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The best cast iron skillets for camping can go straight onto a campfire grate, sear a steak on a two burner stove, bake cornbread under a pile of coals and still be in the family decades from now. Nothing else in a camp kitchen is as versatile or as hard to ruin. If you are planning what to cook in one, our list of easy camping dinner ideas has a whole section of skillet recipes.
We checked six cast iron skillets on Amazon for rating, stock and real specifications, from the classic Lodge that most campers already own to a skillet set for big groups and a premium pan built for open fire. If you need a deeper pot for stews and baking, see our list of the best Dutch ovens for camping as well.
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Why the Best Cast Iron Skillets for Camping Beat Other Pans
Cast iron is heavy, and that weight is the point. A thick iron pan holds heat, so it does not cool down when you add cold food, and it spreads heat more evenly over the hot and cold spots of a campfire. It shrugs off direct flame, metal utensils and the occasional drop on a rock, all of which would ruin a nonstick pan. And with a good layer of seasoning, it releases eggs and fish almost as well as a coated pan, without any synthetic coating to wear off.
The tradeoff is weight and a little care. Cast iron is best for car camping, cabins and base camps, not backpacking. For lighter trips, our roundup of the best camping cookware sets covers aluminum and stainless options.
The Best Cast Iron Camping Skillets at a Glance
| Skillet | Best For | Size | Handles | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge 10.25 Inch Skillet | Best overall | 10.25 in | Long handle plus helper | 4.6 (87,000+) |
| Lodge Dual Handle Pan | Best for campfires | 12 in | Two loop handles | 4.8 (22,000+) |
| Petromax Fire Skillet | Best premium | 10 in | Two side handles | 4.7 (1,900+) |
| Cuisinel Skillet With Lid | Best with a lid | 12 in | Long handle, silicone grips | 4.7 (3,000+) |
| Lodge 3 Piece Skillet Set | Best for groups | 8, 10.25 and 12 in | Long handles | 4.7 (79,000+) |
| Barebones All-In-One Skillet | Best compact kit | 10 in | Long handle, lid with D-ring | 4.5 (30+) |
Our Six Camp Skillet Picks in Detail
Each pick links to its current Amazon listing. Cast iron prices are steady, but sales do come around, especially near the holidays.
Lodge 10.25 Inch Skillet: Best Overall
There is a reason this is one of the best selling pans on Amazon, with more than 87,000 ratings. The Lodge 10.25 inch skillet is made in the USA, comes pre-seasoned and ready to cook, and costs less than a tank of gas. The size is ideal for two to four people: big enough for four burgers or a batch of fajitas, small enough to fit on most camp stoves and grates.
It goes from stovetop to campfire to oven without a second thought, and the teardrop handle plus a small helper handle opposite make it manageable with a pair of gloves. Every scratch and cookout only builds the seasoning further.
Specs That Matter
- Size: 10.25 inches
- Made in: USA
- Seasoning: pre-seasoned, PFAS free
- Use: stove, oven, grill, campfire
Who It Is For
Almost every camper. If you only buy one camp skillet, buy this one.
Lodge Dual Handle Pan: Best for Campfires
A long skillet handle sticking out over a fire ring gets hot, gets bumped and often does not fit on a small grate. Lodge’s dual handle pan solves all three problems with two short loop handles. It sits neatly in the middle of a grill grate or on a bed of coals, and you lift it with two gloved hands, which is much safer with a 12 inch pan full of food.
It has the same pre-seasoned, iron and oil only finish as the classic skillet and is rated 4.8 stars by more than 22,000 buyers. The shape also slides into ovens and onto the bottom of a Dutch oven bag easily.
Specs That Matter
- Size: 12 inches
- Handles: two loop assist handles
- Finish: iron and oil only, PFAS free
- Use: campfire, grill, stove, oven
Who It Is For
Fire ring cooks, families feeding four to six, and anyone who wants a pan that sits flat on a grate.
Petromax Fire Skillet: Best Premium
Petromax is a German brand built around open fire cooking, and its fire skillets have a smoother, more refined finish than budget cast iron. The pan arrives pre-treated, so you just rinse it and cook. This 10 inch version uses two side handles rather than one long one, which makes it easy to set over a fire and to hang or pack.
It works on every heat source, from stovetops and ovens to grills and open campfires, and it doubles as a handsome serving dish at the picnic table. It is a step up in price, but it is the kind of pan that gets handed down.
Specs That Matter
- Size: 10 inches
- Handles: two side handles
- Seasoning: pre-treated, ready to use
- Use: all heat sources including campfire
Who It Is For
Campers who cook over open fire often and want a premium pan that looks as good as it cooks.
Cuisinel Skillet With Lid: Best With a Lid
A lid changes what a skillet can do. With the Cuisinel’s heavy cast iron braiser lid in place, you can steam vegetables, melt cheese over burgers, simmer chili and keep food hot while the rest of dinner cooks. Small drip points on the underside of the lid send moisture back onto the food.
The kit also includes silicone handle holders and a pan scraper, two small extras that make a big difference at camp. It is rated 4.7 stars by more than 3,000 buyers, and at 12 inches it feeds a family easily.
Specs That Matter
- Size: 12 inches
- Lid: cast iron with drip points
- Extras: silicone handle grips, pan scraper
- Finish: pre-seasoned, PFAS free
Who It Is For
Families and groups who cook stews, braises and one pan dinners, and anyone who wants an all in one setup.
Lodge 3 Piece Skillet Set: Best for Groups
For big group trips, one skillet is never enough. This Lodge set gives you an 8 inch pan for eggs and sauces, the classic 10.25 inch for sides, and a 12 inch for the main course. Run all three on the fire at once and breakfast for eight is done in fifteen minutes.
The pans nest together for storage, and the set costs about what you would pay for one premium skillet. They are the same made in the USA, pre-seasoned Lodge pans that have earned tens of thousands of five star reviews.
Specs That Matter
- Sizes: 8, 10.25 and 12 inches
- Made in: US