Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > MSR BlackLite Gourmet Cookset > Owner Review by Bradley Bishop

Name: Bradley Bishop
Age: 29
Gender: male
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
Weight: 195 lb (88 kg)
Email address: bradleybishop AT sbcglobal DOT net
City, State, Country: Tahlequah, Oklahoma, USA
Date: 06/12/2004

Backpacking Background

I've been hiking, camping, and backpacking for over 20 years, beginning as a Boy Scout in Tennessee. I backpacked primarily on the Cumberland Plateau and other areas of Middle and East Tennessee including the Smokies and Appalachian Trail until college when I took a brief hiatus from most outdoor activities. Late in college, I became good friends with another backpacker and got back into it. I lived in Tucson, Arizona for 4 years and hiked and camped all over the Santa Catalina, Santa Rita, Chiricahua, Rincon, and Coconino Mountains. I recently relocated to Tahlequah, Oklahoma (not a lot of mountains around here) and have done some hiking and backpacking locally and in the Ozarks and Buffalo National River area of Arkansas. I hope to go backpacking once a month as long as my schedule permits. I also use much of my gear regularly for domestic and international travel, deployments, and training exercises with the Oklahoma-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT). I would classify my backpacking style as mid to heavyweight. I still tend to carry way too much stuff, but I am trying to lighten up.

Product Information

Manufacturer: Mountain Safety Research (MSR)
Year of Manufacture: 1998
URL: http://www.msrcorp.com/
MSRP: $44.95 US
Listed weight: 23.5 oz (665 g)
Actual weight: 23.28 oz (660 g)
Material: Coated nonstick aluminum

Product Review

I purchased the BlackLite Gourmet Cookset in 1998 while on vacation. I was planning to do some camping on the vacation and would be cooking for myself and a friend. I am always looking for an excuse to buy gear, and decided that my solo copper-bottom stainless steel cook kit from Boy Scouts was not going to cut it. I am not certain that my cookset was called the Gourmet when I bought it, but it is the same size and has all the same basic components as the current Gourmet. I have used the cookset many times for backpacking, car camping, and even as an extra set of pots around the house.

My BlackLite Gourmet Cookset consists of a 1.5 L (1.59 qt) pot, 2 L (2.11 qt) pot, 7.2 in (18.5 cm) fry pan, lid that fits both pots and the pan, PanHandler™ potgrabber, and a mesh stuff sack. According to the MSR website, the current version of the cookset also includes a "Packtowl® to separate the pots." (More about that later)

MSR's website lists the following features which I'll address individually:

"Nonstick Coating Eliminates scouring, scrubbing, scorching."
The coating is one of the best that I've seen on a cookset, and rivals our "expensive wedding gift" pans at home. I've never had any problem with cleanup, and usually just wipe out with a couple of paper towels and hot water. I've been careful to never burn any food in the pots, so I don't know how well the coating would enhance cleanup in that situation. I question the durability of the coating, as mine has become a little worn with use, especially in the bottom of the pot and around the rim where the pot grabber contacts the pot. I'm now careful about packing anything inside because I accidentally scratched one of the pots by storing the pot grabber inside it on my first outing. :-( I also pack a single paper towel between the pots to keep them from scratching each other and sticking together, and also to aid in cleanup. (The current version of the cookset includes a "Packtowl® to separate the pots.")

"Grooved Bottoms Help pots stay where you put them."
This is an excellent feature. I have used the cookset on very uneven surfaces with my Coleman stove and the pots stick where I set them. I believe this would be the case with any stove, and the website specifically mentions compatibility with MSRs stoves. (of course!)

"Rounded Corners Help heat travel up sides of pot more quickly, boosting efficiency 5%."
I can't comment on the 5% increase in efficiency, but the rounded corners are a nice touch that makes for an attractive piece of equipment. The set does seem to cook faster than my other sets, probably due to this and the black exterior. Rounded corners make for easier cleanup, too. I have had no problem cleaning the set with paper towels and hot soapy water. Most food wipes out with little or no scrubbing, and the rounded corners eliminate the corner crevice where I've seen lots of food stick in other cooksets I've used. I have not used the set for cooking over anything other than a white-gas stove, so I can't comment on soot cleanup.

"Black Exterior Boosts heat absorption, which improves cooking times and saves fuel."
I can't specifically address my personal cooking time or fuel consumption, but anecdotally the cookset seems to cook more quickly and evenly than other sets I've used.

"Snug-Fitting Lid Has a Snap Lock handle—stays up while cooking, folds down for packing."
This is a nice feature, but it feels a little flimsy. I have had no problem, but I suspect it may breakdown or wear out over time. It is a spring-loaded handle on top of the lid that folds flat for storage. The lid itself fits both pots and the pan, and also doubles as a plate. I use the lid very effectively for draining noodles as well by creating a small gap through which the water can drain while holding the noodles in the pot.

Additionally, the PanHandler™ potgrabber is a nice accessory. The BlackLite Gourmet cookset has no handles, so it offers a firm grip on even a full 2 L (2.11 qt) pot. It seems more durable than other potgrabbers I've used and is drilled full of holes to help shave those grams off the total weight. Over time, it contributes to wear of the nonstick coating around the top lip of the pots. I've seen similar potgrabbers in gear stores, so it could be replaced if lost. I've never used the cookset without the potgrabber, but I suspect grabbing the edge of the pot with a hotpad might be a sufficient alternative. The mesh stuff sack proves handy for drying the set after cleanup, and doubles as a beer-chilling bag when camping near cold flowing water. :-)

My cooking style used to be "boil-in-bag" meals or Ramen noodles, but as I've matured a little so have my culinary tastes and abilities. I still keep my meals very simple, but use the cookset for a lot of simmering in addition to boiling. I can't honestly say I've ever used the fry pan, and often leave it at home. I've used the cookset in a variety of areas from desert to alpine, and a temperature range from nearly 100 F (38 C) to below freezing. It has performed very well in every situation I've experienced. Overall, I've been very pleased with this cookset and look forward to many more years of use. It is easily large enough to cook for 2 people, and probably as many as 4.

One VERY important tip: I always use plastic or wooden utensils with the MSR BlackLite Gourmet Cookset. Metal utensils will scratch the nonstick surface.

PROS
Nonstick coating for easy cleanup
Even and fast cooking
Grooved bottom "sticks" to stoves
Conveniently packs together

CONS
Questionable durability of nonstick coating under more frequent use
Potential wear of nonstick coating by potgrabber and stacking pots together
Questionable durability of Snap Lock handle on lid

Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > MSR BlackLite Gourmet Cookset > Owner Review by Bradley Bishop