Some airlines charge upwards of $50 for just one checked bag, sometimes even more if it’s over the weight limit. To avoid this fee, you may want to bring some of your heavier items, such as a frying pan, inside your carry-on luggage instead. However, there are some restrictions.
You can take a frying pan in your hand luggage, though there are some restrictions. The only type of pan not allowed is cast iron due to its weight and potential to be used as a weapon. Other metal kitchen appliances and utensils are permitted as well, also with some restrictions.
In this article, I’ll go over whether or not you can bring a frying pan in your carry-on luggage. I’ll also discuss whether or not you can bring metal objects in general, including metal kitchen appliances and silverware. Always contact your airline to determine if they have additional regulations on the items you are bringing.
TSA Regulations About Frying Pans in Hand Luggage
Generally, it’s ok for you to pack frying pans in your carry-on, but with some exceptions. According to the TSA website, you cannot bring cast-iron skills in carry-on bags.
So, why do airlines discriminate against cast iron pans, you may be wondering? Well, it likely has something to do with their weight!
Most cast irons weigh between 4 to 12 pounds (1.81 to 5.44 kgs), depending on their size. So, if an unhappy passenger decided to wield one of them at someone else on the flight, they could cause a significant amount of damage.
Therefore, you’ll either need to leave your cast iron frying pans at home or put them in a checked bag.
Can You Carry Metal in Hand Luggage?
If you’ve ever traveled before, you’ve likely watched your carry-on luggage go through those long, scary metal detectors and wondered, “is it ok for me to bring metal on the airplane?” And the answer is: yes…well, kind of.
You’re allowed to bring metal in your hand luggage, but there are restrictions on certain types of metal objects. Limitations are more about the specific items that you are bringing, rather than the fact that they are made from metal.
Can You Take Small Metal Kitchen Appliances on a Plane?
You can take most small kitchen appliances on a plane in your carry-on luggage. This means items must be small enough to fit in an overhead bin or underneath the airplane seat. According to the TSA, toasters, waffle irons, hot plates, and coffee/espresso makers are all allowed in hand luggage.
They even allow you to bring a blender! However, there is a caveat. You can only put it in your carry-on if the blade has been removed.
So, unless you plan to check the blade, I recommend you leave your blender at home (sorry, no hotel-room margs for you)!
Microwaves are a little trickier. While the TSA gives the green light for putting them in your checked luggage, whether or not you can bring one as a carry-on depends on your airline.
So, while your microwave will most likely make it through security, whether or not it’ll make it on the plane itself is dependent on your airline.
Therefore, I recommend that you call your airline ahead of time to determine whether or not your microwave can come in the cabin with you!
- Regardless of which metal kitchen appliances you choose to bring, make sure you package them carefully inside of your luggage.
I recommend surrounding them with soft items, such as foam packaging or clothing, as this will help prevent them from breaking during travel.
Check out this useful YouTube video that shows 5 things not to pack in your carry-on luggage!
Can You Take Steel Utensils on a Domestic Flight?
You can take some steel utensils on a domestic flight, but only spoons and chopsticks are free from exceptions and regulations. Items such as forks and knives have limitations. Most airlines have plastic cutlery available for their customers if you need to use them onboard.
Determining whether or not it’s ok to fly with your steel utensils can be a bit of a challenge because some metal cutlery is allowed and others are prohibited or banned. Let’s go through some of the most popular metal kitchen appliances and utensils and let you know whether or not they are allowed on a domestic flight:
Spoons
According to the TSA’s website, steel spoons are allowed in your hand luggage. Metal chopsticks are also permitted (mid-flight sushi, anyone?) So, feel free to bring these utensils in your carry-on the next time you fly.
Forks
Steel forks are a bit trickier, as TSA says that forks are allowed; However, it doesn’t specify if this means all forks or just forks made from specific materials. Metal forks are somewhat a gray area. While most people can bring them in their carry-on luggage, some travelers have reported that their steel forks were confiscated by airport security. So, proceed with caution!
Knives
As you may have guessed, most steel knives are prohibited in hand luggage, regardless of their blade size. However, there is one exception. The TSA states that you can bring round-bladed butter knives in your carry-on.
However, some travelers have had their round blade butter confiscated. So, while they are technically allowed, it is up to the discretion of airport security officials as to whether or not they’ll make it through.
If you really need a knife to cut up your mid-flight picnic, you can bring a plastic butter knife along since these are allowed through security.
Final Thoughts
You can bring several metal kitchen appliances in your carry-on luggage, including frying pans, coffee makers, hot plates, toasters, and more!
However, dangerous metal objects like steel knives and blender blades are always prohibited in your hand luggage. A good rule of thumb is that if it is metal and sharp enough to cut you, it probably isn’t allowed in your carry-on!
Some heavy kitchen appliances, like microwaves, may be prohibited on certain airlines. So, always call your airlines to determine if their rules and regulations differ from the TSA’s.
