Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > GSI Hard Anodized Extreme > Owner Review by Ryan Lane Christensen

Owner Review
January 27, 2006

Reviewer Information

Backpacking Background:

I began hiking, camping, backpacking at twelve, continuing until 25.  After a hiatus due in part to a bad back, I resumed hiking, camping, and biking three years ago.  Now, I have teen-age sons with whom I share my love for these sports.  The past three years, we have hiked, or camped, nearly every month, in desert, forest, meadow, and mountain; in spring, summer, fall, and winter; in sunshine, rain, wind, and snow.  We began backpacking together the summer of 2005.  I am a lightweight backpacker, and I carry a full array of necessary gear.

Product Information:

Product Description:

The cook set includes a 1 qt (.95 L) pot and an accompanying 6.25” (16 cm) diameter lid/fry pan; a 1.5 qt (1.4 L) pot and its accompanying 6.25” (16 cm) diameter lid/fry pan; a DiamondBack Gripper; an elastic strap with hooks on each end; and a nylon-mesh carrying bag with drawstring.  A sheet listing cookware details and a few recipes is also included.  The pots and pans nest well inside each other.  The elastic strap attaches to the brackets on each side of the largest pot to secure the lid to the pot, thereby holding the nested set together.  The cook set then fits nicely inside the nylon-mesh carrying bag.

Taking up backpacking last summer with my teen-age sons, I was in the market for a durable, lightweight cook set.  At the local outdoors store, there were several options from which to choose.  I ultimately selected the GSI Outdoors Hard Anodized Extreme Non-Stick 5-Piece Cookset. 

A number of factors influenced my decision.  The first was the anodized aluminum.  Aluminum is lightweight, and is a good conductor of heat.  The anodizing process hardens the surface of the aluminum, making it very resistant to abrasion.  GSI claims it is twice as hard as stainless steel.  Additionally, anodizing seals the aluminum, which prevents direct contact between the core and the food.  The cook set’s non-stick coating was the second factor to influence my decision.  I really hate having to scrape a pan to get it clean.   A third factor was the “spiral” turned bottoms.  I thought the grooved bottoms would grip the pot supports of my stove better than plain flat-bottomed pans.  Lids that double as fry pans were the fourth factor to influence my decision.  Fifth was the DiamondBack Gripper: a cool, lightweight, interchangeable, folding handle for lifting pans.  The gripper attaches to a bracket on the side of each pan.  Gripping the bracket, rather than the lip of the pan, does not scratch the non-stick interior or the exterior finish.  Price was the sixth influencing factor.  Neither the least expensive, nor as lightweight and strong as titanium, yet the Hard Anodized Extreme 5-Piece Cookset was the best value for me.

GSI lists several safety tips on the accompanying cookware details sheet.  The safety tips include:

1.     Remove all labels.  Wash with HOT SOAPY WATER, rinse and dry cookware before use.

2.     Do not let cookware boil dry.

3.     Cookware can discolor if allowed to overheat excessively.

4.     Where possible, adjust stove or fire to the minimal cooking level so that the flame does not extend up the sides of the pot and touches only the bottom of the cookware.

5.     Do not use GSI cookware in an oven or under a broiler.

6.     Always separate the DiamondBack Versa-Gripper from any hot pot when through steadying or lifting.

7.     Medium heat recommended for all cooking and frying procedures.  Use a low heat source for simmering.

8.     Try using a paper or dishtowel between the individual pots to prevent scratching when packing nesting sets.

9.     For maximum longevity, use only nylon utensils on all non-stick cookware.

10. Prolong the finish by using only a nonabrasive scouring pad.

11. Never cut with a knife inside the cookware.

Field Information:

I have used my Hard Anodized Extreme cook set on numerous backpacking and camping trips.  I primarily camp in southeastern Idaho.  Occasionally, I venture into Grand Teton National Park, which is located in western Wyoming; or Yellowstone National Park, which is located in eastern Idaho, western Montana, and western Wyoming.  The elevations of the areas where I usually camp range from 5,500 feet (2,000 m) to 8,500 feet (3,000 m) above sea level.  The summers in these areas are usually dry and warm (80 to the upper 90 F (27-32 C).  Winters are usually cold and snow depths vary from the high-plains desert to the higher elevations.  Springs can be somewhat cold and wet.

Product Performance:

Of the five pieces, to date, I have only used the 1.5 qt (1.4 L) pot, its lid, the DiamondBack Gripper, and the elastic strap.  These pieces satisfy my cooking needs and that of my two teenage boys when they accompany me.  In addition, limiting myself to these pieces helps me limit the weight, and optimize the space, in my pack.  As an additional space optimization technique, I pack either my stove, eggs in a plastic egg holder, or other items inside the pot.  Having done this on numerous outings, the non-stick cook surface is still intact--no scratches. 

When cooking, I usually use a small plastic spatula to prevent scratching the non-stick surface.  The permanent non-stick surface fulfills GSI’s claim of an easy to clean interior.  I have cooked omelets, potatoes, and pancakes, without them sticking to the pan, making cleanup a breeze.

As of now, the exterior is free of any nicks or scratches.  This is even more impressive considering my 14 and 12-year-old sons have taken them on scout camping trips.  No doubt they are rougher on the pans than I.  It is my belief that with minimal care, these pans will hold up for some time.

As suspected, the grooved bottoms of the pots and fry pans helps secure them on the pot supports of my stove.  This is especially helpful since it can be difficult, at times, to get my stove level.

Impressive as the non-stick surface and the durability of the anodized aluminum are, the most impressive thing to me thus far is how quickly and evenly these pans cook.  They cook nearly as well as my wife’s pans that are more expensive--not too shabby for camping gear.

GSI offers several hard-anodized products.  However, they do not offer items included in the 5-piece or the 7-piece cook sets separately.  As mentioned earlier, I only use the 1.5 qt (1.4 L) pot and its 6.25” (16 cm) diameter lid/fry pan and the DiamondBack Gripper.  It would be nice to be able to purchase a pot and lid separately, rather than having to purchase an entire cook set.  No one likes shelling out money for items they are unlikely to use. 

Likes:

·        durability

·        non-stick interior

·        lightweight

·        heats up quickly

·        cooks evenly

Dislikes:

·        none thus far

Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > GSI Hard Anodized Extreme > Owner Review by Ryan Lane Christensen