Food is one of the best parts of hiking. You spend most of your time on the trail dreaming about your next meal. And weight is one of the worst parts of hiking. If you’ve overloaded your pack, it’s going to come back to haunt you.

This is why getting your hiking cookware right is so important. It determines the ease and enjoyment of your food on the hike. And it also contributes to the weight of your pack.

The way I think about cooking gear is:

It should be as lightweight, compact and minimal as possible without limiting your cooking options too much. 

Basically, I like to eat well when I’m hiking and I want my cookware to be up to the task. But I don’t want to be lugging too much weight in my pack. It’s all about balance.

So, in summary… your hiking cookware should be:

• Lightweight so you’re not carrying unnecessary weight in your pack 

• Compact so it’s not taking up too much space in your pack

• Minimal so you don’t have more bits and pieces than you need 

• Functional so you can cook a variety of meals on your hike 

With the right lightweight camp kitchen, you can cook real meals on the trail just like you would at home.

1. Hiking Stove 

Your stove is the foundation of your cooking setup. If you’re new to hiking, you might be surprised how functional these small hiking stoves are as they’re not much to look at. But with a bit of creativity, there’s not much you can’t cook with them. 

I highly recommend going with a compact canister gas cooker. Either one of the really simple ones that aren’t much bigger than a muesli bar, or an integrated one that has a built-in heat exchange system and wind protection. I’ve used both and I’m currently running the Bushbuck Tomahawk Jet Cooker, which is an integrated system.

These types of hiking stoves simply screw into a gas canister and you can balance a small pot or frypan on top. 

We have a full guide to choosing a camping cooker for hiking, which can help you with finding the right option for you.

2. Fuel Canister

Of course, you’ll need some fuel for your cooker. You can pick up a butane fuel canister at most outdoor and hardware stores. The most common size is 230 grams which should be enough for one person for up to five days, but you can also get 450 gram canisters for longer trips. 

I always pack a little more fuel than I think I’ll need. 

3. Lighter and Matches 

Next, you’ll need something to light your gas cooker. Your stove might have a built-in piezo igniter, but don’t rely on it. I always carry two extra lighters (just in case one gets lost or wet). I’ve also been known to carry matches as an extra back-up.

4. Cooking Pot

Forget about your heavy, dense stainless steel pots in the kitchen and get yourself a lightweight camping pot. You can get these at most outdoor stores. 

If your parents have a beat up, old pot (or “billy” as they’re sometimes called) feel free to use that. But these modern pots are really handy for packing down nice and compactly. You can usually fit your cooker inside the pot to save space in your pack. 

The main thing to consider is what size you need. I reckon 900ml is about right for one person and 1.5L for two. 

5. Frypan (Optional)

I don’t always bring a frypan, but when I do, I’m glad I did. A small non-stick pan with a folding handle is perfect for eggs, sausages, or pancakes. I’ve even been known to lug an eye fillet up to a hut for dinner with zero regrets.

It is a bit of a luxury to have a fry-up at the hut or campsite, but if you have the space and don’t mind the extra few grams of weight, it’s well worth it. Just don’t bring the 30 centimetre behemoth from your kitchen like my mate did once because he wanted to fry up potatoes for the group. Luckily, that was just for an overnight hike.

6. Bowl and Plate

If I had to choose one, I’d take a bowl. It's more versatile—soups, curry, porridge, and stews all work better in it. Titanium or collapsible silicone are good options. Some hikers eat straight out of the pot to save weight, and that’s fine too. But I like to have a dedicated bowl for cleanliness and sharing food when hiking in a group.

7. Mug or Cup

There’s something about sitting at camp, boots off, holding a hot mug of coffee or tea as the sun goes down. I usually carry a lightweight enamel mug, but it’s not the best for hot drinks as it burns my lips. One of these double-walled mugs could be a good option. Just go with something that’s not easily breakable. 

8. Cutlery

This is the thing I probably forget most often when I go hiking. I’ve had to eat my food with my hands or a couple of sticks more than once. I’m not fussy when it comes to cutlery and usually just pack a spoon and fork from home and carry a pocket knife for all my cutting needs (cheese, salami, veggies). 

A lot of hikers use sporks, a combination of a spoon and fork. Whatever floats your boat, as long as you have something to eat with.

9. Coffee Maker

I don’t function without a morning coffee and I don’t drink the instant stuff. If coffee is important to you, you may want to consider bringing a dedicated coffee maker. Something like an AeroPress is quite popular with hikers, but there are quite a few portable coffee makers on the market today. Some camping pots have compatible coffee plungers, which is quite a convenient option. Some people might say coffee is a luxury on an adventure, but I reckon it’s an essential. 

10. Clean-Up Kit

After a long day, scraping burnt food off your pot with a stick is not how you want to end the night. These days, I bring a small scrubber, a small cloth for drying my dishes, and a mini bottle of biodegradable dish soap. I’ve used river sand and moss in a pinch, but a proper clean-up kit makes life easier and your gear lasts longer.

To add to this, I’d say make sure to bring a rubbish bag for disposing of your food scraps and packaging. Carry out what you carry in.

11. Non-Essentials

Some other non-essential items you might want to take with you include:

• A lightweight cutting mat

• A small container for leftovers 

• A spatula or tongs

This hiking cookware set-up gives me the flexibility to boil water, cook real food (not just freeze dried meals), brew proper coffee, and clean up without hassle. Everything packs down neatly and tucks into my pack.

Good hiking cookware isn’t about carrying more, it’s about carrying the right tools. There’s a big difference between the kind of camp kitchen you can take with you on a road trip and the kind you can take on a hike, but it takes time to get your set-up just right.

Build a system that works for you. Refine it over time. And feel free to get creative with the kind of food you’re cooking up on your adventures.

Explore Bushbuck camp cookware