Solid cooking kit

[hillbilly]

I'm overhauling my camping kitchen kit this year and want some heavy duty stuff. After my last 2 kettles gave up the ghost, I'm looking for something that will last. It needs to be solid enough to be used over a fire but ideally would have a handle that is not just metal as I know I would endlessly forget to use a cloth to pick it up and burn my hands

Now pans. We had this which was great and lasted a few years but I would like something a bit more sturdy.

Any suggestions?

[TheFantasticMrsFox]

We take a small Le Creuset type pan for cooking over the fire and then rely on a couple of very cheap Wilkinsons saucepans for everything else as I'm not concerned when they need throwing away.

[CampingClaire]

We have a cast iron skillet and a Dutch oven but also use a cheap as chips non stick pan from Aldi for a lot of stuff!! Husband treated us to a kettle from Netherton Foundry...Its fab but luckily I didn't know how much it cost till recently. It is worth it though and if you've an Aga at home it can dual purpose. I'm expecting it to outlive me it's so sturdy...and so am I!!

[yellowdinosauragain]

What about a storm kettle? If you like Campfire cooking it's perfect alongside.

[hz]

Doesn't help with the non-metal handle thing but we bought a really solid stainless steel casserole pot and frying/saute pan from Ikea. They have a really thick base and have been great over the fire. Not expensive either. Here is the pan. Recommend!
Can't hope with kettle though, we have same cheapy we bought when we first started camping before kids, it has lasted to be fair, but we tend not to use if on the campfire.

[hillbilly]

Thanks everyone. CampingClaire - I love that kettle. Currently thinking of these pans.

Storm kettle not my cup of tea - pardon the pun - as often need a couple of litres for hot water bottles.

Question is, I also use my kettle and pans on the single ring gas burner. If I have heavy duty gear will it use a lot more gas to heat things or will the thicker base actually be of benefit?

I'm probably over thinking the whole thing, but with no camping set till August, what's a girl to do?

[Takver]

I'd look again at a large storm kettle - its so quick to use that you can easily boil 2 lots of water in far less time than it would take one kettle on a fire. I've got a 1.5 litre stainless one, and could boil 3 litres of water in well under 10 mins, as the second refill always comes up much quicker than the first.

[CampingClaire]

Oh hillbilly.... I love those skillets and what a good price!! We have one of these tinyurl.com/ltw4lpu as our new camping toy this year so I'm on the lookout for pie irons that can fit inside. You can get a water heater for the side so we have instant hot water when it's lit. It easily heats hot enough for coffee making but I guess to boil water for tea would take a little longer. I shall experiment in garden later as we're using it on the patio when we're not camping!! Roll on the school holidays!!!
I do want those pans too though...they'd look so good on top of it!! I'm off to explore their site now!
I maybe would listen to Takver about the larger Kelly kettle as we have one of them too and they are really quick. Although I think you really just want a beautiful kettle and are looking for reasons to buy one!!!!

[CharmQuark]

oooh, I like this for those of you with tripods

I like those skillets, too - but would get them from one of the Indian shops in Tooting where they have all sorts of fantastic inexpensive cooking pans like that.

[CharmQuark]

temptation...

[CampingClaire]

CharmQuark I think it looks fab!! Unfortunately no Indian shops anywhere near us!! Can I ask a stupid question...how are you doing those highlighted links? I'm a technophobe so make the answer easy steps!!!

[hillbilly]

Funny you should mention tripods - DH was murmuring about them the other day. However, the idea of having a bigger car is to have more space not to fill it! Claire you're right - I do just want a lovely kettle

See the section below for the info on links

[CampingClaire]

hillbilly ....I've looked at below again and finally...I get it!! I'm so dim sometimes! Now I need something to send people to so I can try it!!

[yellowdinosauragain]

Hillbilly check out the landmann tripod bbq.not as strong as the others linked but collapses pretty small so if space is the issue...

[hillbilly]

Seriously you're not helping guys - this year I have bought a Weber Go Anywhere BBQ and a new firepit. Haven't even used the bbq yet!

Great camping porn though so perhaps keep it coming

[CharmQuark]

My new Go Anywhere has had 3 outings so far - none camping though. Yet!

I am very protective of it - I washed it inside and out after use.

[goforgold123]

Kirtley Kettles are fab, we just sit ours in the fire and it boils in no time. They come in loads of sizes we went for the 5 litre and it is great for us. I thought it was expensive at the time but everything else had plastic parts and this one doesn't
//www.campfirecooking.co.uk is good if you want good quality kit. I bought a tripod and dutch oven from there last year.

[hillbilly]

Thanks goforgold123 - more camping porn! I just love it all

[2Kids2Cats1Dog]

Those of you who use campfires to boil your water or cook, what do you do in the morning/day when you want a cuppa? I imagine when you wake up you don't get a campfire going, plus when camping it is usually hot weather so you wouldnt have a fire then..would you?! Do you take 2 types of pan/kettle/fuel?

We have a fire in the evening by the tent which is lovely as it can get very cold at night in August, but have never seen a fire on a campsite in the afternoon.

[yellowdinosauragain]

I've got a Kelly kettle which boils water in only a few minutes. I use that to boil water rather than the Campfire but do all the rest of my cooking on the Campfire or Cobb depending on where I am.

Don't know why my predictive text wants a capital c everytime I write Campfire...

[hillbilly]

2kids - we have a single burner gas stove for exactly that reason. First teas and coffees of the day, quick porridge if it's cold.

[hillbilly]

Charmquark - if you happen to see the skillets let me know how much and I might pop over!