Going camping can be a great way to disconnect from our fast-paced work world and refresh yourself with peaceful reprieve in nature. However, there’s nothing worse that setting up camp, firing up a warm meal, and then realizing you forgot to bring utensils.
Utensils don’t seem like a camping essential, but as anyone who’s been forced to eat a meal without them knows, they sure are convenient. Fortunately, there are several camping utensils sets that make it a cinch to bring your silverware along on a trip.
| Cutlery Set | Price | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wealers 13 Piece Stainless Steel Family Cutlery Set |  | Amazon | A |
| Titanium Utility Cutlery Set by finessCity |  | Amazon | A+ |
| MayULike Camping Cutlery Utensils |  | Amazon | B |
| Light My Fire Original BPA-Free Tritan Spork |  | Amazon | A |
| Coleman 12-Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Set |  | Amazon | C |
Why Might You Need Camping Silverware Set?
You might be wondering, what’s so special about camping utensil sets? Why don’t I just bring my own utensils from home?
You certainly can use your own silverware, but there are a few benefits to using a camping utensils set over ordinary silverware.
Contents
- The Difference between Regular and Camping Eating Utensils
- How to Choose the Best Camping Cutlery Set
- Reviews
- MayULike Camping Cutlery Utensils
- Light My Fire Original BPA-Free Tritan Spork
- Titanium Utility Cutlery Set by finessCity
- Wealers 13 Piece Stainless Steel Family Cutlery Set
- Coleman 12-Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Set
Weight
Camping silverware kits are designed to be lightweight. When you’re camping, the point is to pack light, especially if you’re completing a hike to get to your campground.
Ultra-light materials like titanium or polycarbonate keep camping silverware sets light and easy to carry around in a backpack. Some varieties replace the solid heavy handle of a utensil with a plastic handle or use a design with holes the handle to keep it lightweight.
Convenience
Let’s be honest; the biggest case for getting a camping cutlery set is probably convenience. Camping eating utensils almost all come with their own case, so you don’t have to worry about losing your silverware or hunting around for it in your backpack.
A case keeps your silverware clean and sanitary on the road. Storing your utensils in a case also helps you pack neatly and stay organized.
The Difference between Regular and Camping Eating Utensils
There are a couple of notable differences between standard cutlery and a camping silverware set. Since camping utensils are meant to be compact and lightweight, they are usually smaller than traditional silverware. They may also combine the features of one utensil to conserve space.
Most camping cutlery sets are smaller in some way. The handles might be shorter, or the entire size might be smaller. For example, you’re probably used to eating with a tablespoon size spoon, but a camping set might use a teaspoon size instead.
Although they’re lightweight, many people prefer full-sized silverware, so there are sets available that are the same as or close to standard silverware size.
In camping cutlery, you’re more likely to see combined utensils like the spork. Not all sporks are the combination of a stubby fork and a shallow spoon. Some have a fork on one end and a spoon on the other to conserve space and keep your pack light. Another option is to add a serrated edge to a fork or spoon and leave out the knife entire.
How to Choose the Best Camping Cutlery Set
When selecting the best camping cutlery set for you, consider a few key points.
Lightweight
The less weight you have to carry on a trip, the better. A lightweight cutlery set makes camping convenient. When you’re looking for a camping silverware set, check the material.
Titanium and polycarbonate plastics are high quality, lightweight choices. Some brands use trademarked plastics like Tritan™ that have been tested for safe use. Whichever material you choose, make sure any plastics are BPA-free.
Durability
At the same time, be sure to purchase a set that’s durable, or you’ll need a new one sooner than expected. Stainless steel might not be the lightest choice, but it’s a high-quality material that will last for a long time.
Storage Options
Since you’ve decided to buy a camping utensils set, give some thought to the type of case that comes with your silverware.
Some products have additional storage options, like the ability to clip your utensils together so they don’t rattle and it’s harder to lose them.
Personal Preference
Finally, think about the additional features that come down to your preference. The color and design of the case and utensils themselves can help you love or hate a set. Also consider whether you want a camping utensils set that is as close to full-sized as possible, or if you’re fine with a multifunctional spork.
Reviews
MayULike Camping Cutlery Utensils
This Camping Cutlery Utensils Set includes a fork, spoon, and knife, all made from military grade stainless steel. The quality material of these utensils keeps them durable for long-lasting use outdoors or indoors. The serrated knife is sharp enough to cut through meats and veggies without difficulty.
Although the set is made of steel, it remains lightweight and perfect for taking on camping trips and outings. The utensils are compact, at a smaller size than regular cutlery, so don’t expect quite the same experience as eating at home.
A slim, well-designed neoprene case keeps your cutlery clean and easy to pack. Neoprene is a blend of synthetic rubbers that is flexible, lightweight, and water resistant. One downside of the pouch is its inability to turn inside out to clear out any food residue or grime.
PROS
- Light, washable neoprene case with several color choices
- Good value
- Stainless steel
CONS
- Smaller than regular sized utensils
- Pouch doesn’t turn inside out to wash, so inside of pouch can be difficult to wash
- Knife is sharp and may not be suitable for young kids
- Jagged spoon edge in some models
Light My Fire Original BPA-Free Tritan Spork
Light My Fire, a company based in Sweden, has created a line of original sporks for on-the-go meals. These colorful utensils are ultra light and easy to pack. They fit into lunchboxes, purses, and briefcases with ease.
Light Your Fire has provided a spoon on one end and a fork on the other, with a serrated edge on the fork to act as a knife. This edge isn’t sharp enough to cut the side of your mouth but can cut foods that aren’t too tough.
Although Light Your Fire makes these sporks with Tritan plastic, they are guaranteed to be BPA-free. The material won’t scratch your cookware and is safe for the dishwasher. They are also heat resistant, so you don’t need to worry about the plastic melting in boiling water. However, some users found that the sporks are less resistant to cold weather, and snap more easily during winter outings.
You can customize Light Your Fire’s spork set with several different colors, left-handed varieties, and sizes ranging from child size, extra-medium to large.
PROS
- BPA-free Tritan plastic
- Has a spoon, fork, and knife in one utensil
- Heat resistant
- Dishwasher safe
CONS
- Appears more brittle in cold weather or when used for cold foods
- Stiff, inflexible plastic makes this spork easier to snap
Titanium Utility Cutlery Set by finessCity
The Titanium Utility Cutlery Set from finessCity is a three piece set with a lightweight, durable spoon, fork, and knife. The material is 100% titanium, which allows it to last for years without rust or corrosion from acid or alkali substances. All utensils are also resistant to low and high temperatures.
A unique feature of this set is the option to secure your utensils with a carabiner. Use a carabiner to clip all your cutlery together, and you can use the two screws included to prevent any rattling and secure your set.
This product is non-allergenic, and stores in a washable drawstring cloth bag that keeps utensils clean and sanitary. This one-person set has a higher price but also gives you top quality.
PROS
- 100% lightweight, long-lasting titanium
- Carabiner and screw to attach utensils and prevent rattling
- Washable cloth case
- Resistant to low and high temperatures
CONS
- Handles shorter than standard tableware
- Spoon is teaspoon size, and fork tines are a little short
- Quality of material reflected in the price
- Screws can be easy to lose on a camping trip
Wealers 13 Piece Stainless Steel Family Cutlery Set
The Wealers Family Cutlery Set includes 13 pieces of stainless steel silverware. The set comes at a great value and conveniently packs together in one bundle. There are four fork, spoon, and knife sets included and one pair of chopsticks.
The carry case is made of nylon, woven cotton and linen for a durable, weatherproof container. A velcro seal keeps the case shut and your utensils secure. The case can also function as a display since it can stand alone.
Like many camping eating utensils, the Wealers set is a smaller than the standard cutlery size. The knife in this set isn’t particularly sharp, and although it includes a serrated edge, that section is very small. Otherwise, the cutlery functions well and the case is both functional and visually pleasing.
PROS
- Nylon carry case with built-in handle
- Versatile case can become a display stand or pack utensils away securely
- Dishwasher safe
CONS
- Smaller handles than typical cutlery
- Knife isn’t very sharp and has only a small serrated edge
Coleman 12-Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Set
The Coleman 12-Piece Flatware Set features stainless steel cutlery with black decorative handles. It includes enough silverware for a group of four: four forks, four spoons, and four knives.
This set includes a simple nylon carry pouch, which rolls up for compact storage. As the name suggests, this silverware set is flat so that it takes up as little room as possible. However, some people may find flatware utensils unnatural and uncomfortable to use. While all the pieces are fully functional, the spoons in this camping flatware set are shallow and don’t hold much soup or liquid.
Overall the strengths of the Coleman Flatware Set are its compact size and great value for 12 pieces of silverware. However, some might dislike the set due to personal preference, and the quality is middle ground.
PROS
- Stainless steel
- Compact and easy to pack or store
- Rolling case
- Decorative handles
- Dishwasher safe
CONS
- Silverware pieces can feel loose in the handles
- Flatware can be uncomfortable to use for those not accustomed to it
- Spoons are very shallow
- Velcro latch doesn’t line up with the bag when rolled up
