GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookware
Initial Report

Name: Dawn Larsen
Age: 48
Gender: female
Height: 5' 4" (163 cm)
Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)
Email address: vicioushillbilly AT yahoo DOT com
Florence, South Carolina USA
Date: 20 September 2009
 
Backpacking Background:
I used to backpack in college a zillion years ago and just in the last few years have backpacked some private trails in Tennessee, Missouri and most recently South Carolina. I have been an avid car-camper for eleven years and I have kayak/canoe camped for four years, both in South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas. I use a lot of the same equipment for both. I hike hilly/rocky trails especially in Missouri (my home state) and Arkansas. I live in South Carolina and am busy checking out the terrain here with my sixteen year-old son.

Product Information
Manufacturer:  GSI
Year of Manufacture:  unknown
URL: www.gsioutdoors.com 
Listed Manufacturer's dimensions on packaging:  set packed together - 9.1 x 9.1 x 5.8 in (231 x 231 x 147 mm); fry pan – 9 in (229 mm); plates – 7.5 in (191 mm)
Actual measurements: large pot – 9 x 4 in (229 x102 mm); small pot – 8 x 3.25 (203 x 83 mm); mug – 3.5 x 4.25 x 3.75 high in (89 x 108 x 95 mm); fry pan – 9 x 1.25 in (229 x 31.74 mm); plate – 7.5 (191 mm) in diameter.
Listed Volume on packaging:  large pot – 3 L; small pot – 2 L; mugs – 14 fl oz (414 ml)
Actual Volume: large pot – 2.5 L; small pot – 1.5 L; mugs - 12 fl oz (355 ml)
Listed weight: 3 lbs 8 oz (1.59 kg)
Weight as delivered without packaging: 3 lbs 8 oz (1.59 kg)
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: $119.95 US
Made in China

Product description
This multi-piece set came packed together as it should be packed to travel.  It was wrapped in plastic.  Upon taking it apart, the set contains: one fry pan, one 3 L pot, one 2 L pot, two plastic strainer lids, four plates, four mugs with no spill snap-on tops, one handle (gripper), one collapsible sink that the whole set stores in, and a set of instructions in English on one side and in French on the other. 
 


Initial Impressions
It is ingenious the way this entire set fits together.  To put it back together I began with the sink, the big pot fits in that, the small pot fits in the big pot, the gripper fits in a mug, the mugs fit into the bowls into the small pot, the strainer lids fit on the pots, the fry pan acts as a lid, then the sink handles that around the pot with hook and loop closure (see picture above).
 
The colors are not the colors shown on the box or the website.  The set I received is much more dark and muted.  I kind of like the bright colors better as I could see them in low light better.
 
The plastic of the lids and plates is very thin.  I am concerned about breakage. I will be paying particular attention to this when testing.
 
The gripper is interesting. It folds in half for storage. When I opened it, it snapped into place.  The way it hooks on the pot is to slide it into a bracket and then a locking pin locks it in place.  I had a hard time sliding it into the bracket. I wonder what happens when the pot is hot and I can't anchor it with my hand.  Also, I wonder if it will be difficult to switch it from one pot or fry pan to another without burning myself.
 
The set's instructions come with warnings including: My comments are in italics
WARNING: Prior to initial use, always wash with hot water and mild detergent at home and dry immediately. Use only non-abrasive cloths and cleaners. Always allow components to dry completely before storing. Dishwashers may prematurely age components. I am sorry to hear that about not dishwashering as I always throw camping kitchen gear in the dishwasher. nFORM Crossover Cookware and Tableware is not intended for prolonged storage of food or liquids. Should a component become crazed or fractured, discontinue use and please recycle the pieces. I like the fact that GSI asks me to recycle if their cookware breaks.
CAUTION: Gripper may become hot when cooking. Always use caution when grasping handle. Never expose handle to direct flame. This gripper worries me.  It seems a little unwieldy.  Do not attempt to separate mug and bowl while full. This was confusing until I realized that the outside of the mug was a bowl.
 

Initial Trial
The way this entire set fits together is ingenious .  I took it apart and put it back together without instructions.  To put it back together, I began with the sink; the big pot fits in that; the small pot fits in the big pot; the gripper fits in a mug; the mugs fit in the small pot; the strainer lids fit on the pots; the fry pan acts as a lid; then the sink handles secure the fry pay lid on the big pot with a hook and loop closure (see picture below from instructions).
 
       

I removed Teflon stickers, washed and dried the whole set in the collapsible sink. The sink worked very well with the small items.  The pots and fry pan are too big. I tried the strainer lids with cool water. They work very well.  As the instructions state, if I make sure that the strainer part is turned away from my hands, steam should not be a problem.  The mugs were really confusing to me.  I guess the outside is a bowl.  Initially, I thought the mug was a two-part item.  The instructions don't specify that there are bowls, except when they state not to take mug and bowl apart.  I guess if I left the bowl on the mug, it would insulate it more.  I  tried drinking from a mug with the snap on lid without the bowl.  I used hot tea. The insulation seems to work well.  The mugs are a little strange to drink from as they have no handle and they don't fit in my hand very well due to their shape.  When the tea was very hot, I had to use both hands.  The insulation keeps the outside of the mug from getting very hot, however. 
 
I look forward to taking this set out into the field.  I am planning several campouts with just my son and me, and I assume it will provide more than enough options for 2 of us.  I am also planning campouts as faculty sponsor of my university's student camping club.  Those trips should really put this cook set to the test.
 
What I Like:
It all fits together very well.
There are so many components and options.
 
What I Don't Like:
The colors are very muted.
The gripper handle does not slide into the bracket on the pots and fry pan easily.
 
This concludes my initial report.  My field report will follow in about two months. Many thanks to GSI Outdoors and Backpackgeartest.org for allowing me to test the Pinnacle Camper Cookset.