Best Camping Cookware Sets You Can Buy:
Definitive Review (Buyers Guide)(2024)

Best Cookwear FI

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This is the Definitive Camping Cookware Review of 2020. Our team at TopNotch has researched 53 of the best camping cookware sets on the market to find our top 10 contenders for 2020.

In this comprehensive review I’ll cover:

  • Back to Back Comparisons – Build Quality, Weight, Value for Money
  • Number Of Items Per Set
  • Teflon vs Stainless Steel vs Cast Iron vs Titanium
  • Lots more…

Do you need to buy new camping cookware?

Do you need something that’s not too heavy and clunky, packs away really neatly, is great value for money, versatile, and will last?

Then, you’ll love this in-depth review, we have it all – right here.

 Let’s get started.

We’ve tested each product and experimented on them for both group and individual use, recording what we loved and what we didn’t like so much.

Our team describes calling on their ‘inner chef’ –  cooking and cleaning in all conditions and locations (from Patagonia to Portugal!) to write this review.

You’ll need the perfect cooking gear to cook up a great meal outdoors, right?

This Topnotch review will help you decide which product is right for you so that transporting your cookware will be simple and light, cooking outdoors will be fun and the clearing up will be as easy and quick as possible.

Best Camping Cookware

1 – GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset

TOPNOTCHOUTDOOR

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Cooking Performance
10
Packability
10
Durability
9
Weight
8
Ease of Use
8
Features
9
Overall Score
90
  • Manufacturer: GSI Outdoors
  • Weight: 3.7 lbs
  • Material: Hard-anodized aluminum with a non-stick coating
  • Multi Set? Yes
  • Packed Size Bulkier; comparable to winter down sleeping bag in size

Bottom Line : Versatile items that can be used within various camping situations

Pros


  • High quality
  • Easy to pack and store

Cons


  • Heavy material
  • The handle of the pot gets very hot

Components : 2L pot, 8” frying pan, a strainer lid, 2 mugs, and a detachable handle.

Average Boil Time (minutes) : 3:47

3L Pot? (>2,4L) : No

2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) : Yes

1L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) : No

Frying Pan? : Yes

Frying Pan Lid? : Yes

Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle : No

Cooking Surfaces : Aluminum structure; Teflon coating

If your goal is to cook and eat meals equivalent to those you can prepare at home, this 4 person camping cook set is the best choice.

Made of high-grade aluminum with Teflon coating, this non-stick camping cookware ensures that even the stickiest of meals would clean up well with just basic cleaning methods out in the wilderness.

If you’re car camping, van camping, or you’re simply taking a quick overnight trip, this set will provide you with a higher-grade cooking experience – ideal for those looking for genuine ‘glamping – type’ kit.

With this set…

…you don’t need to sacrifice meal quality.

BUT:

It’s also versatile enough to be used on simpler trips that merely require a few mugs and a pot with a sealable lid. This set is more on the expensive side of non-stick best camping cookware, but if you appreciate a quality cooking experience, the price is entirely worthwhile.

This set is slightly bulkier due to the number of products it contains. It takes up a fair amount of space, the same amount as a rolled-up backpack, so it’s best suited for car or van camping.

Everything easily folds away and nestles into one another in a single pile. The mugs are insulated and the lid of the frying pan seals tightly.

The non-stick Teflon coating will make cleanups easy – food won’t stick to the pan. The aluminum structure of the outside is quite thick and more resistant to dents. The Teflon coating does require careful maintenance, and you must only use plastic or wooden utensils as cleaning materials. Anything metal will scratch the coating and degrade the Teflon.

The set is relatively heavy.

That said:

When you take into account the number of components in it, the weight is reasonable and justifiable.

It’d be best to use this product during car or van camping where the weight is not such an issue, as opposed to backpacking where it might be awkward to carry.

This set includes all of the features you need and nothing more.  It’s incredibly comprehensive –  though you will need to bring your own set of utensils with you.

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Best Car Camping Cookware

2 – Stanley Adventure Camp Cookset

Top Pick Award Winner

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Cooking Performance
9
Packability
8
Durability
9
Weight
8
Ease of Use
8
Features
8
Overall Score
83
  • Manufacturer: Stanley
  • Weight: 4.8 lbs
  • Material: Stainless steel, additional layers on pot and pan bottoms
  • Multi Set? Yes
  • Packed Size: 11.1 x 6.1 x 10.9 inches

Bottom Line : Best used as car camping cookware – comes with a high-performance pan

Pros


  • Quality lid and frying pan
  • Durable
  • A properly nesting camping cook set

Cons


  • Not non-stick
  • Heavy

Components : 3.5L pot, vented lid, 7” 3 frying pan, a spatula with a handle that extends, a cutting board, serving spoon with an extending handle, 4 x 6in plates, 4 x 22oz bowls, 4 x sporks, a dish drying rack, a locking bungee, and a heat resistant trivet

Average Boil Time (minutes) : 3:50

3L Pot? (>2,4L) : Yes

2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) : No

1L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) : No

Frying Pan? : Yes

Frying Pan Lid? : Yes

Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle : Yes

Cooking Surfaces : Stainless steel; wider-burner car camping stove

People who choose to travel by car for their camping trips will generally bring along their own home kitchen set. Doing this certainly saves money, but cookware made for your kitchen at home won’t help you maximize space and weight.

Packability reigns supreme in this set – it’s some of the neatest and best nesting camping cookware.

The Base Camp takes the best home cooking products and optimizes their performance for car camping. This set of nesting pots and pans for camping packs into a neat pile with an accompanying bungee cord that’ll keep it from jostling during travel.

It’s heavier than most outdoor camping cook sets but makes up for that in durability. This set is for cooks looking for a more advanced camping experience.

The set as a whole is ‘higher end’ and will satisfy camping foodies who are attempting more complex meals. Cooking up more than eggs and delicate foods, the 3-layer frying pan, and sturdy lid should serve you and your camping mates well on your adventures.

This is some of the best car camping cookware on the market.

A heavier, compact set intended for car camping, this is a reasonable price for a collection of highly durable cookware. All pieces nest perfectly together and it even has a visual on the inside lid of the pot that instructs you on how to pack. A tight bungee around the lid will keep your set from rattling around.

The stainless steel material is not as non-stick as Teflon.

BUT:

The three-layer frying pan will remain consistent on performance if you look after it and clean it well.

The lid for the frying pan is also exceptional and will retain heat more effectively than other brands we tested. This set is perfect for experienced foodies who aren’t looking for the quick-and-easy option for camping, but rather something more complex.

General washing only is required for this highly durable set, due to its fully stainless steel construction. It’d be very difficult to break or dent because it’s made for the rugged terrain of outdoor camp life. Expect to have this set last you a lifetime.

It’s well designed and incredibly easy to use. The handle of the frying pan will lock, meaning it can’t detach. The dual handles on the pot are rigid and easy to hold onto. The lid also slides easily over both the pot and pan, leaving zero space for any heat to escape.

You’ll love this…

The lid acts secondary as a pasta strainer, and makes accidental spills a thing of the past.

The manufacturer claims this set claims to be made for four people, but the frying pan capacity seems a little small for 4. It does come with 4 sets of plates, bowls, and sporks, as well as a spatula and serving spoon.

It has an extra feature that most camping sets don’t

…a dish drying rack. What this essentially is, is a green circular flat surface that looks like a plate. But it does come in handy when trying to find a place to put the dishes you’re trying to dry before your next meal.

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Best Stainless Steel Camping Cookware

3 – GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Camper

Best Value Award Winner

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Cooking Performance
8
Packability
8
Durability
7
Weight
8
Ease of Use
8
Features
7
Overall Score
77
  • Manufacturer: GSI Outdoors
  • Weight: 2.8 lbs
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Multi Set? Yes
  • Packed Size 8.4 x 8.4 x 5.7

Bottom Line : A simple stainless steel set that works in groups up to 4

Pros


  • Simple
  • Durable
  • Nests well with other items
  • Built-in strainer

Cons


  • Hot areas
  • Flimsy components

Components : 3L pot, 2L pot, 2 x strainer lids, 9” frying pan, stuff sack

Average Boil Time (minutes) : 3:50

3L Pot? (>2,4L) : Yes

2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) : Yes

1L Pot? (0.5-1.4L): No

Frying Pan?: Yes

Frying Pan Lid?: Yes

Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle: Yes

Cooking Surfaces: Small top stove, two burners

This is some of the best camp cookware you’re going to find. It’s sturdy and made of a metal that won’t dent or scratch easily. This set would be good as a springboard for a larger collection, making it easy to neatly pack away and store while on the go.

As a team, we all agree on the superb durability of this set.

It does lack the ability to distribute heat evenly through, which could be seen as a downside for those traveling with family and children. This set is for the cook who doesn’t mind standing around as water boils.

The stainless steel of the pots and frying pan themselves is strong, but the accompanying components pose a risk of breakage. It still manages to perform well – even after multiple uses.

If you’re looking for something straightforward that isn’t too heavy or expensive this set is great value.

This set is average on the scale of value due to unequal heat distribution but is fairly versatile in its ability to work well on both backpacking and car/van caping ventures.

The good news is that our eggs and bacon didn’t stick to the stainless steel pot and frying pan, making cleaning a breeze. The pieces performed exceptionally well, even after multiple uses and a variety of meal types.

Despite this…

…hot spots are an issue due to the thinner construction of the outer walls.

The heat will concentrate on the bottom of the pot, which means you have to pay careful attention to your fresh ingredients while cooking. Overall, the set allows you to showcase some top-notch chef skills in the great outdoors.

This set is designed for one to four people and is optimally used as a car camping kit. However, you could still remove a few pieces and take a pot along on a backpacking hike. Every piece sits neatly together, with very minimal space remaining. It’s easily packed into a drawstring bag (included).

This set is fairly durable, but not as much as other ceramic options on the market. The extra components aren’t particularly durable either. We found the lid holder comes off easily, and the sides of the pot can become incredibly hot.

This set would be best used for experienced cooks rather than amateurs.

The set as a whole is best for car camping and base camp set-ups, sitting at a heavier 2.8 pounds.

BUT:

It’s still very versatile, offering a weight of 0.9 pounds for the 2L pot option. This will fit a stove and canister in the middle for backpacking.

This set is fairly easy to use on both a single and double burning camp stove. It’s stable on both, only needing one hand to keep it in place. The handles of the pot need to be flipped upward, in order to avoid melting them off the pot.

The stainless steel is incredibly easy to clean, even when oil isn’t used to cook eggs and bacon. The handles do become hot, so be careful.

You can bring your own bowls or plates plus cutlery. The lids on the pots fit on nicely but do not seal.

GSI Outdoors Glacier Basecamper could be the beginning of a much larger set you can tailor yourself. It comes with the usual basics, 2 pots and a frying pan with accompanying handles.

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Best Backpacking Cookware

4 – MSR Quick 2 System Cookset

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Cooking Performance
9
Packability
9
Durability
9
Weight
9
Ease of Use
8
Features
8
Overall Score
87
  • Manufacturer: MSR
  • Weight: 1.7 lbs
  • Material: Hard-anodized aluminum
  • Multi Set? Yes
  • Packed Size: 7.8 inches in diameter by 5.3 inches tall

Bottom Line : Great for simple backpacking, a solid kit with important componentss

Pros


  • Strong
  • Secure handles
  • Deep-dish plates
  • Straining lid and lip

Cons


  • Skillet not included

Components : 2L pot, 1.5L pot, strainer lid, 2 x plates, 2 x mugs, a handle

Average Boil Time (minutes) : 2:30

3L Pot? (>2,4L) : Yes

2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) : Yes

1L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) : Yes

Frying Pan? : No

Frying Pan Lid? : No

Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle : Yes

Cooking Surfaces : Small top stove

When you’re on a backpacking trip, it’s incredibly important to minimize the weight and maximize the packability of cookware.

Backpackers generally opt for more basic forms of cookery: If you’re looking for something compact which can quickly and efficiently get the job done…

…then theQuick 2’ may be your best option.

An easy-to-clean pot that comes with a straining lid and pouring spout – this will help to make accidental spills a thing of the past.

With its deep bowls and accompanying mugs and lids, this set doesn’t have all the features required for a ‘long’ camping trip (anything over two to three days) but is good enough as a ‘quick grab’ for a shorter trip.

This set comes with everything a simple backpacking expedition might require, and nothing more or less. Many campers also use it as an add-on for larger sets.

Price-wise, it’s more expensive than the average smaller set of camping cookware but seems worthwhile once a few of the particularly helpful features are considered, such as the straining lid, deep dishes, and packability.

And if that’s not enough…

…the pots in this set will perform similarly to the hard-anodized aluminum material products you have at home. The frying pan will cook scrambled eggs evenly, with minimal stickiness, allowing cleanup to be quick and easy.

For a product made of aluminum as opposed to the thicker, non-stick coated frying pans that are available on the market, this set performed admirably well.

We found that the secure lid with a strainer allows for easy draining of pasta dishes, which is an extra convenience campers will appreciate. This set is actually made of hard-anodized aluminum, which isn’t the strongest material you could choose but its still good.

The handle system, which is detachable, casts the only negative on durability as far as we’re concerned, as it doesn’t solidly attach itself to the pot.

This set is highly versatile…

…and can be used on your car camping trip or for an overnight trek – it’s not too bulky.

Most campers would prefer to use it on a car camping venture, but it can still sit nicely in a backpack. It minimizes down to 7.8 inches in diameter by 5.3 inches tall and is a reasonable weight of 1.7 lbs.

This set is the most ideal size for two people.

The weight is not too hefty, and it can easily be stored in a backpack for a short trekking trip. Even if you wanted to go on a longer trip, you could remove a few pieces and still have sufficient pots to make your meals.

As previously mentioned, this set is rather versatile.

The deep dishes allow you many options for warm meals, such as soup, pasta, and the standard scrambled eggs. The mugs are insulated and keep in the heat on chilly mornings. The handle grips work well and lock securely onto the pot.

This set is not a fully functioning kitchen but is pretty close. All you need to add on are your utensils, and you’re ready for your next camping adventure.

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Best Lightweight Camping Cookware

5 – MSR Trail Mini Duo

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Cooking Performance
8
Packability
8
Durability
8
Weight
9
Ease of Use
8
Features
8
Overall Score
82
  • Manufacturer: MSR
  • Weight: 0.7 lbs
  • Material: Hard-anodized aluminum
  • Multi Set? Yes
  • Packed Size: 6 x 7 x 6 inches

Bottom Line : Works well in ultralight backpacking as a simple kit

Pros


  • The right amount of features-light and simple

Cons


  • Not suitable for sophisticated cooking

Components : 1.2L pot, 28 oz bowl, lid, pot lifter, stuff sack

Average Boil Time (minutes) : 3:50

3L Pot? (>2,4L) : No

2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) : No

1L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) : Yes

Frying Pan? : No

Frying Pan Lid? : No

Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle : Yes

Cooking Surfaces : Small stove, MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove, ultralight canister top stove

If you’re heading off on a backpacking adventure and you’re looking for lightweight camping cookware, look no further than the MSR Trail Mini Duo.

As the name implies, this simple kit is best used for no more than 2 people to help with some practical, uncomplicated cooking. It’s incredibly light and neatly nestles together into a single storage unit. It comes with an easy carry mesh bag for storage and travel.

It’s a simple pot with a few accessories which are useful and compact for various camping scenarios. The pot and accessories also nestle neatly into a PocketRocket Stove and 8 oz fuel canister, sold separately.

The MSR Duo is perfect for solo or partnered adventures that require only basic food.

Best of all…

…this ultralight set doesn’t follow the standard model of pricing that outdoor equipment usually sees. Usually, the lighter the products, the more pricey. But when it comes to camping, less material equals less expensive.

Although this set isn’t super cheap, it is of high quality and gets the job done if you’re looking to create ‘just-add-water’ meals.

This set is not chosen for cooking performance, but more convenience.

It will easily boil water or pasta, but any food that is slightly more sensitive such as eggs or rice, won’t be cooked evenly.

The height of the pot concentrates the heat on the bottom, which means that this is probably not the choice for you if you’re looking to make quality meals in the wild.

The same features that make the Mini Duo difficult to cook with also optimize it for packing. Its dimensions are designed to feed two people on a backpacking trip, and it slides neatly and evenly into a standard-sized bag.

This is handy.

The interior will also fit an eight-ounce fuel canister and a small stove.

This set is made of aluminum, which isn’t as durable as other products made of stainless steel and titanium.

When packing, be sure to create makeshift padding with a cloth or paper towel, as anything metal will scratch the inside. The outside will dent with force, but given its ability to easily cook ‘added water meals’ and its packability, we can accept the lack of durability.

For the number of pieces included in this set, its weight is remarkable. It’s most ideal for backpacking, sitting at a perfect 0.7 lbs. Even with a few features removed, you can bring it down to half a pound if you’re looking for something even lighter.

If you’re looking for pots that won’t weigh you down on the trail, this is the set to consider.

This set will give you everything you need on the lightest of backpacking trips. It will give you edible food cooked with ease. The rubber ring around the top of the pot is an extra bonus that allows you to handle it without burning yourself.

It includes a 600ml plastic bowl and nests nicely inside the pot. It has a tight lid and light pot gripping pliers. It’s entirely worth the money if you want something that’s the most basic of choices.

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Best Compact Camping Set

6 – MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set

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Cooking Performance
9
Packability
9
Durability
8
Weight
9
Ease of Use
8
Features
7
Overall Score
84
  • Manufacturer: MSR
  • Weight: 1lb
  • Material: Hard anodized aluminum
  • Multi Set? Yes
  • Packed Size: 8 inches tall, 6 inches wide, 8 inches length

Bottom Line : Great for health-conscious and gourmet campers, you can use this set when preparing the best meals for 3-4 people

Pros


  • Environmental and health-friendly construction with ceramic
  • Lightweight and versatile construction

Cons


  • Fragile coating
  • Dents easily
  • No extra features

Components : 2L pot, 1.5L pot, strainer lid, 2 x plates, 2 x mugs, handle

Average Boil Time (minutes) : 3:35

3L Pot? (>2,4L) : No

2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) : Yes

1L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) : Yes

Frying Pan? : No

Frying Pan Lid? : No

Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle : Yes

Cooking Surfaces : Small top stove

If you’re someone who’s health-conscious, doesn’t want to sacrifice their diet on a camping adventure and who also appreciates the power of Teflon without the negative chemical effects, then MSR is the best camping cooking set for you.

This is a wonderful example of a non-stick camping pan. 

These lightweight pots don’t contain any extra features beyond a 2 person set of mugs and plates but will provide you with a wider range of options when it comes to the food you’re able to cook.

This ceramic 2 pot set won’t weigh you down on your climbing trip or adventure under the stars.

These pots aren’t cheap, but if you’re a food connoisseur who wants to eat luxuriously in the great outdoors, then they’re entirely worthwhile. It’ll be worth the cost to those cooks who don’t like Teflon but are looking for something with equal performance.

With that in mind:

This set would be great as a part of your larger kit to last you a lifetime. It’s going to stand out in cooking performance because of its material, which is ceramic – a highly sought after material for home cooks and chefs alike.

It cooks evenly, boils water fast, and maintains consistent performance over many of our outdoor tests. Its non-stick nature is safer than Teflon, as the pieces that eventually fleck off are not harmful if ingested.

These pots are wide and deep and will store other items you’re taking with you on your trip. It can fit a mini-stove, a lighter, and any other smaller items inside even after being tucked inside one another.

MSR is known to be innovative in design, and this ceramic set continues to follow that pattern.

The durability of these pots puts them in a category of their own due to the strength of the ceramic non-stick material. Like Teflon, with use, it will eventually chip and scratch, causing pieces of the non-stick to come loose into food.

BUT:

Unlike Teflon, the pieces are not harmful when ingested. The pots will also remain more usable even through deterioration, unlike its Teflon coated competitor. Careful packaging will help you avoid denting.

In comparison to other cooking sets containing similar features, this set is quite light. It sits at one pound and is uniquely light for a ceramic set. It’s ideal for backpacking when weight consideration is vital.

This collection is simple and easy to use, easily cleaned, smooth inside and out. The one sacrifice that MSR made for the sake of an affordable price is the pot handle, which doesn’t compare well to other universal pliers-style grippers. Its uses are limited, but it’s a reasonable trade-off for people looking to save money and purchase pots capable of more extravagant meals.

This is a set of higher-end cookware that doesn’t contain many features. It’s designed as a part of a larger collection you can build on your own. It’s simply two quality pots, a lid that fits both, and a detachable handle.

Best Camping Cookware for Family

7 – Winterial 11 Piece Camping Set

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Cooking Performance
8
Packability
9
Durability
8
Weight
8
Ease of Use
8
Features
7
Overall Score
78
  • Manufacturer: Winterial
  • Weight: 1.8 lbs
  • Material: Hard-anodized aluminum
  • Multi Set? Yes
  • Packed Size: 7.4 x 4.8”

Bottom Line : Great for basic camping menus on a budget

Pros


  • Perfect starter set
  • Stable handles
  • Versatile pieces

Cons


  • Small bowls
  • Some less useful accessories

Components : 1.9L pot, 6.5” frying pan, lid, kettle, ladle, 2 x bowls, spatula, scrubbing pad, hot pad

Average Boil Time (minutes) : 3:30

3L Pot? (>2,4L) : No

2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) : Yes

1L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) : Yes

Frying Pan? : Yes

Frying Pan Lid? : Yes

Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle : Yes

Cooking Surfaces : Small top stove

Are you looking to plan an outdoor family adventure? Are you looking for the very best in family camping cookware?

If you’re backpacking, car camping, climbing, or simply spending a few days in the great outdoors, you’re going to have to start somewhere with a simple set.

If you’re usually satisfied with standard meals, this 11 piece set should be a good place to begin your cookware pursuits.

This Winterial set contains some of the best camping pots you’ll find.

A little large for long backpacking trips but you can always leave the unwanted items behind.

These are some of the best family camping cookware sets you’re going to find.

It’s great for people looking for an all-in-one, more affordable set of camping cookware and perfect for new campers looking to purchase their first set, or for buyers who want pieces that are versatile and easy to use.

And if that’s not enough…

…this set includes a kettle, which isn’t typical for camping cookware sets. This makes it unique and exceptionally convenient for boiling water at one of the faster rates in comparison to other pot products.

It’s a good camping cook set for a bigger group of people. The frying pan isn’t non-stick, but cooks evenly and is fairly easy to clean up. The frying pan, pot, and kettle work best on a two-burner propane camping stove.

This 11 piece set is large, and on the heavy side. You can pack the pieces inside one another into one compact unit, and for a set that contains so many pieces, that’s impressive.

But there are lighter options available, which would be a better choice for those looking to go on a backpacking venture.

This set is made of anodized aluminum, which means that it’s more durable than Teflon and won’t scratch easily. The kettle sits inside a pot when stored for travel, which could be a concern with other products, but not for the Winterial.

The weight of this set is on the heavier side, sitting at 1.8 lbs. It’s extensive, meaning you can easily reduce it to under a pound while still including the pot, frying pan, lid, and spatula.

No matter what kind of trip you’re going on, the Winterial will give you what you need.

You can easily switch out pieces depending on the kind of trip you’re going on. Everything in the set is straightforward to use, while the slight issue of weight becomes lost for the sake of saving a few dollars.

The Winterial is comprehensive, simple to use, and perfect for the beginner camper. It’s some of the best cookware for camping.

All you’re going to need is your own cutlery, which makes the convenience of this set exceptional. Buy this set if you are going off on a trip with another camping mate, whether you’re backpacking or van camping.

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Best Titanium Cookware

8 – Snow Peak TItanium Multi Compact Cookset

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Cooking Performance
7
Packability
7
Durability
8
Weight
8
Ease of Use
6
Features
6
Overall Score
70
  • Manufacturer: Snow Peak
  • Weight: 1.8 lbs
  • Material: Hard-anodized aluminum
  • Multi Set? Yes
  • Packed Size: 7.4 x 4.8”

Bottom Line : Light pot set that is useful when paired with components in another separate, ultralight cooking kit.

Pros


  • Very light and compact

Cons


  • Only able to boil water – may be noisy to transport
  • You cannot pack other items inside

Components : 1L pot, 8L pot, 6’ frying pan/lid, 5.3” frying/ lid

Average Boil Time (minutes) : 4:30

3L Pot? (>2,4L) : Yes

2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) : No

1L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) : No

Frying Pan? : Yes

Frying Pan Lid? : Yes

Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle : Yes

Cooking Surfaces : Small top stove

Backpackers will adore this ultralight set. The Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact Set is meant for only one or two people but will give you exactly what you want – a brass and tacks approach to camping cooking.

Its durability means it’ll last you a very long time. However, this set is for people who mainly use water to prepare their food. There is really no way of getting fancy with these pots and frying pans.

They’re slightly on the more expensive side given their lack of versatility meal-wise.

As a set of pots and frying pans, we think this set is on the expensive side.

BUT:

It’s an ultra-light, durable choice. It’ll last you a long time.

The Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact Set doesn’t perform well where fresh foods are concerned. The majority of the time, when cookware is made to be light or made of titanium the set doesn’t conduct heat very well.

This set is primarily made for backpacking, hence its focus is on weight rather than cooking ability.

This set scores high on packability due to its lightweight and compact structure. The entire set is only a little over six inches in diameter and four inches tall, which makes it incredibly easy to fit snugly in your pack. You may need to put a paper towel between the pots to avoid vibration when traveling.

Titanium is both light and durable, which means that if you’re choosing to go for some rough backpacking

…this is the set for you.

The durability of this set is mainly good, but there are some issues with the way the handles are constructed on the lids of the pots, which will make them weaker over time.

This set is immensely light, which makes up for every other factor that falls short. If you purchase this product you’re seeking something with the ultimate weight, rather than something which is going to help you cook gourmet meals.

If weight is your ultimate concern, you won’t be disappointed.

This product has a lightness of weight rather than ease of use. It will cook your standard ‘just-add-water’ meals, for sustenance only. If this is what you need, look no further than this set.

This set is made for ultralight backcountry cooking, which means that it only comes with what is absolutely needed – the second pot seeming somewhat unnecessary. You could easily use the one pot and lid to make meals and even eat from the pot itself.

Read Full Review:

Best Aluminum Backpacking Pot

9 – Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set

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Cooking Performance
9
Packability
8
Durability
9
Weight
7
Ease of Use
8
Features
8
Overall Score
82
  • Manufacturer: Primus
  • Weight: 1.6 lbs
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Multi Set? Yes
  • Packed Size: 8 x 9 x 9

Bottom Line : An efficient tool for hearty-cooking and a great foundation for a practical set

Pros


  • Sturdy
  • Efficient heat exchanger ring
  • Locking pot gripper

Cons


  • Heavy
  • Ringer can be messy

Average Boil Time (minutes) : 3:07

3L Pot? (>2,4L) : No

2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) : Yes

1L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) : No

Frying Pan? : No

Frying Pan Lid? : No

Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle : Yes

Cooking Surfaces : Small top stove

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to show off your culinary skills in the great outdoors.

You can now do this with this best camping pot included in the set.

The non-stick coating on this set, along with its heat exchanging rings, is as advanced as outdoor camping is going to get. This pot set performed highly in our car camping and backpacking testing and is a simple set to begin or supplement your camping cookware collection.

Most camping cook set reviews will inform you that Teflon non-stick coating makes cooking simple and easy, as well as the cleanup operation afterward. If you’re enthusiastic about food and camping stick to…

Primus – and add on a few pieces of your own to further enhance its sophisticated design.

If you’re looking for something of higher quality and are willing to pay more for it, this product is where it’s at. The performance is high and you’ll be able to cook hearty, home-cooked-style meals in the great outdoors because of its sturdy construction.

The pots in this set are so exceptional…

You might even consider doing some outdoor baking!

A heat exchange ring on the bottom of the main pot makes boiling water a breeze. It also benefits from a very thick aluminum and Teflon coating.

This set doesn’t include a frying pan, but the pot should be good enough to simmer sauces and cook fresh foods.

The width of the pots in this set is fairly average, making the ability to minimize packing space fairly average. The pots are deep, meaning you can easily store them inside one another, but need a piece of paper towel to protect the delicate nonstick coating. A small stove and canister can also be fitted inside the pots.

These pots are aluminum with Teflon coating…

…this means they will dent but not as easily as other materials, such as titanium. Any product made of these materials is likely to deteriorate over time, but we think the cooking performance makes up for it.

This set is a common choice for trekkers.

The pots are so large, you could cook for up to three people. The quick boiling point means making meals is quicker. It’s not the lightest choice for backpacking but is worthwhile for backpackers who want to stretch beyond the ‘just-add-water options’ on their menu.

What does this mean for you?

It’s very easy to use, especially with its stable locking handle and gripper. The heat exchanger ring will help the pot to balance on small stove burners. The lid will stay on and remains safe to the touch. It’s incredibly stable, making it very popular for both seasoned and amateur cooks alike.

The Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set doesn’t come with any extra features. A carry bag doubles as an insulated cozy, which some campers might use to insulate their heated or cool pots.

Read Full Review:

Best Non-Stick Camping Cookware

10 – GSI Outdoors Cookset

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Cooking Performance
9
Packability
9
Durability
9
Weight
7
Ease of Use
8
Features
7
Overall Score
82
  • Manufacturer: GSI Outdoors
  • Weight: 3.11 lbs
  • Material: Hard-anodized aluminum with non-stick coating
  • Multi Set? Yes
  • Packed Size: 9.1 x 9.1 x 5.8

Bottom Line : A large tent made from high-quality materials – perfect for glamping of luxury hunting trips alike

Pros


  • Teflon coating makes for easy cleanup
  • The best camping pots, and pans

Cons


  • Heavy
  • Must also be aware of scratching the non-stick coating

Components : 3L pot, 2L pot, 2 x strainer lids, 9” frypan, set of 4 mugs, bowls and plates, a handle

Average Boil Time (minutes) : 3:52

3L Pot? (>2,4L) : Yes

2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) : Yes

1L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) : No

Frying Pan? : Yes

Frying Pan Lid? : Yes

Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle : Yes

Cooking Surfaces : Small top stove

Are you looking to go on a camping trip with your family or a large group?

Then you’re going to need gear that fits your family’s camping cookware needs. The non-stick coating makes cooking easy, avoiding the hassle of having to make multiple meals for different people. We found the mugs to be well insulated, and the handles of the pots and frying pan snap easily on and off.

Our only worry would be…

… the sensitivity of the Teflon coating; we found that if the set isn’t packed carefully it will easily scratch, which leads to faster deterioration of the product.

This is an incredibly large and heavy set with great pieces for a beginner, or someone looking for a set that will be useful for many people. It is completely loaded with a non-stick Teflon coating.

It’s a reasonable price for the number of features you’re gaining.

It will perform like your cookware at home. It will boil water just as fast as your pots at home, and cook scrambled eggs evenly and with easy cleanup.

The general non-stick coating will make cooking a variety of meals fairly easy for campers looking to keep their diet versatile and hearty.

This set is incredibly large, and therefore would not be a suitable choice for backpacking. However, a few of the pieces would work well for a short backpacking venture.

The design is original and protects the Teflon from getting scratched. However, we found this is still sensitive should you make a mistake when placing the pots together. The rubber lids minimize any rattling.

The collection weighs nearly four pounds, which doesn’t come as a surprise, considering the number of features it has. It’s best for entertaining a large group of people or families at a base camp.

Its versatility does allow for you to leave some pieces behind when you go on lighter trips. It’s still not the ultimate choice for backpacking trips, but it’s good for people who appreciate the performance of good cookware and don’t require the entire set on any particular trip.

This set comes with everything you need for camping in a large group.

The exceptional performance matches well with the strainer lids that are easily held without burning, along with the spring-loaded handle that easily snaps into place on the frying pan.

This handle will remain at an acceptable temperature, but not a dangerous one. These handles will only work with other GSI equipment, which is unfortunate for those who already own other camping pots and pans.

GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper is the king of extras. It’s only lacking a cutting board and cutlery. All these features and the outstanding performance rate mean you can easily cook elaborate meals that your entire group will enjoy.

Read Full Review:

Why Trust Us?

Not putting it too lightly, we’ve been around the block a bit. Our team of testers has used pretty much every kind of camping cookware there is, over the years.

Charlotte, our writer on this review is a keen backpacker herself, having most recently completed the Camino Way down in Spain – took her 6 weeks but boy did she learn a lot.

But she didn’t create this review alone – our team of testers was out there using and enjoying these handpicked products – feeding back their opinions and test results.

They also put on a few pounds, all in the line of duty they tell us!

So you don’t have to worry – we took all the risk out of the choice for you by laying everything out bare.

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Buyers Guide:

How To Choose The Best Camping Cookware

There are so many elements to consider for a camping adventure.

When it’s narrowed down to specific aspects of cooking, there are more elements that become important the more often you camp.

The following section will show you some of the most important factors to consider when planning your next camping trip, especially if camping is a new venture for you – you can consider:

  • The cooking setup
  • The types of material used
  • The specific products you choose
  • Care of your camping cookware set

What are the different types of tent?

Consider Your Cooking Setup

Cookwear

Before you actually start, it’s good to consider how and where you’ll be cooking.

  • How many people are you traveling with?
  • Are they adults or children?
  • Are you going to be cooking at a campsite? …Or…
  • From your car or van?
  • Are you venturing completely into the wilderness with just your tent and backpack?

These questions are all important to answer when selecting the most appropriate cookware.

If you’re going to camp with your car or van nearby, you don’t have to worry too much about the weight of your items.

You should have a portable grill, or a two-burner propane camping stove – one that will more than likely have a flat bottom, something that’s useful when camping near an accessible vehicle.

Since your car will be nearby your cookware set can be heavier. As such, you can search for quality equipment to help you create gourmet meals.

The opposite of car or van camping is backpacking, where the quality of food is less important than easy packability and lightweight of the cookware.

Unless you have a very enthusiastic friend who will load up their backpack. Happy days!

Most of your meals will center around boiling water when backpacking, so you may only need a kettle. Many people prefer to take pots or pans, but they should be the best compact camping cookware you can afford, as well as nice and durable to boot.

Types of Materials

Aluminum

There are many different kinds of material to consider when picking out your camping cookware.

There are materials that are lighter, more durable, or longer-lasting.  Some materials are best for heat conduction, and some will have a longer lifespan. Each material has its pros and cons – you need to consider them all when making your selection.

Pros


  • Very affordable and remains lightweight
  • conducts heat quickly which decreases the rate of cooking time

Cons


  • Can react with acid and alkaline foods and alter their flavor
  • Can dent easily. Best used for: Simmering food

Cookware made of aluminum is generally affordable but far less durable than stainless steel. It conducts heat well and is lightweight for the backpacking traveler.

Hard-Anodized Aluminum

Pros


  • This kind of aluminum has a thicker coating
  • It’s more durable than above

Cons


  • More expensive than regular aluminum
  • It’s usually combined with a non-stick coating and requires more maintenance

Best Used for: Cooking meals like those made at home.

This material is incredibly popular for camping applications. It’s also popular for home-based cooking, due to its lightweight, easy to clean, and high heat conductive nature. When coated with a non-stick finish, it’s even more durable. If it’s not non-stick, you need to take more care when cleaning.

But It’s a better choice…

…if you want to cook meals with fresh ingredients and temperature sensitivity, like bacon and eggs. It quickly conducts heat, which makes cooking meals faster.

Titanium

Pros


  • Very lightweight
  • The ultra-thin material makes heat conductivity quick

Cons


  • Creates hot spots due to focal points of heat conductivity
  • More expensive than other options

Best used for: Fast and light users who merely require meals that need boiling water.

The most important element of titanium is the fact that it’s incredibly light. It’s about 45% lighter than steel and still stronger than its aluminum counterparts.

Anyone traveling solo or enjoying a lengthy backpacking trip should choose titanium because it’s stronger and more durable than aluminum. It’s the lightest material in cookware with strength comparable to its weight. However, it won’t perform well beyond boiling water due to the hot spots that develop in the center. Despite being an incredibly light material, titanium sets are some of the most expensive cookware material out there.

Stainless Steel

Pros


  • Durable material and scratch-resistant

Cons


  • Prone to hot spots and uneven cooking
  • Heavier than other cookware

Best Used For: More wild adventures, where you won’t worry about the state of your cookware.

Plain stainless steel camping cookware sits between aluminum and titanium in regards to performance and longevity.

Hot spots are an issue – they can lead to burnt food. But if you’re traveling in the backcountry, for instance, climbing steep hills and mountains with a large backpack on your shoulders, stainless steel is the best choice.

It’s highly durable and can take the abuse that comes with hard travel.

It’s usually on the heavier side. Food may stick to stainless steel due to its scratch-resistant nature, but it’s easily cleaned off with a steel wool pad.

These products can also be made with multi-layer bottoms, called laminated stainless steel, with a layer of copper in the middle of the steel for better heat conduction. Laminated steel is only suitable for car camping or due to the weight of the products.

Cast Iron

Pros


  • Can last a lifetime, cooks evenly
  • is non-stick, wonderful for cooking over a stove and acts as some of the best campfire cookware

Cons


  • Very heavy
  • Not for backpacking

Best Used For: More wild adventures, where you won’t worry about the state of your cookware.

Best Used For: Car camping cooking.

A cast-iron skillet will perform well on your car camping trip. It’s considered a vital part of cooking-ware because it fits perfectly on camping stoves but is sufficiently large for your car camping cook set needs.

The downside….

…this evenly heated material is that it is incredibly heavy, and wouldn’t be good for backpacking. It also requires a bit more experience in cooking and the proper maintenance to keep it working well. Cast iron is also used in home kitchens for the same reasons of longevity and even non-stick cooking.

Teflon Style Non-Stick Coatings

Pros


  • Makes for easy cleanup and needs less cooking oil

Cons


  • Scratches easily and breaks down fast once it is scratched; pieces that flick off are unhealthy to consume.

This coating can come off in large chunks once it’s scratched. At this point, users may choose to dispose of the kit to avoid ingesting the material. This can be expensive.

This material has also been deemed dangerous for pets; humans are often unaware of the chemical that leaks off the product if it’s overused. Teflon can emit that same chemical smell into nature, which is unappealing to many wild animals.

Ceramic Non-Stick Coatings

Pros


  • Similar to Teflon in its non-stick performance and durability.

Cons


  • More expensive than Teflon and not as readily available.

Ceramic is known as the material with the most advanced technological improvement in the camping world.

Ceramic has been used in at-home cookware for years but was not available in camping cookware. Because it’s so new, it’s more expensive but certainly healthier than Teflon. It has a longer lifespan and will perform better. It will remain functional once it degrades, where Teflon does not.

Collapsible Silicon Sidewalls

Pros


  • Packable and highly convenient for travel.

Cons


  • Difficult to use, and possible issues with durability.

Collapsible camping cookware comprises some of the newer camping products on the market. We found it performs well on a small stove, but you need to pay more attention to the stove flame itself. If it’s too wide, it can cause the bottom of the product to melt.

It’s important to take into consideration…

…what’s most important to you on your camping trip and with the food you’re consuming.

Once you know whether you’re backpacking or car camping, you can begin to make a list of what’s important to you when it comes to camping cookware.

If staying healthy and buying a product that lasts is important…

…you might want to avoid Teflon.

If spending too much money on products is an issue for you, ceramic might also not be the best choice. If food quality and tastiness are important, cast iron is the way to go, but not if you’re backpacking.

The amount of money you want to spend on your camping experience could make your time spent cooking more enjoyable and efficient, but there is such a thing as spending too much or spending on useless products.

FOR NOW:

Think of the amount of money you’d be willing to spend, whether you’re going backpacking or car/van camping, and factors such as food quality, speed of cooking, types of food you want to cook, weight, durability, safety, and lifespan of the products you’re looking for.

Put them on a list from most important to least important. This will help you choose the best products for your particular tastes.

Which Products Will You Choose?

The pieces you choose for your cooking set are going to depend on several factors; your activities, what kind of stove you’re using, the number of people who are traveling with you, and whether or not you are backpacking or car/van camping.

In general, though, you’ll want an assortment of pots, skillets, utensils, lids, plates, bowls, and mugs. If money is a factor for you, be sure not to overbuy; just because a set is large, it doesn’t mean it’s the smarter choice.

It may include extra features that you’re never going to use on your camping expeditions, which may also take up unnecessary space.

Here is a general list of cooking and eating equipment you’ll require whilst enjoying two of the most common methods of camping:

Ultralight Backpacking:

  • Light one-liter pot for 1-4 people.
  • A spoon for everyone.
  • ’Just add water’ meals.
  • Drinking all your beverages from the same water bottle.
  • Car Camping/Normal Backpacking (not ultralight backpacking):
  • A 2-3 liter pot for every 1-4 people with a lid
  • Another pot or large bowl
  • A frying pan with a lid
  • Cutting board
  • A knife
  • A plate/deep bowl for each person
  • Spoon and fork for each person
  • A cup/mug for each person

Clean-up equipment; longer trips require a washbasin, a brush or sponge, soap, and somewhere to dry the dishes. If the trip is shorter, paper towels may be best (but if you want to be environmentally friendly, bring a washbasin)

Number of Pots

The amount of pots you’re going to need is going to depend on how many people you’re cooking for. For standard camping and extensive meals, a larger set is required. But in simpler backpacking scenarios, you can use one pot for two people.

Efficiency

The main variable that affects a pot’s heat transferring abilities is the presence of heat exchange on the bottom. The welded or soldered outline of a ring captures heat that would otherwise escape.

Pots with this heat exchanger ring will boil faster than those without it. If you’re in a camping situation where you’ll be boiling snow, it would be smart to seek out pots with this heat exchanger ring.

The color, diameter, and height of a pot also affect the effectiveness of the product.

The most fuel-efficient products are usually darker. Wider diameter pots are more efficient than tall skinny ones because the area is more exposed to the flame, transferring heat faster over the bottom of the pot.

The most efficient pot or skillet you use will be just slightly larger than the diameter of the burner you’re working with.

Lids

Water will boil faster with a lid because you’re isolating the heat generally lost through the top of the pot. This will cut down on cooking time and save fuel.

Plus…

…lids can also prevent splatter and messes, while some kits have lids that double as strainers, which our testers found pretty handy and helpful.

Pot Grabbers versus Handles

This feature of your kit is highly important when it comes to reducing the space needed for packing. Getting rid of a protruding handle will give you that extra bit of space.

Many manufacturers have come up with detachable handles and older style grippers. Older style grippers were known to waste food because as soon as you relax your hand or let go, the handle detaches.

The best camp cook set will come with hinges that go around the sides of the pot when not in use, but can easily become lost or broken – so beware. Avoid allowing your flame to become wider than the diameter of the pot to avoid the accidental breakage of the handle.

Extras

Some camping cookware sets will come with extras outside the standard pot and lid combination, such as mugs, utensils, plates, bowls and even teapots. If you’re just starting, these can be very helpful.

This can be a big money waster though if you already have other items for camping, so pay attention to what’s in the kits you’re purchasing. 

Care & Cleanup Of Your Camping Cookware Set

Proper cleanup of your cookware is very important. Depending on the material of your product, consistent cleaning may be important to its longevity.

The simplest way to clean up after using your cookware is to eat everything you made, then wipe everything down with a paper towel. This does not work for long-term camping as the majority of your cookware requires a thorough wash.

Pack a soft dish towel and a washing brush for harder materials. Make an effort to save the environment by buying biodegradable soap, as your cleaning waste is going to be dumped and go back into the earth. If you still want to clean your items when you get home, be sure to make sure that the items are dishwasher safe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Which makes better Cookware – stainless steel or aluminum?

 
A : Both stainless steel pots and aluminum products will generate a lot of heat, but stainless steel is also incredibly strong as the metal is harder. Stainless steel will hold heat more efficiently because it’s balanced and heavier.

Q. Are cast iron pans good for camping?

A : Camping with cast iron would be ideal for campsite cooking. It not only distributes heat evenly and is able to withstand higher temperatures, but it’s virtually non-stick when ingredients are seasoned properly. It’s highly durable as well, which means it’ll last you a long time.

Q. Can you put stainless steel cookware on an open fire?

A : Certain types of metal have a melting point less than the temperature of a campfire. For this reason, you should never place your aluminum or stainless steel cookware directly over a fire.

Make sure to use a pot or pan that doesn’t have a plastic or rubber-coated handle, as these easily melt. Stick to a metal handle in these cases.

Eating is a part of living and a part of camping. Making sure you get good, healthy meals while exploring the great outdoors should be a priority for anyone who wants to enjoy themselves to the full.
Whether you want to be a gourmet chef in the wilderness or quickly and efficiently produce some edible meals, just consider what’s most important to you.

Go back to the list we previously mentioned, and highlight anything you consider a priority when cooking meals in the wild – whether it needs to be light, high-performance, easily packed, a lifelong purchase, or something you don’t mind throwing away later.

Our Analysis, Comparisons & Test Results

We tested the performance of 10 of the best camping cookware sets, subjecting them to the classic scrambled egg test and boiling water test. We used them in backpacking and in-car/van camping while attempting to feed four-ish (it varied) hungry mouths.

So let’s dive into the criteria we used to rate them and compare the different models against each other.

RATINGS: This is how we rated the sets

Let’s face it – for the majority of us, money is a factor, and even if it wasn’t, why would you want extra mugs, cups, and utensils taking up space in your home or tent? Once you’ve narrowed down what’s important to you about camping cookware, creating a budget is a smart idea.

Choosing in advance which pots, kettles, utensils, mugs, and cups are important to you will help you. Also think of their durability, weight, packability, and heat efficiency.

Once again, whether or not you’re backpacking or car/van camping will come into consideration – lighter items tend to be more expensive. But this also means that you will never have multiple sets of the same items with the smallest of differences – you’ll have exactly what you need.

Cooking Performance

The efficiency of your cookware is incredibly important for many reasons. The efficacy of your products depends on the material, its heat dispersion, and how well you maintain it.

Certain materials are better at heat dispersion and heat conductivity than others. Ceramic non-stick camping pans and cast iron will save you time, as well as create more dynamic meals – rather than using only kettles and smaller titanium pots that are better for quick and dirty meals.

Cookwear

Cooking Performance Rating

GSI Pinnacle Camper
10
Stanley Adventure Camp
9
Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set
9
MSR Quick 2 System Cookset
9
MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set
9
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper
9
Winterial 11 Piece Camping Set
8
MSR Trail Mini Duo
8
GSI Outdoors Glacier Basecamper
8
Snow Peak TItanium Multi Compact
7

Cooking performance will be maintained if you look after the product with proper cleaning and storage. On longer trips, you’ll cook food more efficiently and waste less.

Plus, the better the food you cook, the more likely you’re going to enjoy your trip. Healthy food is good for energy and wellbeing.

Packability

Whether you’re backpacking or caravan camping, the packability of your cookware products is super important. If you’re backpacking, you want products that are compact, and entirely minimalist. You don’t want items that are heavy and weigh you down or items that will get in the way of other vital items you’re carrying with you.

Cookwear

Packability Rating

GSI Pinnacle Camper
10
MSR Quick 2 System Cookset
9
MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set
9
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper
9
Winterial 11 Piece Camping Set
9
Stanley Adventure Camp
8
Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set
8
MSR Trail Mini Duo
8
GSI Outdoors Glacier Basecamper
8
Snow Peak TItanium Multi Compact
7

You may not want to sacrifice the number of pots you have for packability – eating well is very important when venturing into the wilderness. If a product doesn’t pack well, you’re more likely to leave it behind.

This is a waste of your time and money. It’s important to consider what kind of adventure you’re going on and whether efficient packing is going to be important to you – more important when backpacking, less important perhaps when using a large van or car.

Even if you’re traveling in a fair-sized van or car, it’s still important to consider your cookware’s packability because it has to fit in with everything else you’re bringing with you. The way it’s packed is important too, as you don’t want to damage expensive items through jostling in cars or backpacks.

Durability

No one wants to spend a lot of money on a product and then have it immediately damaged on the first trip.

It’s important to purchase camping cookware tailored to the kind of wear and tear your equipment is going to take, whether it be through travel or the kind of cooking you’re doing.

Cookwear

Durability Rating

GSI Pinnacle Camper
9
Stanley Adventure Camp
9
MSR Quick 2 System Cookset
9
Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set
9
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper
9
MSR Trail Mini Duo
8
MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set
8
Winterial 11 Piece Camping Set
8
Snow Peak TItanium Multi Compact
8
GSI Outdoors Glacier Basecamper
7

If you like intense, gourmet cooking or feel that healthy meals are important to you on the trail, a Teflon material cookware wouldn’t be the best choice. Meals that only need water require a kettle, but if you’re making your way through rough terrain, you’re going to need one made of something tough.

It’s important to think about the kind of camping you’re doing before you purchase your cookware so you can determine exactly how durable you need those products to be.

Weight

Weight is an incredibly important factor for experienced backpackers. It’s essential to have products that are less than (if possible) one pound.

Backpackers are carrying everything on their shoulders, so it wouldn’t be smart to buy a cast iron product and have to lug it up steep hills. This might lead to injury and be a pain in the neck (literally!). Backpackers want items that are exceptionally lightweight and extremely compact so they’re not weighed down unnecessarily.

Cookwear

Weight Rating

MSR Quick 2 System Cookset
9
MSR Trail Mini Duo
9
MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set
9
GSI Pinnacle Camper
8
Stanley Adventure Camp
8
Winterial 11 Piece Camping Set
8
Snow Peak TItanium Multi Compact
8
GSI Outdoors Glacier Basecamper
8
Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set
7
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper
7

Most backpackers will bring food that only requires hot water so that once they consume it, their backpacks will weigh less. Car/van camping is an entirely different story, as it’s easier to carry products that are a little heavier.

Some campers might not want something that’s too heavy when they can purchase something with the same packability without the extra weight. Think of who will be using the products the most and what would appeal to them.

Ease of Use

Depending on the skill and priorities of the primary cook, the ease of use of cookware products can make or break the meal experience on your trip.

A cooking set should complement the abilities of the cook, rather than challenging them. A set should be easy to use, all pieces doing their job efficiently and smoothly to help make the food you want.

Cookwear

Ease Of Use Rating

GSI Pinnacle Camper
8
Stanley Adventure Camp
8
MSR Quick 2 System Cookset
8
MSR Trail Mini Duo
8
MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set
8
GSI Outdoors Glacier Basecamper
8
Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set
8
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper
8
Winterial 11 Piece Camping Set
7
Snow Peak TItanium Multi Compact
6

You need products where lids will stay on, heat will be maintained, cookware that won’t dent and will last you for many camping trips. 

If you’ve specific physical needs, such as the need to use a handle that will stay on a pot after use, you should seek one that has a bungee around it. If you’re traveling with children, you want mugs that don’t get too hot or are not easy to spill.

Think about who’ll be cooking and the kind of set that would suit their requirements.

Features

Many sets will contain extra parts, some more useful than others. It’s important to consider this because buying a set might mean having many items you never use. It’d be smart to think about how many people you’ll be cooking for, what kind of food you’ll be making, and how often you’ll be using these extras pieces of your set.

Many sets will come with utensils, mugs and cups, accompanying lids, and strainers.

Camping Cookware Review
Camping Cookware

Features Rating

GSI Pinnacle Camper
9
Stanley Adventure Camp
8
MSR Quick 2 System Cookset
8
MSR Trail Mini Duo
8
Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set
8
MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set
7
Winterial 11 Piece Camping Set
7
GSI Outdoors Glacier Basecamper
7
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper
7
Snow Peak TItanium Multi Compact
6

There are also sets that don’t come with extras, which could act as a foundation for your own tailored kit. It may be worthwhile to purchase a set that contains everything needed if you’re just getting started.

Our Final Verdict:

Phew, we made it – brilliant!

Now you can be confident you’ve seen the very best camping cookware the market has to offer.

Plus…

…you have our comprehensive TopNotch Buyers Guide at your fingertips which you can refer to ‘at a glance’ to help you make the best choice of cookware – showing you exactly what to look for.

GSI Pinnacle Camper
90%
MSR Quick 2 System Cookset
87%
MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set
84%
Stanley Adventure Camp
83%
MSR Trail Mini Duo
82%
Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set
82%
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper
82%
Winterial 11 Piece Camping Set
78%
GSI Outdoors Glacier Basecamper
77%
Snow Peak TItanium Multi Compact
70%

Conclusion:

By now, you’ll see that there’s a huge variety of camping cookware to suit all chefs and all budgets.

We’ve given you our best advice on what to look for and what to avoid.

Refer back to that list – define what’s important to you and your party, and make your choice.

Here are our top 3 All-Time best Camping Cookware sets.

We hope you enjoyed our review, Charlotte worked hard on it.

All that’s left is for the team here at TopNotch to wish you many happy hours of camping and many tasty meals with happy friends and lots of jovial banter in the Great Outdoors.

We’re all agreed, that’s where it’s at.

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