Camping Grills

Camping grills, especially folding survival grills (also called campfire cooking grills), are favored for their portability, ease of use and because they do not require specialized fuel. The flat, compact, profile of a camp grill allows you to slip it into the back of a pack even when full and it’s lightweight and lack of need for specific fuel frees up much needed real estate in your pack. A camping grill can be placed over an open flame or a fuel source like a camp heat can or fuel tab. Your cooking vessels will sit on the flat grill top, which gives you the ability to control how much or how little heat the vessel is subject to by moving it closer or further from the flame. Camping grills can also be used to grill freshly caught game meats or roast vegetables – helping you to conserve water.

While camping grills are generally more versatile, the best grills tend to be on the heavier side. The heavier grills are better suited to cast iron cookware and generally more stable (less prone to tipping) than their lighter, thinner counterparts. Camp grills are available as small as 12 ½” x 6 ½”.

Despite their advantages, camping grills have disadvantages as well. While they don’t require a specialized fuel, there are times when cooking over an open flame may not be advisable or possible. Inclement weather can make it hard if not impossible to cook outside over an open flame. Likewise, if for some reason combustible fuel is scarce or you are unable to get out to collect it you may not be able to build a fire. As a dead giveaway to your location, safety concerns may also impact your ability to build an open fire for camp grill cooking.

Camping Stoves

A quality backpacking stove like the Jetboil is a less versatile cooking option but has clear advantages over camping grills in certain areas. Camping stoves like the Jetboil are perfect for boiling water quickly for purification or preparing freeze dried meals. Many backpacking stoves have the distinct disadvantage of requiring fuel other than what can be found in a survival situation. This means you either have to stockpile and/or carry enough fuel to see you through a given timeframe. This may be unreasonable if not impossible if you plan to bug out to a wilderness location with nothing but your pack and survival skills. On the other hand, a good backpacking stove allows you to cook in any weather, and usually takes less time than an open fire allowing you to prepare a quick hot meal or beverage or purify your water no matter where you are. While a good backpacking stove will easily fit into a bug out bag, the fuel is generally quite space-consuming and may require a specialized and even brand specific storage and usage vessel. Many backpacking stoves simply cannot be used with any other fuel.

Other camping stoves are less specific in their fuel requirements. Emergency stoves and folding stoves are relatively compact and can be used with any type of solidified or canned fuel like fuel tabs or sterno cans. Some camping stoves, like the Solo Stove, are designed to burn wood.

Camping stoves and backpacking stoves are generally comprised of a compact burner and a fuel source that either connects directly to the burner or connects via a fuel line hose. They are relatively easy to use and generally faster than an open fire for boiling water but because they require specialized fuel they are more cumbersome. Additionally, if you have more than two people in your party, you will likely want more than one stove (and the requisite fuel) because camping stoves and backpacking stoves are only capable of heating one pot at a time.

An ideal survival kit might include both a backpacking stove or camping stove and the appropriate fuel and a camping grill that can be used over an open flame. Having both gear items will ensure that you can always prepare a meal or heat water for purification.

Utensils & Cooking Tools

Cooking and eating are a whole lot easier with utensils and vessels. While many freeze-dried food options for backpackers come packaged in eat-in-pouch mylar foil bags, these are designed for convenience and portability when trekking and are not necessarily the ideal format for preparation of multi-portion survival food storage meals for a family or group.  Cooking in a survival situation can be daunting but with the right cooking tools it can also be a source of comfort and routine in an otherwise stressful and chaotic situation.

The type of cookware you choose will depend in part on what you are cooking and which type of stove or grill you intend to cook with. Cooking over an open fire is very hard on cookware and if this is your preferred method you will want to invest in some pretty decent cookware. Pots and pans that have a folding handle help to conserve space and clip-on lids provide extra closed storage space and a way to keep food for short periods of time if you don’t finish the whole portion at once.

Utensils are another important piece of gear. While just about any utensils will do in a pinch, its worth investing in a set that is sure not to break with lots of repeat usage. Folding utensils sets can also be very useful not only because of their compact size but also because when folded they pose no threat of poking or tearing through any of your other gear.

G.I. style can openers are great tools to have in any bug out bag or survival supply. If you plan to eat any canned food at all you’ll certainly need a reliable way to open them. These military style standard issue can openers are durable, compact, and fold