Even when I’m trying to go as ultralight as possible backpacking, I’ll still sometimes be a little luxurious on short trips by carrying fresh food instead of dehydrated. That usually means throwing things in a frying pan, and I’ve struggled to find the right one over the years. As you’ll see in this Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Pan Review, I think it may be the right compromise between weight and performance.
Other options I’ve tried
My search for the perfect camping frying pan has taken me through many options. I use cast iron and bare steel pans at home, so I’ve been open to uncoated metal options like the Keith Titanium 8″ frying pan. It was super light but so prone to warping that it was immediately riddled with high and low spots. High spots get no oil, and anything touching them scorches.
Click here for my Keith Titanium 8″ frying pan review
I initially liked the MSR Windburner Ceramic Skillet, but the finish didn’t hold up well. The coating burned off in the center of the pan, and things began to stick there. Eventually, the ring on the bottom that helps it integrate into the MSR Windburner Stove system simply fell off. I now use the ring to put other brand pots on the stove. My ultimate take on the Windburner is that it’s just too flimsy, and I’ve never been a huge fan of MSR’s handle system.
Click here for my MSR Windburner Ceramic Skillet review
Sea to Summit enters the picture
On a recent trip to REI, I noticed the Sea to Summit Frontier 8″ Ultralight Pan in a display and was immediately curious. This is a pan that’s far more sturdily built than most backpacking frying pans that I’ve tried. Yes, it is heavier, but I’d argue that it’s worth the compromise.
Comparing the size and weight of the Summit Frontier Ultralight Pan
The Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Pan is 8″ across and an inch and three-quarters deep. That’s a good size and depth if you’ve got a whole onion or potato to fry up. While it has the same dimensions as the MSR Windburner, the Sea to Summit weighs in at 13oz vs. the MSR’s 7.6—so a little under twice the weight. The Keith pan is just 6.6oz, but it’s also not as deep as the others.
Where the Summit Frontier Ultralight Pan shines
Once you get past the weight comparison, the Summit Frontier Ultralight Pan is head and shoulders above the others in terms of performance, in my opinion. Like the MSR Windburner, it has a ceramic nonstick coating, but because the pan’s metal is thicker, there’s better heat distribution. I’ve not seen a scorched spot develop in the middle over the course of a few months of steady use. I’ll update this blog if that happens.
Better handle
I’m also impressed by the Sea to Summit pan handle system. It detaches and then can be installed in a reverse position across the pan’s interior. This keeps it from digging into everything else in your pack and protects the pan surface. I’ve found it unclips easily with one hand. MSR’s handle system can be folded in on itself, but then it rubs against the pan’s nonstick surface.
I’m sold
So far, the Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Pan has become my go-to for both backpacking and car camping trips. It integrates well with the camp stove systems that I use, and I expect to get years of happy use out of it.
