Are you an avid camper or perhaps a backpacking enthusiast? The amazing outdoors have a lot to offer for people who want to explore nature and experience new things which make it a very challenging activity to indulge in. But just before you head to your destination, you need to pack a few basic essentials.
If you are planning to set a camp for the whole day and even for a night, having a reliable cookware set like a backpacking frying pan is very useful. Now, you can easily cook and prepare meals even when you are outdoors.
And when it comes to choosing a cookware set, is never easy given a wide array of brands.This article guides you through the different types of pans to help you have a hassle-free selection of cookware that best fits your needs. When you are outdoors, you want everything to go smoothly and convenient. So finding a cookware that best suits your needs is the way to go.
Table of Contents
Types of Materials
As with the usual cookware that we use inside the kitchen, there are different types of materials used in making a camping frying pan. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages, and knowing these things can help you have a better understanding as to which material is the best choice for your camping needs.
How is one different from the other? What type of material is best suitable for certain use?
Aluminum
Fry pans that are made of aluminum are affordable and can conduct heat really well. It is lightweight and can speed up the cooking time. This explains why most of the fry pans you can find are made from this material. The downside is that it is prone to wraps and dents and it also reacts to alkaline and acid foods.
Hard-Anodized Aluminum
This is different from raw aluminum since it has a thicker coating. It is known to be durable and allowsyou to cook real meals using fresh ingredients. A pan made from this material is expected to last longer than just an aluminum made pan.
The only problem in using hard-anodized aluminum is since it lacks non-stick feature. On top of that,it is not that easy to clean and maintain.
Titanium
If you are looking for an ultra-light performance, buy a frying pan made from titanium. With its thin walls, it heats quickly which is suitable for fast users who are into backcountry meals and those who like to prepare meals that would mostly use boiling water.
How about the downsides? It is much more expensive compared to the rest and it might hot spots brought about by poor heat conductivity. But if you are ready to spend for a really durable cookware that will last and can give you that cooking efficiency that you really want, spending on a titanium made pan is worth the money.
Stainless Steel
This is one of the most common materials used as it is known to be durable and scratchresistant. Although it does not conduct heat well which can result to hot spots, it is a durable material and it is easy to use and to clean.
Non-stick Coating
One of the advantages of camping cookware that has non-stick coating is that it requires lesser oil and it is easy to clean up. But in using this pan, it is prone to scratches and once it does it is prone to breaking down.
Cast Iron
If you are into car camping, cookware made from cast iron is the one to get. It lasts for a long time and it is non-stick that allows you to cook any item evenly. This is great for cooking or campfire. The downside is that it is quite heavy and not suitable for backpacking.
Things to Consider
Now that you are familiar with the materials used in making a frying pan, the next step is to know what attributes comprise a quality cookware. To get the best backpack frying pan, there are things that you have to consider and these include the following:
Weight
For backpackers, everything must be compact and lightweight. Since you will be traveling, it is just logical that you find a cookware set that will not consume too much space and easy to carry around.
Durability
You may not be using the frying pan all the time. But you definitely need a durable frying pan that can last long. Cooking outdoors is different from indoor cooking so you need a frying pan that can withstand external conditions.
Ease of Use
The frying pan should be very easy to use. It should be easy to clean and to maintain so you never have to spend a lot of effort doing the clean up after cooking.
Cooking Performance
Another important factor to consider is the cooking performance. Is the pan fuel efficient? Does it sit well with the stove? How about its heat distribution? In as much as you need a durable frying pan that is easy to use, you also need a pan that is efficient to use.
Your choice of frying pan would depend on what you prefer as well as your needs. If you put ahigh emphasis on finding a lightweight pan, you should go for titanium made frying pans. But keep in mind that this type can be quite expensive. On the other hand, if you want to reduce costs, an aluminum-made pan is the better choice.
You should also look at the features of the product so you can have quick and stress-free cooking. Does it have a non-stick surface? What are the other essential items that come with the package? Does it have safety features to prevent burning?
These are just some of the questions you need to ask prior to making a purchase so you wouldn’t end up wasting money. And all of these would entirely vary from one person to another considering that people have different preferences and needs.
Top Frying Pans in the Market Today
To help you decide which frying pan to get, we summarized and reviewed some of the top rated frying pans in the market. From affordable frying pans to slightly much more expensive cookware, here are just some of the top rated cookware in the market today.
MSR Alpine Fry Pan
Dimensions: 13 x 10 x 1 inches
Weight: 11.4 ounces
Diameter: 8 in/ 20.32 cm.
Best use: outdoor camping cooking
The MSR Alpine Fry Pan is much heavier compared to other fry pans but it has a sturdy built as the brand uses stainless steel with aluminum bottom disk featuring a folding/removable handle. This allows you to heat and cook any food evenly.
The MSR Alpine Fry Pan is very efficient that it gives you various meal options and enables you to cook your meal with superior efficiency.
To prevent excessive sticking, the pan uses mirror finish is one feature to like about this fry pan. It is not too big or too small; it has just enough size to take on any cooking duty. If you are looking for fry pan that is designed for extreme conditions and heavy duty use, this is the one to get. This is perfect if you are always out for an adventure in the woods.
Pros
Can last long with its durable stainless steel material
Gives you efficient cooking and even heating
Features mirror finish avoiding sticking of food to the pan
Suitable for outdoors since it is designed for heavy duty use
For backpackers looking for a complete set, the AKStore designed for 1 or 2 people is a good choice for your camping cooking gear. The package comes with 1 non-stick pan pot bowl set, 1 canister stand tripod, and 1 collapsible piezoelectric ignition canister stove.
The brand uses anodized aluminum for its pot and pan which makes it easy to clean and non-stick. This particular cookware set has the necessary features that you need.The handle is foldable and it comes with silicone tube cover to avoid burning.
What you will like about this set is that it saves space and it is easy to carry. Unlike other cookware that can be really heavy, AKStore is lightweight and durable so you can be sure that it will last long. You can simply put the items inside the mesh bag. AKStore is perfect for those who are looking for camping cookware set that is durable, easy to use, store and clean.
Pros
Made from FDA approved and high quality aluminum alloy
Features silicon tube cover to avoid being burned
The cookware is easy to store and can maximize space
Has a lightweight design but durable and can last long periods of use
JetboilFluxRing Fry Pan might be really expensive for some but it has features that you cannot find elsewhere. It uses FluxRing technology that gives you even heating when you cook any meal and it has a base cover which works as an eating surface.
This 8’’ frying pan is a well-made pan perfect for backpackers. Fuel efficiency is good so you can cook on the pan and still have fuel. One thing to like about this frying pan is that it sits well on the stove. It gives you ease of use since you no longer have to hold the handles of the frying pan. If you are willing to spend for a pan that has a higher quality,JetBoilFluxRing is truly a good choice.
Pros
It is an 8’’ fry pan but it is lightweight.
Fuel efficient and works well with Jetboil stove
The snap on thecover comes in really handy.
Very easy to use and fuel efficient
Cons
Not easy to clean since the surface is non-stick
The curved sides reduce the cooking area
Slightly expensive compared to other camping frying pan
A pan designed for heavy duty use suitable for backpacking, hiking, camping and other outdoor activities, Hikingworld Outdoor Camping Pan is a heat resistant and durable pan made from aluminum alloy that has undergone hard oxidation treatment. This gives you a strong frying pan that is designed for outdoor use.
Hikingworld is easy to carry and very convenient. It comes with fold handles that make the pan look compact. It is a non-stick pan so you won’t have any difficulty in cleaning the pan. And when you buy the Hikingworld Outdoor Camping Pan, it comes with aclean ball, ameal spoon kit and soup spoon. Suitable for 1 to 2 persons, this covers the cooking essentials that you need.
Pros
Made from aluminum alloy which makes the frying pan heat resistant and durable
This pan can withstand extreme conditions and designed to last.
A compact kit that is easy to carry around and it is convenient to use
It is not difficult to clean and to maintain with its non-stick feature.
Cons
The spatulas that come along with the package are small.
If you are looking for a bigger pan, the Jetboil 10IN Fry Pan might just be what you need. It has a high wall design that is perfect for outdoor cooking in particular sautéing. The 10IN pan is ceramic coated which is eco-friendly and designed to give you an easy to use backpacking frying pan. It sits well with the Jetboil Genesis cooking system.
Unlike other frying pans that consume too much space and are quite heavy, Jetboil has folding handles for easy and compact storage. With its non-stick feature, you won’t have any problems cleaning the pan.
Pros
Has a high wall design which is perfect even for sautéing
Features a 10 inches frying pan that is ceramic coated that allows you to cook any item and perfectly suitable for a bigger group
Weighing at 10.75 oz, the Forfar Outdoor Frying Pan is a lightweight pan that is easy to carry simple perfect for car camping or backpacking. This makes the frying pan a must have cooking gear when you are outdoors as it is convenient to use and to pack.
Forfar is made from high-quality aluminum that has undergone hard aluminum oxidation treatment. What you will like about Forfar is it is easy to pack and to carry with its foldable handle. The connections are stable and strong. And since it is coated using classic two coat system with a non-stick surface, you have a frying pan that is durable and easy to clean.
Pros
Has a lightweight design which makes it easy to carry around and perfect for backpackers
Made from aluminum giving you a long lasting durability
Has non-stick feature making it easy to clean up
Comes with foldable handles which make it easy to pack
Cons
The pan might be small for those who need a bigger pan.
Cooking a good meal allows you to enjoy your outdoor experience. So when buying a cookware, there’s a lot more involved instead of just choosing any cookware that you can use in order to cook food.
Take the time to weigh your choices, factor in your preferences and needs and compare the different cookware sets available. We have presented some of the best frying pans that make your camping or backpacking experience a breeze and there are still a lot of other choices out there depending on what you need.
Who says you cannot have a sumptuous meal when you are outdoors? Apart from the choices listed above, there is a broad range of frying pans to choose from. Have you tried any so far? We would like to hear from you.
Fully passionate about the outdoors and totally committed to a life of exploration and learning, Rita is the perfect guide when it comes to choosing the right gear for your adventures. She gathered years of practical experience in testing her survival skills and knowledge in a wide range of difficult situations but she is also a passionate mountain climber. Even more, Rita loves hunting, she knows her way around a weapon, and she doesn’t back off in a difficult situation.
