Making Pancakes On a Tin Can

Category Cooking Tips

Making a simple cook stove from an empty food can provides a great way to make pancakes while on a camping trip. The tutorial below describes how to prepare your can, lists the materials needed, and offers a simple pancake recipe.

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Making Pancakes On a Tin Can

By attosa [1,163 Posts, 5,196 Comments]

August 19, 2019

This is a fun camping and summertime cooking project. You don't need a pan and a stovetop to make pancakes. Try using a tin can and tealight candles. Electricity-free and delicious fun for all!

You can use any pancake batter of your choice. I just made a super simple one here. You can add any mix-ins, but keep them on the small side.

Total Time: 45 minutes

Supplies:

1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1 tin can (the larger it is, the wider the pancake)
can opener
nail
hammer
tealight candles
1 lighter
butter knives
cooking oil
spoon

Steps:

Start by making your pancake batter. In a bowl, mix together the egg and milk, then stir in the flour until smooth. Set aside.

Making Pancakes On a Tin Can - mix batter

Analyze your tin can by checking which end will be better for cooking your pancakes on. Mine was smoother on the bottom.

Making Pancakes On a Tin Can - decide which end of your can you will cook on

Open the can from the end you don't want to cook on. Dump out and reserve (or eat) whatever is in the can.

Making Pancakes On a Tin Can - open and empty from the other end

Peel the label off the can then use soap and water to deep clean the inside and outside of the can, especially the cooking surface. Dry thoroughly.

Making Pancakes On a Tin Can - peel off the label and wash the can with soap and water

You will need to make holes in the can in order for there to be air flow. If you don't, the candle flames will just go out. If your can opener has a hook blade, just use that to go around and make holes. Otherwise, hammer a nail in very carefully to make holes.

Making Pancakes On a Tin Can - make holes in the can to ensure air flow

Go around the top and bottom of the tin to make several holes.

Making Pancakes On a Tin Can - make holes around the top and bottom of the can

I placed some butter knives around my candles for the tin to sit on to allow for a bit more airflow for the flames. Light the candles.

Making Pancakes On a Tin Can - butter knives placed around the candles for the can to sit on for even more air flow, light the candles

Grease the cooking surface of the can, then place the it on the knives, over the candles. Spoon on a bit of pancake batter.

Making Pancakes On a Tin Can - grease the can and set it on the knives over the candles

After a couple minutes, you'll notice the pancake has cooked. Grab a butter knife. This will be your mini spatula.

Making Pancakes On a Tin Can - allow pancake to cook

Lift the edges of the pancake to make sure it's ready to flip, then turn over and cook a couple more minutes.

Making Pancakes On a Tin Can - use a butter knife as a mini spatula, lift edges to make sure it is ready to turn - turn and finish cooking

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 6

Comments

By cybergrannie [32 Posts, 7,087 Comments]

August 21, 20191 found this helpful

Sounds like a good idea to remember - Florida hurricane season on its way!
I may have to improvise with the milk but us 'campers' can always find a substitute.
Thanks for the great pictures/instructions.

Reply Was this helpful? 1

By attosa [1,163 Posts, 5,196 Comments]

August 21, 20191 found this helpful

That's an excellent idea for a time to use this, other than camping fun! Great! :)

Reply Was this helpful? 1

By psampson47 [1 Comment]

August 21, 20190 found this helpful

Thanks for a sweet memory. I am in my 70s and recall making these when camping with Girl Scouts.

Everything old is new again ! And these are good.

Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By attosa [1,163 Posts, 5,196 Comments]

August 26, 20190 found this helpful