OWNER REVIEW: MSR Blacklite Pots
Review Date: April 8 2005

Reviewer Information

Name: Will Jeffries
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 6" (1.68 meters)
Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)
City: Charleston
State: South Carolina 
Country: USA
E-mail: willjeffs@yahoo.com

Reviewer Biography:  I have been an avid backpacker for over eight years and also have interests in mountain biking, rock climbing, and kayaking.  The majority of my hiking experiences have taken place on the Appalachian Trail in northern Georgia and western North Carolina.  I prefer to travel as light as possible, but I am guilty of hauling the kitchen sink on shorter weekend trips in the flatlands of South Carolina.  Most of my trips range from three to four days of about 16 miles per day.  I enjoy sleeping late and going to bed early and a nap at lunch is always time well spent.

Product information

Manufacturer: Mountain Safety Research
Year of Manufacture: 2001
URL: www.msrcorp.com
Listed weight: 18 oz (512 g)
Weight as delivered: 18 oz (512 g)
MSRP: $35 (USD)
Description: 1.5 L (50 fl oz) and 2 L (70 fl oz) pots with one lid.  Both of the pots and the lid are made from aluminum with a non-stick coating. The manufacturer claims that the pots are black and have rounded edges to assist heat transfer from the stove to the pots.  These features are said to help increase fuel efficiency and decrease cooking time.  I received my pots as part of the Blacklite Classic Cookset which comes with two pots, one lid, one pot gripper, and a Packtowel.  The lid is designed to fit both pots and the gripper acts as a handle for both pots.  The Blacklite pots in have grooved bottoms to grip the stove while cooking.  The grooves look like concentric circles on the bottom of the pots.  The grooves cover the entire bottom and help prevent the pots from sliding from side to side while they are on top of the stove.  The inside has a non-stick coating to help make cleanup easier.  The two pots nest inside each other for compact storage and carrying.  Aluminum is known to be very durable and lightweight.

Field Information

            I always use the Packtowel or a bandanna between the two pots when I carry then nested together.  This has proved very effective and I have had no problems with the pots rubbing against each other.  The lid, however, has been scratched a little around the edges during transportation.

            I received my Blacklite Classic Cookset as a gift when I was awarded my Eagle Scout rank.  I have now used the set for over two years.  I have used these pots throughout the Carolinas in temperatures ranging form 20 F (-7 C) to 90 F (32C).  These pots have seen every landscape from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sandy beaches near Charleston.

            I have found this set to be most useful when I am cooking for two or more people.  When I cook for myself I just leave the 2 L (68 fl oz) pot at home and take the smaller pot by itself.

            One of the best features of this cookset is the grooves on the bottom of the pots.  I like how the pots grip onto my stove while I stir instead of slipping around like my old pots.  I think that a non-stick coating is the best feature that can ever be put on any pot.  Clean-up is effortless thanks to the miracle of non-stick.  I sometimes just boil water in my pots for freeze-dried meals and when I pour the water out there are only about two drops of water that stay in the pot.  The rest of the water just slides right out.  I have never had problems with burnt food sticking to the bottom of these pots.  Any food that is left in the pots can be easily wiped away. 

            I have found these pots very versatile because of their large size.  These large pots make it easy for me to cook for my family or groups that I lead, but they are still light enough that I can use them when I am on my own. 

            MSR recommends that only plastic or wooden utensils be used with this cookset because metal utensils can damage the non-stick coating.  I always use lexan utensils, but one time when I was with a group all the group members scooped out of my pot with metal utensils.  Luckily, they didn’t scrape the pot too hard and the non-stick properties are still present. The non-stick coating is pretty durable, but I would not recommend using metal utensils on a regular basis. 

            The pots seem to be very fuel efficient and help save time while cooking in comparison to my old mess kit with a loose lid.  I was very satisfied to see that the lid fits very snugly over both pots.  The lid also works well as a plate if you don’t eat straight out of the pot.  The lid is easy to take off of the pots because of a little metal ring that pops up and stays up very well.  The ring has never fallen while I was cooking and has never been hot to the touch.  These pots are very versatile and perform with excellence.

Likes:

Light weight
Grooved bottom
Non-stick coating
Secure lid
Versatility

Dislikes:

Sometimes they are too large for solo trips