Which pan do you take on a picnic?

The picnic blanket is ready, the baguette too, and you're still pondering one question: which pan should come along? Because let's be honest, a warm sausage, a quick stir-fry or poached eggs by the water are far nicer than cold bread and cheese. Here's exactly which pan deserves a spot in your backpack.

Why a good pan saves your picnic

Cooking outside is nothing like cooking at home. There are no four hobs, no extractor hood and certainly no tap to rinse something quickly. The right pan compensates for all of it: it spreads heat evenly, doesn't stick, and is light enough to lug along without wrecking your back. With the wrong pan? Your egg ends up burnt and cold at the same time, a uniquely impressive feat.

The three criteria for the perfect picnic pan

Before you impulsively chuck your largest cast iron pan into the boot, run through these three points. They make the difference between a successful outdoor meal and pointless schlepping.

• Lightweight: every gram counts when you're walking fifteen minutes to your favourite spot. Aluminium with a ceramic coating is your best friend.
• Robust enough for outdoors: twigs, sand, an awkward slide across a grill rack. Your pan must be able to take a knock.
• Suited to your heat source: a gas burner asks for something different than a charcoal fire or a portable induction plate. Check this before you head out.

Aluminium with ceramic coating: the picnic champion

Aluminium pans weigh little, conduct heat lightning-fast and, with a ceramic non-stick coating, are also easy to keep clean. A wipe with a tissue, done. Our ceramic frying pans are loved by campers and day-trippers for exactly this reason: they cook with little oil, don't stick and you don't have to scrub them endlessly afterwards.

Which pan size fits in your backpack?

A 28 cm pan is ideal at home, but usually too big outdoors. For two people, 24 cm is plenty; for solo adventures, 20 or 22 cm will do. Unsure about size? Have a look at our 24 cm frying pans, the golden middle ground for most picnickers.

Sauté pan for those who go beyond an egg

Want to make a full meal, think paella on the beach or a curry by the campfire, then a sauté pan is more practical than a frying pan. The higher sides stop the sauce from sloshing over the moment you tilt the pan, and you can easily cook pasta or rice in it. Our ceramic sauté pans are light, versatile and close with a matching lid if you want to bring one along.

Saucepan for coffee, soup or sauce

The saucepan is the quiet talent of your picnic kit. Small, light, and perfect for hot water for fresh coffee, a quick tomato soup or melting a little butter for the eggs. A ceramic saucepan of 16 or 18 cm disappears into any backpack and washes clean with a single wipe.

Soup pan for pasta and one-pot meals on location

Cooking for a bigger group, or planning a long hike with pasta on the menu? Then a deeper pan with more capacity is more practical. Have a look at our soup pans for options that perform well outdoors too, especially on a sturdier camping burner.

What you're better off leaving at home

Not everything in your kitchen is suitable for the road. A few things that should stay home:

1. Cast iron pans: fantastic for characterful cooking on a fixed fire, but far too heavy for the hiking route. Unless you're driving and consciously planning a campfire cooking moment.
2. Glass lids: fragile, ungrateful and downright dangerous in a backpack. Leave them at home or pick an aluminium lid.
3. A whole pan set: one good pan and a saucepan together are more than enough for most outings.

Tips for cooking on a camping burner

A camping burner delivers a lot of focused heat onto a small area. That's different from home and asks for a few adjustments, otherwise you'll burn either your pan or your food.

• Never use the highest setting. Medium heat is almost always enough and saves gas as well.
• Choose a pan with a flat, stable base. Warped bases wobble on small burners and distribute heat poorly.
• Bring a silicone pot holder. Handles get hot outside too, especially during longer cooking sessions.
• Always let your pan cool down gradually before rinsing it with cold water. Thermal shock isn't a holiday friend.

Maintenance on the go: minimalist but smart

At home you grab a sponge and washing-up liquid easily; outside you have to be more creative. A few tips to keep your pan tidy on the trip:

• Wipe the pan as quickly as possible with kitchen roll or a tissue while it's still warm. That saves scrubbing later.
• Got water? Boil a layer of water with a few drops of mild soap. Stuck-on bits will release on their own.
• Store your pan in a separate fabric bag inside the backpack so it doesn't dirty your other gear.
• No steel wool sponges, they'll wreck your ceramic coating in a single picnic.

Which recipes work best outdoors?

A picnic pan isn't a Michelin kitchen, so keep it simple. Eggs with bacon, a quick veggie stir-fry, grilled peppers with halloumi, or a one-pot dish with pasta and tomatoes. You don't need a full spice cabinet, a small pot of pepper, salt and a bottle of olive oil will do. Want more one-pot inspiration for the road or home? Read also why you need a sauté pan, even if you're not exactly making appetisers.

Can you use a picnic pan in the oven too?

Good question, and the answer at Cook & Pan is often yes. Many of our pans are oven-safe, which is handy if you want to gratinate leftovers after the picnic or bake a quiche. In our article on oven-safe pans you'll find exactly which models can go in the oven and up to what temperature. Outside, bear in mind: a hot pan on a wooden picnic table isn't the smartest idea, slip a trivet underneath.

Looking for a lasting picnic partner?

A good picnic pan isn't a throwaway item. With the right care, a ceramic pan lasts for years, even when it heads out regularly. Want to be more conscious with your cookware this year? Read also about sustainable pan resolutions, because a pan that joins your adventures is a pan that truly becomes part of your life.

Ready to head into nature?

Pack your backpack, pick the right size and don't forget the pot holder. With a light ceramic pan, a saucepan and a bit of imagination, every picnic blanket turns into a field kitchen. Have a look at our complete ceramic pan collection and pick the favourite that'll be heading into nature with you from now on. Enjoy your outdoor meal!