I've got MSR nesting saucepans. I've been using them for a while but food is forever catching/burning on the base of the pan, usually not long after putting on the heat, so they need constant supervision. I'm guessing this happens because the bases are so thin - unlike the think based ones I use at home which work ok.
Seriously thinking of getting a non stick set - but thought I'd run it by this forum in case anyone has any tips to stop food sticking to stainless pans.
------------- Aug 2017 St Martins Campsite, Scilly
Jul 2017 Trewan Hall, Cornwall
Jun 2017 Higher Kestle Farm, Cornwall
Mar 2017 Pitch Perfect camping Bath
Aug 2016 Brittany/Normandy:-
La Ferme Croas Men (near Morlaix)
Le Ranolien (Ploumanac'h)
Le Bois Courdrais (Cugen)
Chateau de Montfreville (Montfreville)
At home I use stainless steel (SS) utensils except for frying pans which are non-stick, and carbon steel woks.
I have two SS frying pans that are seldom used as I got fed up of scrubbing them clean.
Food sticking to SS utensils to me is a way of life, and I have learnt to de-glaze with liquid such as water, wine, cream etc...
I have a full set of MSR Alpine Stowaway SS saucepans as well as a Stowaway SS fry pan as part of my kitchen set up. For me, MSR SS camping utensils are the best money can buy as they are beautifully made. I am planning to buy a set for use at home, as they are great for cook/chill food such as rice, pasta and cous cous etc...
Again, the SS fry pan is seldom used, as I prefer to use non-stick frying pans and grill pan instead for ease of cleaning.
I seldom have issues with food sticking to the Stowaway SS saucepans, perhaps because I am used to using SS utensils at home.
I tend to oil the saucepan first, add garlic/onion etc. to the pan while the oil is heating up, and keep stirring as the temperature of the oil increases.
I carry a steel wool scrubber and find it to be handy in getting rid of the odd burnt food residues.
As for non-stick utensils, I do not like them, and am only using cheapo non-stick frying pans to minimise the effort required to scrub them clean after cooking, as even the best of the best will need replacing eventually based on personal experience, and am not prepared to fork out 50 GBP+ for a frying pan again!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
If you do decide to get non-stick ones may I suggest to avoid the Coleman ones. The non-stick coating on mine burnt through after only a few uses and the handle was not safe to pour hot things out
We now have Tefal Ingenio ones, but only bought them after seeing a good deal on Amazon. They also double as a casserole dish in the oven with handle removed.
Fill the dirty pot or pan with 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Let it cool to the touch, then wash thoroughly with hot, soapy water and dry. For tough stainless steel stains and burns: Mix together equal parts baking soda and water to form a paste.
We started off with a very cheap set of nesting pans from Go Outdoors and, when the coating disintegrated on our second trip, we replaced them with stainless steel nesting pans. Yes, food sticks and they need to be stirred etc, but at least they can stand up to a good scrub with wire wool when (somewhat inevitably with my cooking skills!) food burns on.
We also have a larger pan that's coated with some kind of ceramic stuff, but I'm wary of frying anything in it - we mostly use it for heating through stews or boiling pasta and rice. I have been known to damage the non stick coating on pans at home by frying/heating at too high a temperature . . .
However, in defence of non stick pans, our camping set was extremely cheap so a better quality set will probably last longer.
If you burn food onto stainless steel pans use the side edge of a plastic milk bottle lid to scrape residue off. It works a treat and doesn't damage the pan.
------------- Linda
2017
May - 3 nights Yeatheridge.
May - 5 nights Mill Park, Ilfracombe
July - 6 nights not sure where yet
August - 2 weeks Croatia, Camp Lanterna.
2018
May - 3 night Yeatheridge campsite
May half term - 6 nights Cornwall
July - 1 week Cotswolds
August - 2 weeks Vendee.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Food sticking to stainless saucepans
