Thread: Camp frying pan?

Possibly the most boring post ever. Any recommendations for a camp frying pan? Weight isn't an issue, but doesn't need to be big. It'll be for cooking backstraps (hopefully!) on a small gas burner.

Thick heavy cast iron. End of.

one skillet and a wok is all you need.

If it's a small gas burner then you don't want a pan that is too big. For a big burner I use a cast iron skillet. For a small cooker I use a magnalite. It belonged to my wife's Grandfather but it's bloody good.

you cant get the heat into a thin pan to sear meat, you end up waiting forever and cooking it. yuch
when it comes to thinks like steak i want it so rare that hindu's are still praying to it

Originally Posted by gonetropo

you cant get the heat into a thin pan to sear meat, you end up waiting forever and cooking it. yuch
when it comes to thinks like steak i want it so rare that hindu's are still praying to it

I wouldn't blame the pan for that, it just mean your fire is too small

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Small non stick cheapo. Throw the handle away and use billy clamp handle thing.

+1 but I use a clean pair of woolen socks instead of the Billy handle. Depending on which pack I'm using the pan makes for useful 'protection' on the bottom when you put it down

I use 'black steel' for all our cooking including at home on the gas hob. When you want a long slow simmer, I get the cast iron pan out.

Advantages of 'black steel':
Treat it as if it was cast iron - same cleaning process
Nice long handles for use over gas or the open fire - they do not heat up like the short ones on cast iron which means most of the time you don't need a glove
No non-stick chemicals (unless you call butter or lard a chemical)
Way, way lighter than cast iron
Fast to heat up and responsive to changes in heat input
Robustly made and will take a beating
If you want a compact unit, you can cut the handle off near the pan and weld a hinge in so that the handle folds over into the pan for storage
Low cost

I usually buy mine from Savebarn but just checked and they don't seem to have the full range of sizes.

This is the brand I use but in the 260-300mm range. It has a distinctive shape to the end of the handle https://www.savebarn.co.nz/36cm-blac...scription=true

There is a range of NZ made ones to, but i have never used them https://www.dissco.co.nz/product/53/Black-Iron-Fry-Pans

+1 for the cast iron. end of story. No nasty chemicals, can take a beating, can live outside etc etc.
I have several bivouacs where I go hunting. each location has one of those cheap $20 on special Bunnings gas cooker, a bunch of the gas containers, a 20cm cast iron frypan and a 15cm small stainless steel with copper bottom pot, from the recyclers for $2. Can cook/heat almost anything two people will ever need when out hunting. Total cost about $40 and one heavy carry in

How small of a gas burner are you talking about? If it is as small as mine (e.g. https://www.bivouac.co.nz/brands/cam...gas-stove.html) then not many frying pans can go on without the entire system toppling over.

Machined the feet off a high sided electric fry pan about 40 years ago, still going.

Gasmate and Campmaster both make small cast iron hotplates. Use it over a fireplace as well as a cooker.

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

How small of a gas burner are you talking about? If it is as small as mine (e.g. https://www.bivouac.co.nz/brands/cam...gas-stove.html) then not many frying pans can go on without the entire system toppling over.

Good point! I have a plan.

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

How small of a gas burner are you talking about? If it is as small as mine (e.g. https://www.bivouac.co.nz/brands/cam...gas-stove.html) then not many frying pans can go on without the entire system toppling over.

This size : https://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/cam...2f6651bb57-001

Kitchen is being redone, so just cooked a 500 gm pork steak that took up the whole cast iron frypan, on one of those. Done to perfection

That’s a nice size. I need one of those to do outdoor high heat cooking with a wok.