Below is my family's list of kitchen necessities, again adapted for my own family's needs. I think it is very important to keep a list handy and check off as you pack. It is so easy to forget important essentials if you do not plan for what you need and stay organized.
On my list I recommend cast iron skillets, these are such an essential for camping because they are so sturdy...you can literally put them in a fire. They are fairly inexpensive and they last forever. I have 3, a large skillet, a smaller one and a grill pan (great for pancakes). To season them for first time use, place them on heat and rub cooking oil all around the inside. To keep them seasoned I never use soap on mine, I just rinse and scrub them with plain hot water and then I place them on a burner to dry so they do not rust. Mine are so well seasoned, I can fry eggs on them without them sticking.
My family also always brings camping dishes, these are found in the camping section of stores...plastic dishes work as well too. You can always bring paper plates with you and while they are easier because you don't have to wash them, just remember you have to haul your trash out of most camp locations and all those paper plates really add up. I bring one plate, bowl, fork, spoon, and butter knife per person in my family. When we are finished eating each person is responsible for washing their own dishes, well except the baby.
We brew sun tea while camping as an alternative to soda, so I like to bring a plastic tea jug. I really caution against a glass one because if you break it, it is really hard to clean up glass out of dirt and leaf debris. Also we all have a cup, like a sports bottle with a lid on top. The lid is nice to have because it is not nice to have taken only one drink out of your freshly poured tea and come back to it to find 3 bugs floating in it. I also bring small mugs for the girls for hot cocoa at night. But again for morning coffee we have the cups with lids to keep little curious visitors out.
Our traditional camping night consists of roasting marshmallows and hot dogs if they are for dinner. There are some nice fire roasters you can buy from the stores. However, that is something I have not done yet. We use good old fashioned wire hangers, only wire, no paper or plastic attached to them or you'll have a little fire on your hands. Take a wire hanger and straighten it out, pliers can help with this. Slip the marshmallow on the end and hold over the fire and its free if you visit the dry cleaners on a regular basis or someone in your household has uniforms supplied to them.
Check out the list below. I hope it gives you some great ideas to help you get started on your camping journey. Happy camping!!!
Kitchen Supplies:
Cast Iron Skillets Camping Plates Camp Dishes
Ladle Eating Utensils X6 Cuppies
2 Spatulas Garbage Bags
Tea Jug 4 Sports Bottles tablecloth
Whisk Dish Soap
Knife Hand Soap
Carrot Peeler Hand Sanitizer
Coffee Mugs Dish Clothes/Towels
Paper Towels Dish Scrubber
Large Serving Spoon Marshmallow Roasters
Can Opener Cutting Board
Dutch Oven/lid Groceries/Food
