Who knew that a collapsible saucepan was even a thing? Well they are, perhaps, a well-kept secret among hikers, caravanners, and campers. The rationale is simple – why would you pack a normal saucepan when you can take something much less bulky along on your travels with you?
It’s not only those who are backpacking or walking that may prefer to use collapsible kitchenware. For camping, yes of course, but what about those with a campervan or a caravan? We used to own the former – and old Volkswagen – and have had many holidays in the latter. Space is limited in both, even in the case of static caravans.
Click here to see my number one collapsible saucepan for camping, caravanning and campervans
This collapsible pan is my favourite overall because it’s a good compromise size-wise and comes from a familiar brand I know and trust. The built-in strainer is what really pushes it over the line for me, though – what a clever feature!
If you are travelling by campervan, then it’s worth thinking about the journey too. When we drove around in our camper, everything stored in the cupboards rattled around. Particularly bulky metal kitchenware. If think there’s not much you can do about that, then you’d be wrong! Some of the best collapsible saucepans are made mainly from silicone, so they don’t rattle around at all. They also allow you to maximise every precious inch of space within your holiday home on wheels.
For those who take regular trips, cooking food in a caravan or camper or sleeping under canvas, investing in a collapsible saucepan set – or even just a single folding saucepan – makes so much sense. From foldable cookware to what to include in a complete Kampa saucepan set, only the best collapsible pan options are covered right here.
Best collapsible saucepan contents
- Compare collapsible camping saucepans
- Choosing the best collapsible saucepan for camping
- Best collapsible saucepan recommendations
Top 7 collapsible saucepan products
If you like, click the link below to take you directly to the product you’re interested in.
- Kampa collapsible saucepan 3 litre – Best glass lid
- Sea to Summit collapsible dish pan 1.4 litre – Best built-in strainer
- Kampa collapsible frying pan – Best frying pan
- Outwell collapsible cooking pot 4.5 litre – Best large saucepan
- Kampa cookware pan 1 litre – Best small saucepan
- Sea to Summit X-Pot 2.8 litre – Best heat distribution
- Kampa folding saucepan 1.5 litre – Best cool touch
Best collapsible saucepan comparison table
| Name | Type | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kampa cookware 3L | 3 litre saucepan | Good all-rounder, cool handles, compact size | Check here |
| Sea to Summit 1.4L | 1 litre saucepan | 3 colours, lightweight silicone, ultra compact | Check here |
| Kampa frying pan | Frying pan | Super slimline, very versatile, reliable brand | Check here |
| Outwell cooking pot | 4.5 litre cooking pot | Large cooking pot, lightweight, durable finish | Check here |
| Kampa cookware 1L | 1 litre saucepan | Compact size, easy to fold & open, non-slip lid | Check here |
| Sea to Summit 2.8L | 2 litre saucepan | Integral strainer, fast & efficient, deep sides | Check here |
| Kampa cookware 1.5L | 1.5L saucepan | Cool handles, non-slip lid, strong & efficient | Check here |
Choosing the best collapsible saucepans – what to look for
There are several factors to consider when choosing a collapsible or folding saucepan for camping. These include the capacity, the depth, the materials and safety features.
Capacity
The capacity of your collapsible pan is key. How much can it hold, and is that enough for what you want to cook or heat up? A family going caravanning will require a larger folding camping pan than a solo hiker, while a couple will need a pot sized somewhere between the two.
You may also require more than one pan, for side dishes such as vegetables. For some folk, baked beans are an essential part of any cooked breakfast!
Depth
The depth of the pot not only determines how much it can hold. Deeper sides can also help to reduce mess when cooking.
For example, in our old campervan the gas hob was right in front of the window, and there were curtains hanging there. Which I did not want to catch fire after spending hours sewing them by hand!
Materials
You may notice that one of the main differences between Kampa cookware and a Sea to Summit or Outwell collapsible saucepan is the use of materials. Heat-proof, food grade silicone is used to reduce weight with all of these products, but the construction does vary.
Sometimes a collapsible saucepan for camping only has a metal base, while Kampa use metal bands to add stability and strength to their products.
Safety
As always, staying safe and unharmed is key. Who wants an injury when they’re on holiday, especially if you’re hiking and may be many miles from the nearest A&E?
Silicone coated handles are featured on these items and some also have non-slip rims to prevent the lids from moving during cooking – or when in transit. Food grade materials are also used when making these top quality products.
Other useful features
A couple of these folding camping pan products have strainers built into the lid, which saves you carrying or storing a separate item. This is ideal when you need to pour away hot water after cooking potatoes, pasta or vegetables.
The top seven best collapsible pot recommendations
Kampa 3 litre collapsible saucepan review
Best glass lid
- Saucepan
- 3 litre capacity
A compact 3 litre pan that packs down small. It has cool handles and a clear lid so you can keep an eye on what’s cooking.
Kampa cookware is the biggest name in camping saucepans, and this three litre version is very highly rated. With sufficient capacity to cater for a family, it’s a great all-rounder that happy owners say folds down really small.
Made from silicone with stainless steel for sturdiness, this camping pan also has a glass and silicone lid. Use of which is, of course, optional. It also has an anti-slip edge, plus cool touch handles for safety.
High points:
- Good all-rounder
- Cool touch silicone coated handles
- Folds down into compact size
Low points:
- Glass lid adds to weight
Click here to see this 3 litre Kampa saucepan
Sea to Summit 1.4 litre collapsible pan review
Best built-in strainer
- Saucepan
- 1.4 litre capacity
The integral strainer on this Sea to Summit pan is really clever. It has a metal base for strength and comes in 3 colours.
This Sea to Summit camping cooking pot also comes from a reputable brand, and buyers can choose between orange, red and olive green. Again use of the lid is at your discretion – it is not designed to stay fixed when is use, only while being carried or packed away.
With this one, the base only is metal while the sides are silicone. This helps to reduce its weight. Satisfied users say it’s ideal for carrying when camping, hiking or backpacking. The lid of this clever pot also has a built in strainer.
High points:
- Silicone construction
- 3 colours
- Compact and lightweight
Low points:
- Lid locks into place for carrying only
Click here to view this 1.4 litre Sea to Summit pan
Kampa collapsible frying pan review
Best frying pan
- Frying pan
If you’re the sort that craves a full English when camping, this collapsible and compact frying pan is the one for you!
For many people, smashed avocado on sourdough just doesn’t cut it when on holiday. If you’re the type that craves a fry-up in the morning when staying at a camping or caravan site, then you need this Kampa collapsible frying pan!
The shape means it’s incredibly easy to slip into a bag between other items, so you’ll hardly know you’re carrying it at all.
High points:
- Most compact type of collapsible pan
- Fries or heats all kinds of food
- Reliable brand
Low points:
- May retain cooking smells
Click here to see this Kampa frying pan for camping
Outwell 4.5 litre cooking pot review
Best large saucepan
- Cooking pot
- 4.5 litre capacity
With a big capacity, this saucepan is well suited to batch cooking or catering for a family. A black finish keeps it looking good.
The Outwell Kochtopf is the largest of the silicone collapsible saucepans listed in this guide, so it’s ideal for more people or if you want to whip up a batch of something at the campsite, caravan or even in a motorhome.
This clever pot is efficient, folds down nicely and has a 4.5 litre capacity. Despite this, it weighs under a kilogram. The black finish is ideal for campsite use, as it will continue looking clean even after years of use.
High points:
- Large capacity cookpot
- Weighs under 1kg
- Black finish looks good after prolonged use
Low points:
- Highest price
Click here to view this Outwell camping cookpot
Kampa 1 litre camping pan review
Best small saucepan
- Saucepan
- 1 litre capacity
This compact, lightweight one-person Kampa pan has an anti-slip lid and is simple to open up or fold down for storage.
If you just want a small collapsible saucepan because you’re travelling solo – or need to heat some baked beans to go with your fry-up – then this 1 litre one should do the job very nicely.
This folding camping pan is just like the other Kampa collapsible saucepans detailed here, only with a more limited capacity. If you’re doing simple catering for one or two, or need a small camping saucepan for side dishes, this should suit your needs very well.
High points:
- Small and compact
- Anti-slip edge to lid
- Easy open and fold
Low points:
- Limited capacity
Click here to see this 1 litre Kampa folding camping pan
Sea to Summit 2.8 litre X-Pot review
Best heat distribution
- Saucepan
- 2.8 litre capacity
This Sea to Summit X-Pot has a bigger capacity, but still comes with the integral strainer and metal bottom for even cooking.
This is a Sea to Summit X-Pot like the one listed above, but it’s deeper and bigger than that one. It has twice the capacity, in fact. It also comes in different colour options – namely teal or grey. This is a good size cooking pot for two people.
Like the other one its walls are made from food grade silicone, and the integral strainer built into the lid is a clever feature – especially when you’re cooking pasta or potatoes. As the base is aluminium, quick and even heat distribution is assured.
High points:
- Deep sided pot
- Integral strainer
- Quick and efficient
Low points:
- Lid locking is only for travel
Click here to view this Sea to Summit collapsible pan
Kampa 1.5 litre folding pan review
Best cool touch
- Saucepan
- 1.5 litre capacity
This compact pan has steel rings for added strength, cool touch handles and a non-slip lid for safety and is small to medium sized.
If you want something just a little bigger than the 1 litre saucepan, this 1.5 litre Kampa could be ideal. With a little extra capacity, it gives you more options without adding too much weight or bulk to your pack.
Several people who’ve invested in and reviewed this item say they use it in a compact household kitchen, so it’s the ideal pan for active types who live in small spaces. Like the others it has cool handles, a non-slip lid rim and steel rings for added strength and stability.
High points:
- Cool touch handles
- Non slip lid rim
- Steel rings for strength
Low points:
- Second smallest capacity
Click here to see this 1.5 litre Kampa folding pan
Which is the best collapsible saucepan for you?
Whether you were hoping to make up a complete set of collapsible kitchenware for camping or wanted just one small folding campfire saucepan, I hope this guide has helped with your search.
Even if it’s a straightforward fry-up or pasta with a ready-made, stir-in sauce, being able to cook simple meals when caravanning, camping or travelling the UK in a campervan means enjoying some home comforts while saving money.
For more camping cooking equipment, take a look at my posts on the best Dutch ovens, top double camping stoves, best camping kettles, and recommended camping bowls and plates.
Note – This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy via these, I may earn a small fee. This has absolutely no effect on the price you pay. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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