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Gear Review: Frying Pans
by Jim Reynolds
Co. H, 4th U.S. Infantry, Sykes Regulars
As anyone who has looked for one knows,
finding a really period correct frying pan can be quite the
challenge. While the canteen half has its uses, it also has
its drawbacks such as finding a proper stick that will hold it
and the instability of the round shape. Some pans currently
sold at many sutlers really aren’t period correct or require
modification to make them appear more correct. The consensus
on period pans being one of sheet steel rather than cast iron
and a handle riveted separately on the pan rather than cast
into it.
Recently there was a thread on the
Authentic Campaigner forum asking about an authentic fry pan. Several
posters mentioned a Frank Ellis as making good ones. Being a reenactor
shopaholic, I sent him a short note asking for further information
about his products. He promptly replied with a post card listing
his sizes and prices and I decided to order his 7 inch model. It
arrived reasonably soon in the mail and I was immediately
impressed by its light-weight and forged handle. The prices
are a tad high but still within range of high quality
reenactor gear. I tried a few test drives on the kitchen stove
and had to remind myself that thin sheet steel is really best
left for the campfire where burning things is part of the fun.
A trip through the dishwasher left a little bit of rust which
was quickly dispatched with a thin coat of olive oil on all
the surfaces.
Those who attended the Pamplin Park
event may have seen my fry pan on Saturday morning as I fried up a
bunch of bacon for everybody. The seven inch pan which is about
two inches deep is a perfect size for individual cooking and could
easily handle frying rations for a typical mess. One of the larger
models would be better for more than that. It also easily fits
into a haversack and would make a nice
plate-substitute/cooking implement for a campaigner event. Not
that I’m suggesting everyone start carrying a fry pan, but if
you happen to be in the market for one, I can recommend Mr.
Ellis’.
Ordering info:
Frank Ellis
3031 Possum Trot Rd.
Greenbrier, TN 37073-5741
7” skillet $25.75 9” skillet $27.75 11” skillet $30.75 prices
include postage.
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