Our top camping cookware set picks
Budget Option : LITHIC 4-Piece Backpacking Cookset
“Comprises of four pieces which are the ideal serving size for cooking for two persons.”
Best for the Money : GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist HS
“Best valued sets on the market today with 10 pieces.”
Best for Backpacking : MSR Trail Lite
“Weighs less than one pound, keeping it simple for ultra-lightweight backpackers.”
Best for 2-Person : GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Cookset
“Another high-quality cookset from GSI Outdoors that packs down compactly.”
Best for Car Camping : MSR Flex 4
“Large enough to cook for a medium-sized family while on the trails.”
LITHIC 4-Piece Backpacking Cookset
- Material : Anodized aluminum
- Weight : 1.0lb / 454g
The LITHIC 4-Piece Backpacking Cookset is ultra-lightweight and made using anodized aluminum. It doesn’t compromise its durability, though. Both of these factors make it especially useful for backpackers.
There are four pieces in the cookset and can serve for two hikers. In the collection, there are two taller pots at 1.4L and 0.9L. Two are wider and double as lids for the larger. They are 0.7L and 0.45L, respectively. The handles protect your hands from burning through a coated, plastic material.
To pack these pots into your bag, fold the handles flush against the side of the pots. Stacking them is easy with their nesting design. The whole set collapses to be 5.6” x 5.6” x 6.5” and most fuel canisters ergonomically slide inside.
LITHIC also offers a limited 1-year warranty to protect this cookset from any accidental defects. The whole group is also offered at a budget-worthy price.
What we like
- Varying sizes meet many cooking needs for two hikers.
- Lightweight aluminum keeps it packable.
- Smaller pots as lids for the larger pots.
What we don't like
- Set only includes pots compared to more complete products.
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist HS
- Material : Anodized aluminum / Stainless steel / Silicone
- Weight : 1.4lbs / 653g
The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist HS is one of the best value cook sets on the market today. Included in the set are two insulated mugs, two bowls, folding forked-spoons, a strainer lid, a sink sack, handy graduated measuring cups, and finally, a 1.8L boiler.
Due to the variety of included items, there is also a variety of materials used to make the whole set. The heat sink is designed with anodized aluminum. Nylon is heat-resistant and crushproof, so the lids are made from this along with an integrated strainer.
The pots have folding handles that lock in place to make the entire set pack away as small as possible. The bowl and mug have unique designers featuring a low center of gravity combined with a Sip-It lid. A fork-spoon hybrid compact to be 3.7” but extends to a whopping 6.1”.
Although there aren’t separation measuring devices included, the pot has convenient graduations. Stuff it all together in the provided stuff sack that also doubles as a sink. The GSI Pinnacle Dualist HS cookset packs down to 6.2” x 5.9” x 5.8”.
What we like
- Best value cookware set on the market.
- Variety of hardcore materials for a high-quality set.
- Unique designs make almost every piece a 2-in-1 use.
What we don't like
- Sporks collect food easily and are difficult to clean.
MSR Trail Lite
- Material : Anodized aluminum / Plastic
- Weight : 0.8lbs / 360g
Mountain Safety Research (MSR) has designed its cookware set for the convenience of the solo backpacker. Just because you are away from your kitchen shouldn’t mean that you have any less of a menu.
The MSR Trail Lite is for solo backpackers. It’s small, concisely taking care of any potential cooking needs on the trail. It includes a 1.3L hard-anodized aluminum pot equipped with a strainer lid, an insulated mug, a bowl, and a folding pot handle.
These combine to make it easy to cook pasta and soups and all sorts of meals in between. Pack it all away smoothly with the nesting design that efficiently saves space. It weighs less than a single pound, keeping it simple for ultra-lightweight backpackers.
What we like
- Solo backpackers will find this set ideal.
- Anodized aluminum helps to spread heat out.
- Nesting design helps keep it packed down small.
What we don't like
- Not complete set for anyone who needs utensils, pans or other materials.
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker
- Material : Hard anodized-aluminum alloy / Polypropylene / Nylon
- Weight : 1.8lbs / 816g
The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker cookset can serve two campers at a time.
The set includes two bowls, two insulated mugs, a 2L pot with a lid, two additional Sip-It lids, a frypan, a pot gripper for safety against the heat, and a stuff sack. As is typical of the high-quality sets, GSI Outdoors uses a nesting design to increase packability.
If you want utensils or a backpacking stove, GSI Outdoors has these available separately. The pot and the frypan are made with hard-anodized aluminum and Teflon coating to protect against scratches almost inevitable on the trail.
All of the bowls and mugs are made with polypropylene and are entirely BPA-free. A strainer is integrated into the lid of the pot to make life even more convenient, no matter where the trail takes you. All the materials in this cookset pack down to 8.2” x 5.4”.
What we like
- Teflon coating helps prevent scratches.
- Nesting design increases packability.
- Entirely BPA-free for added protection.
What we don't like
- Utensils are not included.
MSR Flex 4
- Material : Hard-anodized aluminum / Polypropylene
- Weight : 3.6lbs / 1.7kg
Another great gear is from MSR (Mountain Safety Research), this time for those looking to cook for a medium-sized family while on the trail. It can be difficult to find sets that feed more than two campers at a time. MSR Flex 4 Cookset cooks for four or more campers at a time.
The set includes a 3.2L aluminum pot, a dual-handle 5.3L aluminum pot, strainer lids, DeepDish plates, 12.5oz insulated mugs, and a Talon pot handle. Although it doesn’t come with it, the nesting design of the packed set has room for a Flex skillet.
Dual cooking surfaces are provided in this single set with both non-stick coating and uncoated surfaces on the aluminum pots. Altogether, the set weighs a bit more than most since it includes more at just under 4lbs.
The MSR Flex 4 Cookset packs down small, though, at 12” x 6.25”.
What we like
- Small pack size for easy storage.
- Comprehensive set for a medium-sized family.
- Dual cooking surfaces adds versatility.
What we don't like
- Heavier weight compared to other systems.
Sea to Summit Alpha 2.2
- Material : Hard-anodized aluminum / Polypropylene
- Weight : 1.7lbs / 765g
Sea to Summit is a leader in outdoor gear. They have developed several cookware sets and have only continued to improve them. The Sea to Summit Alpha 2.2 cookset is no different, combining extremely lightweight products with a high-quality system that doesn’t compromise on durability.
Beyond the 2.7L and the 1.2L pots, they also include a 1L Deltalight bowl, another 900ml Deltalight Bowl, and two 350ml Deltalite insulated mugs. Altogether, it weighs just under 2lbs. Both the pans and pots are made from hard-anodized premium aluminum alloy.
Their manufacturing allows them to be thinner than most, yet maintain durability. To keep them more stable on a camp stove, Sea to Summit adds a sandblasted texture around the exterior.
Since innovation is key when designing lightweight, packable materials, the pot lid also functions as a strainer that can hook onto the rim of the pot to free up both of your hands.
What we like
- Ultra-lightweight design using aluminum alloy.
- Two-person setup increases serving size of the kit.
- Sandblasted texture keeps hot pots more stable.
What we don't like
- Utensils are not included.
Eureka Camp Café
- Material : Hard-anodized aluminum / Polypropylene
- Weight : 5.3lbs / 2.4kg
The Eureka Camp Café focuses on increasing a camper’s capacity to brew great coffee on the trail. Whether it is a steamy morning in the Smoky mountains or a biking trip in Europe, taking this set out is sure to garner some attention.
The set comes with a 2.5L kettle that uses Flux Ring technology so that the water boils twice as fast and doesn’t waste precious gas. An included pour-over filter holder and a 12-cup coffee carafe allow you to make high-quality coffee for anyone with you.
Both the kettle and the carafe in the Eureka Camp Café are made from hard-anodized aluminum, with a silicone base on the carafe. Along with those materials, there is a lid made from BPA-free polypropylene, as is the filter holder. It fits a standard #4 coffee filter.
What we like
- High-quality coffee is suddenly trail-achievable.
- Anodized aluminum increases durability.
- Flux Ring tech helps the kettle boil faster.
What we don't like
- A heavy set considering it isn’t comprehensive.
Stanley Adventure Even-Heat Camp Pro
- Material : Stainless steel
- Weight : 8.2lbs / 3.7kg
Stanley Adventure Even-Heat Camp Pro Cookset consists of 11 pieces made from stainless steel to provide a group with everything they need for a great meal.
The kit includes a 4.5L stainless steel stockpot, a 1.7L stainless steel saucepan, vented lids, a frying pan, a collapsible cutting board, a spatula, and a soup spoon, both with two-piece handles, trivets, and a locking bungee. Locking handles are installed on both of the pots.
All of the materials in this Stanley cookset pack together with a nesting design. They come together only to be 11.6″ x 10.3″ x 6.7″. Made with stainless steel, the whole kit and kaboodle are dishwasher-safe, making it easy to clean upon arriving home.
What we like
- Comprehensive kit for an entire group.
- Nesting design helps it pack down.
What we don't like
- Heavier weight makes it difficult to use on hiking trips.
Snow Peak Al Dente
- Material : Stainless steel with wooden knob
- Weight : 4.4lbs / 3.2kg
If you are a pasta aficionado, you might want to consider the Snow Peak Al Dente Cookset. It’s not meant for a complete trail cookset but for those that primarily do their work with a couple of pots.
This camping cookset includes two pots, one is a 4L, and another is 6.5L. It also contains a mesh strainer and two lids. It is crafted and designed in Japan. Made with stainless steel, the pots are durable and meant to be used on a camp stove or over a fire, cooking for larger groups of campers.
To add a bit of style to the Snow Peak Al Dente Cookset, they have wooden knobs. These also help protect you from the heat the steel quickly conducts.
What we like
- Stainless steel keeps the camping pots durable.
- Cooks for groups quickly and easily.
- Includes everything for pasta dishes or soups.
What we don't like
- Not very comprehensive but still expensive.
Primus PrimeTech Pot Set
- Material : Hard-anodized aluminum / Silicone
- Weight : 0.7lbs / 300g
If you are looking for the best value cooking pots, you can find them with Primus PrimeTech Pot Set. These pots are extremely efficient, helping you take advantage of every ounce of fuel you have available.
Unlike some of the heavier pot sets for groups, the Primus PrimeTech pots are meant for hikers and lightweight backpackers. They’re made from hard-anodized aluminum, which helps distribute the heat more effectively than other materials.
The set includes two pots with a 2.3L capacity, enough to serve anywhere from 2 to 5 people. One of the pots comes along with volumetric marks on the side to aid in measurements. Lids are included together with an integrated strainer with silicone handles.
What we like
- Heat resistant handles made from silicone.
- Lightweight meant for backpackers.
- Volumetric marks for easy measurements.
What we don't like
- Not comprehensive kit for backpacking groups.
Camping Cookware Sets Buying Guide
Camping cookware sets come in all shapes, sizes, and weights. Finding just what you need would be easier if you could use trial and error. Instead, make it easier on yourself by organizing your priorities through our buyer’s guide.
These are 5 things to consider before buying a camping cookware set.
Cookware materials
There are quite a few different materials that cookware for campers can be made out of. Each one presents its pros and cons, although some are more common than others.
- Hard-anodized aluminum is the most common for pots and pans to be made out of. The reasons for this include that it is very strong but can be made very thin. Since it is so thin, it is also very lightweight.
- Stainless steel is another common material, although anodized aluminum has replaced it as number one. Stainless steel heats up quickly and is very durable. It wastes less fuel than other materials and is still relatively lightweight.
- Cast iron is one of the most durable materials, but also the heaviest. It rusts easily as well. It is not a convenient material to use for trekkers or backpackers.
- Titanium metal is ideal since it can be made extremely thin for lightweight construction. It has trouble cooking evenly, though, so it is typically best for boiling water.
- Ceramics are no longer a very common material to use for mugs and bowls among campers. It is easy to clean, but it tends to be heavy and fragile.
- Silicone, or other kinds of plastic like polypropylene, is easy to clean and very durable. These materials commonly make up the cups, bowls, and utensils in cookware sets. Make sure they are BPA-free and food-safe.
Number of items
Cookware sets can vary in number of included utensils from four, like the MSR Flex 4 Cookset, up to eleven like in the Stanley Even-Heat Camp Pro Cookset.
The number of items change based on what the cooking set is meant for.
Complete sets often feature more items, depending on the number of people they are meant to serve. However, some sets have a specific purpose. For example, the Eureka Camp Cafe is purely for brewing coffee on the trail. You can also find primarily pot sets, like the Snow Peak Al Dente Cookset.
Serving size
Each set’s serving size is determined by the group and type of camping you typically go on.
If you are going for a backpacking trip, you need something lightweight and durable that serves one or two people. If you go as a pair, look into sets like the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist HS Cookset but if you go as a solo MSR Trail Lite Solo Cookset.
Cooking for a family during a car camping trip requires more materials and often involves more weight.
Overall size and weight
No matter the number of utensils, the weight and packability are widely varied.
Nesting designs allow you to pack it down to a better size meant for easily sliding into your pack. Even though the pots in the Primus PrimeTech Pot Set have a large capacity, they weigh a mere 10 grams.
Read More : How to Pack Light for Your Next Camping Trip
Warranty
Some of these camping cooksets can be quite expensive. However, when the brand gives you a warranty, it produces greater product satisfaction. The LITHIC 4-Piece Backpacking Cookset offers a year warranty, while others might offer a lifetime warranty, or not at all.
FAQ
Will the cookware fit on my camping stove?
Even if your camping stove is very small, cookware can still fit on top. The most important aspect of a camping stove is its balance. If you place it in a balanced location and it has a flat top, any pot or pan can be placed on top. Make sure to use common sense and keep it safely upright.
Read More : Camping Stove Safety Precautions and Tips
Can I use the cookware directly on a fire?
Aluminum and stainless steel cookware have a lower melting point than the high temperatures a campfire can reach. They also stain easily. Do not place camping cookware directly on a fire. Use a stove or a mesh topper to place it over the top instead of on it.
Are old aluminum camp cookware toxic?
It is not recommended to use old aluminum camp cookware while cooking. There are no conclusive links to health concerns and aluminum cookware, but it does impact the overall taste and appearance.
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Amanda Williams
Amanda Williams is a writer, plant-nerd, and outdoor enthusiast. She has traveled extensively, around the U.S., throughout Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Everywhere she treks, she takes time to enjoy the outdoors. John Muir is her hero. She aspires to inspire people to live better as he did.
