Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Best Cast Iron Camping Cookware

Finex/Instagram

Fall is officially here. It’s the season of flannel, pumpkin-spiced Spam, and campfire cookin’. The first two are straightforward, but cooking over an open flame in the woods isn’t everyone’s specialty. Aside from fire and beer, the next crucial thing you’ll need is a proper pan. For that, there’s nothing better than good old cast iron. Here are five of the best cast iron pans for campfire cooking and beyond.

Best for Newbies: VonShef 3-Piece Cast Iron Skillet Set

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re new to the cast iron game, there’s no shame. For the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to get started, there’s no better option than VonShef’s 3-Piece Cast Iron Skillet Set. The well-reviewed trio is proof that decent cast iron needn’t be expensive. As the name implies, the set includes three nesting skillets in 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch varieties — all for less than the price of a single name-brand alternative. The set comes pre-seasoned with a nonstick coating, so it’s ready to fire right out of the box. Just make sure to maintain that coating with regular seasonings and the entire set will likely outlast you.

Best for Old-School American Pride: Lodge Logic 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Lodge Logic 12” Cast Iron Skillet
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With roots that date back to 1896, Lodge has spent more than a century building its name on high quality, American-made cooking tools. The company’s cast iron sets and individual pans guarantee the best value compared to almost any other brand today. Its tried-and-true 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet provides all the best features you expect in an ideal size. Unless you’re cooking for The Brady Bunch, this size is perfect for cooking up just about any meal to feed a family of four. It also comes pre-seasoned, so it’s ready to cook straight away.

Best for Clumsy Camp Chefs: Stargazer 10.5-Inch Skillet

Best for Clumsy Camp Chefs: Stargazer 10.5-Inch Skillet
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Stargazer’s 10.5-Inch Skillet is perfectly sized for two. The silky smooth interior is naturally nonstick, and it’s available in pre-seasoned or bare varieties if you prefer to season your own iron. Three clever features that cater to clumsier camp chefs are on offer; a flared rim for drip-free pouring, oversized handles on both ends, and a well-balanced design that weighs just 5.2 pounds for easier handling around an open flame.

Best for Campfire Gourmands: Finex 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet With Lid

Finex 12” Cast Iron Skillet With Lid
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If money is truly no object and you’re looking to buy just one pan, Portland-based Finex is the name in cast iron. The company’s 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet is well-sized for cooking just about any meal. Every cast iron pan in the brand’s catalog is polished smooth providing the perfect cooking surface for just about anything including eggs, steaks, salmon, or pork chops. It’s even ideal for campfire cakes and cornbread. Choose the optional lid for the most well-rounded pan you’ll ever own. The octagonal shape also looks damn cool hanging from a pan rack.

Best for Colorful Chefs: Staub 12-Inch Cast Iron Frying Pan

Staub 12-Inch Cast Iron Frying Pan
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Second only to Finex, Staub’s extensive catalog includes enameled cookware that’s all the rage these days. The 12-Inch Cast Iron Frying Pan is available in seven colors (like Cherry and Burnt Orange) in case you appreciate a little flare over the campfire. Beyond its pretty looks, however, the pan’s enameled black matte interior is textured to help promote browning on just about any dish. The result is more even cooking and food that just tastes better. The pan’s shallow, curved sides also make flipping pancakes, omelets, and burgers a snap.

When it’s time to dig in, check out our recommendations for the best camping tableware including dishes, utensils, and more.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
The 7 best mountain bike brands in 2024
A man riding a Specialized mountain bike down a difficult trail.

If you want to choose the best mountain bike of any given day or month, one of the better ways to do so is to look to great brands and see what their newest bikes are. But what brands are consistently trusted year over year? There are certainly famous bike brands like Schwinn, but nowadays we're featuring them more for things like their recumbent stationary bikes for seniors and less so for their mountain bike prowess. Instead, check out the following brands that have stand out mountain bikes on a recurring basis.
Specialized

With prices that range from the hundred to the thousands and names ranging from 'Rockhopper' to 'Stumpjumper', the Specialized line is built to endure a tough mountain or trail. While each of their mountain bikes are specialized in some way or another to take a beating on the trail, there are some features you should know about that appear time and time again. The first is their SWAT technology, which appears on their biking apparel and mountain bikes. This puts a storage pouch inside the metal frame of your bike without sacrificing frame integrity. It's perfect for your energizing snacks. The other is their 'Body Geometry' system, which designs bicycles to fit the specifics of the human body. Check out their mountain bikes by tapping the button below and you'll see a ton of information about each mountain bike's specific measurements and parameters. They really care about this stuff.

Read more
The 4 best snow blowers for wet and heavy snow in 2024
A man uses the Cub Cadet 3X 30-inch IntelliPOWER Snow Blower to clear his wet, heavy snow.

Techniques like shoveling a small driveway and blasting off a top layer of powdered snow with a one stage snow thrower don't compare at all to using a powerful snow blower on wet and heavy snow. It's an intense and satisfying labor that can feel like crushing your lawn's ice, the hard-packed snow behaving nothing like its fluffy cousins. As such, the snow blowers for wet heavy snow are going to overlap only slightly with the best snow blowers period, and you certainly won't see a snow thrower in the mix. Instead, the snow blowers that follow have high-performance engines, a strong drive train, and powerful throw.
The best snow blowers in 2024

Buy the  for the most powerful snow blower.
Buy the if you have difficult terrain.
Buy the for a cheaper, but still three stage, alternative.
Buy the 22-inch if you want something electric that is less expensive, and can handle a two stage snow blower.

Read more
Stanley cup alternatives: The best water bottles you can get
There's plenty of other water bottles on the market

Most of us know that swapping soda, fruit juice, and sugary drinks for old fashioned H20 is better for our physical and mental health. Why not take care of the planet’s health in the process by ditching traditional plastic bottles with a reusable water bottle of your own? Not to mention, you'll save money without having to keep buying plastic bottles again and again.

If you've been on any social media lately, you know that Stanley tumblers are having a bit of a moment. And while we're fans of the brand, we're also fans of avoiding the aggravation of trying to buy sold-out water bottles. Looking for an excellent water bottle you won't have to stand in line to get? These are the best water bottles to keep you properly hydrated in 2024.

Read more