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One of the best things about backcountry camping is cooking outside. No crowded campgrounds, no neighbors complaining about bacon smells, and no dealing with a cramped, built-in galley that forces you to cook in one spot.
But if you don’t have the right setup, outdoor cooking turns into a frustrating mess of missing utensils, unstable tables, and constant trips back to the trailer for things you forgot.
After testing different setups in the Arizona desert, we put together a camp kitchen that actually works. It’s compact, durable, and easy to set up and tear down.
If you love cooking outside while camping off-grid, this is the setup that makes life easier.
Why an Outdoor Camp Kitchen Works for Backcountry Camping
When camping off-grid with a squaredrop trailer, space is limited. Traditional teardrops have a built-in rear galley, but we wanted more flexibility in how we set up camp.
- A permanent kitchen takes up space we’d rather use for storage.
- A modular setup lets us cook where we want instead of being stuck at the back of the trailer.
- A fully enclosed galley isn’t necessary in the Southwest, where the weather is almost always dry.
An outdoor camp kitchen setup gives us more freedom to cook wherever the best spot is, whether that’s under shade, near the campfire, or with an unobstructed view of the scenery.
A Propane Stove That Handles Wind, Altitude, and Heavy Use
Reliable, powerful, and apparently dust-devil resistant. With two 25,000 BTU burners and a 10,000 BTU sidekick in the middle, this beast boils water faster than you can say, “Did you remember the coffee?” It always lights when asked, doesn’t throw tantrums in the wind, and shrugs off rough treatment like a true camp kitchen MVP.
Not all camp stoves are created equal. Some struggle in wind, some barely put out enough heat to boil water, and some have ignition switches that fail the first time you actually need them.
We use the Stansport 3-Burner Propane Stove, and it’s been a solid workhorse.
- High BTU output. The two oversized burners put out 25,000 BTUs each, with a smaller 10,000 BTU burner in the center.
- Windscreens that actually work. No more relighting the burner every time a gust comes through.
- Built-in igniter. Because fumbling with matches when you’re hungry is a pain.
If you plan on cooking real meals outside, get a stove that won’t let you down when conditions aren’t perfect.
A Folding Camp Table That Holds It All
A camp kitchen that folds flatter than your motivation on a Monday. This beauty comes with a built-in sink for washing hands, dishes, or whatever mystery goo just got on your gear. The stove stand keeps your cooking setup solid, the light pole keeps you from burning dinner in the dark.
Outdoor cooking is a disaster without a stable, functional workspace. If your table is wobbly, too small, or collapses under weight, you’re in for a bad time.
We use the GCI Outdoor Folding Cook Table, and it holds everything without breaking a sweat.
- Holds a propane stove and water cube without feeling unstable.
- Built-in sink makes cleaning up easy.
- Lantern pole is useful for cooking after dark.
- Folds up easily for transport and storage.
Some camp tables are too flimsy for real use. This one isn’t.
A Stackable Toolbox for Organization
This stackable beast keeps utensils, spices, and random mystery gear locked down and organized. The compartments are rock-solid, the bins actually make sense, and best of all, it laughs in the face of bumpy roads and bad packing jobs.
You could throw all your camp kitchen gear in a plastic bin and call it a day. But if you want organization, durability, and easy transport, a stackable toolbox system is a game changer.
We use the RIDGID Stackable Toolbox to store all our kitchen gear.
- Heavy-duty wheels make it easy to move.
- Customizable storage bins keep everything organized.
- Stackable design means you can expand it if needed.
Digging through a jumbled mess of utensils, spices, and random junk is a waste of time. This setup keeps everything accessible and protected from dust, dirt, and desert critters.
A Waterproof Storage Box for Food
Keep your camping food safe from dust, water, and critters with this durable waterproof storage box. The secure snapping lid keeps everything sealed, so you don’t have to worry about spills, pests, or desert dust sneaking in. Perfect for backcountry camping, overlanding, or any outdoor kitchen setup.
If you’re camping in the desert, your food storage needs to keep out water, critters, and dust.
We use a waterproof storage box with a snapping lid, and it’s been a lifesaver.
- Keeps food organized instead of a chaotic mess.
- Seals out dust, rain, and unwanted visitors.
- Durable enough to survive being tossed around in the trailer.
If you’re camping in places where dust and critters are an issue, a sealed, sturdy food storage box is worth it.
A 12-Volt Refrigerator Instead of a Cooler
We ditched ice and never looked back. Setpower’s 12-volt fridge freezers are durable, efficient, and don’t cost a fortune. Our model is discontinued, but we trust the newer versions are just as solid. No more soggy sandwiches or last-minute ice runs.
We used to rely on coolers, but we got tired of dealing with melted ice, soggy food, and last-minute store runs. A 12-volt refrigerator is a game-changer for off-grid camping.
We use the SetPower 12-Volt Refrigerator.
- Runs on 12V DC, 110V AC, or solar power.
- No more buying ice or dealing with waterlogged food.
- Affordable compared to other portable fridge options.
If you love off-grid camping and don’t want to rely on ice, a 12-volt fridge is worth it.
A Gazebo That Keeps Bugs, Wind, and Critters Out
The Gazelle Pop Up Outdoor Gazebo makes bad weather irrelevant. It pops up in minutes, shields you from wind, and keeps the bugs outside where they belong.
Cooking outside is all fun and games until the wind starts kicking up dust, bugs swarm your food, or a curious critter decides to investigate dinner.
A pop-up screen gazebo solves all of that.
We use the Gazelle Gazebo, and it’s been one of the best additions to our camp kitchen.
- Keeps bugs out while you cook and eat.
- Blocks wind and flying dust that would otherwise land in your food.
- Provides shade in the brutal Southwest sun.
- Sets up in minutes and packs down compactly.
If you’re cooking in windy areas or camping somewhere with mosquitoes, having a protected space makes all the difference. It’s also nice to have a shaded spot to sit and eat, especially when there’s no natural cover at camp.
Build a Camp Kitchen That Works Off-Grid
Cooking outside while boondocking or overlanding is one of the best parts of going out, but only if you have the right setup.
The goal is convenience, organization, and durability, so you’re not constantly digging through storage boxes, fighting with unstable gear, or realizing too late that you forgot the spatula 50 miles from the nearest store.
This is the camp kitchen setup we rely on when backcountry camping with our squaredrop trailer and Jeep.
If you have a favorite piece of camp kitchen gear that works off-grid, let us know. We’re always looking for ways to make our setup even better.
Still Here? You Must Be the Human Equivalent of Well-Seasoned Cast Iron Pan.
Most people tap out early like tourists who underestimate Arizona heat. But not you. You’re built different. So why not pull up a camping chair with us on Substack?
