Beginner's Guide to Gold Panning: Equipment and Techniques

Gold panning is one of the most accessible ways to start prospecting for gold. With minimal equipment and some basic knowledge, you can begin your treasure hunting journey today.

Essential Equipment

The Gold Pan

Your most important tool is the gold pan itself. For beginners, we recommend:

14-inch plastic pan - Lighter than steel and often features built-in riffles
Green or blue color - Makes it easier to spot gold against the background
Deep design - Helps prevent losing material while learning

Supporting Tools

Classifier - Screens out larger rocks (1/2 inch or 1/4 inch mesh)
Snuffer bottle - For collecting small gold flakes
Tweezers - For picking up larger pieces
Small vials - For storing your gold
Magnifying glass - To examine fine gold

Basic Panning Technique

Step 1: Fill Your Pan

Load your pan about 3/4 full with material from a promising spot. The best locations include:

Inside bends of streams
Behind large boulders
Exposed bedrock crevices
Old riverbed deposits

Step 2: Submerge and Break Up

Submerge the pan completely in water
Break up clay and dirt clumps with your fingers
Remove large rocks after checking for nuggets

Step 3: The Washing Motion

Hold the pan level under water
Shake side-to-side vigorously to settle heavy materials
Tilt the pan slightly forward (about 35-45 degrees)
Use a circular motion to wash lighter materials over the edge

Step 4: The Final Concentration

When you’re down to about a tablespoon of black sand
Use gentle swirling motions with a small amount of water
Gold will gather at the bottom edge of your remaining material
Use your snuffer bottle to collect the gold

Where to Look for Gold

Reading the Stream

Gold is 19 times heavier than water and will settle in specific locations:

Inside bends - Where water slows down
Behind obstacles - Large rocks or fallen trees
Bedrock cracks - Nature’s gold traps
Moss mats - Acts like a natural sluice
Pay streaks - Lines of heavy materials in the stream

Sampling Technique

Don’t spend all day in one spot. Sample multiple locations:

Take a test pan from each promising area
Mark productive spots with GPS coordinates
Return to the best locations for thorough panning

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Panning too fast - Gold is easily lost with rushed movements
Wrong angle - Too steep loses gold, too flat doesn’t wash material
Overloading the pan - Start with less material until you perfect your technique
Ignoring fine gold - Most gold is tiny; don’t expect nuggets
Poor location choice - Research and use Gold Getter’s map to find proven spots

Legal Considerations

Always ensure you have the right to pan:

Check if the area allows recreational panning
Respect private property and active mining claims
Obtain necessary permits (some states require them)
Follow Leave No Trace principles

Advanced Tips

The “Tap Method”

Once you’ve concentrated your material, gently tap the back of the pan. This helps gold settle while lighter materials move up.

Using a Blue Bowl

For processing concentrates at home, a blue bowl can help recover fine gold that’s difficult to pan.

Mercury Check

Never use mercury - it’s illegal in most places and extremely dangerous. If you find mercury in your pan (silver liquid balls), carefully dispose of it properly.

Join the Gold Getter Community

Use our app to:

Find proven gold-bearing locations near you
Check claim status before you pan
Share your finds with other prospectors
Access detailed geological maps
Get real-time updates on new discoveries

Remember, gold panning is as much about the experience as it is about the gold. Enjoy the outdoors, respect nature, and happy prospecting!