GSI Pinnacle Camper Cookset Review

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When you think of camping cookware, GSI is one of the first brands that comes to mind. They do not disappoint with the GSI Pinnacle Camper, a 4-person cooking and eating set that covers (almost) all your car camping cooking needs. As part of GSI’s nForm Crossover lineup, all 23 pieces fit snugly into the stuff sack for easy transport.

What do you get with the GSI Pinnacle Camper?

The GSI Pinnacle Camper includes the following:

• 3L Pot
• 2L Pot
• 2 Strainer Lids
• 9″ Frypan
• 4 – 7.5″ Plates
• 4 – 14oz Insulated Mugs
• 4 Sip-It Tops
• 4 – 14oz Bowls
• Folding Pot Gripper
• Welded Sink / Stuff Sack

So what is missing? If you have the GSI Pinnacle Camper, you are off to a great start. The only other items you would need are a stove, cooking utensils and eating utensils.

Cooking Performance and Tips

The cookware utilizes Teflon with Radiance technology, with a three layer coating for scratch and abrasion resistance. In case you were wondering, that is perfect for camping (and if we’re being specific, it was designed expressly for camping). The topcoat is engineered to eliminate hot spots, and it does the trick. When cooking sausages, the frying pan managed to cook them evenly throughout the pan.

I have cooked numerous items on the pots and pans, and have yet to have anything stick, not even burned pasta sauce. I would put these on par with my wife’s kitchen set (when it was new!). In all seriousness, this lightweight aluminum cookware should last a long time and keep my family fed in the woods for years to come.

One of the more practical aspects of GSI Pinnacle Camper set are the strainer lids. The nylon lids are equipped with a silicone ring to “lock” onto the pots while cooking. They are heat resistant, but not enough where I would recommend grabbing the lids after they have been over the stove.

Helpful Hint: When camping the night before a marathon, don’t spill all the pasta on the forest floor!

Everyone loves a strainer lid, right? Well, yes, but when using the strainer, I would recommend holding the lid firmly, not just by the orange tab on top. Why, you ask? Let’s just say the only camping buddies who won’t be mad are the dogs.

My biggest gripe of this set is that it only comes with one Pot Gripper. I understand why a backpacking or even 2-person set would only need one gripper, but most people who need a 4-person set are also using a two burner stove. The gripper does get hot while cooking for more than a few minutes, and is not easy enough to transfer while the pots are hot. For $12.95, it is probably worth it to buy a second Pot Gripper.

Infinity Tableset

The tableware is made of BPA-free polypropylene. The product is so lightweight that it actually remains buoyant when full of water. The plates could be a little sturdier, but that is a worthwhile sacrifice for the set. My favorite part of the tableset has to be the mugs. They are insulated with EVA sleeves and come with “Sip-It Lids” so you can enjoy your morning coffee.

Cleaning

The stuff sack doubles as a sink for easy clean-up (yes, I said easy in reference to cleaning up a campsite, I am speaking in general terms). While it is awkward to clean a 9″ pot in a 9″ sink, it is much better than not having a sink at all.

Wait, I was supposed to clean IN the sink? Ruff.

Is it worth it?

The price will put you back a few bucks. However, if you plan on camping regularly and prefer to have an all-inclusive set, the GSI Pinnacle Camper is a solid purchase. It is a quality product that is easy to use and clean.  Also, the compact nested design is great for storage and transportation. If you cannot bring yourself to spending over $100 on a campset, GSI has many other variations of the same products to suit your needs. For more info on the Pinnacle Camper visit www.rei.com or www.amazon.com/gsi.