Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper > Test Report by Larry Kirschner

GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset

TEST SERIES BY LARRY KIRSCHNER

INITIAL REPORT - September 20, 2009

TESTER INFORMATION

I've been an intermittent camper/paddler since my teens, but now that my kids are avid Boy Scouts, I've caught the backpacking bug. I typically do 8-10 weekend hikes per year, and have spent time over the past few years backpacking the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and canoeing the Atikaki wilderness of Canada. I like to travel "in comfort", but I've shrunk to medium weight, and continue to work toward going lighter and longer. With all of my investment into these ventures, I expect my wife and I will continue to trek long after the kids are gone…

INITIAL REPORT
September 20, 2009

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: GSI Outdoors
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Manufacturer's Website: www.gsioutdoors.com
MSRP: $119.95 USD

Listed Weight: 1577 g (3 lbs, 8 oz)
Measured weight: 1580 g (3 lbs, 8 oz)

Listed Dimensions (diameter x height): 232 x 148 mm (9.1 x 5.8 in)
Measured Dimensions: 234 x 134 mm (9.2 x 5.3 in)


ITEM DESCRIPTION



The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset is designed to be the "Ultimate, integrated cooking + eating solution" for gourmet campers. The Pinnacle line of cooksets comes in a variety of configurations, from sets clearly aimed for base camp (i.e., car campers) to those specifically designed for backpackers. This Pinnacle Camper configuration is designed to provide flexibility, with enough cookware to support anywhere from a 4-person car camping trip down to a 2-person backpacking trip. This variety is achieved by having a large number of pieces, some of which can be left at home if desired.

The components of the Pinnacle Camper can be divided into three main categories: cooking gear, eating gear, and the sink. These are all designed according to GSI's "nFORM Crossover System," which is a fancy way to say they are part of an integrated cooking and eating system.

Cooking Gear

The cookware is comprised of a 3L and a 2L pot, as well as a frying pan. There are two lids, the larger of which fits both the larger pot and the frying pan. The pots and pan are made of anodized aluminum outsides, and each of these items has a grooved bottom to aid in heat dispersal. The inner surfaces of the pots are coated with Teflon® with Radiance technology, which is a special coating that provides faster and more uniform heat distribution to the cooking surface. The inside also has a "specially formulated topcoat" which is designed to provide "an unprecedented level scratch and abrasion resistance." I have cooked with other Teflon coated pots, and I often worry about scratching and thereby ruining the surface, so this scratch resistance is an excellent concept.

The lids are also cleverly designed, with two specific features worth comment. First, the lids have an area with a 1.5 x 5 cm (0.75 x 2 in) rectangular field of small holes which were designed to allow the lid to be used as a strainer. Second, the top of the lid has a small plastic tab which can be flipped up and used as a handle. Both of these features seem quite well thought-out!



Also, there is a single pot handle which comes with the set. It is stored inside one of the mugs (see below) to prevent banging and scratching of the pots. The handle folds in half, but locks in the extended position. The unlocking mechanism is marked with an orange pin and is easy to operate. The handle also has a mechanism to lock into slots on each of the pots and pan. There is a small metal rod which extends beyond the end of the handle and matches a hole in a metal bracket on the side of each pot. When the rod is pulled back by means of a spring-loaded bright orange knob, the handle can slide in or out of the pot. When the knob is released, the rod is extended and prevents the handle from falling off the pot.




Eating gear

Piece	Vol	Listed weight (g)	Listed weight (oz)	Measured weight (g)	Measured weight (oz)	Listed dimensions (mm)	Listed dimensions (oz)	Measured dimensions (mm)	Measured dimensions (oz)
Bowl	470 ml (16 oz)	40	1.3	40	1.4	--	--	103 x 83 x 93 (L x W x H)	4.1 x 3.3 x 3.7
Mug	--	46	1.6	45	1.6	--	--	103 x 83 x 97	4.1 x 3.3 x 3.8
Lid	--	12	0.4	10	0.35	--	--	103 x 83 x 11	4.1 x 3.3 x 0.4
Bowl/Mug/Lid	--	--	--	95	3.4	--	--	103 x 83 x 102	4.1 x 3.3 x 4.0
Plate	--	37	1.3	35	1.2	190	7.5	190 (D)	7.5

The Pinnacle set comes with Infinity eating ware, which is GSI's name for their lightweight polycarbonate plastic. The plastic is noted to be BPA-free and to be completely recyclable. Additionally, this plasticware is dishwasher safe and is supposed to resist absorbing food odors.

The plates that are part of this set are fairly standard issue, although it is a nice touch that there are four different colored plates.

The interesting parts of the set are the mug/bowl combinations. There are four of these as well, colored to match the plates. Each mug/bowl forms one quarter of a cylinder, so packing all four together fills the space inside the smaller pot.



The outer piece is the bowl, which has a single wall. The bowl could also be used as a measuring cup, as it is marked with lines showing 200 and 400 ml, as well as 1 and 2 cups. Fitting tightly inside the bowl is the mug, which has a rubberized insulation material around its outside, similar to the cardboard ring that goes around my coffee cup to insulate my hot coffee. There is a plastic lid which fits on top of the cup. Between the lid and the insulation, I expect that the mug would keep a hot drink warm for an extended period of time. The lid has two small vents at the corners for sipping out of the mug even when the top is on. I found that the lid cannot be used on the bowl, as the rim of the bowl is just big enough to let the lid fall in.




The sink

Piece	Vol	Listed weight (g)	Listed weight (oz)	Measured weight (g)	Measured weight (oz)	Listed dimensions (mm)	Listed dimensions (in)	Measured dimensions (mm)	Measured dimensions (in)
	3 L (3.2 qt)	83	2.9	65	2.3	--	--	234 x 100 (DxH)	9.2 x 4.0

The sink actually doubles as a cover for the larger pot, protecting the outside of the cookset from scratches. The sink has handles and can be used for carrying and/or storing water. These have a hook-and-loop closure across the top which can be used to keep the entire cookset assembled. The sink is "welded" which I assume means it does not have seams which are likely to leak. The bottom center of the sink has a plasticized fabric, whereas the rest of the sink appears to be a tightly woven nylon fabric of some type.


INSTRUCTIONS AND WARRANTY

The Pinnacle Camper Cookset came with a booklet in English and French describing the set and providing some guidance for use.

At the top are a number of clearly marked warning and caution items, including cautions to wash the pot before use, not to put the pots in the dishwasher, and not to use items in the set for prolonged food storage. There are also specific cautions stating that the cookware is specifically designed for use over camping stoves. It is not meant for home cooking, including microwaves and ovens or for campfire cooking. There are also a few danger items mostly relating to ways to avoid burns during cooking.

There are specific instructions regarding cooking with the nFORM crossover set. These include avoiding extreme temperatures and not boiling the pots dry. There are also notes and tips regarding the use of cooking oils or butter. However, it appears to me that there may be a mistake in the instructions, as the paper reads ""GSI Outdoors non-stick coated cookware does require any shortening or cooking oil to prevent your food from sticking." I believe it should read "…does NOT require any shortening..."

There are also care instructions for the pots, including avoiding the use of abrasive cleaners avoiding soaking in soapy water. The instructions recommend soaking and cleaning in boiling water only in the field, and specialized cleaners for non-stick surfaces can be used in the comfort of the home.


EXPECTATIONS FOR THE PINNACLE CAMPER

When I applied for this test, I wasn't really sure what I would be getting. I was thinking it would be a set of backpacking pots with some newer features. After it arrived and I started going through the kit, I was amazed at how well the different pieces are integrated into the overall system. Aside from the fact that it all packs together so neatly, the feature details (such as the lid handles) seem well designed and will allow me to maximize the use I will get out of this cookset. Although I haven't had the opportunity to take the set out, I am really looking forward to seeing what I can do with it!


THE STORY SO FAR

Impressive
• Loads of cooking gear in a small package
• Features seem really well designed
• Spurs lots of cooking ideas

Concerns
• Is it too heavy to take on backcountry trips?
• Can I drink easily out of a triangular cup?

This concludes my Initial Report on the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset. Please check back in 2 months for my Field Report on this item. Thanks to GSI Outdoors for providing this cooking set for testing, and to BackpackGearTest.org for giving me the chance to participate in the evaluation process.

-larry kirschner

Back to Top

Read more reviews of GSI Outdoors gear
Read more gear reviews by Larry Kirschner

Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper > Test Report by Larry Kirschner