Yahoo Autos One thing you shouldn't go car camping without, plus 24 other essentials
Yes, Labor Day is around the corner, but that doesn't mean camping season has to end. The cooler temperatures and longer nights may mean school is starting back up, but for those of us who don't have kids it means fewer crowds at campgrounds and hiking trails. Cooler temperatures also mean animals tend to be more active, so if wildlife encounters are what you're after, there's no better time than fall. So dust off that heavy sleeping bag and hit the road. But before you do, make sure you have the essentials listed below.
The BioLite Charge PD is not only a camping essential, but a life essential. As someone who routinely stores maps and takes photos with their phone (who doesn't these days), going days without the use of my electronics while camping just isn't an option. Even the newest of phone batteries won't last a few days without a charge, which is where the Charge PD comes in. Available in three sizes (20, 40 and 80) this powerbank will get your phone back up and running in no time. The 20 is lightweight and can charge a smartphone fully 1.5 times, the 40 2.5 times, and the 80 will get your phone fully charged 5 times and is generally what I take with me car camping.
My favorite thing about the BioLite Charge PD is that they easily daisy-chain together when charging, allowing you to charge multiple powerbanks at one outlet.
Lodge has been the name in cast iron for years, which is why it can be found in both high-end cookware emporiums like Williams-Sonoma, and at your local Walmart. And unlike your stainless steel cookware at home, a Lodge cast iron skillet is right at home over a campfire. I've had everything from breakfast burritos to steak, burgers to an incredibly memorable batch of nachos (thanks, Jeremy) on the Lodge, so when it comes to car camping, this skillet is the first thing I pack.
Pro-tip: If you've never used cast iron before, make sure to season it before use. Check out how to care for your cast iron skillet here.
Let's start off vacation right, by not burning our hands so badly that we have to find the nearest backwoods emergency room. This campfire mitt is much cheaper than an ER bill, and it can handle temperatures of up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit.
While my preferred method of cooking is over an open fire, in some parts of the country, especially during the summer months, open fires aren't an option. That's where the classic Coleman stove comes in. This inexpensive option runs on propane and features two adjustable burners and a windscreen, and will heat up whatever you're cooking quickly. It can fit both a 12-inch and 10-inch pan simultaneously, so you can heat up water for coffee and make breakfast all at once.
Pro-tip: Larger propane canisters will last longer and can be used with this stove, too. All you need is an adapter hose.
If the Coleman stove takes up too much space or you're planning on going backpacking and would rather not lug a 10-pound stove on your back, the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is an inexpensive, ultralight option that folds up into the size of a small multitool. Weighing in at only 2.6 ounces (yes, you read that correctly), the pocket rocket screws into the top of any isopro fuel canister and will boil a liter of water in under 4 minutes.
Pro-tip: Wondering how much fuel is left in your canister? Stick it in water. If the canister floats all the way at the top, you're low on fuel.
MSR and Coleman fuel canisters
You won't get very far with either stove without fuel. The MSR options are lightweight, while the Coleman option is cheaper. Pro-tip: Some campsites have areas where fellow campers can leave any unused food/fuel for the next group. While I wouldn't rely on an area like this for all my fuel, it is a great place to pick up a few half-used canisters for free. Make sure to pay it forward at the end of your stay.
While I love the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, if you're looking to cook on an ultralight stove, you're going to want some lighter cookware. This option collapses down, taking up almost no space, and, at 21.5oz is lightweight. It includes a 2.8-liter pot with an aluminum base and silicone side walls, two bowls and two mugs.
Pro-tip: Want washing dishes to be as easy as possible? Rinse these bad boys out immediately after eating.
Cooking over an open fire (or stove) is one of the things I like most about camping, but for those who prefer to spend most of their time hiking or hammocking, these meal pouches from Mountain House are surprisingly tasty, and only take a bit of boiling water to make. In fact, when my camper van broke down on the side of the road in Iceland a few years back, a couple of these helped tide our group over until we were picked up 18 hours later.
Pro-tip: When it comes to freeze-dried food, anything that sounds too good to be true most likely is. Stick to simple meals like chicken and rice, beef stroganoff or chili mac, and you'll have a tasty meal that won't let you down.
If the line at the coffee machine every morning is any indication, we love ourselves a cup of joe here at Autoblog, and nothing about that changes when camping is involved. In fact, on a brisk early-summer morning, a well-made cup of coffee is about all that can coax me out of my sleeping bag. The AeroPress is compact, easy to use, and makes a damn good cup of coffee. Sometimes I need to double up on filters to prevent seepage, but it's still much better than instant.
Pro-tip: There are plenty of ways to make coffee. If you want to see how the pros use their AeroPresses in the wild, check out this video.
I have yet to drink a cup of instant coffee that I actually enjoyed. That being said, any coffee is better than no coffee, so if this is what you have, go for it.
Pro-tip: Don't drink instant coffee.
The first time I ever used an insulated mug, I made some tea, forgot about it, then burned my tongue drinking it over an hour later. If you want your cup of coffee, hot chocolate or tea to stay hot (or cold), insulated is the way to go. There are plenty of companies that make insulated mugs these days, but my go-to are from Miir and Yeti.
Pro-tip: Insulated mugs work almost too well. I leave the lid off so I can enjoy my coffee sooner, and it still stays pretty hot but won't burn your tongue.
Insulated mugs cost money. These mugs are cheap, have a classic look and are lightweight. Just make sure to hold them by the handle.
Pro-tip: Drink your beverage out of these quickly. Whatever hot beverage you have in these will cool down to its surrounding temperature in minutes.
