OVERALL WINNER: Best Camping Utensils

Esbit Ultra-Lightweight Titanium 3-Piece Cutlery Set

The Esbit titanium utensils earned the title of best overall because it has all the qualities you need in a camping utensil. Because this set is made of titanium, it’s very lightweight, much harder than other types of camping utensils, and the knife is sharp. Titanium is hypoallergenic and doesn’t give off a strange “metal” taste like other types of metal.

The titanium gives it a significant boost in the quality department, but so does the craftsmanship on this product. Esbit has been in business for over 75 years, and their expertise shines through. It’s solid and doesn’t have a flimsy feeling to it. These titanium utensils are one that you can count on when you need it the most.

Introduction

Becoming one with nature doesn’t mean you have to eat with your hands. Unless your planning to roast a wild boar on a stick in a “survivor” style camping experience, utensils are something that most people don’t want to be without.

There are a lot of camping utensils on the market. While all of them are going to do what they’re designed for – feeding you – some are better quality and are simply more practical than others. In this guide, we’ll tell you how to choose the best camping utensils and why we chose the Esbit Ultra-Lighweight as the best camping utensils.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Camping Utensils

Materials

Metal

With metals, the biggest concern when it comes to outdoor use is corrosion. Corrosion is essentially the destruction of the metal when it comes into contact with substances in the environment like air or water. Some metals naturally fight corrosion, while others will have an anti-corrosion protective coating.

Aluminum is a naturally corrosion-resistant metal that’s good for utensils. It’s very affordable, but the utensils could bend easily.

Another choice is stainless steel. It naturally fights corrosion and is a widespread material choice for outdoor utensils.

Titanium is lightweight – even more than aluminum and stainless steel – but it’s stronger than both. This means it’s much more durable, but it also costs more.

Plastic

Plastic is the second most popular material that camping utensils are made from. Plastic is cheap, lightweight, and resistant to any environmental elements. However, it’s not as long-lasting as metal.

Functions

You’ll need utensils for two reasons on any camping trip – to eat with or to cook with. For the utensils you eat with, the product you choose is more a matter of personal preference. There are a few considerations that you could keep in mind.

Eating

The first is what you’ll be eating. Do you just need a spoon, or a knife as well? If you need a knife, what will you be cutting? A sandwich? A steak? Maybe you’ll only need a butter knife to spread something on bread. Getting a large array of utensils is the best way to ensure you’ll have everything you need, but if you’d instead go the minimalist route, just figure out which utensil you’ll use the most.

Camp Cooking

For cooking on your camping trip, you’ll probably want to choose long utensils. Backpacking stoves get very hot and, in many cases, you’ll probably be cooking over an open flame. Long handle cooking utensils will keep your skin out of the line of fire, literally.

Multi-Purpose

For camping, you may find a lot of multi-purpose utensils. It may serve as any of the common camping utensils, but in addition you may also have other functions such as a bottle or can opener, a screwdriver, a keychain, or even a flashlight. The possibilities are endless when it comes to multi-purpose tools.

Cost

We can’t give you a specific price, but a good pack of utensils shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Just because a product is the highest price doesn’t make it the best. However, don’t go dirt cheap. It’s affordable for a reason – usually not a good one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is TSA Approval? Do utensils need to be TSA approved?

TSA approval means that your utensils have been deemed safe by the TSA, which is a part of The Department of Homeland Security. All types of forks and spoons are allowed, but for knives, only plastic knives and round-bladed butter knives are allowed on planes.

Why Do You Need to Think About the Material of Utensils?

Not all materials are suited for every situation. For example, plastic utensils wouldn’t be suited for cooking on an open fire.

How do you clean camping utensils, and are they dishwasher safe?

Taking a dedicated bucket or basin on your camping trip to clean your utensils is helpful. Some utensils are dishwasher safe, and some aren’t, so you’ll need to check this criterion before you but your utensils.

How should you carry camping utensils and is a carry case necessary?

You should always have your utensils covered. A carrying case is the easiest way to do this, but it isn’t necessary.

Reviews

Orblue 4-in-1 Camping Utensils

Best Value

The Orblue 4-in-1 tool is named as the best value because you get two packs for one low price. According to the manufacturer, it’s always wise to have some backup utensils! You can also use the extra utensils for a friend or family member.

In the product, you get a bottle opener, knife, spoon, and fork. The utensils are stainless-steel with no plastic parts – not even the handle.

Bottom Line: This product gives you more bang for your buck.

CRKT Eat’N Tool Outdoor Spork Multi-Tool

Best Stainless-Steel Material

The CRKT multi-tool is an amazing little device made from 3Cr13 steel, a Chinese stainless steel that is manipulated to improve hardness, corrosion resistance, and durability. As a plus, 3Cr13 steel is very inexpensive hence low-price range. As far as usefulness goes, this tool has seven functions: a camping spork, a flat screwdriver, a bottle opener, and three hex screwdrivers.

Bottom Line: This is one of the most reliable and most convenient multi-tools you can have while camping.

Light my Fire Titanium Spork

Best Minimalist Choice

Sometimes you don’t need all the bells and whistles so that the Light My Fire spork would be a great choice in that case. There is a spoon on one end, a the tines on the other with a built-in knife on the side of one of the tines. It’s made of titanium, so it’s very lightweight but extremely strong. The spork is a handy little camping utensil.

Bottom Line: If you just want something basic to eat with, but something that you won’t have to replace continuously, this is a great utensil choice.

finessCity Titanium Utility Cutlery

Most Versatile Option

We named this the most versatile option because you have a choice of getting a three-piece, four-piece, or a five-piece product. The basic three-piece set comes with the usual utensils. The four-piece adds a pair of chopsticks while the five-piece adds a titanium straw. All come with a key ring and a drawstring storage bag.

Bottom Line: This product gives you the most eating options at a great, affordable price.

Light My Fire Original BPA-Free Tritan Spork

Best Budget Choice

This is the plastic version of the previous Light My Fire spork. This camping utensil is made of a BPA-free tritan. If you aren’t familiar with tritan, it’s an impact-resistant and heat-resistant plastic that is dishwasher safe. In other words, it’s more durable than your average plastic. This might be a budget-priced product, but you’ll still get a long-lasting performance from it.

Bottom Line: This spork is a decent plastic tool for the low price.

Esbit Ultra-Lightweight 3-Piece Titanium Utensils

Overall Best Camping Utensils

The outstanding quality of this product is what boosts it to the top of the list. The set is made from 100% titanium, and the construction is well thought out. The tines are a great length, and the serrated titanium knife cuts well. The spoon is deep, and the utensils are polished, so it doesn’t have a gritty feel.

Bottom Line: Esbit’s offering is a high-quality product that you won’t regret spending extra money on.

Hikenture 4-in-1 Stainless Steel Camping Utensil

Most Compact Choice

This multi-tool product is so compact that it can fit in the palm of your hands. When folded, it measures only 4.3″ x 1.6″ and the whole product only weighs five ounces. The product is so small; you probably wouldn’t notice it in your gear if it didn’t come in beautiful, bold colors. The set comes with a knife, spoon, and fork.

Bottom Line: This is a beautiful, compact product with brilliant handle colors at an affordable price range.

SE Survivor Series 4-IN-1 Stainless Steel Utensil Pack

Most Similar to Indoor Utensils

This camping utensil set is rightly named Survivor Series because it looks like everyday kitchen utensils but touts a heavy-duty construction. The lack of camping utensil design is actually a design – one that screams “survivalist camping”. It’s made of grade 440 stainless steel, which, when treated, reaches the highest hardness level that steel can get. The series comes with the usual utensils, and bottle opener.

Bottom Line: This is a sturdy camping utensil set that can survive whatever you throw at it.

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless 3 Pieces Ring Cutlery

Best Premium Choice

The GSI utensil set has quality and style. Visually it’s an attractive camping utensil series because of the high polish on the stainless steel. The steel itself is grade 304 stainless steel, which is the most typical kind you’ll find on the market. However, it’s the craftsmanship that elevates this product. Included with the product is a lanyard that you can use to connect the utensils.

Bottom Line: If you like the finer things in life, the GSI utensil pack may be an excellent choice for you.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API