After a long day on the trail, fixing up a camp meal is the best way to get your energy levels back up, that’s why here at Paddy Pallin, we stock all the best camping stoves and hiking kitchenware.

FAQs

What type of fuel do I need for my camping stove?

It’s always important before buying a camping stove to understand what camping fuel it can take. Many lightweight stoves use small camping gas cylinders for efficient burn times at most temperatures and elevations. Liquid fuel canisters and liquid fuel stoves use kerosene or gasoline, which is an easily accessible fuel source for remote travels and is also more packable compared to gas camping fuel. Solid fuel stoves use pellets or wood to burn, and normally reach a lower temperature, though the option of collecting fuel instead of carrying it is a great feature for the lightweight traveller. Trangia spirit burner is a standout and timeless stove, with an extremely simple setup and has a great burn time.

How are camping pots different from normal pots?

Durable and lightweight camping pots take camp cooking to the next level. Lighter than their home kitchen counterparts, camping cooking pots often have adjustable and packable handles for quick and easy packaway. Brands including Trangia, MSR and Optimus use lightweight materials including aluminum and stainless steel which can handle life on the trail. Camping pots and pans also often packaway into each other and sometimes come with a protective bag to keep your pots safe in your pack. The dynamic packability of camping pot sets makes space saving easy, with a common ‘one lid fits all’ design.

What camp kitchenware is recommended for a camping family?

Cooking on the road for a family can seem daunting, though making sure your pots and pans are big enough for everyone is important. Large camp pot sets from Sea to Summit, GSI, Optimus, Trangia and Soto are a great option as they provide nesting features to amplify storage. Making sure there's enough water for the family is made easy with large dromedary bags from MSR and HydraPack as this water storage is collapsible and durable to transport. Complete kitchen toolkits from Sea to Summit, MSR, WIldo and GSI provide foldable spatulas, collapsible knives and forks and lightweight cutting boards. For the coffee fanatics, camping espresso makers from GSI and Jetboil are the best way to start the day, and give you energy to chase the kids around the campsite. 

What are some recommended kitchen extras to make camp cooking easier?

The extra kitchen tools you take can make cooking a little less daunting, and extra tasty! Leak proof jars from Nalgene make packing cooking oil, sauces and spices care free. Human Gear make squeezy silicone tubes, ideal for sauces to kitchen cleaning products. Carrying an extra spark from brands including Optimus will ensure you always get the stove on or the fire burning for the ultimate camp cook up. Additional luxury camp kitchen additions include packable camping wine glasses, collapsible cups and collapsable bowls that can double as lightweight plates. Stove windshields, fuel funnels, detachable pot lifters and fuel canister holders keep your cooking set up as efficient as possible, streamlining the cooking process. 

How do I clean my camp kitchen?

Collapsible sinks and foldable buckets from Sea to Summit help you save water while cleaning your camp cookware. Biodegradable soap in liquid or leaflet form keeps your camp kitchenware clean and hygienic, and come in specific formulas for laundry, body or general camp cleaning. Lightweight pot scrubbers designed to reduce scratching whilst removing tough open fire cooking stains from brands including Sea To Summit keep camp kitchen cleaning easy. 

What should I look for in a backpacking stove?

A good lightweight camping stove has high fuel efficiency, adjustable outlet and wide pot support. Your camping stove should be compatible with your fuel choice, with some brands including Soto, GSI and Optimus providing hybrid stoves that can use gas camping canisters of liquid camping fuel. When planning long expeditions, having a camping stove you can service easily is an important feature. Though durable, maintaining your stoves with stove expedition service kits from brands including MSR will ensure prolonged high efficiency and output. Push button ignition on stoves make lighting your stove easy, though having two ignition sources on any trip is always recommended.

What cooking brands does Paddy Pallin stock?

Cooking equipment can make or break a trip and should be a seamless and enjoyable experience for all types of camp cooks. Paddy Pallin stocks the most reliable outdoor cookware brands, taking you to the highest peaks or the deepest gorges, from GSI, Optimus, Soto, MSR, Biolite and Jetboil. Lightweight kitchenware brands including Human Gear, Nalgene, Klean Kanteen, Wildo, Sea To Summit and Camelback deliver durable, collapsible and lightweight kitchen goods for the ultimate foody experience. 

What kind of kitchenware is essential on a hike?

The exact kitchenware you take on a hike is mostly down to personal preference, but there are definitely a few things that you will need. The essentials are at least one pot to cook your dinner in (perhaps two if you need to cook something like pasta or couscous separately to a sauce), a pot handle (or spondonicle), a plate or bowl, a mug or cup and some cutlery. Some cleaning products are essential too, but make sure they comply with Leave No Trace principles. Something like the Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash is perfect for cleaning your dishes but is also gentle on the environment. 

Why would I still buy a Trangia when there are so many newer technologies on the market?

Trangia has been around for years and is still the stove of choice for many campers. They are definitely the perfect choice for family camping, as they come with a range of different pot sizes and a number of pots. They are also really secure and steady, and the flame is out of reach from small hands. The Trangia set up means that kids can safely help you cook dinner, something which will definitely help our little ones get keen on the outdoors! Apart from family camping, Trangia have a bunch of great features which make them a high contender for regular backpacking as well. The pots are super lightweight and the shield around the flame means that it is less likely to blow out when you’re hiking or camping in windy conditions.