Gold Panning Kits

Panning for gold is simple, fun, and often VERY rewarding.  It’s also the least expensive method for extracting gold from the Earth.

All you really need to get started is a gold pan, which you can get for around twelve bucks!

Traditionally gold pans were shallow sheet-iron vessel with sloping sides and flat bottom. But modern gold pans are lighter, feature cheater riffles to help catch the gold, and are colored to help make it easier to spot pay dirt.

While you could get by with just the pan, there are also a bunch of gold panning accessories that will help make your life easier while maximize the amount of gold you take home.

If you’re new to prospecting I would recommend buying a Gold Panning Kit like the one offered by Black Cat Mining. It’s got everything you need to get started and an instruction book on how to use all the strange little devices that are included.

If you’re serious about becoming a prospector you should look at the most modern gold panning equipment, because even a FEW extra grains of gold every day will quickly make up the cost of the best equipment.

Gold panning equipment is made from basic materials and the tools are almost unchanged, but you still need to think about the basics before you rush into gold country.

First, if you’re going out anytime except the middle of summer you’re probably going to want some hip waders, or at the very least  a pair of rubber boots like the ones  pictured to the right.

But remember if you are hiking any distance, more than maybe a half a mile, you will want to wear hiking boots and put your rubber boots or waders on at the river.

You also need a shovel and a plastic bucket. You can use a shovel you already own or buy one at any place that sells shovels, but, remember, a regular shovel can be a hassle to carry if you’re hiking any distance to where you are panning.

The packable shovel like the one on the left is a good choice, because it has a steel handle and it folds up small enough to fit into a pack.

Whatever else advice you take from this page, it is wise to use a shovel with either a fiberglass or steel handle, because it is extremely frustrating to break the handle of your shovel – like mind numbing primal rage sort of frustrating when you planned a panning trip for months, hiked five miles into the spot you wanted, and broke your shovel handle in five minutes.

Also if you are going to hike in your gear you need a good backpack, but you really want to look for a pack with a large main pocket, so you can fit in your pan, shovel, and other gear.

This Canadian Army model (pictured right)  is a prime example of a great military surplus model that you can pick up pretty cheap at a good Army Surplus store.

Uncle Sam’s Army-Navy Outfitters is a great source for cheap, well built camping equipment perfect for gold mining.  Remember, you need good well built gear.

You’re also gonna want to find some good places to pan near you.  There’s nothing worse than spending a whole day panning a spot then have some old timer tell you there’s no gold there.

Black Cat Mining carries a good selection of books about the basics and some pretty good guidebooks that explain where the best spots for prospecting are in your area. You can get them HERE.