Picking a Good Mess Kit for Camping

Q: What’s a good mess kit to get?
— Hazel, Houston, Texas

A: A mess kit contains dinnerware and often utensils in a convenient package that easily fits in your backpack. You can get a basic four-piece kit like the GSA Stainless Steel Mess Kit from the Scout Shop for $32.95, and some pieces have multiple uses. For example, you can cook with the kit’s frying pan or eat from it like a plate.

To have plenty of pieces for cooking, think about buying a bigger kit, such as the KingCamp Adventurer mess kit ($39.99, kingcampoutdoors.com). The 17-piece version comes with two pots, a frying pan, two plates, two bowls and utensils. That’s enough gear to share with another Scout.

If you want something for the whole patrol, save up for a big camp kitchen, like the UCO CookIt Camp Kitchen ($299.99, ucogear.com). This set has 47 pieces, including a pot, a skillet, cooking and eating utensils, plates, bowls, organizing bins, and cleaning gear. It’s all stowed in a box made of corrugated plastic, which is much lighter than the traditional wooden chuck box.

Also, look for kits with durable materials, like stainless steel, so your gear can last for many outings.