Homemade Propane Griddle

Fashion an impromptu griddle in the field for morning pancakes.

A hot breakfast complete with pancakes and syrup in the backcountry gives needed fuel and builds morale. Because many backpacking trips require you to go light with gear, carrying a full-size stove or griddle becomes difficult, if not impractical. Fortunately, you get to impress your campmates by fashioning a quick and space-saving griddle using the backpacking propane stove.

Things You'll Need

• Propane backpacking stove - Pocket Rocket or similar
• Aluminum foil
• Flat lid from camp cook kit
• Vice grips or cook kit handle
• Cooking oil

Instructions

1. Assemble the propane stove. Set it on a flat and level surface.

2. Cover the flat lid from the camp cook kit with the aluminum foil. Place one layer of foil on the top and bottom of the lid.

3. Open the vice grips or cook kit handle and clamp it down on the edge of the fashioned griddle. Have the handle point out from the center of the flat griddle surface so it looks a little like a tennis racket handle.

4. Take one more piece of aluminum foil and wrap it around the edge of the flat griddle surface so you make a lip or edge around the flat surface. This prevents batter or grease from leaking off the top of the fashioned griddle.

5. Coat the cooking surface of the griddle with the cooking oil. Turn on the propane stove to a low setting. Place the griddle on the burner and let the aluminum foil surface heat up. The aluminum foil radiates the heat from the burner evenly, much like a kitchen griddle, allowing even cooking of pancake batter or other goodies.

Tips & Warnings

• Take care not to rip the aluminum foil on the fashioned griddle when turning over food on the surface. Add extra layers of foil in case you rip the surface. The aluminum foil will radiate heat more evenly than the pan itself.