Article By: Suraiya Fardous
- April 17, 2023 , Last updated on : November 25, 2023
Cooking your own food is one of the main attractions of camping. And you can enhance your camping experience ten folds with the right cookware. So, today we are going to take a look at how you can select the best camping frying pan for your next outing. Additionally, we are going to see some of the best camping skillets and pans you can find on the market.
Buying guide for the best camping frying pan
You cannot just use any pan you come across for cooking outdoors. The pans for open fire cooking need to be able to handle the temperature and the soot accumulation. Other than that, there are a few characteristics that make the best camping frying pan.
Compatibility
First and foremost, outdoor frying pans need to be able to handle open flames and relatively high temperatures without warping. As a result, you need to select a pan that is made for camping. However, you can use most pans on open flames, but they will not last if they are not made for it.
Material
The best materials for a camping fry pan are cast iron, cast aluminum, and stainless steel. However, weight can be an issue when selecting a pan made from these materials. So, select one according to your portability and durability requirements.
Versatility
You can get pans that can cook a wide variety of meals for you when you are camping. For example, if you get a small frying pan, it will not be very versatile as you will only be able to cook smaller ingredients with it. On the other hand, if you get a bigger saucepan, you will be able to cook various types of meals. You can also use them for frying as well as boil your food when camping.
Size & Weight
Last but not least, you need to select a pan size based on the amount of food you are planning to cook on your camping trip. However, keep in mind that a bigger size means more weight. At the same time, you can always get a smaller pan and cook in batches.
Mostly, it comes down to a choice between a large camping frying pan and a lightweight camping pan. However, since there are numerous options on the market, finding the best camping frying pan for yourself can be an issue. That is why we have selected some of the best ones on the market based on personal experience and user reviews.
List of the best camping frying pan
MSR Camping Fry Pan
Lodge L8SK3
Utopia Kitchen Skillet
Presto 06857
Victoria Skillet
cuisinel Skillet
Lodge CRS15
Stanley Camp Cook Set
GreenLife Frying Pan Set
MasterPan Grill Pan
AmazonCommercial Fry Pan Set
All-Clad Fry Pan
MSR Camping Fry Pan
Material: Stainless steel body with aluminum bottom
Weight: 0.71 lbs
MSR has made the best camping frying pan with a folding handle. The MSR Camping Fry Pan has a strong and durable build with stainless steel that you can use on open fires without any issues. At the same time, it is very lightweight and portable, clocking in at only 0.71 lbs.
Besides being made with outstanding material, the MSR Camping Fry Pan also has excellent heat distribution because of its aluminum bottom that has superior conduction. It also has a removable handle, making it easier to carry the pan in your backpack when camping.
Pros:
Strong and durable
Excellent heat distribution
Removable handle
Light and portable
Cons:
Low capacity
The only drawback of the MSR Camping Fry Pan comes from its lightweight nature. It can only hold 11.4 Ounces of food. However, that is enough for one person, and you can always cook in batches. As a result, its excellent features make it one of the best camping frying pans.
If you are looking for a large camping skillet, this is the one for you. The Lodge L8SK3 comes second on our list because of its weight. However, cast iron skillets are ideal for cooking outdoors. Additionally, it will be a one-time investment thanks to its superior durability.
Cast iron skillets are ideal for cooking outdoors because of their exceptional heat retention. Additionally, they promote even heat distribution, which is important because campfires do not provide even heat. As a result, you can use the Lodge L8SK3 to cook different types of recipes outdoors.
Pros:
Pre-seasoned with vegetable oil
Unparalleled heat retention
Versatile cooking options
Long-lasting build
Cons:
Hard to clean
The only issue you might face while using the Lodge L8SK3 is that it is harder to clean than other pans. Besides that, it has the best features and outstanding durability, ensuring this is the last skillet you need to buy in your lifetime. As a result, it could be the best camping fry pan for you.
The Utopia Kitchen Skillet is another great pan for cooking outdoors on open flames. It has a huge capacity, so you can cook for the whole gang on the camping trip. Additionally, it has handles on opposite sides, so you can easily carry the skillet even if it is filled to the brim.
A lot of people are suffering from iron deficiency nowadays. However, eating food cooked in a cast iron skillet can increase the iron content in your food by 20%, which is perfect for taking care of this problem. Additionally, the Utopia Kitchen Skillet keeps your food warm for longer because of its superior heat retention.
Pros:
Double-sided handle support
Big capacity
Reduces iron deficiency
Keeps food warm for a long time
Cons:
Hard to maintain
The biggest drawback that sets the Utopia Kitchen Skillet back from its competitors is that it does not come pre-seasoned. As a result, it is harder to maintain it. Other than that, its superior benefits and handy features make the Utopia Kitchen Skillet one of the best camping frying pans, especially for people with iron deficiency.
If you usually go camping in a vehicle like an RV, the Presto 06857 will be your next best friend. Since it is an electric skillet, you do not need to gather firewood when you are out camping. Additionally, it is one of the best nonstick camping pans you can get. Lastly, it has functional spouts to drain liquid and foldable handles to make it easier to carry.
Pros:
Delux nonstick surface
Functional spouts and handles
Easy to clean
Cons:
Requires power
The fact that the Presto 06857 requires electricity puts it behind on our list. It is a niche product meant for people who go on camping trips with a vehicle. So, if you fall into that category of campers, it is the only outdoor frying equipment you will need.
The Victoria Skillet is perfect for people who want a cast iron skillet but do not want something heavy. It has a weight of 2.4 lbs but can hold up to 2 quarts, which converts to about 4.2 lbs of water. Besides that, it also has a long and curved handle that lets you grab the skillet comfortably. Additionally, the functional spouts let you drain any liquid from your meal easily.
Pros:
Lightweight cast iron pan
Curved handle for better grip
Toxin-free
Cons:
Takes time to heat up
The only drawback of the Victoria Skillet is that it takes time to heat up, so you must preheat well before you intend to cook. However, if this is not an issue for you, then it is the best camping frying pan you can get that is made from toxin-free material.
The cuisinel Skillet comes with a silicone handle holder, pan scraper, and tempered glass lid. The silicone handle holder is specifically useful because it lets you easily handle the skillet even when you are cooking. Besides the accessories, the skillet itself is outstanding since it lets you cook your food perfectly, thanks to even heat distribution.
Pros:
Superior heat distribution
Ergonomic loop handle
Includes various accessories
Cons:
Very heavy
The biggest setback that hurts the ranking of the cuisinel Skillet on our list is its weight. However, if you hate when your food is cooked unevenly because of the inconsistent heat from the campfire, then the cuisinel Skillet is the best camping frying pan for you.
If you hate the fact that cast iron skillets take a long time to heat up, the carbon steel Lodge CRS15 will be your new best friend. Additionally, it can retain the heat for a long time to keep your food hot when you are out camping. Just like its cast iron competitors, its also comes pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil that enhances its longevity.
Pros:
Heats up quickly
Retains the heat
Pre-seasoned with natural oil
Cons:
Rusts quickly
Most people prefer cast iron over carbon steel even though cast iron skillets are heavier, is because carbon steel skillets can rust easily. However, if you maintain it, this will not be an issue for you. As a result, it is one of the best cooking pans for camping that you can buy.
If you want to get everything you need for a camping trip at once, you can try the Stanley Camp Cook Set. It comes with a frying pan, a cutting board, two plates, two sporks, and much more. Since all the accessories fit inside the frying pan, it is very easy to organize and carry everything without it being a hassle.
Pros:
Comes with various accessories
Easy to carry
Easy to clean
Cons:
Food sticks without seasoning
You have to ensure that you carry seasoning and oil with you because, without them, food tends to stick to the Stanley fry pan. Other than that, it is one of the best package deals you can get for a camping frying pan with a lid.
The GreenLife Frying Pan Set consists of two pans. However, the price is still comparable to most of its competitors in this range. Besides providing a great deal, the pans are made from toxin-free material, so you can eat healthy even when you are out camping. Additionally, the durable nonstick coating makes your life easier.
Pros:
Two pans for the price of one
Made from toxin-free material
Durable nonstick coating
Cons:
The paint chips easily
While the pans in the GreenLife Frying Pan Set are more aesthetic than its competitors, the paint of it can be easily scratched. However, since we are looking for a pan for camping, looks do not matter that much. Other than that, its lucrative deal, combined with its extraordinary features, make it the best camping fry pan for most.
The MasterPan Grill Pan has a foldable handle, which makes it perfect for taking with you when camping. Besides that, the cast aluminum build ensures it can heat up quickly and distribute the heat evenly, even from inconsistent campfires. Additionally, it has a nonstick and stain-resistant coating to make your life easier.
Pros:
Folding handle
Quick and even heat conduction
Stain resistant
Cons:
Handle does not have a lock
While the foldable handle increases its portability and makes it easy to store, it does not have a lock. As a result, you can mistakenly flip it over with our food if you are not careful. Other than that, the quality of the MasterPan Grill Pan makes it one of the best grill pans for camping.
The AmazonCommercial Fry Pan Set has three pans and is affordable at the same time. All the pans in the set can handle very high temperatures, which makes it perfect for camping. Additionally, all three pans combined can cook a lot of food at once, so everyone on your camping trip will be covered.
Pros:
Can handle very high temperatures
High capacity
Reinforced grip
Cons:
Hard to clean
While the AmazonCommercial Fry Pan Set is a very lucrative deal, it comes later on our list because it stains very easily. Additionally, it can be hard to clean the stain because they have no nonstick coating. However, since we are mainly using them for camping, all of their features make them an ideal choice.
The All-Clad Fry Pan is an extraordinary build, which makes it heat and wrap-resistant. As a result, it will not deform even in very high temperatures. Additionally, it is a versatile frying pan that allows you to cook various meals, even on a campfire. Its performance is comparable to a cast iron frying pan while being very lightweight and portable at the same.
Pros:
Heat and wrap resistant
Versatile usage
Very lightweight
Cons:
Very expensive
While the All-Clad Fry Pan is one of the best camping frying pans, it is also the most expensive one on our list. However, if you can afford it, it will definitely provide to be the best among its competitors.
The best camping frying pan for you will be the one that best fits your specific requirements. For example, if you want a long-lasting pan, go for the Lodge L8SK3. Alternatively, if you want a pan with a foldable handle that is easy to carry, go for the MSR Camping Fry Pan or the MasterPan Grill Pan. If you liked this list, check out our top picks of the best stone frying pans and frying pans for fish.
