Best camp cookware, plus practical tools for making, prepping, and packing food that travels well. From cast iron and air fryers to dehydrators and jerky, you’ll also find smart gear for game prep and backpack friendly meals to take on all your outdoor adventures.
Best Camp Cookware
Excalibur 8-Tray Select Digital Dehydrator
This compact unit packs plenty of features into a small space. The digital dehydrator operates from 85- to 165ºF, with a timer that lets you run for 30 minutes to 80 hours. It has an internal light that shuts off automatically after a few minutes, a set of clear French doors with a magnetic closure, 8 dishwasher-safe chrome trays for your food, a crumb tray, and a poly screen. We made moose- and deer jerky, as well as apple- and pear chips. It performed well and dries food more quickly than other units we have used. We like that it is light and compact, making it easy to store.
West Bend 10 Quart Double Up Air Fryer
Air fryers have risen in popularity over the years, and we can see why. They allow you to get a crisp, crunchy item without the need to fry in oil, and they work quickly. In Publisher Marcus Weiner’s house are 4 strapping lads who use the air fryer regularly. So, he thought that testing a larger capacity, double unit would be more than appropriate. The boys love it. The unit offers lots of slick features: 15 fryer cooking presets, dual cook, and can be different temperatures with a range from 90- to 400ºF, an LCD display, and non-stick baskets.
LEM MightyBite Dehydrator
The LEM products website is like a rabbit hole for outdoor enthusiasts—you start out thinking you just need a little help storing your halibut, and before you know it, you’re making sausage and jerky plans, canning the garden harvest, and dehydrating anything that fits just to see how it comes out. The digital control panel on the MightyBite series allows you to set the timer up to 24 hours, and set the temperature from 95- to 167ºF. We’ve tested it on meat sticks, jerky, vegetables, and an outrageous amount of apples. This dehydrator is easy to use, easy to clean, and is available in a 6- or 10-tray size.
Old Trapper Beef Jerky (Hot & Spicy, and Teriyaki)
A fishing- or hunting trip just doesn’t seem right without beef jerky, and Old Trapper has a line of jerky products for everyone from 5 to 75, in several flavors. We tried the Hot & Spicy and Teriyaki flavors this year and the bags didn’t last long. Available in 4 oz or 10 oz bags.
JVR Vac110 Chamber Vacuum Sealer
After reviewing both the JVR Vac100 and the JVR Vac110, they are both quality machines. The JVR Vac110 would be a solid choice for any Alaskan household. It’s a sturdy, easy-to-use, commercial-grade vacuum sealer at a good price with good folks at the company providing excellent customer service. Publisher Melissa Norris keeps the JVR Vac 110 on a rolling cart in her kitchen, using it regularly for marinating and food preservation. She says it works like a champ, is super easy to use and maintain, and seals from last summer are still holding strong on her dwindling freezer stock.
Old Trapper Double Eagle Jerky
It’s tasty. The 21-ounce bag didn’t make it through 6 days on the Naknek because George ate it all in 3 days. Double Eagle jerky pieces are round jerky coins (hence the Double Eagle moniker) that are easy to eat, and a good source of protein while being relatively low on carbohydrates. This is a big bag that’s made for sharing…or not!
Yeti Cast Iron Skillet
The ability to cook well in a cast iron skillet is a life skill, worthy of taking the time to teach to the next generation. Fortunately, these skillets are so well made they will easily pass down to—and probably through—the next generation. For those who have no experience with cast-iron cooking, Yeti has all the information you need to get started, including videos. These skillets are available in 8-, 10-, 12-, and 14-inch options.
For any outdoors enthusiast, having the right gear can make the difference between a frustrating trip and a memorable adventure. From cast iron skillets that sear steaks perfectly, to dehydrators and jerky makers for preserving protein on the trail, and air fryers that bring convenience without compromise, this selection offers practical, versatile tools for every kind of outing. Whether you’re cooking at a base camp, prepping game, or packing snacks for a long hike, the best camp cookware and food prep gear ensures you can eat well no matter where the trail takes you.