I’ve only had this lightweight carbon steel frypan for about three or four months, but it didn’t take long for me to figure out that it was going to become part of my favorite camping gear.
I initially tested it at home because that’s an easy way to figure out whether a new piece of cookware is actually any good. It passed that test.
Then I took it camping. It passed that one too.
Now it lives in my camping gear box.
I Tested It at Home First
Whenever I get new camping cookware, I like to test it at home before relying on it in the middle of nowhere.
There’s nothing worse than discovering that a pan doesn’t cook properly, sticks to everything, or is a pain to clean when you’re already at camp.
I haven’t had any of those problems with this pan.
I’ve cooked with it both at home and while camping, and so far it has performed exactly the way I hoped it would.
It Cooks Great
The main thing I want from a camping pan is pretty simple: I want it to cook food well. This one does.
I’ve had no issues with how it cooks, and after seasoning the pan, cleanup is very easy. That’s an important part of using carbon steel. Once you get the seasoning established and take care of the pan properly, it becomes a very practical and reliable piece of cookware.
Seasoning Makes a Difference
If you’ve never used carbon steel before, there is a little more involved than simply taking the pan out of the package and washing it like a regular nonstick pan.
You need to season it. Once that’s done, though, I’ve found this pan very easy to maintain. So far, I haven’t had any rust problems either.
I’ve only been using it for a few months, so I’m not going to pretend this is a five-year durability review. But based on what I’ve seen so far, I’m very happy with how it’s performing.
The Lightweight Design Is Great for Camping
One of the biggest reasons I like this pan for camping is the weight. When you’re packing camping gear, every little bit helps.
A heavy cast-iron pan might be fantastic around a campfire, but it’s not always what I want taking up space in my camping setup. This pan gives me the benefits of carbon steel without being something I dread carrying around.
And there’s another feature that makes a surprisingly big difference.
The Handle Detaches
The removable handle is fantastic! This is one of those features that seems like a small detail until you’re trying to pack your cooking gear into a box or vehicle.
With the handle detached, the pan takes up much less awkward space. And, that’s especially useful for me because this pan now lives in my camping gear box.
I can pack the pan and handle separately and make much better use of the available space.
For camping gear, that’s a big win.
What I Like About It
After several months of using the pan, these are the things that stand out to me:
- It’s lightweight.
- It cooks well.
- It’s easy to clean once seasoned.
- The removable handle makes storage much easier.
- I’ve had no rust issues so far.
- It works at home as well as at camp.
That last point is useful too. I don’t feel like I bought a piece of equipment that only has one purpose.
Would I Take It on a Longer Camping Trip?
Absolutely! I’ve already moved it into my regular camping gear, which says a lot. If I didn’t like it, it wouldn’t be taking up space in my camping box.
Instead, it’s now one of the pans I’d be happy to take on a longer camping trip.
Final Thoughts
I haven’t owned this frypan long enough to call this a long-term durability test. But after three or four months of testing it both at home and while camping, I’m very happy with it.
It cooks well, it’s lightweight, it’s easy to maintain once seasoned, and the detachable handle makes it much easier to pack. For camping, that combination makes a lot of sense.
For now, it’s staying in my gear box. And if I’m heading out for a longer camping trip, it’s coming with me.
Want to See More Gear?
Wondering what gear is actually worth taking on the road? Check out my gear page for the equipment I use for hiking, camping, fishing, road trips, and exploring.
