For beginners the best and cheapest way to get started is with the gold pan. A decent setup for the desert would consist of the following items:
Basic tools
- One or two gold pans, usually a round 14″ diameter green plastic pan, though there is a variety of types, sizes, shapes and colors available and everyone has their preference.
- A classifier or screen for sizing which separates out the larger rocks.
- Digging and crevicing tools. Such items as a shovel, pick, trowel, screwdrivers, whisk broom, old toothbrush, spoons, tweezers, etc.
- Bucket(s) (usually 5 gallon) for transporting the dirt (also makes a good stool).
- Water containers (5 or 6 gallon) for panning in dry areas.
- A mortar trough in which to do the panning in dry areas.
- Sucker (also known as Snuffer, Sniffer or Snifter) bottle for removing the small gold in the pan.
- Small container such as an empty plastic film canister or small glass vial for your gold.
Most people already own one or more of the above items and all are inexpensive.
