Going to pick up a GSI cook kit. We want it to be a 3 piece set. 2 pots and a frying pan. They seem to really have the nesting down with handles and some of the newer details all nesting together.

I’m generally cooking for 4 people and planning on doing my own dehydrated meals this year. I’ve got 2 size choices and not sure which to go with.

GSI stainless base camper Large 5 liter pot, 3 liter pot, 9 inch frying pan
https://gsioutdoors.com/glacier-base-camper-large.html

GSI stainless base camper medium 3 liter pot, 2 liter pot, and 9 inch frying pan.
https://gsioutdoors.com/glacier-stainless-base-camper-medium.html

I just want it big enough to safely handle rehydrating and cooking 4 person meal in one pot. If anyone likes a different product better let me know as well.

Thanks, Ryan

Glacier Base Camper Large
Glacier Base Camper Medium

Adding links is easy, and a courtesy to other members. Adding Links

I like SS, easy to maintain and long lasting, both sets look good. I tend to smaller gear items so would go with the medium but could do with smaller. Question on the frypan, is it thick enough or double layered? I'm a fan or MSR SS Alpine series and the lack of handles does not hinder me. The Alpine frypan is multi layered. Primus also has layered SS pans and choices in size. Another thing I can understand, but tend to remove is anything that will burn/melt/fall apart, so the silicone is not what I'd like.
18/8 stainless steel Primus cookset
MSR Alpine Frypan
Alpine 2 Pot Set

I've gathered a pile of stuff over the decades, TI/Anodized AL/cast/SS, in a bunch of sizes. I solo mostly but still like a min 1 liter in SS or anodized AL. I have bigger if needed and mostly size the gear to what I'm going to cook.

butthead

Gaiden53, please remember to use the Add a link to this message function. It's pretty easy, but if you need help, just ask. Thanks.

Hi Pete ya beat me to hitting the post button!

butthead

I’ll remember to do that when adding links. I’m used to just copy pasting so that was what I did.

Based on that feedback I’ll probably lean towards a 3 liter pot as my biggest size. Then one smaller pot. MSR has some pots in those sizes similar to what I used this year with a pan gripper. I definitely get the point of the silicone could fall off or get lost. A great frying pan is critical though. I’d just like it all to nest nicely together.

I had bought a stove system I’m not using because it doesn’t work on the fire. I do like the idea of having a back up stove but this stove system and pans only works with the wind burner stove system. It’s a great stove and super efficient without having to use a windscreen since that is what is built in. I already own the two items I’m adding the links to. Thoughts?
MSR Windurner Stove System Combo
I also have this pot that works with it.
Windburner Duo Accessory Pot with the French press for coffee

I have little to say about the WindBurner stoves or any dedicated pot/stove cook systems. Have looked at and handled them even used one once. I can get near the same weight and cook efficiency with careful choices of the stoves and cookware I have on hand, and that's too many already.
PCS and larger cook systems have their fans and I find no problems with that. The Windburner PCS I did try out worked well, just not enough better than what I have available.
Alocs canister stove and Alocs heat exchanger pot.
I also have a personal preference for MSR liquid fueled remote tank pressurized stoves and have accumulated more than my share.

butthead

Gaidin53: "...Thoughts?
MSR Windurner Stove System Combo
I also have this pot that works with it.
Windburner Duo Accessory Pot with the French press for coffee "

Nice links...

We got one of the original Windburner 1.8L systems, before the beefier legs. It's stable enough at that size, but I can see why they went for more stability for the bigger pots.

I've always been a 'cook everything over the fire' type, but we now use this system while bringing in almost exclusively dehydrated/freeze dried meals to which you just add boiling water. So quick and easy; it's hard to look back. I also got the non-stick frypan that fits on it, for the occasional fish and pancakes.

It worked fine in last fall's freezing temps as long as you remembered to keep the gas canisters warm; that made us think about bringing in one small pot/pan for over a fire in case of possible stove failure/gas pressure problems.

Using dehydrated food, I've never needed a pot larger than 2L for a group of 4 people. I've needed a smaller pot on occasion, but never a larger pot. A 5L pot is enormous for your purposes.

Thanks for all the answers. Just debating on whether what I have then is just fine.

I might post this question separately but how many people carry 2 stoves. We did full outfitting with Piragis last year and they sent us with 2 stoves. Cook 2 things at the same time but I never set up more than one stove to cook on ever. The 2nd stove was a backup more than anything.

Ryan

Gaidin53: "Thanks for all the answers. Just debating on whether what I have then is just fine.


I might post this question separately but how many people carry 2 stoves. We did full outfitting with Piragis last year and they sent us with 2 stoves. Cook 2 things at the same time but I never set up more than one stove to cook on ever. The 2nd stove was a backup more than anything.


Ryan"

If you aren't sure what you already have is fine, my advice would be to use what you have and find-out through your own experience if it is fine or not rather than "theorycrafting" for a problem you might not actually have.

Regarding two stoves, yes, I carry a pair of Kovea Spiders. The second stove is nothing to carry, and in addition to being a back-up it is just nice to be able to cook on twice as many stoves at one time.

Never carried 2 just 1. I have plenty of backups including some tiny PocketRocket clones, just have never needed one. Always figure a campfire as a backup.
Top that with the fact I'm a belt and suspenders guy with backup redundancy for most all my safety related gear.
Whatever you choose to do, it's your pack!

butthead

Totally agree on all that! Problem I have is I was dumb enough to buy a super high end high efficiency stove system where none of the pots or pans can be used over a fire or on a normal stove design. It’s a stellar stove for backpacking but from a canoe camping and occasionally using the fire standpoint it’s a nonstarter! One of those buys I made early and used the 20% off REI coupon in the spring for. One of those buys you look back on and wished you went a different route.

The nice part is after my 2nd canoe trip last year 2 of the air pads I bought initially are perfect. Just needed two newer ones to outfit my family of four for next year. Picked up 2 CCS food packs used from Piragis and the different color bags for keeping food organized this fall. That was based on what we used and worked after this summers trip.

Just in that phase where I’m trying to gear into all the right gear I’m going to use for years and not need to outfit other than eventually 1 canoe.

Picking up a different tent this spring. Pretty sure I’ll get a CCS 10 by 14 tarp as well this spring. That will be nice so I can have all the ropes set up how I want them and actually practice with it more.

Ryan

I bought the GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Frypan two years ago and have used it on two trips and love it.

I take an extra stove as well (simmerlite) but have never had to use it. I realize it is a little bit of paranoia. I take more fuel than most too!

After all the research I did find a hack or piece that you can use with the stove system I have that then allows it to work with normal pots and pans. Ordered it and hopefully it works. I don’t like that pan with the system I bought. Just too much center heat. Actually was so hot in the center when I was making pancakes it was melting the spatula.

If that hack works I’ll just pick up a nicer pan and use the system I already own.

Ryan

I take an extra stove, but my main stove is an MSR Whisperlite and my 2nd stove is an MSR Simmerlite, so all it amounts to is the extra stove and pump, which isn't that much to pack in terms of extra gear.

Gaidin53: "After all the research I did find a hack or piece that you can use with the stove system I have that then allows it to work with normal pots and pans. Ordered it and hopefully it works. I don’t like that pan with the system I bought. Just too much center heat. Actually was so hot in the center when I was making pancakes it was melting the spatula.


If that hack works I’ll just pick up a nicer pan and use the system I already own.


Ryan "

I'd be interested in the specifics on that hack. We had the identical experience with the Windburner's intense center heat, pancakes, and melting spatula... I picked up a heat-resistant silicone spatula for next time, but that center heat ring concentration is tricky. It even left an orange tinged ring to the center of the pan's non-stick coating...

Just need the top portion of this stove
Showing stove top on top of Windburner from Lixada stove

Jetboil version which locks in place on a jetboil

I saw other guys doing different things. I ordered that specific older version of the Lixada stove in to get that top piece. I felt like based on the YouTube video it looked like a better and more stable fit.

Ordered it last night. When I get it I’ll try it on my Windburner Duo and then report on how it works.

Everything you said about the Windburner pan I’d agree with which is why I would rather not have to use that pan. If I can get a better pan working on that windurner I’ll be set. The Windburner worked Ok for frying fish with lots of oil. The high sides made making pancakes difficult and adding in the molten center issue in my opinion that pan is pretty much useless to me.

Ryan

Gaidin53: "After all the research I did find a hack or piece that you can use with the stove system I have that then allows it to work with normal pots and pans. Ordered it and hopefully it works. I don’t like that pan with the system I bought. Just too much center heat. Actually was so hot in the center when I was making pancakes it was melting the spatula.


If that hack works I’ll just pick up a nicer pan and use the system I already own.
Ryan "

I use the lid of a large coffee can to help spread the heat from my whisperlite. I think it helps a little. I have a 5 1/2" circular saw blade that I think I am going to try--but it weighs more than the coffee can lid.

The fry pan I mentioned in the earlier post will help solve your melting spatula (now let say that most people really mean "turner" when they say "spatula" but I cannot tell for sure in your context) problem. My fry pan allows for a metal turner even though it has teflon embedded in a grid array--actually very clever design. So, I never worry about melting plastic.

Just a thought on using standard pot and pans on a WindBurner. How about a chicken wire mesh set inside the burner ring as a standoff pot support, as shown with my alcohol burners,

butthead

PS: No intention of being a posting cop, but this thread may need renaming to something like
POT/PAN size cook kit and stove ramblings. bh

Agree, bh... we've gone in many directions here. But, since it was the OP who brought up mods to Windburner stoves to allow for freedom of choice in pots and pans, I'm just going to insert here that I do have some chicken wire (or, is it called hardware cloth?) and some nearly empty canisters which need finishing off. If that doesn't pass muster, maybe I'll invest in a Lixada... :-)

I have used different combinations of GSI, MSR, and some knock off stuff. The alpine kit which I struggled with early on I learned to like. But I first spent good money on kits that were nice but more limiting then I thought they’d be.
The alpine and black lite kits were by far my favorites... I loved my dragonfly with the dragon tamer and the outback oven defuser combination with the alpine kit. I think larger group sizes complicate this matter a bit. To me it was tough to put meals together that everyone would enjoy. It’s the main reason I think Stu with bwj does well with his setup.

schweady: "Agree, bh... we've gone in many directions here. But, since it was the OP who brought up mods to Windburner stoves to allow for freedom of choice in pots and pans, I'm just going to insert here that I do have some chicken wire (or, is it called hardware cloth?) and some nearly empty canisters which need finishing off. If that doesn't pass muster, maybe I'll invest in a Lixada... :-)
"

No complaint here just an observation. Speaking of empty canisters that might also work with some trimming and holes punched in.

butthead

PS; Also found this . bh

butthead: "PS; Also found this..."

Cool vid, thanks. Looks like the stainless pieces are around 3/4" x 7-1/2". (Just dropping a reference here to avoid having to go back and squint again...)

Not the lightest, but damn sturdy & reliable. (Cook’s three legged camp stool accessory not shown.)

So the Lixada burner top pretty much was a perfect fit. If pot weight got really uncentered it could topple off but that is kind of true of most pots and pans on those stoves. Should work great as far as I can tell with a non Windburner design pot.

Interesting part was that the new stove I ordered was used. Had black carbon on it and grass in the bag. I’m ordering another one but holding the one I have till I get it. I’ll post a titled hack for the windburner stove specifically at some point so if someone searches it will come up.

Ryan