the frying pan/lid which has a detachable handle.  it has the old 'teflon' non-stick coating, (now somewhat scratched up) and while I use it occasionally, mostly, I just use it as a lid for the largest pot.  I do have a silverstone griddle I use for most frying - things like french toast or grilled cheese, etc.   For almost anything I want non-stick for, I use my Dutch ovens.  I do have a smaller DO - about 9-10" across, that I use for my smaller meals, saving the large one for things baking, lasagna, etc.  The small size makes it not as heavy and hard to handle.

I had to learn how to properly season a DO to make it non-stick, but once you get the hang of it, it is well worth the effort.  

As someone mentioned above, cooking things with too high a heat is often a problem in camping cooking.  Esp in using a campfire, it is hard to regulate the heat.  Coals work best (either charcoal briquets or wood coals, if you can let your fire burn down to cook on it) Cooking on open flames is not easily controlled.

CAst iron has the advantage of evening out your heat, unlike thinner steel or aluminum, which can heat and cool quickly.

If I had to buy pots and pans for camping - I would probably scout garage sales for old Revere Ware, Stainless Steel cookware.  the copper bottoms regulate heat and those old pots are TOUGH.  if you pick up a few that are a bit dented, or have burned-on stuff in the bottom, try cooking some tomato sauce in them - it will usually get a most of the burn marks off the inside.

I have a set of Revere Ware that belonged to my grandmother ( a frying pan, couple of sauce pots, and a large double handle soup pot) - it's more than 50 yrs old and has outlasted every other pot my family has had.   I sometimes take one of these along camping, but as i use them at home everyday, they don't stay in the camper.  Plus, because of the handles, they don't 'nest' and I prefer space saving when camping.

laura