When it comes to cooking on a backpacking adventure, you need the right equipment and that means having a frying pan that is not only durable but also lightweight and easy to use. Here is my review for the best backpacking frying pan.
Here are my top picks for the best backpacking frying pans:
- Stanley Adventure Frying Pan (Stainless Steel)
- MSR Alpine Camping Frying Pan (Stainless Steel)
- MSR Quick Skillet (Hard-Anodized Aluminum)
- Fire-Maple Camping Frying Pan w/Nonstick Coating
- Chinook 41480 Frying Pan (Aluminum)
Stanley Adventure Frying Pan set (Stainless Steel):
The Stanley Adventure Frying Pan is exactly what you need for cooking when going backpacking. After over a year of use, the Stanley Adventure Frying Pan has proven to be durable and useful for backpacking cooking needs. When looking for a backpacking frying pan, one might think that any old frying pan will do the trick. This is not true because many brands are too heavy, too big, and over-priced. The Stanley Adventure Frying Pan provides quality features such as durability, heat distribution like a stainless steel sauté pan and the right sized lid to keep food moist and tender.
The Stanley Adventure Fry Pans were created for outdoor use. These Fry Pans are lightweight, can hold up to 32 oz of liquid, are 2.3 inches deep and 8.5 inches long which makes this outdoor Frying pan great for a backpacking trip. For a one-inch of prawns or crispy bacon, it takes only 4 minutes to cook.
The next thing that impressed me with the Stanley Adventure Frying Pan is that it can be taken apart. This is important to keep clean and easy to clean. The Stanley Adventure Frying Pan has a non-stick surface that helps prevent food from sticking onto the frying pan while it’s being cooked. With the addition of a lid it is best for cooking, preparing and storing food in mind; The lid is also easy to use and helps keep food moist.
The Stanley Adventure Frying Pan has a silver stainless steel handle that is sturdy as well as heat proof so one can hold the pan while cooking over high heat without being burned. When looking for a backpacking frying pan it should be durable, lightweight and deep enough to prevent food from burning on the bottom of the pan and keep it warm on top of the packed stove which makes this outdoor frying pan stand alone among other brands.
The Stanley Adventure Frying Pan is sold as part of a 9 piece set including, along with the frypan, a cutting board, two plates, two sporks, a spatula with an extending handle, a trivet, and a cover for the frying pan.
The Stanley Adventure Frying Pan is definitely the best backpacking frying pan. It is high quality, durable and lightweight. Although the price is a little higher than other brands the Stanley Adventure Frying Pan has proven to be excellent in cooking and durability. Stanley Adventure are very confident in their product and offer a lifetime warranty on this set.
MSR Alpine Backpacking/Camping Frying Pan (Stainless):
The MSR Alpine Frying Pan is a robust high-grade Stainless Steel with a thicker bottom which allows the pan to heat and cook evenly. These pan is not the lightest frying pan you will find but it makes up for it in its durability and great heat retention and distribution. The MSR Alpine Frying Pan is easy to clean and a great piece to add to your cook set. It also has a removable handle which helps the frying pan take less space.
You can use this frying pan to boil water, bake bread and even make pasta. This Frying Pan is great for outdoor cooking especially on a backpacking trip. You can also use it for cooking in the winter as well. It is just a great all around frying pan that will become a permanent piece of your cook set.
The next thing that impressed me with the MSR Alpine Frying Pan is that it has a stainless steel handle. Since the frying pan is deep enough to adjust heat, you can feel safe while cooking over high heat without burning yourself. Also, all parts of these backpacking fry pans are dishwasher safe which helps keep it clean and easy to maintain and clean. This Frying Pan is sold in a 2-piece set and has better performance than the titanium version. With it’s weight capacity of 3 kilos, and using just the right amount of oil, you will be able to cook food evenly on this frying pan.
The MSR Alpine Frying Pan is best used for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking or backpacking. Just season the fry pan properly to avoid any sticking and help with easy clean up. These Frying pans are durable enough to handle any backpacking adventure and is one that I would recommend.
MSR Quick Skillet (Hard-Anodized Aluminum)
The MSR Quick Skillet is specially designed for outdoor cooking. This great frying pan does not have good heat distribution like stainless steel or cast iron but it does perform very well in high-heat cooking applications such as stir frying and campfire cooking. Yes, it is lightweight, but it can take some abuse due to the heat retention and distribution. This skillet also has a thicker bottom for better heat and a cast aluminum folding handle for even more durability. This skillet is great for backpacking or camping cooking.
When looking for backpacking fry pans I like to see that it will hold up well under high temperatures. Other than the fact that this skillet is lightweight, I really did not expect it to last as long as it did and perform this well in high-heat cooking applications such as stir fry’s at campfires. The MSR Quick Skillet is a great piece of equipment that I would recommend to anyone.
The next thing that impressed me with the MSR Quick Skillet is its durability. The MSR Quick Skillet performed really well when using it in the high-heat frying pans, and I do not see how it will be able to break if used correctly. It’s great weight, due to its design and material, allows for easy packing along with a small pot and fry pan. This skillet is another piece of equipment that I would recommend for any adventure.
The MSR Quick Skillet is very light and very packable making it ideal for a backpacking trip to help keep your backpack light and help save you space. It is made of thin hard-anodized aluminum which allows for quick heat transfer. The pan has sturdy folding handles which are quick folding and can be removed as needed. The skillet can conduct heat well so it is best used on low temperatures but can also be used for cooking on a campfire. It is lightweight and durable enough to handle even the roughest of backpacking trips. The skillet is non-stick but to really take advantage of the nonstick just add a little oil. MSR Quick Skillet is the ideal backpacking fry pan for your backpacking trip if light weight and quality is what you are looking for. This pan is also ideal for outdoor use because it is easy to clean.
Fire-Maple Camping Frying Pan w/Nonstick Coating (Aluminum)
The Fire-Maple Camping Frying pan checks off all of these boxes. It has a generously sized folding handle which is both sturdy and heat resistant so you can operate the pan without being burned. These frying pans are designed to allow for even heating and the perfect condition for scrambled eggs wherever your adventure might take you. This fry pan is great for camping and backpacking as it’s lightweight. The Fire-Maple Camping Frying Pan is made with a quality aluminum that provides even heat distribution and has a non-stick coating. It is also made with high quality, sturdy material which helps the pan resist scratches, rust and corrosion, and makes it safe to use on any stove or outdoor cookware.
The Fire Maple Camping Frying Pan works best in non-stick pans, but if you’re looking for a solid backpacking fry pan to just have in your collection then this one will work great. It is a very lightweight backpacking fry pan which is a good thing if you are planning on backpacking in more than one kit. It is just very light and the handles are both foldable and removable. The handles fit well in your hand, but aren’t so comfortable that you will want to carry the pan for long distances.
This frypan is great for camping as it holds heat well and doesn’t leave your food sticking to the bottom after cooking. Its non-stick coating also means that there’s no risk of scratching or damaging your cookware from use. This fry pan has great heat retention, so you can cook with ease, even if it cools down. The handles are both foldable, so you can pack the pan in a small bag. This pan will be great when it comes to cleaning and is even safe to use in a dishwasher. Cleaning this pan is easy to do just like any other pan. It also is made out of aluminum which reinforces its lightweight frame, making it perfect for backpacking or camping.
The Fire Maple Camping Frying Pan will be great for camping and backpacking due to its lightweight material that allows you pack it with your other cooking supplies without expanding your bag too much. This fry pan can also be used at home if needed due to its non-stick coating. This fry pan will also be great for cooking on the go because of how quickly food can cook in it. This is another one of my backpacking cooking pans that I would recommend to anyone. This fry pan is lightweight and durable enough to handle any outdoor adventure and will prove to be a good choice if you are looking for an all-around cooking pan for your outdoor trip.
This Fry pan is great if you are really looking for a quality backpacking fry pan set at a great price. It is light weight which means it will be easy to pack as well as lightweight for hauling around on your backpacking trip. This skillet is manufactured with premium aluminum, so it still provides a quality product despite its light weight design, making it ideal for outdoor use as well as any other kitchen use in your home. Another great feature these frying pans offer is the nonstick coating which makes clean up very easy.
Chinook 41480 Frying Pan (Aluminum)
The Chinook 41480 frying pan is a great option for backpackers on a more conservative budget. While the frying pans are made of aluminum, it is thick enough to retain heat well and distribute it evenly. You can use this pan for a wide range of cooking methods including boiling water, frying food, braising and sautéing. This is an ideal camping skillet to take on your next camping trip. It is lightweight and durable enough to withstand any rough backpacking trip while also being affordable enough that you don’t have to worry about it being destroyed in an adventure. The price of the Chinook 41480 frying pan is great, making it an ideal choice for backpackers who are looking to get the most out of their dollar.
The Chinook 41480 Frying Pan has a large surface area which makes this product even more desirable for any backpacking or camping trip where space is limited and weight needs to be kept down. It is even dishwasher safe, so this skillet can just be put right in your dishwasher with the rest of your dishes. The handles on this pan are not flimsy, so you can feel confident when you are cooking with them. The Chinook 41480 Frying Pan has great heat retention, so cooking your food will be easy and effective. This skillet is made out of aluminum which allows it to be both lightweight and durable. It also has a nonstick coating which will allow you to have a much easier time cleaning the product after use. This skillet also has a cool touch folding handle, so you don’t have to worry about getting burned while in use.
If you are looking for a lightweight backpacking frying pan set then the Chinook 41480 is a good choice. It is made with a durable aluminum that will allow it to hold up against anything you are likely to throw at it while backpacking. This product is also dishwasher safe, which makes clean up easy, and even allows you to simply put it in the dishwasher right alongside your other dishes. The nonstick coating on this skiller will make cleanup much easier as well. The nonstick coating will also make cleanup even faster as there is no need to scrub or scrape at the skillet after use.
This pan works great on a campfire where you can get it hot enough to sear your meat, whether that meat is being brought along for the trip or purchased along the way. The handle of this skillet feels sturdy, so you can easily maneuver your food as needed. The downside to this skillet is that it is not as durable as the other skillet we covered, however it is a great option for its price point.
What makes a good backpacking frying pan?
Factors that should be considered when choosing a backpacking skillet are:
The weight of the pot and the lid in particular
The presence of a handle, solid or folding, one on each side or handles on just one side.
Valve diameter and the robustness of this component. This will depend on whether you require it mainly to boil water or cook food. For boiling water finding an adequate diameter is easy, while cooking you need a good heat transfer area. (see section on valves)
Cleaning – a non-stick coating comes in handy as well as flat surfaces with rounded edges for easier cleaning.
Weight – in this respect the most important feature is to have a pan with a smooth bottom. This makes it light and easy to carry.
Material – while aluminum is optimal, you should take into account the difficulty of handling this material in a campfire and its resistance to rust. The importance of this depends on the terrain where you are going, particularly if it is rainy or humid.
The ease with which you can control temperature – The size, height and diameter of the pot as well as its width of the bottom, depending on whether you need it mainly for boiling water or for cooking food. (See the section on valves)
The presence of a handle, solid or folding, one on each side or handles on just one side.
Valve diameter and the robustness of this component. This will depend on whether you require it mainly to boil water or cook food. For boiling water finding an adequate diameter is easy, while cooking you need a good heat transfer area. (see section on valves)
The non-stick coating comes in handy as well as flat surfaces with rounded edges for easier cleaning.
How to clean a frying pan while camping?
Before your trip there are a few things you will need to consider:
Take with you cooking grease cleaner/soap, spatula and a sponge.
Carry a small plastic bag for garbage and for frying pan storage.
How to clean a frying pan while camping Step 1: Let the frying pan cool down and remove any food residue with a spatula or similar tool. Step 2:Wipe it down with paper towels or clean cloths, remember not to use harsh detergents. Step 3: Clean the frying pan with water and your sponge to remove any remaining residue. Step 4: Using your sponge clean the aluminum part of the frying pan by applying hot water and a drop of soap. Step 5: After you have cleaned the aluminum part of your frying pan, use paper towels to dry it thoroughly and then let it air-dry.
Summary
Here are my top picks:
- Stanley Adventure Frying Pan (Stainless Steel)
- MSR Alpine Camping Frying Pan (Stainless Steel)
- MSR Quick Skillet (Hard-Anodized Aluminum)
- Fire-Maple Camping Frying Pan w/Nonstick Coating
- Chinook 41480 Frying Pan (Aluminum)
We reviewed the best backpacking frying pans. When looking for a useful backpacking skillet there are many options all of which have certain qualities that can be useful to one’s situation. There are many great frying pans out there and hopefully any product you pick will help you cook up some wonderful meals on your next adventure. I hope the information we provided helped you decide on the best backpacking frying pans for your backpacking adventure. Thank you for reading!
