Camping High Life » Camping Accessories

5 Fresh and Exciting Camping Barbecue Ideas

Bill — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 03:10:06 +0000

You consider yourself a master of the grill and you understand that means changing things up from time to time. While there might be some traditional favorites that you always serve while camping, you don’t want things to get stale and predictable. It’s important to come up with menu ideas that will dazzle your friends and family and keep them guessing. When you’re able to come up with that perfect combination of authentic dishes with your own personal twist, that’s when you start to stand out from the rest. And it’s all worthwhile because barbecue is the best way to show off your skills under the summer sun. The right combination of skillfully prepared food in the great outdoors leads to great memories that last a long time. Here are some fresh and exciting ways you can make sure your next barbecue adventure is unique.

Tasty BBQ Pizza – everyone likes juicy steaks and chicken wings, but how about adding a bit of Italian flair to your next barbecue meal? It’s actually a lot less complicated than most barbecue dishes, and you’ll be left with a crispy crust that simply can’t be beat. This is also a great way to give your guests a chance to build their own pizza so they can come up with their ultimate combination of toppings. You’ll also like how easy it is to prepare which means you can make it as an appetizer or a main dish.

BBQ at Night Time – who says you always have to barbecue when it’s sunny anyways? There’s nothing better than a scrumptious meal surrounded by warm nighttime air that only summer can offer. All you need are a few patio lights and some delicious alcoholic beverages so you and your friends can relax. The only downside is you have to control your appetite until it actually gets dark. Of course you can also choose to cook food by campfire if your site allows as well.

Potluck Goodness – while it might seem like a lazy tactic at first, it’s also incredibly smart one. Ask your friends or camping neighbors to bring along one dish so that you can add variety to your overall menu plan. This gives you access to different cooking styles and it’s a great thing to share. Of course you’ll have a job as well which is to handle all of the meat and vegetables that come off your barbecue grill. When you don’t have to worry about side dishes, you can put all of your energy into making sure your barbecue food comes out perfectly.

Use Charcoal for a Change – it might have been a while since you’ve used a charcoal grill, but there’s nothing wrong with adding this blast from the past. Even if you don’t want to go with a full charcoal model, you can find a portable one that will offer you a chance to add authentic taste your food. No matter how fancy modern gas grills, it’s impossible to get the same type of flavor you can from traditional coals. Best of all, a smaller charcoal grill will increase your overall cooking area without costing you a lot of money.

Your Own BBQ Sauce – if you want to add a special element to your barbecue meal that will really stand out from the rest, then why not make your own sauce? A lot of people don’t go to the effort because they think it’s a lot more work than it’s worth. But a basic sauce is quite easy to prepare and overtime you’ll begin to perfect your personal barbecue sauce recipe. This is the perfect way to put a personal signature on all of your food, and pretty soon your friends will be asking you for your secret.

Best Multi Tool: The Factors To Consider For Survival And KeyChain Multi Tools

Bill — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:21:06 +0000

There we were, in the water in my friends jet boat when all of a sudden, it wouldn’t turn. We were in swampy black backwaters of North Carolina when we headed straight for the trees. We did a “james bond” and ended up shooting straight into the trees. When all was said and done, the boat wasnt even touching the water. But we were safe. In the middle of poisonous snake swamps. With nothing but our bare hands, we eventually got out of there, but having a survival multi tool sure would have made the experience a little easier.

With a multi tool, and the right features, we could have signaled for help, or cut down branches to help us get out. But we didn’t have anything but our bare hands.

But before you start looking, you need to come up with your own comparison criteria. After that, you may want to check out survival multi tools or for the less adventurous, a keychain multi tool.

After reading this, you’ll know a little more about multi tools and some of the features you can expect to find.

Comparison Criteria For Multi Tools

Not all multi tools are the same. Their function changes from situation to situation. Its key because if you don’t have the right tools when you need them, then its kind of useless to have the tool to begin with.

For instance, let’s say you are an angler on an camping trip. You catch a very nice Bass, but it’s not quite big enough to keep. So you want to pull the hook out, but how are you going to do it with a LeatherMan Micra. Or with a Swiss Army knife? A Gerber Crucial FAST would be much better suited to the task. It has needle nose pliers. One of the SOG EOD multi tools would be very nice with their corrosion resistant black oxide finish and the long needle nose pliers.

But sometimes you want something a little extra. Maybe a flashlight or other attachments. Then you need to check out the HK Flashlight Combo pack. Its also coated with a black oxide finish for durability.

So now that you have a few examples, start mapping out what’s important to you in a multi tool. What kinds of environments will you find yourself in with your tool? Will it be a survival situation? If so, then let’s talk about that for a moment.

Best Multi Tool For Survival

In a survival situation, having the best tool is essential. You need to have as much packed into a small package as is humanly possible. And you need performance .. On the spot with no disappointment. For instance, if you are in rainy environments, then rust prevention is important. Fishing is an important setting for a survival multi tool. One handed operation is important because one of your hands might be busy holding something important. Stainless steel is another factor to consider, going back to the rust factor.

The SOG B66-N Power Assist Multi Tool is the answer. This has black oxide and it has industrial grade construction. They have a unique “compound leverage technology” which gives you twice the cutting and gripping power of other multi tools.

Another thing to think about with survival multi tools is how they will fit into your environment.. To help you survive longer. With wood all around, having a saw in a compact package is important. Look you arent going to get a chain saw, but something is better than nothing.. right? The SOG EOD PowerLock has a saw. This MultiTool is very durable, seeing as it is used with Explosive Ordinance Disposal teams. That’s where the EOD comes from.

But what if you never find yourself in a survival situation. What if you are always in an urban setting? Or just running from the grocer to the gas station and home again. What kind of multi tool would you need? How about a “keychain” type.

KeyChain Multi Tools

These are important for backpacking and hiking situations. They are light and small. But they also work very well in daily settings like in the car, at home and at work, when the unexpected comes and you need some assistance from a multi tool.

Since the introduction of the Micra, keychain multi tools are on the rise. Almost everyone has these.

But the Micra isn’t where it stops. The KutMaster MiniMaster is a great contender with 16 functions. It also has a locking L which locks each blade in place.

When it comes down to it, there isn’t a single multi tool that does it all. But if you do your research and check out some of the ones I’ve shared here, you’ll find the multi tool that can be your best friend when the unexpected comes.

If you want to know more about camping gear and survival kits then check out JoesCampFire.

Avalanche survival gear can improve your chances

3 Camping Trip Must Haves

Bill — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:43:10 +0000

When going out for a camping trip, you need to have tools and gear with you to make your trip an enjoyable experience. When you don’t have the needed gear, it is possible that your trip will not go the way you planned it. Here are the 3 camping trip must haves;

First Aid Kit

This is a very important item. You will never know when you will be involved in minor accidents during a camping trip. You must be ready for this kind of situation with a first aid kit. In your first aid kit, you need to have the basic medical items for all sorts of wounds. To prevent the mosquitoes from feasting your body, you should have a mosquito repellant. For the minor scratches and wounds, you need to have Povidone Iodine bottles. These items and more basic items are needed in your first aid kit.

Protect Yourself

When going on camping trips, the weather will be an obstacle to you. You cannot predict the weather so bringing safety gear that can protect you from different types of weather is necessary. When in broad daylight, things like sunglasses and caps are essential. For rainy weather, you must have a jacket or a raincoat. You need to be prepared for different types of weather to protect yourself.

Camping Gear

Camping gear like camping chairs are also needed when going on a camping trip. When you feel tired, you can find a spot to rest. You can use, for example, folding camping chairs to have a comfortable rest. Folding camping chairs are the most preferred camping chairs by most people because they are lightweight and durable. You can also bring other camping gear so that your outdoor experience will be a blast.

Camping will require you to bring many things so that your camping experience is not ruined. There are many must have items when going camping and the ones stated here are the basic items that you must have. Be sure to check your items before going out. Make your next camping experience wonderful with good camping tools and gears.

How To Improve Your Family Camping Trips

Bill — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:19:04 +0000

We recently returned from a 3 week family camping trip on the West coast. Our mode of transportation is a Subaru Outback wagon and we stay in state park yurts, National Forest cabins, and our four person REI Base Camp 4 tent. We learn many new things each year that will improve our next trip and I want to pass that information on to anyone who loves to camp. The knowledge and information works for many types of camping.

I usually discover something that needs improvement within the first few days. Whether it’s a leaky air mattress, or camp lantern gone awry, we always have a few issues.

How To Keep Your Camp Lit At Night With LED Lanterns

This year we replaced our bell-weather Coleman white gas stove with a Coleman LED lantern. I was quite skeptical to say the least about using battery LED lights. After using it daily for 3 weeks, my skepticism has departed as I never had to change batteries. It has two power modes (high & low) and runs on the huge “D” size batteries that will set you back about $25 to fill the lantern. It will run over 60 hours on low power and 32 hours on high power.

But who is arguing when you don’t have to light the thing every evening and get burned in the process. I never had a mantle disintegrate either when I bumped the lantern. The Coleman LED lantern is approximately the same size as the white gas lantern. The downside to this thing is that it’s made of plastic. I don’t think it would even set off any Homeland Security check points at an airport. It’s probably going to last about 5 years before it breaks. Even with that being said, I will stick with it for the convenience.

4 Family Camping Cooking Items That Will Make Cooking Meals A Breeze

Round Caste Iron Griddle
My wife found this amazing cast-iron griddle that we used for making outrageous dinner omelets and pan grilled T-bone steaks. This griddle is flat with a small lip that keeps the food from falling off the edges. We used it just about every day for grilling onions, vegetables, making pancakes, and re-heating our food. We could store it just about anywhere in our vehicle because of its low profile.

10 Quart Pressure Cooker
Many people do not know that when you cook at higher elevations, water boils at a lower temperature. Because of this phenomenon, food must be cooked longer unless you use a pressure cooker. The pressure cooker is our secret weapon for making tasty soups and bean dishes superfast. When not in use, we store our loose plates, bowls, flatware, and travel coffee mugs.

2 Burner Coleman Dual Fuel Stove
I have been using Coleman products all my life and they have never failed me. While I’m very fond of the retro-green white-gas model, I prefer using the dual fuel model because I can safely use readily available unleaded gasoline. I have never owned a propane camp stove because I do not like lugging around disposable propane canisters that are not environmentally friendly. However, I must say that I’m often jealous of how quick a propane stove is up and running. With that said, we used our two burner Coleman stove for three straight weeks and burned less than 2 gallons of unleaded fuel. I would never trade it for a propane stove because I like the efficiency and availability of unleaded fuel.

Stack-able Round Wash Basins
Because our family enjoys cooking and eating so much while traveling, we had to come up with a system for washing dishes fast and efficiently. We found that using three separate wash basins for cleaning our dirty camping dishes works amazingly well. We use one basin for rinsing the dishes, the second basin for washing with soapy water, and the third basin for the final rinse. They also come in very handy for washing fruits and transporting items into our car. We have also used them for sponge baths and washing our clothing.

We never stop learning how to improve our camping experience to make it more enjoyable for the next trip. While we like new and improved gadgets, we do not like to over pack with things that we do not need.

Planning Your Camping Vacation with Kids

Bill — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 07:09:03 +0000

The ideal family getaway – camping can be a relaxing break from the day-do-day normality for the adults of the family and a fantastic adventure for the kids. While one of the great advantages of camping is that it’s easy to pack up and go anytime, a little planning will go a long way to making your family camping trips something really special.

Tent

The tent is then most basic item for any camping trip – and the most important. When shopping for a tent for a family group you would do well to look for one bigger than you think you need – when you are all stuck inside during a rainy afternoon you will be very glad you invested in that 8 man tent instead of sticking to a smaller one.

Equipment

When packing for a family it is a good idea to make a comprehensive list well in advance and use it to organise yourself when you’re getting everything together. If you travel often you can accumulate an ‘essential gear’ box in which you keep all the fiddly items you might otherwise forget – this will build with experience as you learn which items you can’t do without and are most likely to forget!

Food

Take food that will store well – dried foods, canned food (don’t forget a can opener!) and plan to buy fresh food when you need it. The best easy camping food ideas are one-pot meals that are easy to prepare and cook quickly over a small camping stove, though with a good camping stove you can make many of the meals you have at home.

As with any vacation – plan, list and check, check and check again and you’ll have a lovely stress free break with your family. And don’t forget some books and card games as a back-up plan if the weather turns bad.

Why Choose To Bring a Portable Generator in a Camping Trip?

Bill — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:17:05 +0000

Power generators used to be relegated only to industrial and backup/standby power duties. They used to be tedious, hefty and noisy machines that few would dream of bringing them on a family camping trip. But science and technology, as always, found ways to solve these seeming limitations and has made generators easy to use, portable and quiet.

These days, portable generators have become one of the must-haves in any outdoor activity kit. The reason behind this is the fact that we now live in a world where people are addicted to the convenience of city-living and the connectivity it provides. Many of us will have a hard time leaving their mobile phones and laptops behind when we go on a camping trip so we bring a portable generator so we could have a power source that would give us the ability to use these electronic devices even when we go to places that are off the grid. Hence, with portable generators, we are able to stay connected to the world.

Furthermore, many people bring portable generators to power not just electronics but to provide the necessary juice to operate electrical appliances that we bring with us on such trips. You can hook up your outdoor lighting kit to a generator so you won’t have to stumble in the dark while in the camp grounds. A small 1000 watt generator will usually be sufficient for this purpose and will also be suitable for powering small cooking appliances. You can also use it to operate a radio or any other communication device that are necessary in these types of activities.

Modern portable generators have essential tools of convenience and productivity that they have even become an integral part of many recreational activities. Bring them with you on a camping trip and see the experience enhanced because of the conveniences generators bring.

For more information about these very useful machines, please check out http://silentgenerator.net

Travel Coffee Mugs: Must-Have Gear For Coffee Addicts

Bill — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 21:27:06 +0000

Travel coffee mugs are absolute must-have gear for java addicts who love being out and about in the great outdoors. But you need to remember that one travel coffee mug isn’t the same as another. Knowing a few of the differences can make your on-road coffee drinking even more enjoyable.

The first use is obvious: Coffee travel mugs serve as reusable, on-the-go beverage containers. Unlike regular mugs, travel mugs are equipped with lids or covers, reducing the chance of spilling your favorite beverage on your new hiking boots while on the highway. It’s important to have a travel mug that fits your car’s cup-holder securely. Make sure that your mug’s base isn’t too wide to fit well inside the cup-holder and that the position of its handle clears the holder’s base. Get one of these wrong and you’re likely to have get wet. Or burned.

These days, travel coffee mugs come in a multitude of sizes, as well as styles. Whether you drink lots of coffee or it takes only a small amount to satisfy your caffeine lust, you can find the perfect beverage mug. These mugs range from little 8-ounce ones resembling Styrofoam cups to big ones that will hold five or six times as much liquid. The more closely you can match your mug to your coffee consumption, the better.

Beverage storage is another of the uses of a travel coffee mug. Coffee drinkers who prefer having their home-brewed caffeine to paying take-out prices while on the road can carry multiple servings in one of the large Thermos-like mugs. They can count on the vacuum insulation to keep their beverage hot, or cold, at the temperature it originally was for long periods of time. And they’ll save money, too.

The wide selection of travel coffee mugs can complicate the seemingly simple task of picking one. But it doesn’t have to be a problem. Just make sure to match your lifestyle, hobbies and caffeine habits to the benefits of a specific travel coffee mug for a can’t-fail solution.

Power inverters in the great outdoors

Bill — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 00:27:16 +0000

I was on a family camping trip last weekend, and was surprised by the number of times I saw people using generators and inverters. It seems everyone can now bring all the comforts of home to the great outdoors – plasma screen TV’s, microwaves, power tools, you name it. All of this is made possible by the simple inverter. This short article is about what they are, and how they work.

An inverter is simply a device that takes DC voltage, normally 12V from a battery (or a bank of batteries), and converts it into 115V/60Hz (115VAC) for use with household appliances and electronics (could be 220V/50Hz for some countries).

The inverter first started out as a basic square wave inverter. This product would take DC and convert it to a two-level AC (no sine wave here). They didn’t work too well, and most products couldn’t use them because of the frightfully messy electronic waveform it produced.

The next generation of products is mostly what we see today. This is the sine wave inverter (or the quasi-sine or modified-sine or modified/quasi square inverter). This product takes the basic square wave inverter and adds significant wave shaping and filtering, producing a waveform that’s pretty close to the sine wave we desire. It can be used with most devices today that have a regulated power supply. It’s only downside is that the input DC voltage is tied to the resulting AC output. When the DC level drops (as it will when the battery is used), the AC level drops too. Not much of a problem for modern electronics and appliances.

The last product we’ll talk about is the power inverter pure sine wave. This product adds even more wave shaping, filtering, and power regulation to the mix. The output of this is likely better than the AC power you have at home. The downside to all this? Price!

The bottom line is that the sine wave inverter is probably good enough for you, but if you need to drive a Cadillac, then the pure sine wave inverter is the one to go for!

Get the Best Blow Up Mattress or Twin Air Mattress

Bill — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:13:07 +0000

Blow up and twin air mattresses are great for family camping trips or for home use. Think about it, you just moved in to a new apartment, and you don’t have any money, these items come in handy in that situation. They can go for as low as $10, but if you want a good quality twin air mattress you can find one for $50. If you prefer to buy premium blow up mattresses, they’re over $100. Brands that have great products are Intex, Coleman, Wenzel, Aerobed and Texsport. In this article we’ll take a look at some bestselling items.

Aerobed Guest Choice Inflatable Bed

This blow up mattress is for people who are minimalists. It’s a very straightforward twin air mattress, and buyers have found it to be very durable. It’s easy to store, and it takes little space. It comes with an integrated AC pump that can get the job done in under a minute. Some reviews indicate that it’s comfortable, and they’re only complain is that it can deflate a bit after a couple of days. One of this twin size blow up mattresses will work great for you, it’s the perfect balance between price and size. This makes them considerably more affordable than a king or queen size.

Coleman 4 in 1

The most outstanding feature of this mattress is versatility. It can be arranged to form two twin beds, a raised twin air mattress or a single king size bed. If you get creative you can form an extra long twin air mattress. Many customers state in their reviews that its lasts a long time without having to pump extra air in it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include a pump, so you need to factor in the cost for that (about $20).

Intex Deluxe Pillow Rest Rising Comfort Twin

This blow up mattress has an advantage over the Coleman, because it has a built-in electric pump, so you can set it up in minutes with the least hassle. Forget about pumping air manually or buying a separate pump, unless you’re outdoors of course. Another benefit is that it’s a raised bed, so it’s easier to get in and out of. Some reviewers complain about the pillow rest. Some because of a medical condition and others just find it uncomfortable. Despite those minor observations, we believe this is a great twin air mattress.

We hope that you found one of these models to be right for you. When buying a blow up mattress think about what you will be using it for. For example, if it’s camping, it’s no use to have a built-in electrical pump. If you want it for guests who spend the night, then you don’t need anything fancy, just comfortable. Be careful when handling them, and avoid puncturing them. For extra security it’s a good idea to add a padded blanket underneath.

No related posts.

How a 2 Man Tent Will Save you Time, Money and Stress–Backpackers

Bill — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:34:11 +0000

Many 2 man tents are some of the smallest tents that you can buy. They are designed for ease and not usually comfort. They are great tents for backpacking and backwoods hiking. Engineers today have made some amazing advances in tents and have literally made many tents smaller and lighter that a lot of gear that a typical backpacker would carry. If you are a backpacker or backwoods hiker, we will discuss why these tents will save you time, money, and stress.

I recently backpacked down the Grand Canyon. On our way down we pick up a solo day hiker from China. He wanted some company on his hike and we were friendly so we invited him to hike with us. While getting to know him we found out that our new friend was planning to hike in and out of the Grand Canyon in 1 day. Many people think this is crazy but it really isn’t too hard if you are in decent shape. This doesn’t take into account that many people per month get stuck in the Grand Canyon without water and shelter because they had no idea what they were getting themselves into.

Here is where a 2 man tent will come into play. Our friend had been hiking downhill into the canyon for 2 hours, we were halfway down and it was only 2:00pm. He was at the canyon only for a day and really wanted to make it to the bottom but, by this time he was getting nervous that he would get stuck in the canyon without any shelter or lights. He asked the ranger and the ranger advised against it. Our friend decided against the ranger advice. If our friend would have prepared and bought a 2 man tent (they can make them as little as 2 lbs.) he would not have that much more weight and he would not have the problem of getting stuck in the canyon.

The good news is that our friend made it out of the canyon safe and sound. However, it was dark by the time he got back and he had no flashlights. Many times this situation can end up very bad and does for many hikers all the time. A little preparation for backcountry hiking can go a long way.

If you find a high quality, lightweight 2 man tent it will save you time, money, and stress while backpacking. If you are ever in our Chinese friends position you will not stress that you will be stuck on your hike. This will also save you time by not having to find help when you are stranded in the backwoods and you can wait until morning to plan your next move. Lastly, a good quality tent will last years and maybe decades. A cheaper made tent will start to show stress within a few camping trips. In the long-run a better quality tent will save you money.