GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset Review
By AVI KLEIMAN
Review of GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset
This is a review of the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset. I have been using this set for six years and I still love it today!
Product Specifications
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset
Recommended Use: 2 Person (personally used for 2-4 persons)
Weight: 28.8 oz.
Dimensions: 8.20” x 8.20” x 5.40”
Material: Non-Stick Coated, Hard Anodized Aluminum, Clear Polypropylene, Nylon 6-6, Silicone
Includes:
2 L Pot, 8” Frypan, Strainer Lid, 2 14 fl. oz. insulated mugs, 2 14 fl. oz. bowls, 2 Sip-It Tops, Folding Pot Gripper, Welded Sink/Basin.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact Design
- Non-stick Coating
- Good for Multi-Day Trips
- Space for Other Items
Cons
- Softer Metal
- Handle Conducts Heat
- Lid in not Thick Glove Friendly
- Cup Insolation is Absorbent
Why I Like it
The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset has been my main multi-day kitchen set for six years now and I absolutely love it. I always enjoy having a large warm group meal to reward ourselves for a hard day’s work. With that in mind, the 2L capacity from the pot provides ample space to heat a main course for a party of four.
The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset comes equipped with a frying pan that fits snuggly on top of the pot lit to pack away neatly in your bag. Unlike the 2L pot, the 8 inch frying pan has much less space to feed your party. However, it comes in handy if you like frying up some meat & veggies on the side.
Both the frying pan and pot are made with a lightweight hard anodized aluminum with a non-stick coating. As a result, the weight savings are amazing with the full set coming in at only 28.8 ounces. The non-stick coating still does the job for me after 6 years of use. I have definitely left a few meal unattended which lead to layers of black stuff on my pot – a little bit of water and heat and it came right off!
What I like the most about the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset is its pack-ability, as outlined below.
A Few Dislikes
The use of an aluminum alloy does mean that the set is prone to getting some dents and bends, but it never breaks. I’ll admit my pot is a little misshapen, but only because I foolishly tried to break the ice on the edge of a lake using the pot… On the other hand, I was able to return it to an almost perfect circle thanks to the metal’s malleability.
The handle for the pot is interchangeable with the frying pan. While this is a fantastic feature to increase the compact-ability of the set and lower overall weight, it does make it a bit tricky to cook with a frying pan and pot at the same time. However, the handle is very easy to remove and lock in to place on either piece of kitchenware. Lastly, the handle does conduct heat, so be careful how you arrange your stove and wind cover.
A couple other minor complaints are that the pot lid handle can be a bit hard to flip up if you’re wearing thick gloves, and the insulating layers on the cups are a bit absorbent which can soak up the snow. That said, both these issues have caused me very minor pains over the years.
How I pack my GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset
With the 2 liters of space I like to fit all my kitchen needs into the one compact container. I’ll pack the two cups/bowl that fit together (I view this as 4 cup and 4 bowls as really they are fully interchangeable). To use all the space, I fill the cups with the pot/stove handle, a quick-dry cloth, and a small salt & pepper & herbs container to spice up my meals.
At this point I’ve only filled half of the pot. As a result, the other half is the perfect size to fit my MSR Whisperlite stove, including the aluminum wind shields and emergency repair kit. Lastly, I throw my handy Light My Fire Titanium Spork on top and close it up with the lid, frying pan, and all wrapped and contained in the wash basin.
If you are really concerned about saving weight, beyond the already lightweight 28.8 ounces of the stock set, sometimes I will go without the frying pan and basin. Again, everything is nicely contained within the pot lid and can now be held together with a trusty Voile Strap.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a lightweight and compact kitchen set for 2-4 people, then look no further. The compact design is where the Pinnacle Backpacker truly excels. You would be hard pressed to find the same level of quality matched with compact-ability. In addition, at only 28.8 ounces, your shoulders won’t suffer carrying the kitchen set for the whole group.
I highly recommend adding the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset to your backcountry kit. You can get your own today right here: