Tembo Tusk Buyer’s Guide: Skottles, Accessories, Slides & Camp Cooking

Introduction

Overland travel and vehicle-based adventures have exploded in popularity over the past decade. To be honest, we fell into the trap about ten years ago and have enjoyed every minute of it. As more people venture into remote trails, mountain passes, desert routes, and backcountry campsites, having dependable gear becomes essential. The last thing you want is to arrive at camp and realize you forgot a super important item. Cooking equipment, storage solutions, and durable camp accessories all play an important role in creating a comfortable and efficient outdoor setup.

Among the most respected brands in the overlanding space is Tembo Tusk. Known for its rugged construction and thoughtfully designed equipment, Tembo Tusk has built a loyal following among off-road enthusiasts and campers who demand reliable gear that performs well in real-world conditions. Tembo Tusk was founded on the idea of creating essential and functional gear that was desired but did not exist based on real world needs.

From the iconic Skottle cooking system to innovative cargo slides and durable camp accessories, the brand offers a wide range of equipment designed specifically for vehicle-based travel. If you're looking to build or upgrade your overland camp kitchen, understanding the Tembo Tusk lineup is a great place to start.

You can browse the full lineup of Tembo Tusk overland gear currently available at Truck Brigade, including cooking systems, accessories, and cargo slides built for life on the trail.

If you're interested in learning more about the brand’s history and product philosophy, we also recommend reading our in-depth guide to Tembo Tusk and its role in modern overland camping.

Continue reading for an in-depth buyers guide that touches on all of Tembo Tusk's top products.

Understanding the Tembo Tusk Brand

Tembo Tusk has become one of the most recognizable names in the overlanding industry thanks to its focus on durability, simplicity, and practical design. They continue to be recognizable for their friendly aura at industry events and community feel they provide cooking up delicious meals. We have snagged a few snacks off their Skottles and can attest to the deliciousness.

Many of the brand’s products are inspired by real-world overlanding needs. The gear is designed to function reliably in environments where convenience and durability matter most—whether you're setting up camp in the desert, cooking meals at an alpine lake, or organizing equipment inside your vehicle for long-distance travel.

Today, Tembo Tusk products generally fall into four main categories:

• Camp cooking systems
• Cooking accessories and add-ons
• Portable fire pits and camp gear
• Vehicle storage and cargo slide systems

Each category plays a role in helping travelers build a complete overland camp setup.

The Tembo Tusk Skottle Cooking System

The centerpiece of the Tembo Tusk lineup and what propelled them into the spotlight is the Skottle cooking system. Inspired by traditional South African cooking equipment, the Skottle features a large concave cooking surface mounted on detachable legs and powered by a propane burner.

If you're unfamiliar with the system, our detailed guide explaining the Tembo Tusk Skottle cooking system provides a great introduction to how it works and why it has become so popular among overlandersand vehicle based travelers.

You can also browse the full selection of Tembo Tusk Skottle cooking systems available at Truck Brigade.

What Makes the Skottle Unique

Unlike traditional camping stoves that limit you to cooking in multiple small pots or pans, the Skottle provides a large cooking surface capable of preparing full meals for multiple people at once. We love the fact that you can serve 6 full-size adults easily with one single meal all at the same time. The concave design helps contain oils and sauces while allowing food to cook evenly across the surface.

Because of its versatility, the Skottle can replace several traditional camp cooking tools. You can also ditch some of that annoying washing gear as the Skottle cleanup is fast and easy.

Common meals prepared on a Skottle include:

• Breakfast burritos
• Eggs and bacon
• Pancakes
• Stir fry
• Burgers and sandwiches
• Grilled vegetables
• Fried rice

We have tried all of those meals multiple times and if we had to provide a recommendation it would have to be fried rice.

The wide cooking surface also makes the Skottle ideal for cooking in groups, which is one reason it has become a staple among overlanding communities.

For a deeper look at how the Skottle performs in real-world situations, check out our full Tembo Tusk Skottle review  where we break down the system’s strengths and cooking capabilities.

Cooking with a Tembo Tusk Skottle

One of the biggest advantages of the Skottle is the incredible variety of meals it can handle. Many prefer Skottle cooking because it creates a social cooking environment where multiple people can gather around the cooking surface. It has a campfire effect which we can all support.

Instead of cooking isolated meals on a small stove, the Skottle encourages shared cooking experiences at camp.

If you're looking for meal inspiration, our collection of Tembo Tusk Skottle recipes includes several camp-friendly dishes that are easy to prepare on the trail.

Popular Skottle Meals

Camp Breakfast Skillet

The Skottle is ideal for preparing large breakfasts at camp. Eggs, bacon, potatoes, and vegetables can all be cooked simultaneously on the large cooking surface.

Skottle Fajitas

Fajitas are another popular option. The large surface allows you to cook peppers, onions, and protein all at the same time while maintaining even heat.

Fried Rice

Leftover rice, vegetables, eggs, and meat can easily be turned into a flavorful fried rice dish on the Skottle.

Smash Burgers

Because of the wide cooking surface, the Skottle can cook multiple burgers at once, making it perfect for feeding larger groups during camping trips.

Shop Top Tembo Tusk Products

 

Essential Tembo Tusk Accessories

While the Skottle works great on its own, a variety of accessories can significantly improve your camp cooking setup.

You can browse the full range of Tembo Tusk accessories designed to complement the Skottle and other Tembo Tusk equipment such as the Skottle Lid and Skottle Steam Tray.

For a more detailed breakdown of available add-ons, our guide to Tembo Tusk cooking accessories explains how different accessories can improve both cooking performance and portability.

Adjustable Skottle Legs

One of the most useful upgrades for Skottle owners who have an older generation Skottle is the adjustable leg system. These legs allow you to level the Skottle when cooking on uneven terrain.

You can learn more about this upgrade in our article covering Tembo Tusk adjustable Skottle legs and how they improve cooking stability in rugged environments.

Anyone who has cooked on rocky desert ground or uneven forest campsites knows how helpful a level cooking surface can be.

Note new Skottle purchases within the last few years come standard with adjustable legs. The upgrade is therefore aimed at those who have a Skottle with fixed legs.

Storage Bags and Cooking Tools

Many overlanders also add storage bags to protect their Skottle during transport.  These bags keep the cooking surface clean and prevent grease or residue from spreading inside your vehicle. Your Skottle likely came with carrying bags so these may not be necessary to everyone with a Skottle. For us, our carrying cases ended up wearing out after dozens of trips over a six-year period. Fortunately, Tembo Tusk offers the carry cases separately.

Cooking tools designed specifically for the Skottle also make meal preparation easier, especially when cooking large meals.

Tembo Tusk Fire Pits

Another popular piece of gear in the Tembo Tusk lineup is the portable fire pit. These fire pits are a newer offering from Tembo Tusk and provide a safe way to enjoy a campfire while complying with fire regulations in areas where ground fires may be restricted. I think we can all understand how unfortunate it has been to arrive at a great spot to only find out there were fre restrictions. 

Our guide explaining the Tembo Tusk portable fire pit explores how these systems work and why they have become popular among campers and overlanders.

Portable fire pits offer several advantages:

• • Reduced environmental impact
  • Better airflow for cleaner burns
  • Easier transport between campsites
  • Compatibility with fire restrictions in many areas

For travelers exploring different regions where fire regulations change frequently, a portable fire pit can be a valuable addition to any camp setup. In most areas a propane fire pit like the Tembo Tusk one is permitted, but please check with local regulations prior to having a fire.

Vehicle Storage and Cargo Slides

In addition to cooking equipment, Tembo Tusk also produces some of the most reliable cargo slide systems available for overland vehicles.

You can explore these systems in the Tembo Tusk fridge and cargo slide collection available at Truck Brigade.

Cargo slides allow you to mount equipment inside your vehicle and easily slide it outward when needed. This improves accessibility and helps keep your gear organized during long trips.

Fridge Slides

Portable refrigerators are becoming increasingly popular among overlanders because they allow travelers to store fresh food and beverages for extended trips. Gone are the days of buying ice only to watch it melt a couple hours later in your cheapo cooler.

Fridge slides allow the refrigerator to slide out of the cargo area so you can access it without climbing inside the vehicle.

Tembo Tusk slides are known for their strong construction, smooth operation, and high weight capacity. Made in the USA is the cherry on top.

Tembo Tusk Tilt Slides

Tilt slides are designed specifically to make accessing refrigerators easier, particularly in taller vehicles and trucks. Have you ever tried to grab a brew out of your friends fridge only to find out you couldn't even see what you were grabbing because his fridge was mounted in the back of a lifted 4Runner?

Our article covering the Tembo Tusk tilt slide system explains how these mechanisms work.

These slides not only extend outward but some also tilt downward, making it easier to reach items inside the refrigerator.

Tembo Tusk tilt slides can dramatically improve usability.

Tembo Tusk Bike Slides

Cyclists and adventure travelers who bring bikes along for the ride can benefit from Tembo Tusk’s bike slide systems.

You can learn more in our guide covering the Tembo Tusk bike slide system and how it simplifies bike storage inside vehicles.

Bike slides allow you to securely store bicycles inside the cargo area (or truck bed) while still making them easy to access when you reach your destination.

This solution is especially useful for travelers who want to protect their bikes from weather, theft, or trail debris. Bikes dangling on a cheap hitch mounted bike rack or bikes hanging over a tailgate and scratching your paint are a thing of the past, thankfully.

Building a Complete Overland Camp Kitchen

For many, the goal is to create a self-contained camp kitchen that can be deployed quickly when arriving at camp.

A typical Tembo Tusk setup might include:

Core Cooking Equipment

• • Skottle cooking system
  • Propane
  • Cooking utensils

Cooking Accessories

• • Skottle lid and steam tray
  • Cooking tools
  • Storage bags

Vehicle Storage

• • Cargo slides
  • Fridge slide systems
  • Organized storage containers

With the right combination of gear, you can create a mobile kitchen capable of preparing nearly any meal in remote environments with ease.

Why Overlanders Choose Tembo Tusk

Tembo Tusk has earned its reputation by focusing on practical equipment that performs well in demanding conditions.

Durable Construction

Tembo Tusk gear is built in the USA to withstand years of use. We can attest to this as our Skottle is going on ten years. Heavy-duty materials and simple mechanical designs ensure the equipment performs reliably regardless of the environment.

Practical Design

Instead of unnecessary features, Tembo Tusk products focus on functionality. Each product is designed with real-world use in mind. We are yet to find a feature that wasn't well thought out and serves a specific purpose.

Community Adoption

Because the brand is widely used within the overlanding community, there is a large ecosystem of recipes, cooking techniques, and gear setups built around Tembo Tusk equipment.

Explore the Full Tembo Tusk Lineup

Tembo Tusk continues to grow in popularity among overlanders, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts who want reliable gear for their adventures. We get it, quality gear that lasts deserves to be recognized and rewarded as such.

If you're ready to upgrade your camp cooking setup or improve your vehicle storage system, you can explore the full lineup of Tembo Tusk overland gear available at Truck Brigade.

From Skottles and cooking accessories to cargo slides and camp equipment, Tembo Tusk offers durable solutions designed specifically for life on the trail.

Whether you're cooking breakfast at sunrise in the mountains or preparing dinner after a long day exploring remote trails, having the right gear can make every outdoor adventure more enjoyable.