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04/12/2017 09:43AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Making our 3rd trip this year, and we're finally transitioning out of renting all our gear and food from the outfitter, to this year renting just the canoe.

We've accumulated all the basics, (stove, tent, sleeping bags, gravity filter, etc.) the last couple years, but one thing we don't have is good camp cookware or plate/dish/utensil sets.

There will be 3 of us going, (dad, 11 and 14 year olds) looking for suggestions from the community. Most meals will be dehydrated, but we also need a fry pan to cook fish. Would prefer lighter weight and portability, as dad carries 70% of the gear on portages. Looking for pretty decent stuff that will hold up, as we planning on tripping a long time

Thanks for your help.
 
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BuckFlicks
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04/12/2017 10:00AM  
I've recently been enchanted by the GSI cookware sets that have a big pot, a medium pot, a fry pan, plates, bowls and insulated mugs for 4 that all nest nicely into the big pot. If I were buying cookware now, I'd get one of the GSI sets. If you only have 3 going, you can leave out one of the plates, bowls, and cups which would leave room for a canister stove in the bundle. Or other kitchen needs like firestarter materials, bio soap, pack towel, spices, cooking oil, etc. Also room in the mugs to stuf... stuff.

I don't know about the durability - but they get really good reviews on REI.com.

The Bugaboo is the "budget" line and the Pinnacle is the higher end line... costs a little more, but is supposed to be more durable, with higher quality materials.

I've never used it, so I can't make a personal recommendation. You might want a heftier fry pan for frying fish, though.
 
04/12/2017 12:19PM  
I've been using GSI Outdoors dinnerware for many years. The Cascadian line is what I use (opaque plastic). It is available at REI and elsewhere. The GSI Outdoors website has 4-person sets of plates, bowls, and mugs for much less than if you were to purchase individual items.
 
04/12/2017 12:37PM  
I have used the Pinnacle cook wear and it is good stuff for the money.
Are you cooking over a stove or campfire?
I use the Pinnacle cook wear with a stove and I have basic aluminum stuff for the campfire.
For a fish fry pan just pick up a Teflon pan at Goodwill or Wolly world and cut the handle off if you need too.
 
Alan Gage
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04/12/2017 03:36PM  
I'd think a titanium pot (2-2.5 quarts?)should cover you for rehydrating and then a 10 or 12" skillet for fish. I like aluminum skillets with a heavy bottom for more even heating (less likely to burn when the fire flares) but I've successfully used thin bottom skillets as well. I have a non-stick skillet now but if I were buying new I think I'd get an uncoated skillet.

For the pot I like ones that are taller than they are wide. Seems less likely to slosh over the side. If cooking over a fire they might hang better from a bail handle as well.

Alan
 
jeremylynn21
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04/12/2017 06:56PM  
GSI has great stuff. 10-12 inch lightweight fry pan. I use a 10 inch but will switch to 12 once this pan is done. I wouldn't recommend cast iron anything.
 
04/12/2017 10:11PM  
I love my MSR Flex 4 Cookset. For three people they also offer the MSR Flex 3 Cookset.
The MSR Flex Skillet can be purchased separately and nests on the outside of the cookset.
 
04/13/2017 10:08AM  
I have the 4 person pinnacle cookset and like it a lot except for the plates are a little small. I have a set of lexan camping plates that I got for car camping which usually comes along with. It doesn't nest with the set in the bucket, but the bucket fits perfectly on top of the plates in the stuff sack the cook kit is usually hauled around in.
 
04/13/2017 10:24AM  
I may at times be old school but for longevity and versatility in camp kitchens SS pot and pans are very hard to beat. I have a fondness for the Alpine Sets , I have the 4 pot set (go figure its 3 pots and lids), 2 pot set, and frypan. All well over 10 years old. They can be used for dry baking pot in pot. Make a lightweight Dutch Oven by inverting the lids to hold coals. Can be scrubbed with a drill and wire bush if they get that bad. The frypan has an aluminum insert in the bottom and heats evenly. If on a budget they are commonly offered used. Plates cups and flatware are more to individual taste, I just went thrift store for flatware, plastic and metal mugs easily sourced. For plates I am very fond of plastic gold panning pans, available thru mining supply shops in different sizes and colors.
I have some Ti and some Al pots and pans but seem to go back to SS frequently.

butthead

PS: Sample of gold pans 10 inch plastic black and green, 10 and 8 inch steel (and a plug for CCS). bh
 
04/13/2017 04:43PM  
As far as a plate, bowl or cup, I've found the fozzils items to be great! I use that and/or my jetboil with a titanium spork. They're the only items I need and are very packable. If I'm finishing I bring a small straw diy packet of spices and olive oil to fry with a small tin pan over my jetboil. Simplicity, quickness of prep and clean up as well as packability are why I've stuck to these items for a couple years now with little temptation to change.
 
BnD
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04/14/2017 04:26PM  
Ok I'll throw in that we are huge fans of MSR cookware. The Flex 3 set is Very Good and reasonably lightweight. We use smaller-lighter and more austere MSR set but, I can't recommend it since we assembled it from other MSR sets we have to suit us our portaging and cooking preferences which would vary depending on trip and group size. Another thought in general is the bigger cooksets are heavier, the stainless steel cooksets are prohibitably heavy IMO and titanium typically is really lightweight but sized for back packing boil and eat meals. Light weight Aluminum seems to be a balance between the two. Good luck with your choice.
 
Nozzelnut
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04/16/2017 11:06PM  
For group trips, we take a wok. A bit heavier than some options, but it does everything! Travel sized woks are available on Amazon and don't weigh too much.

Sea to Summit collapsible plates work pretty well for me.
 
wetcanoedog
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04/17/2017 10:24AM  
one of the best ideas I saw was using a square non stick baking pan as a fry pan.
fish fit better than a round pan and the higher sides allow for deep frying.
 
pastorjsackett
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04/17/2017 11:37AM  
Just got the GSI Pinnacle set for my birthday. Thrilled. Can't wait to use it.
 
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