What Is the Frying Pan?
The Frying Pan is a blue-rarity recyclable item that you'll need for the Flickering Flames event. More specifically, it's required to complete the fifth and final stage of the Candleberry project. This project runs alongside a 25-tier Merit rewards track, and both make up the Flickering Flames event that launched with the Cold Snap Update.
Most recyclables in Arc Raiders exist purely for selling or breaking down into crafting materials. The Frying Pan is different because it has a specific project requirement during this limited-time event. It's also noticeably heavier than other trinkets, which becomes relevant when you're deciding what to carry out of a raid.
Bad news for anyone hoping to bonk ARCs or other Raiders with this thing: it's not usable as a weapon. Its only value is economic and project-related.
Once you've turned in the two Frying Pans needed for the event, they don't serve any other purpose. Feel free to sell or recycle any extras you find after that.
How Spawns Work
The game doesn't mark Frying Pan locations on your map, so you need to understand where they can appear.
Frying Pans only spawn in residential areas across Arc Raiders' three maps. Inside these buildings, you'll find them in interactive containers like drawers, cabinets, and lockers. When you're hunting for Frying Pans, check every searchable container you can find within residential structures.
All Locations by Map
Dam Battlegrounds (Best Farming Spot)
Dam Battlegrounds is your go-to map for Frying Pan farming. The residential buildings are well-positioned, and spawn points sit close to both primary locations.
Pale Apartments
- Western side of the map
- Spawn point nearby for immediate access
- Multiple drawers, cabinets, and lockers to search
Ruby Residence
- Also on the western side
- Has its own nearby spawn point
- Similar container types as Pale Apartments
Buried City
Buried City has four residential areas where Frying Pans can appear:
Grandioso Apartments
Standard residential building with searchable containers.
Santa Maria Houses
Another residential zone with Frying Pan potential.
Red Tower
Contains residential containers worth checking.
Plaza Roza
Additional residential POI for Frying Pan spawns.
The Blue Gate
Three residential locations exist on The Blue Gate:
Village
Settlement area with residential buildings.
Raider's Refuge
Residential structures with searchable storage.
Ruined Homestead
Residential location with possible Frying Pan spawns.
Farming Strategies
Running Free Loadouts (Best for Event Farming)
If getting Frying Pans is your only goal, free loadouts are the safest approach. You won't lose any gear to players camping extraction points, which happens more often than you'd like.
Here's how to do it:
- Queue into a raid with no equipped gear using the free loadout option
- Check where you spawned as soon as you load in
- If you're near a residential building (ideally Pale Apartments or Ruby Residence on Dam Battlegrounds), start searching containers immediately
- If you spawned far from residential areas, surrender and requeue for a better spawn
- Search every drawer, cabinet, and locker in the building
- Found a Frying Pan? Get out immediately
Raider Hatch Keys for Safer Extracts
Worried about getting jumped at extraction? Bring a Raider Hatch key in your safe slot. These special hatches let you exit quickly without running into the usual PvP hotspots at standard exits.
This pairs well with free loadouts since the key sits in a safe slot and can't be lost even if you go down.
Searching Areas Other Players Already Hit
Showing up late to a residential building isn't always a waste of time. Not everyone needs Frying Pans, and because they're heavier than most loot, some Raiders leave them behind to save carry weight.
Doing a second sweep can pay off, especially during busy raid times when lots of players pass through residential areas looking for other items.
Map Conditions and Better Loot
Certain map conditions can boost your chances of finding higher-quality loot, including Frying Pans:
- Better loot spawn rates
- Harsh environment that demands proper preparation
- You'll need to balance the improved drops against tougher survival conditions
- Also increases loot quality
- Severe environmental hazards
- Requires planning and the right loadout
Farm during these conditions only if you're confident you can survive them. Better loot means nothing if you die before extracting.
Turning In Your Frying Pans
After you've extracted two Frying Pans to Esperanza, completing the project is straightforward:
- Open your menu and go to the Projects tab
- Find the Candleberry project (part of Flickering Flames)
- Navigate to the fifth and final page
- Turn in both Frying Pans
- Collect your 1,000 Merits
Quick Reference
| Map | Location |
|---|---|
| Dam Battlegrounds | Pale Apartments |
| Dam Battlegrounds | Ruby Residence |
| Buried City | Grandioso Apartments |
| Buried City | Santa Maria Houses |
| Buried City | Red Tower |
| Buried City | Plaza Roza |
| The Blue Gate | Village |
| The Blue Gate | Raider's Refuge |
| The Blue Gate | Ruined Homestead |
Summary
You need two Frying Pans for the final Candleberry project stage, which rewards 1,000 Merits. Dam Battlegrounds is your best bet because Pale Apartments and Ruby Residence both have spawn points nearby. Search drawers, cabinets, and lockers inside residential buildings. Free loadouts keep your gear safe but don't give you Safe Pockets, so play carefully when you're carrying a Frying Pan. Consider Raider Hatch keys for cleaner extracts. Electromagnetic Storms and Cold Snap conditions improve loot quality but make survival harder. Once the event is done, sell or recycle any extra Frying Pans you find.