Consider the number of people to be fed during the camping trip or backpacking excursion. Knowing the dietary habits and needs of each member of your camping party ensures the preparation of a properly outfitted mess set.
Choose a camping kettle that is high heat appropriate and is suitable for backpacking needs if pack space is limited. Assume 1 quart per person when deciding on the size of kettle. Non-stick kettles are frequently made of lighter metals and make cleaning easier, however they may not last as long as heavier, stainless steel kettles.
Find a suitable frying pan with the same high heat specifications as the kettle. Often kettles and frying pans are sold together, allowing for the use of the frying pan as a lid to the kettle if desired. Choosing such a kettle-frying pan set is a wise decision if space is limited because the properly fitted pair packs more compactly.
Add lightweight and durable tableware to a mess set if camping in a group larger than two. Eating out of the kettle or frying pan when camping with only one other person is a great way to save space otherwise taken up by plates or bowls. If the group is larger than two, choose tableware that can be used with a variety of foods (i.e. as bowls for soup, plates for hot dogs, etc.). Look for collapsible tableware if possible.
Outfit mess sets with enough utensils for each person. Find utensils that combine fork, spoon and knife into a single piece. Using synthetic-material-made utensils do not add much weight to your mess set and can be used with non-stick kettles and frying pans.
Include cups in your mess set only if something beyond water bottles or canteens is desired. Again choosing collapsible cups saves space in a pack and is often lighter than single-piece cups or glasses.
Add a small bottle of biodegradable soap to mess sets for easy, lightweight, and safe cleaning of cooking gear. Performing regular cleaning of all the pieces in your mess set will lengthen the life of the gear.
