Cookware Question

[Cudedog]

As most of you know, I finished my cargo-van-to-camper-van this past August. It is something beyond a "camper" but far less than a "motorhome".

And it suits me just fine.

Cooking will be done outside, in a small pop-up screen tent (or on my small, fold-up aluminum table) on a Coleman 2-burner camp stove. Certainly adequate for me, or for myself and a friend.

I am still outfitting the van, and the "camp" cookware that I have looked at leaves a lot to be desired. Most of it is too lightweight for it to cook well (without burning stuff - not enough metal on the bottoms) and I really dislike all types of "teflon" coated cookware for health reasons, and refuse to buy it.

I have cooked with stainless steel cookware most of my life, and really prefer this type. Since it will mostly be just me, I don't need a lot of pots and pans (probably just three pieces - two pots and a skillet).

This is what I am looking at currently:


The pots are small, but heavy-bottomed. Good for cooking. But a bit pricy! This particular brand is "Rosle".

I would very much appreciate hearing about your cookware preferences, brands, if you chose something different then changed (even if you chose teflon coated!), and why you chose what you chose.

Thanks in advance!

Northern California Anne

[JudyJB]

I love my set of nestable, removable handle stainless cookware. There are three saucepans that fit inside one another, a small Teflon frying pan, and a larger non-tefon frying pan. These all fit into one cubic foot and have three handles and perforated lids for all of the sauce pans, plus plastic storage lids. Can't remember the brand, but I got them on sale for $125 and they are very heavy and high quality. I think they originally sold for $250. They are sold at boat and RV shows.

However, I do have to admit I had to buy a griddle to cook pancakes on.

[MelissaD]

No Teflon in our house. We too like the stainless with a good thick bottom. We also like cast iron. Nothing beats a well seasoned cast iron pan. Since you will be doing most your cooking outside have you considered a Dutch Oven and cooking with your campfire? I love to cook (actually have a degree in culinary sitting in a bookcase somewhere ) and have found a real joy in campfire cooking. What a lost art that is. We also carry two aluminum sauté pans I got at Sam's club, a medium and small sauce pan along with a cheap stock pot to boil water in and cook pasta. Cast iron Dutch oven, frying pan and a griddle.

All but the stock pot and Dutch oven fit in the dish drain board and fit in a cupboard while we travel. The Dutch oven travels with the grill/campfire stuff and the stock pot goes in the panty (with the 1st Aide Kit inside it to save space). Yes, I realize I probably have more storage than you but I hope you get the idea.

Goal is to figure out what you need and don't take anything else. Easier said than done many times.

Also we found that the replacement BBQ grill grates they sell at Walmart fit inside the lip of a truck rim that so many campgrounds use as fire pits. A couple of cheap c-clamps will often adapt it to other styles of fire rings, otherwise they often have a grate built in.

There is also an inexpensive tripod grill you can buy for about $30 at Walmart that works great and folds up easily into its original box.

Have fun, it is part of the adventure

[JoanE]

I have a non-stick skillet and grill pan, a very small crockpot which I rarely use, a heavy enamel pot for chili or pasta, which I rarely use. My best and most used piece is my Lekue silicone
steamer basket. I make eggs, veggies, seafood and dessert in it. It cooks pasta and rice. Most meals are done in 10 minutes or less and taste great. It is used in a microwave.

[Bethers]

I have the nestable cookware like Judy's. It's a good quality stainless and takes up so little space.

[rvgrammy1953]

I have 1 small sauce pan, 1 med.sauce pan, 1 dutch oven...Ernie has 1 cast iron fry pan and 1small fry pan with a larger one for his other frying...we have an electric griddle and an electric fry pan....along with 3 sizes of crock pots....good thing we got storage.... But Ernie loves to cook so this keeps him happy and me just doing the cleaning up after he cooks....I do have some baking pans...small cookie sheet, 1 6 muffin "muffin pan", a mini muffin pan, a pie plate, 1 9" x 9" glass cake pan, 2 9" round cake pans and 2 4" "cheese cake" pans.....we used alot of these items when we were camp hosting....not as much now, but you never know when we may need them... As those who have met Ernie, know that he sure likes to entertain...and to cook....

I guess the answer on which ones and how many to pack would depend on space for storage and what you enjoy using....use to have alot more, but made the "chef" down size things....

[JudyJB]

If you decide to go with cast iron, try to get old stuff at antique markets. The newer stuff is made of lesser quality iron and is harder to keep non-stick. Old case iron (pre-1950s) will last a couple of centuries. I have a case iron frying pan that is about 100 years old, and it is as smooth inside as the proverbial baby's bottom!

[judi]

I originally bought a cheap set of camping cookware that I ended giving to Goodwill. It was my first RV - what did I know? I love to cook and at home my favorites are cast iron, copper, and enamel cast iron dutch ovens, and now I carry a small version of each in my very small Roadtrek. I also have a smallish Dutch oven for the campfire, though I have to admit that I have not been very adventurous with it. I will give up a pair of shoes to store good cookware!

[dayspring39]

contrary to the full timers I have a home base and simply take my stainless steel pieces that I use at home with me. saves me having to buy two sets.
The only suggestion I would have is make sure the handles are long enough so you do not burn yourself.
I have actually thought of buying the cook plates that have been advertised all over the internet. The one where you get a second free. well free is relevant. I believe Carolyn has them.
Enjoy planning that is over half the fun!
Kathy Kathleen

[Redwahine]

Would like to know more about the nesting stainless steel set. Anyone know brand name or a link to find them?

[Azusateach]

Have you looked at good quality backpacking pots & pans? They're lightweight & non-stick, but not teflon-coated, I think. You could check out REI if you have one closely.

Laura

[Bethers]

Would like to know more about the nesting stainless steel set. Anyone know brand name or a link to find them?

There are at least two of them out there. Camping World sells one of them. I, like Judy, bought mine at an rv show because I like them better (although I'm sure the others are good, too!). Mine are Rapid Chef and I did an internet search to find them - this is what I purchased (not from this company or at this price, though, but they are not cheap, but are very good quality and take very little space):
http://www.pro-selections.com/product.cfm/26043/

And you can also use the pots in the oven.

Amazon had them before, but doesn't show them now. Found these on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Magma-Stainless-I ... g+cookware

[Bethers]

Have you looked at good quality backpacking pots & pans? They're lightweight & non-stick, but not teflon-coated, I think. You could check out REI if you have one closely.

Laura

And your comment made me search and find this:
http://www.amazon.com/GSI-Outdoors-Pinn ... g+cookware

I like the idea - pots, pans, cups, plates, everything in that little space with it's own bag. Neat.

[JudyJB]

I don't think they make the Rapid Chef set I have. It is excellent quality with very heavy bottoms. The price on the website lists this as $299 but I know I only paid something like $125 because it was being discontinued or something.

You would not like the small frying pan because it is Teflon, however.

[Bethers]

I don't think they make the Rapid Chef set I have. It is excellent quality with very heavy bottoms. The price on the website lists this as $299 but I know I only paid something like $125 because it was being discontinued or something.

You would not like the small frying pan because it is Teflon, however.

They changed the set some - so probably why you got that price. I paid 1/2 price because I purchased one of the display models at the rv show. Always ways to get discounts! I use the small fry pan for some things, even with the teflon, but that's the only piece with it. I love the removable handles and the lids that can also be used to strain and the plastic lids to use for storage. Makes it a great set for me.