MSR

Ceramic Camping Skillet

Ceramic Skillet Review

Hello, the skillet works as advertised. However, I found it to be a little small and shallow for things like boiling water and cooking pasta. I am also unsure how the red plastic switch on the handle and the bar onto which it clips will hold up long term. I just finished using it on a multi-day canoe trip in northern Québec.

Perfect addition to any backpacking kit

As much as I love a good dehydrated meal on the trail, I recently decided I wanted the ability to cook up some proper food so I went on the hunt for a lightweight skillet, and the MSR ceramic skillet absolutely delivered. I was a bit worried about some of the reviews saying the pan would warp or the ceramic coating would burn off, especially since I'm using it with my small pocket rocket 2 stove, however this wasn't the case at all. Just don't assume you can crank the heat to hi and leave the skillet in one place, as long as you are active while cooking and move the skillet around so the heat disperses a bit more evenly and you modulate the gas, you'll be cooking up 5 star meals in the backcountry. Just got back from a multi day thru hike and cooked up steak and potatoes for dinner one night, and bacon and eggs the next morning, what a moral boost while on the trail when you have 10+ miles to go that day. I paired the skillet with the alpine plate(which is also the perfect size to use as a lid for the skillet), the universal canister stand for extra stability(I'd say this is crucial if you're using a 4oz fuel canister, I'd almost definitely knock the stove/skillet over without it), and the alpine spatula just for the sake of convenience and saving the ceramic coating. All in all very happy with the purchase and I look forward to cooking many more meals in the backcountry!

Great product

Great product for cooking meat and veggies in the wild. While hunting light packable food is done great with water but when success comes cooking meat in the skillet hits the spot.

Same high quality I have

Same high quality I have come to trust with Cascade Design Gear. Bought my first piece of Cascade Design gear in 1980.

Good pan, Good Usage, but doesn't fit 2.5L Pot

I have both the Ceramic Skillet and the Ceramic 2 Pot Set, both are great gears, but they do not fit each other.... the Skillet is around 1 inch bigger than the Pot, make it fail to nest together for easy package......

Worth the wait. Get on the list!

Finally got to field test this skillet at Lost Maples SNA, TX. Nested well with my 2.5L ceramic pot. Cooked a steak for dinner and bacon & eggs for breakfast. Now, I can mix it up with dehydrated and fresh foods. Please make a lid so I can keep the skillet warm.

Excellent workhorse for small groups

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I've used this pan extensively over the last 5 years cooking usually in groups of 3. It has held up very well. There is minor bowing in the center which I'm sure would be better if I was using a flame source bigger than a Pocket Rocket. It is light, cleans very easily and fits perfectly over the top of my BV cans. While packing I put the bear can screw lid in my pack open-end up, then a towel, then the bear can then the pan. This way I can access my food without messing with the screw lid. The Talon handle is fully separable from the pan and re-engages great, never given me any worries. There should be a picture showing this, because it makes packing this pan super easy. I'd buy again, it's a no-brainer.

You want this pan.

You never think you need a pan until you have one, great addition to the gear list.

Expectations were too high.

I purchased this skillet due to the low weight and ceramic coating. I had high hopes that it would be the ultimate backcountry fry pan for cooking anything. I was quite disappointed when my eggs, hash browns, meats, veggies, and other soft foods quickly began sticking/burning near the center of the stove. This original spot now regularly burns food and the bottom of the pan has warped slightly outward from the heat. I primarily use the Pocket Rocket Deluxe and found that the flame is too focused to cook evenly on the skillet. I was quite upset at first but came to accept that such a thin 8"" skillet would never be able to cook soft foods well on the average lightweight backpacking stove. It works a lot better on a stove with a broad burner and controlled simmer, I had very few issues with cooking on my gas stove at home. On the bright side, I have found this skillet to work quite well for grilling breads and tortillas. I've made bomb quesadillas and grilled sandwiches with it using some of my lighter stoves, the Pocket Rocket included. You still need a stove with a low simmer in order to use this skillet in any kind of way.