A fire pan is a fantastic piece of campfire equipment. The possibilities are many and far more than you might expect. Personally, I always bring my fire pan with me. Sure, it adds a bit of extra weight, but it’s definitely worth it.
- Bacon for breakfast and sausages.
Then you can easily use the drippings to make... - Scrambled eggs on your fire pan.
- Hash if you have leftover meat from the night before.
And there are many more possibilities.
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How do you maintain a fire pan at home?
If you buy a Petromax sp24, 28, or sp32 (the number indicates the diameter of your new fire pan at the bottom), my recommendation is as follows.
The very first time you use the pan, wash it thoroughly with dish soap and a sponge. Wash it in warm water so it dries quickly.
Then take a little olive oil on a piece of kitchen paper and apply a thin layer to the fire pan. After that, it’s ready to use.
How to avoid burning your fingers
(just generally when cooking over a fire)
In the back of my car, there are always two pairs of fire gloves. I don’t want to risk forgetting them when I leave home. A good pair of fire gloves makes it so much easier to handle hot items in and around the fire.
And you can buy them right » HERE « or by clicking on the picture.
Got it now – but how do you clean your fire pan when you’re out camping?
Personally, I always boil the pan with a little water when I’m done using it. If I’m at the beach, I use some seawater. Otherwise, just water from a stream or my water bottle. When the water has boiled, I use a tuft of grass to wipe the pan. Usually, this removes most of the residue.
When you’re outdoors, you don’t have to be too delicate, and the heat from the fire will take care of the bacteria. Knock on wood, I’ve never gotten sick on a trip yet.
How do you prevent food from burning on a fire pan?
As a couple of well-known and prominent gentlemen always insist, you need to use "plenty of butter." On a weekend trip in the forest, it’s a good idea to bring a good pack of butter and possibly some oil in a bottle.
If you’re frying bacon or other fatty foods on it, that’s often enough to prevent other things from burning too much. And if it does happen... consider it "umami."
Food cooked over an open fire should have that smoky flavor, and you can never completely avoid burning things a little bit. Not in pots or on a grill either. That’s just how it is.
Okay – now I want to buy a fire pan. How big should it be?
If it’s just for yourself, you can advantageously buy the smaller Petromax SP24. The 24 cm size is plenty big for you and a friend. They are made of cast iron, so the quality is serious. The "price" is that they also weigh a bit, so you shouldn’t choose one bigger than absolutely necessary. The SP28 is also good for two people, while the SP32 can really hold a large portion.
Admittedly: I have chosen to use an SP32 for myself. I can use it just for myself, but also when I have others with me, plus I can use it with my camp stove. It fits really well on top of it.
So make sure to think through all scenarios. What do you need when you buy a fire pan?
In general, campfire equipment made of cast and forged iron is just awesome for cooking. If you’ve caught the bug, take a look at the gear from » Petromax right here «🔥
