Sourcing a LARGE cast iron frying pan?

[Random Roadkill]

I'm trying to source a large cast iron frying pan/skillet for cooking directly on an open fire. About the largest I can find online is 12", but I'm after something in the region 17". Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

 

[Winnet]

Try looking for a paella pan.

https://www.thepaellacompany.co.uk/paella_pans.html

G

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

 

[Janne]

Paella pans are made from pressed steel.
I have a Lodge 17 inch skillet. Cast iron.
Brilliant quality, and very affordable considering it’s made in the US.

 

[Billy-o]

Depending where you are, go find the large asian supermarket/dollar stores near you and look in there. I reckon you have a 90% chance of striking gold.

Otherwise .. Lodge Though their prices seem to vary depending on the kind of store you find them in. Cheap in hardware stores ... absurdly expensive in cookery shoppes.

 

[Robson Valley]

Might it be possible for you to use a cast iron griddle?
Lodge, Kitchen Aid and many others sell rectangular units, maybe weigh 6kg or more.

Big cast iron is heavy as you already know.
My next purchase for outdoor family cooking will be a paella pan.

 

[Janne]

My big one has two handles. Needed. As they are close to the 'bowl' they get hot. so heat insulating gloves are needed.
O have several cast iron large casseroles. Plus one very large S/s.
Cast Iron is better. Maybe only in my mind?

Had a pressed carbon steel frying pan. Same tech as a paella pan. Temperature fluctuates a lot. Very little heat retention.
Similar to S/s when using.

Quality Cast Iron will last tour Great grand children's great grand children.

 

[Toddy]

Go online and look for a "Gypsy Frying Pan".
I have two of them, I didn't know that was what they were called, I knew them as the hoop handled frying pans used on a crane when folks cooked on open fires or on ranges.
A lady at the Moot one year made comment on mine and called them Gyspy Pans and said that though old ones like mine are sought after, there are quite a lot of new made ones about.

A quick squint on eBay has a 16" one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-Solid-Cast-Iron-Swing-Skillet-Romany-Gypsy-Frying-Pan-Chitty-Pots-Shamrock/153587847168?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=2&asc=57477&meid=4dbdb1e675b04f42ab470e98f5570a1d&pid=100005&rk=5&rkt=6&sd=283570212266&itm=153587847168&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

To be honest you don't really want to go any bigger than that, it just becomes too unwieldy to get to stuff in the middle easily and though the iron spreads the heat, at that size you still get a cool side and a hot one (not always a bad thing) or you're constantly stretching over the fire and getting roasted yourself.
!4" or so is a lot easier to work with I find and my small10' one is a pleasure to use.

M

 

[Broch]

Here you go - unfortunately you'll have to spend another £22 on P&P

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00063R...ascsubtag=33e6f0b1604c4a78e8ac8ace5fdf21fe_CT

 

[Billy-o]

In the top right hand corner of the page Toddy linked to, I couldn't help noticing a second hand 12" orange Le Creuset frying pan for £50

Worth picking up even if you never take it camping, but could be ideal for the fire

The gypsy looks horrible and awkward to pack, though deadly useful, I'd imagine.

 

[Janne]

Interesting they managed to get a such smooth surface. They say it is machined, but then it should be without the irregularities?
Looks enameled?

Good price though. I am sure it is a joy to use.
Our Biggie we use to make Schnitzels in ( and more) . Space for 5 large chicken schnitzels!

That was the reason we bought it, to be able to pan fry food for multiple people.

I recommend Lodge over Creuset, the Swedish brands or any other brand though.

 

[aris]

What is it you want to cook? There are lots of options in the large range. Petromax in Germany may be an option - good quality but pricey.

https://www.petromax-shop.de/petromax_en/pfannen/gusseiserne-pfanne.html

 

[Jared]

Petromax's largest the fp40 is 40cm / 15.7", available in a load of places, tamarack etc

You can get cast iron paella pans... but not inexpensive.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/PAELLA-WORLD-PaellaWorld-4502-Diameter/dp/B0038YKSK2

60cm version is also on Amazon, and they make them upto 80cm it seems.

 

[aris]

In the US there is the option for the Bayou Classic brand who make whoppers. Amazon will ship,to U.K. too.

16”
https://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-7439-7439-16-Handled/dp/B00UUS9XWI

20”
https://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-20-Inch-Cast-Iron-Skillet/dp/B07QYWPBXV

 

[Janne]

The quality is not comparable with Lodge or the others. I compared, and bought Lodge.
Should be fine outdoor though.
It does not matter then that the bottom is not 100% flat, or the casting is slightly irregular
(I had a good look on them.)

 

[aris]

If size matters, then lodge may not be an option.

Muurikka make some large fry pans with legs - not cast iron though.

 

[Billy-o]

Ton of different makers in the States .. I picked up a new, enamelled fait-tout/dutch oven for $40 four or five years ago. They are still around

 

[Erbswurst]

In France you get new and used frying pans of every size everywhere.

I surely came along 300 different ironpans in the last 3 weeks in France. In every size you can imagine.

 

[Janne]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cast-iron_cookware_manufacturers

Lots of choices!

 

[BJJJ]

https://www.manomano.co.uk/cooking-parts-for-barbecue-and-griddle
This place does some large griddle pans etc all quite reasonably priced

 

[Trotsky]

Is this big enough?
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016DGUS2Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got one using the amazon voucher I got for xmas from work last year, biggest I've seen and weighs 5kg!