Hey all, I'm looking to upgrade my cook set for this year. I currently take 1 pot and 1 small short walled fry pan (6-8"?) that came with my Primus stove. I find I typically am needing a little bit of a larger pot and pan when cooking for a group. What I'm looking for is a cook set that would nest a 2+ qt pot, 8-10" fry pan, and then ideally metal cups and plates. Anyone know of something comprehensive like this that can nest together?

I posed this same question in a thread, maybe a year ago, and got lots of replies. I'd suggest going to the "Search" function above, type in "Cookset", and if you scroll down you'll see more than a dozen threads giving you literally hundreds of insights.

Wow, yeah, there certainly are plenty of topics on large cook sets. Looks like I have plenty to read through - thanks =)

I like the GSI Pinnacle stuff

GSI and MSR both make several cook sets that would meet your needs.

I know this will not be helpful, but, I like whichever my cook makes me dinner in! :)

AmarilloJim: "I like the GSI Pinnacle stuff"

I have one of the 4 person versions of this. Two pots, frying pan, (way too small) plates, cups/bowls that nest, and the whole thing goes into a sack of sorts that doubles as a bucket.

mirth: "

AmarilloJim: "I like the GSI Pinnacle stuff"

I have one of the 4 person versions of this. Two pots, frying pan, (way too small) plates, cups/bowls that nest, and the whole thing goes into a sack of sorts that doubles as a bucket."

I didn't see the large pan thought.
Agree with you there. I always take an extra bigger fry pan with a group

mirth: "

AmarilloJim: "I like the GSI Pinnacle stuff"

I have one of the 4 person versions of this. Two pots, frying pan, (way too small) plates, cups/bowls that nest, and the whole thing goes into a sack of sorts that doubles as a bucket."

One thing I really like about the GSI Pinnacle stuff (as opposed to the MSR stuff) is that it's all modular and works at all sorts of scales. Also, although they don't advertise it, they sell every piece individually if you call them. So in my case I bought the Pinnacle Camper years ago. About a year ago I ordered the smaller 8" fry pan and wash basin from the Pinnacle Backpacker set, and voila, I had the Backpacker set without having to buy duplicate parts. If it's just two of us, I assemble it as the Backpacker set; if there's more, I assemble it as the Camper set.

Similarly, they sell their "base camper" add on sets that also nest with the backpacker and camper sets, so if you need a bigger fry pan or pot, you can get one. The base camper "Large" includes a 5L pot and a 3L pot with lids, cutting board, and huge wash basin. You could nest the parts of a camper set that you want to bring inside. And again, if you call you can get just the pieces you don't already have so you don't waste money duplicating pieces. Unfortunately I don't see any set that includes a fry pan larger than 9", but the 9" and 8" fry pan nest together with the 1.5L and 2L lids perfectly, so you could bring two fry pans if you need more fry capacity.

Working with GSI on the phone, I've found them incredibly flexible and helpful, assembling just about anything out of the parts they sell.

TominMpls: "

mirth: "

AmarilloJim: "I like the GSI Pinnacle stuff"

I have one of the 4 person versions of this. Two pots, frying pan, (way too small) plates, cups/bowls that nest, and the whole thing goes into a sack of sorts that doubles as a bucket."

Similarly, they sell their "base camper" add on sets that also nest with the backpacker and camper sets, so if you need a bigger fry pan or pot, you can get one. The base camper "Large" includes a 5L pot and a 3L pot with lids, cutting board, and huge wash basin. You could nest the parts of a camper set that you want to bring inside. And again, if you call you can get just the pieces you don't already have so you don't waste money duplicating pieces. Unfortunately I don't see any set that includes a fry pan larger than 9", but the 9" and 8" fry pan nest together with the 1.5L and 2L lids perfectly, so you could bring two fry pans if you need more fry capacity."

I was going to ask that question as it looked like they would nest together based on the dimensions. Thanks for sharing!

Sorry, I just checked and realized I made a small mistake in my description above - the Pinnacle Camper is a 2L and 3L, not a 1.5L and 2L, and the Pinnacle Backpacker is a 2L, not a 1.5L. The 8" fry pan nests with the 2L lid, and the 9" fry pan nests with the 3L lid. I guess that means I don't have a 1.5L pot, memory can be tricky. Anyway, one could buy the 5L pot, lid and giant wash basin that goes with it to extend the camper for big groups.

You mentioned Primus, have you looked at SS Campfire Cookset also in small?

The frypans impressed me they are SS clad aluminum bottomed and 8+ inch, just under 10 inch.

I like to mix an match for the particular trip, have sizable pile of camp pots plates cups. But that primus pan my be added someday.

butthead

According to my email, I have the Pinnacle Camper set. The frying pan is just the right size for frying fish for a small group. I take issue with the tiny size of the plates but understand they had to be that size to nest with the set. I always take along a set of full sized GSI plates like what REI sells individually or in the prepackaged mess kits.

It had never occurred to me about piecing together components of other sets, thanks for the tip!

Thank you all for the info. I checked out the Stanley and the GSI Pinnacle Base Camp sets locally - that Pinnacle set looks like the ticket.

Check the texsport kangaroo 7 PC cook kit. Great bang for your buck. Not fancy but has served me well for years.

We have an MSR set that no longer is sold. It is very similar to the GSI Pinnacle Base Camper small and it works well up to 4 people. 1.5 and 2 liter pots, one lid that fits both and a frypan that can be a second lid. The GSI adds a second lid instead of having the fry pan do double duty. But if you want plates and such, the other sets may be even better for you. It seems to me that GSI is doing a good job of offering a lot of options. The new MSR sets seem to have bigger pots.

If the coating on our set ever dies, I’ll look at GSI too.

Fry Bake

I use the Fry Bake 10.5 inch and 8 inch cast aluminum pants. Can be used on the fire grate or your stove. They nest together along with my spatula tongs, wooden spoon and utensils. Fairly light weight and can be used as a DO if you put coals on the lid. Also can easily be cleaned with sand. (like cast iron dont use soap.) I love them.

I also use a Titanium pot. I realize this doesnt nest like you are looking for. I use the space in the pot for other cooking items so I dont feel its wasted space and the benefits of those fry bake pans outweighs this in my mind. The 10.5 fry bake pan is great for frying fish for a bunch of people. The 10.5 pan will easily serve 4 people. The 8 inch pan is good for keeping things warm or making side dishes. Having lids for both is an added bonus.

Together both pans and lids weigh 2.5 pounds.

pswith5: "Check the texsport kangaroo 7 PC cook kit. Great bang for your buck. Not fancy but has served me well for years."

thanks for the post... I have had my set so long I forgot the brand. This set has been on all my trips (30+) for the last 20 years. It is a little light and thin, the Teflon wears, and they are easily dented and warped. But I certainly have gotten a lot of use at a low cost!

I have an Open Country 2 and 4 quart cook pot. I like the locking bail handles but wish they had a pour spout. The non-stick cleans up nice and they are heavy enough I have used them over coals before. I also was shown how to take the 2 qt lid place it in the bottom of the 4 qt. pot with that lid on to use as a dutch oven. It held up with coals on top of the 4 qt. lid and didn't warp it. Of course I didn't have coals piled on high though. I need to look into the FryBake as well. Four Dog or Bens Backwoods makes a nice More pot I thought about trying too. I am thinking a chronic drug habit would be cheaper, but not as much fun.