Ask Camping Dan Blog

What accessories are available for my Camp Chef grill?

2008-09-05T04:24:00.001-07:00

If you own a Camp Chef grill you already know how easy they are to use on your camping trips to make a great meal. Many do not know that they can also get a polished steel griddle for their camping stove to make your Camp Chef stove even more versatile for making your dinner on when you are out camping. These handy griddles sit easily on the burners of the grill, are easy to clean up after use, and have a grease drain to handy runoff from your food without making a mess.

How can my kids safely cook hot dogs over the fire?

2008-09-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves to have hot dogs cooked over a campfire but roasting them can be kind of tricky especially if you have kids who want to do it themselves. Trying to use a stick to roast them just means your food ends up in the dirt. Other long handled spears are too dangerous for excited kids to have around a campfire especially when emergency help is not close by. Luckily Camp Chef has a great solution, cast iron hot dog irons. These irons will securely hold your hot dogs and without a sharp point and with wooden handles this is a cooker you can trust your kids to use themselves safely.

How can I make my sleeping bag more comfortable on the ground?

2008-09-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

It is commonly misunderstood that sleeping bags are supposed to make you comfortable when you are sleeping on the ground on your camping trips. To some degree this is true, sleeping bags do keep you comfortably warm but for protection against the ground you will need a sleeping pad. These pads add extra cushion between you and the ground to essentially create a mattress for you wherever you may find yourself in the outdoors. Make your sleeping bag much more comfortable with a quality self-inflating camping pad that is perfect for general camping or even backpacking.

How can we save money camping across country?

2008-09-02T07:11:00.001-07:00

With the cost of gas going up taking a road trip with the family is getting more and more expensive. You can still go on that cross-country trip a good way to save some money is to buy your food at grocery stores and not restaurants. Coleman coolers such as a thermoelectric model are perfect for keeping food exceptionally cold over several days even under the warmest conditions. By saving some money on your food bill you can better afford that gas to take the family on the big trip camping across the United States.

How can I get more room in a tiny camping tent?

2008-09-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Space is always an issue when you are backpacking; you want everything to be as light as possible yet you want to retain as much comfort as you can. Many lightweight camping tents that are designed for backpacking are not as roomy as other types of tents. Of course this saves weight that you would ultimately be carrying on your back, but it can also be an inconvenience. One simple way to add a little extra room for gear into a lightweight camping tent is to use a gear loft. These handy little items add a simple hammock style shelf to the inside roof of your tent where you can stow extra gear during the night while you are out backpacking.

Camp Chef Grill Bags

2008-08-29T05:07:00.000-07:00

Camping is so much easier when you have the right gear and this includes the accessories you need to get use and transport that gear on your trip. Camp Chef makes some of the best grills and grilling accessories for campers available. All of these grills and accessories have handy carrying bags available to make transporting them to and from camp so much easier on you. These heavy duty bags not only make transport easier, they also help protect your Came Chef grill from damage that can occur while you are on the road to your campsite.

Is there an easy to clean camping grill?

2008-08-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

The one thing I do not like about cooking outdoors is the fact that it is hard to clean up from the mess. Some camping grills get very messy and are hard to clean especially when you are not near any running water. That is what I like about the Coleman Road Trip Grill! It is so easy to clean up no matter where you happen to find yourself cooking a meal for your family or friends. Plus not only are these camping grills easy to clean they are also one of the easiest to use grills I have ever cooked with.

How can I better care for my tent?

2008-08-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

Tents are made very well, but no matter how well it is constructed or how good the material is it is made from it can still be damaged if not taken care of. One big step you can take to lengthen the life of your tent is to pay attention to the ground you set it up on. Rocks, twigs and other things on the ground can put holes into the bottom of your tent, which will weaken the fabric and possibly make it leak in heavy rains. Before setting up your camping tent take a moment to clear the ground of these items and go so far as to lay down a tent foot pad to place another layer of protection between your tent and the ground.

How can I take care of my down sleeping bag?

2008-08-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

A quality sleeping bag can last for many seasons of camping if you take proper care of it when you are done using it each time and store it properly. For down sleeping bags this means that it has the opportunity to completely dry after each trip. This can be accomplished by hanging it outside (but not in direct sun which can damage the shell) or by hanging up indoors. Either way I always allow mine to hang a couple of days to make sure that any possible moisture inside and out is dried out. Then I store it loosely in a stuff sack in a dry place. By not compressing the loft of the sleeping bag it will help the down stay fluffier in order to keep me warm on my future camping trips.

What can I do about my Coleman cooler smelling bad?

2008-08-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

Coleman coolers are an excellent way to carry your food and drinks to a picnic or campsite, but one day when you will return home and inevitably fail to clean it out and store it properly. I myself have done this several times and then of course my cooler ends up smelling not so fresh since I forget to clean it out after I used it. This can be fixed though; all you need is some bleach that has been diluted with water. Scrub this into your cooler and rinse thoroughly before use and your Coleman cooler should be like new again and ready for your next adventure.

How can I sleep more better when I backpack?

2008-08-22T04:12:00.000-07:00

If you are an avid backpacker and you are looking for a more comfortable nights rest than maybe you should look into camping pads from The Backside. For years I used a camping pad from another manufacturer but it was never really that comfortable. But it seemed the only lightweight solution available at the time so I stuck with it. The Backside has some very comfortable self-inflating pads, which go very well with most any camping sleeping bag, which will leave you well rested even after several nights in the wilderness.

What is a good camping stove?

2008-08-21T04:31:00.000-07:00

If you need a convenient to use camping grill for your trips to the outdoors to make your meals on Camp Chef makes several easy to use models. One of the best for all around use is the Camp Chef 2 burner Sport Stoves. These camp grills can be used on a tabletop or any flat surface and uses bulk propane tanks to cook food quickly and evenly. The stove is easy to transport inside its own durable carrying case and cleans up quickly and easily so you can spend less time cooking and more time having fun in the outdoors.

How can I keep my gear dry on the river?

2008-08-20T04:34:00.001-07:00

A float trip down the river can be a great way to enjoy an area and have a great weekend. Though nothing can spoil that trip faster than getting your gear wet especially when there is not an easy way to dry it out again. Coleman camping gear makes some affordable dry bags to pack your sleeping bags and other camping supplies to keep them dry while you are traveling down the river. Even if your boat tips over or takes on water these bags will keep your things dry so that you can have a comfortable time at camp.

What is a good grill for football games?

2008-08-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

High school football is kicking off in many areas around the country and this means it is time for games and tailgate parties. If you need an easy to transport and use grill for taking on the road for the pre-game parties then look no further than the Coleman Road Trip Grill. These grills will cook your tailgate food perfectly and quickly, and whether you are grilling for a couple of people or for most of the team this portable grill can handle it with ease. Plus with an easy cleanup surface you won’t miss any of the game cleaning up the mess.

Camp Chef Skillets

2008-08-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

Having a good skillet when you are making your dinner over a fire can make the difference between a good meal and a great one. Camp Chef makes some skillets just for campers made from durable steel, which has been seasoned, and are ready for making whatever it is you hunger for after a long day in the outdoors. These skillets are great for the cook in the camp and come in a variety of sizes so you can make sure you have one big enough to feed the whole crowd with ease and cleanup of these camp skillets is a breeze as well.

How can I make my family reunion better?

2008-08-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

A family reunion is a great way to end the summer and have one last great weekend before the kids head off to school. Of course no reunion would be complete without food, and with a Coleman cooler and Road Trip Grill you can make a great meal for everyone wherever your reunion is held. Whether at the park or at the lake with a Coleman cooler you can easily keep all your food and drink cold for not just hours, but days. And the Road Trip Grill could not be any easier to use, and will cook everything quickly and easily.

How can I cook when there is a fire ban?

2008-08-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Many campgrounds and wilderness areas do not allow an open fire especially during times of drought. Many areas get a little dried out come August since many of the summer rains are over so a camping grill is essential for cooking your meals. Camp Chef grills are some of the best available for cooking your meals quickly and evenly in the outdoors. They are easy to set up, light quickly, and run on clean burning fuel. They are so convenient to use you may opt to use your Camp Chef grill even when you can have a fire in your camp.

Should I get a mummy or rectangular sleeping bag?

2008-08-13T13:49:00.001-07:00

Ask any camper what they prefer, old school rectangular bags or mummy sleeping bags, and everyone has one they prefer over the other. Mummy sleeping bags tend to be lighter in weight and easier to pack. While rectangular bags are bulkier and do not pack down as tightly. Rectangular bags have much more room inside than the mummy style though so it is a matter of what is more important to you, snug easy to pack or roomier for the camper who likes to move more often. Either way both bags are good for camping it is just a matter of which one each individual prefers.

How can I save some weight in my backpack?

2008-08-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

Backpackers are always trying to find ways to cut down the weight in their pack and yet still have the ability to be comfortable in even the most remote locations. One way that many elite backpackers have managed to save weight is by using extremely lightweight tents that are designed and made with backpackers who take the long road in mind. These camping tents are capable of standing up to the most severe weather yet pack down to the smallest lightest weight of any tent available. And with top camping gear makers all have several sizes and varieties you are sure to find just the tent you need whether you trek the mountains or desert or somewhere in between.

I love my old Coleman grill, but everyone says I need a new one!

2008-08-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have to admit I have grown up camping with the classic Coleman camping stove, and it has always worked perfectly for me. No matter how beat up that green case got in the travels to campsites it always fired right up and made my meals with ease. So I was a little reluctant to try a new grill when a friend suggested I move on up to the Coleman Road Trip Grill, but I gave it a shot. I should have known since it was a Coleman grill I would love it! This grill not only looks great it is a breeze to use and cooks my food perfectly.

Is there a better way to carry my kitchen cooking utensils?

2008-08-08T06:04:00.000-07:00

When I first started camping I tried to gather the utensils I needed for cooking and then I just threw them into a bucket with the entire camping kitchen cooking gear. This was a hassle since I had to dig through the bucket to find what I needed to cook with. The perfect solution for the camper who loves to cook outdoors is the Camp Chef Kitchen Tool Set. This handy set has all the utensils you need to cook with in one easy to carry and well organized carrying case. Now having, finding, and using your kitchen tools on a camp trip does not get any easier.

How can I keep my cooler colder longer?

2008-08-07T06:17:00.001-07:00

Coleman coolers are designed and made to keep your food and drinks cool for several days even in the most extreme heat temperatures. But there may be times when you are going to be outdoors for an even longer more extended period of time. One solution for keeping your camping cooler at lower temperatures for extended time periods is by adding frozen chillers inside the cooler. These specially designed frozen blocks will help the cooler retain its lower temperatures from the inside stretching out the time it will effectively keep the things inside at the proper temperature.

Can I have pizza while camping?

2008-08-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

I never thought pizza would be something I could eat while camping, but with Camp Chef that has now become a possibility. With the Camp Chef iron cast pizza pan you can now make pizza even when you are nowhere near your home. And for more convenience Camp Chef has a pizza mix so that having a great unique dinner while camping is a real breeze. My kids love pizza so being able to feed them something they love makes camping meal time exciting again since it can get boring eating hot dogs all the time.

How can I keep my dog off my camping gear?

2008-08-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves to take their canine friend camping with them since our pets are such a large part of our lives. Yet as much as you love your dog you do not want a stinky wet dog crawling into your camping tent at night. Coleman camping gear has just the solution with camping gear meant just for our closest four-legged friends. These tents, sleeping bags and more are designed to keep your dog comfortable while he is in the outdoors with you. Plus they will save on the wear on your camping gear that having a dog crawling all over it would create.

How can I outfit my kids for camping?

2008-08-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

Kids love to go camping and having camping supplies that are made just for them makes spending the night under the stars even more fun. Coleman camping gear makes some great kid camping gear that is just there size and yet function just as dependably as the adult camping gear. These are not toy versions of camping lanterns, sleeping bags, and camping tents that do not stand up to the real outdoors. This is camping gear built for lots of use by the kids in your family to take on their next camping trip to keep them safe, warm, and having a good time.