Temu camping gear review: unboxing, testing, and real thoughts

I resisted, but then curiosity and I caved. I bought a few camping items from Temu. That cheapo megastore that hammers us with ads, and may be using our data in nefarious ways. That's the power of wanting to save a few pennies. I needed some small items to round out the mini camp kitchen, and it seemed like the perfect test case.
6 items, 50 bucks -- let's see how they did.
I didn’t link to the Temu products, because they disappear quickly, and then re-appear a couple days later, from another vendor. So maintaining links is IMPOSSIBLE.
All of the Amazon versions in my storefront, in the Camp Cooking category:
www.amazon.com...

[@lindahopson5003]

Put rubber bands around those spice jars at the top to keep them from sliding down

[@ShoestringMartha]

Easy fix -- I love it!

[@mikesmith1550]

So enchanted to see your new toys! Thanks for sharing. Now on to the videos where you show us how to make good camp vittles.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Plenty more of that in store! 🔥🍳

[@tracker5849]

Yes more camp vittles. Nothing better than outdoor food.

[@lynnef3297]

Thank you for sharing your Temu camping gear. I have never bought anything from there but have seen the ads and wondered about their products. 🙂👍

[@digitalphoenix72]

I would say pepper, powdered garlic, or powdered onion. Your kit would be so much easier than what we do, which is fill up enough empty capsules with whatever spices, and try to keep them minimized to one little bottle (we hike too). But with your setup it seems great, could probably fit more😊

[@ShoestringMartha]

Now that is SUPER compact! 😮 Solid choices 👍

[@247nevergiveup]

Love the price comparison and you didn't just unboxed. Thank you for taking the time to make a well informed video

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks! It was a lot of fun to investigate 😄

[@CindyCaVANas]

I've always wondered about the camp steamer thingy. No steamer rack geeze. Lol All in all, seems like a good haul. Thanks for sharing.

[@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsILK]

Great video! I love to buy camping 🏕 gear & gadgets from Temu, as well. Particularly rechargeable batteries & their USB chargers. Great quality & inexpensive. I put my olive, sesame, veg oil in tiny empty repurposed whisky bottles I find. I clean, soak, sanitize them. Remove the labels and they make adorable & leak-proof little cooking oil bottles. I use most plastic bottles but enjoy the fancy glass bottles of more expensive liquors. I use them.to.mix my paints, and store anything that needs to stay dry & secure. I got a couple of awesome & inexpensive alcohol stoves & burners from Temu. I find I can get away with just using the glass alcohol burner for coffee, pasta, noodles, toasting a bagel on my 5" mini griddle.

[@ShoestringMartha]

I LOVE the repurposing and style factor of glass whiskey bottles! Too bad all I find are plastic Fireball bottles, smashed flat 😂 I was thinking of throwing a little alcohol stove in there, or at least having it on hand as a backup-backup. They're so small and inexpensive. Maybe I'll toss one in my next order. 🤔

[@weekendnomad5038]

I honestly love my temu camping stuff! But I’m pretty mad that my last two orders show delivered and aren’t actually here

[@ShoestringMartha]

Arghhh! ANNOYING

[@TentandLantern]

I’m not sure where you’re located, but Daiso sells those rectangular pots and the steaming rack sells separately. They also make a cute little cutting board that fits inside.

[@ShoestringMartha]

There’s one about 30 minutes from me, but it seems whenever I’m over that way, I either have Gunther with me, so I can’t go in, or it’s closed 😔

[@NHIexist]

I have the smaller Daiso one and the steamer and chopping board. I haven't yet used it but am going to try it one one of their tiny solid fuel stoves. Daiso camping gear is compact.

[@TentandLantern]

@@NHIexist right? I imagine a partial reason for that is how inexpensive it needs to be, but ultimately it’s smaller and easier to carry. Win/win.

[@3vil3lvis]

Decent single person kitchen set up. I would suggest stitching the bottom flap of the spice kit to the loops that hold the spices, so the jars don't fall out. Also, Salt Pepper Garlic and Herbs de Provence will season many dishes.

[@tinabeane]

Good to see how this worked out and the price difference from Amazon. Good tip about not just going by the images. I'm still temped but not bought anything yet. I'll hit up Daiso first and them maybe test them out. Thanks!!

[@ShoestringMartha]

Ooh I’ve been wanting to try out Daiso! One opened here in the Valley, but on the far side, so I haven’t made it over there yet. Some day!

[@meganshields8530]

The oil bottle looks like it would get messy when changing elevation significantly (learned that one the hard way). The pot gripper looks like a win though!

[@cillaloves2fish688]

You got some nice stuff I've been timid on ordering from Temu Maybe I'll check out what they have now

[@sakurasu907]

Nice finds! I eapmlikw the gripper, need one of those. Or maybe two. House and camping. Thank you for the review. Will check it out.

[@tjfm59]

if you want to pack more spices i recommend tic tac containers, the large ones. it is what i use. the container that holds them all is one of those plate frame holder boxes at about 5 x 5 x 2 inches. you had me counting the stoves i have & the fuel types they need. stove fuel is around 6. stoves runs into about a dozen. with some being those home made alcohol burners to solid fuel tablet ones.

[@ShoestringMartha]

But then I’d have to buy TicTacs. 😃I wonder if Fireball mini bottles would work 😏

[@tjfm59]

@@ShoestringMartha they might, but the tic tac bottle the cover comes off all the way. leaving access the width of the container. be easier to fill - plus tic tac containers are rectangles - easier to store no wasted space. fireball you only got the 1/3 inch mouth. would have to use a funnel.

[@lisasells9305]

If you decide you don’t like the rubber bands on the bottles, you could put sticky Velcro on the bottle straps and on the flap to hold it in place but still allow you to open it if needed.

[@ShoestringMartha]

It’s working on, but I happen to have sticky velcro 😏

[@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsILK]

Never seen that stove in use. Would enjoy a demo video! 😊

[@ShoestringMartha]

I used it briefly, to make some really disappointing biscuits 😂, over here > kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoLFoX1nr5J-qqs

[@jessicapayne8622]

The camping bags/rucksacks are stitched poorly, don’t get them. Most of the stuff I’ve got from temu are excellent. I’ve bought a few of the same items due to their quality, Price and that they have Helped me!!

[@ShoestringMartha]

I was considering one of their canvas tool bags for my fishing gear, so that’s good to know. Thanks!

[@jessicapayne8622]

@@ShoestringMartha canvas seems to be ok. The camping/school bags are not very good x

[@AlexBeckleysRVs]

Thanks love these ideas

[@ms.gearhead6884]

I love science! It's better to have oil in glass long term. Plastic leaches into oil. Those grill legs can be bent a bit to get rid of the wobble.

[@ShoestringMartha]

The metal is surprisingly strong! I tried to bend by hand, with no luck. They might budge with a vise and perhaps the application of some heat. I was thinking I'll just wrap them with some soft foam or rubber tubing. That'll help reduce any slipping and sliding too.

[@ms.gearhead6884]

@@ShoestringMartha oh really? Good to know, your solution sounds good. I hope that we see it in future videos

[@lorrainecouch348]

Get some self-amalgamating tape that plumbers use. Silicone rubber type picks up less fluff... but may not stick as well. I pretty much you it for those jobs that don't require gluing... as this stuff only sticks to itself... so you can remove it cleanly.

[@aaronwitner4449]

For the bottle that you paid for the oil, you can get a plastic bottle that the clear the lid Klipsan better

[@OldePete]

I like your thought of trying to stay "all-electric" for cooking inside, especially with the evolution of solar technology and batteries. I wonder if you could put together a playlist of how you're getting that done? Keeping with that theme, I've seen "campers" using an Instapot or pressure cooker for steaming which seems easier, if you've got the "power".

[@ShoestringMartha]

I have plans for a full tour of the mini kitchen, which includes the kettle, waffle maker, and the flameless cooker. But I keep waiting until it's "done" Problem is, I keep editing the contents. 😂 I think it's at the point of "close enough" though, and have it slated for after the next video (the dog-friendly roadtrip). I've had this 12v mini rice cooker (which can cook a lot of different things) on my shopping list for a while, but I've expended my camping gear allocation for the quarter. 💸 Sometime soon -- at least by Autumn, I would think. 🤔 amzn.to/3X9QFI6

[@OldePete]

Yes, I think using 12v appliances really helps conserve power.

[@jaccourt9531]

Their refunds are great.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Good to know!

[@IrkallaC]

Love your video. We're considering trying some of these things, and you made our decision easier. One suggestion, though. Turn off your auto focus. It's great in theory, but the constant refocusing is very annoying.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Good call -- I think that was maybe the second time I used my camera 😂

[@IrkallaC]

@ShoestringMartha when you're in the same spot, there's just no need for it. The camera is just constantly trying to focus on whatever is closest. Love your vibe, looking forward to more from you.

[@sakurasu907]

Hmart or Asiana sells these with plastic type bottle. We love to use for when roasting Nori, bbq grills, etc.

[@ShoestringMartha]

It’s a good thing H-mart is a long drive from home. I would spend so much money there. 💸💸💸

[@katmogstad1692]

So, Temu is the new Amazon but with slower that Amazon shipping?

[@ShoestringMartha]

As a non-Prime member, shipping speed is nearly the same as Amazon. If you have Prime, it probably is much slower. For the most part, prices on Temu are typically *slightly* lower - maybe 10-20% less. Not everything on Temu is also on Amazon, e.g. I couldn't find the same oil dispenser. Another thing I was not able to test, is how returns go. Currently, returns to Amazon are pretty easy (though they are working on making it harder for us, in order to reduce them). No idea how returns are handled on Temu.

[@pursang0904]

I rated a phone holder a 1 from Temu - they refunded my money immediately and told me to keep it. BTW have you ever used the toilet you got from Temu?

[@hhbeck-ziegler9333]

Probably will get that stove too being a smaller version to the one i have .

[@leahwebb9622]

I hope the auto will be better next time. I had a hard time hearing you. But I did like the video. Thank you so much

[@ShoestringMartha]

I literally just ordered a wireless mic, because it annoys the crap out of me too. 😂💸

[@ike8236]

Hey mate, been temped to order the leather spice holder thingamajig it looks pretty good. Also the pot gripper, spin them around and you can use them as tongs.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thanks for the tip!

[@ramonapuckett3059]

Thanks, very informative ❤

[@dusty59smith]

Put Tape On The Salt Bottles...

[@matthewmclaren9353]

You should also note for your viewers that TEMU is a rabbit hole! LOL

[@ShoestringMartha]

100% FACTS 😂

[@lorrainecouch348]

In less than 6 degrees of separation... those connected to Temu? BLACKROCK AND VANGUARD

[@pursang0904]

Hi there- have you purchased a wind screen ever for your square butane stove? Was just beach camping and sure did need one! Thanks for your great videos! I sure do enjoy them and am so glad Gunther is healing well!!!

[@pursang0904]

The bigger butane stove you had previously not the temu one.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Thank you so much! I do have a windscreen for the GasOne stove. It’s this one: amzn.to/48hGbLK

[@bessycorrales2259]

Not surprising, Temu products appear subpar in quality. Basically, a bunch of cheap crap.

[@joseligeiro]

To the spice kit, place some duck tape inside the strap till it "grabs" the canister.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Excellent idea! I ended up looping a rubber band around it a few times, and it seems to do the job.

[@jessicawolfe5861]

I use ghee in a mason jar for oil.

[@jessicawolfe5861]

@anolakes yes

[@tracker5849]

I love that stainless bento box and payday im planning the tiny grill..have one but its huge. Not crazy about aluminum

[@ShoestringMartha]

The little grill has been very handy so far. I couldn’t find the same brand of steel bento on Amazon, but there are several similar there. amzn.to/3Fo6xik

[@tracker5849]

@@ShoestringMartha thank you maam

[@laurencecook7652]

I get why you didn't include links (as products change), but would have been useful to include a lust of the items and prices...

[@ShoestringMartha]

The prices should be captioned in the video, but if I get around to it, I'll add them to the description. Figuring out their names is probably the harder task. 😂

[@Breeski1]

She did...

[@laurencecook7652]

For a minimal price difference Vs Amazon, I'd be inclined to always go Amazon. I've got some great cheap small backpacking items from temu though.....

[@ShoestringMartha]

Typically my strategy as well. I'll go Temu if it's a significant price difference, or unavailable on Amazon.

[@anthonylabeau6159]

My girlfriend won’t store anything in plastic only glass

[@ericdpeerik3928]

You have a dog, dont you? I can hear snoring in the background 😂

[@ShoestringMartha]

We have two and the noisy one is Holland the frenchie, who absolutely must be nearby whenever I’m recording 😂

[@weekendnomad5038]

Wow I DID NOT KNOW the stove legs popped out 😂

[@ShoestringMartha]

lol yes! like spaceship legs! 😂

[@victoryjack1776]

season all or limon pepper in 4th jar

[@ShoestringMartha]

Yesss.... a multi-purpose spice blend would be a good choice 🌶️

[@tomatogrw]

Lemon pepper or Tajín

[@ShoestringMartha]

Excellent suggestions 👌🏼 I already keep Tajìn in the big camp kitchen and use the heck out of it! 🌶️

[@jeffhaddox2239]

If it is leather Steam it see if it forms.

[@ShoestringMartha]

Clever! I went the lazy and less attractive route of wrapping a rubberband around the vial.

[@photomaker4502]

I would highly advise people not to use Temu because of security reasons and if you value your privacy.

[@ShoestringMartha]

👍