MSR Fusion Ceramic 2-Pot Set Backpacking Cookware Assessment

Backside Line

After whipping up varied backpacking meals on journeys within the Rocky Mountains, naming the MSR Fusion Ceramic 2-Pot Set ‘greatest for cooking’ was a no brainer. The set’s 4-liter capability, huge diameter bases, and non-stick ceramic coating make cooking scrumptious meals for the entire group a bit of cake. The pots warmth up shortly and evenly for kitchen-quality efficiency. 

The safe, detachable deal with and absolutely featured lid additional increase the set’s effectivity and ease of use. The lid features a cozy rubber deal with, a stress launch, and loads of drain holes. For easy cleanup, the pots are coated with a sturdy ceramic non-stick coating.

Though it’s not essentially the most sturdy cook dinner set on our listing, MSR has gone to lengths to make sure longevity in each the hard-anodized aluminium and ceramic coating. Though this two-pot set is remarkably gentle for the quantity of options and sheer quantity, it exceeds the wants of most ultralight thru-hikers. For solo vacationers, we’ve reviewed quite a few items of minimal, ultralight cookware in our full listing of favorites.

How We Examined

 We examined its non-stick properties with notoriously sticky scrambled eggs and measured its heating time and dispersion. After all, real-life expertise is indispensable and essentially the most enjoyable, so we put it by way of the paces in our out of doors playground of the Rocky Mountains.

Cooking Efficiency

This two-pot set was designed with actual meals in thoughts. Not simply boiling water for a dehydrated meal, however sauteing greens and frying bacon.

Let’s begin with its measurement. The set consists of a bigger, 2500mL pot and a smaller 1500mL pot, creating a complete capability of 4 liters. With the huge pot diameters and spectacular capability, you’ll haven’t any drawback cooking a full meal for two to 4 folks. 

The ceramic-coated aluminum pots are skinny sufficient to warmth up shortly and disperse the warmth evenly for kitchen-quality efficiency. The sturdy Fusion Ceramic non-stick coating minimizes the potential for burning and makes for extremely simple cleanup. 

We cooked quite a lot of meals in our MSR Ceramic cook dinner set, together with notoriously sticky scrambled eggs, and have been left with just about zero meals scraps caught to the pot. 

As an alternative of controversial and dangerous coatings like teflon, MSR makes use of a PTFE- and PFOA-free non-stick coating for further peace of thoughts.

Weight & Packability

The MSR Ceramic Two Pot Set takes up considerably extra pack area than different cook dinner units, nevertheless it’s really fairly light-weight for such a big and succesful combo. 

At first look, this set is the heaviest on our listing, weighing 15.9 ounces and hogging 245 cubic inches of pack area. However with a more in-depth look, the set yields the best capacity-to-weight ratio with a powerful 342mL per ounce. Plus, should you go together with this set, you’re most likely with a bunch and splitting up group gear to even out the load.

The 2 pots and deal with conveniently nest along with ample area for a big backpacking range and gas canister. The pot doesn’t include a stuff sack, however fortunately, the lid is safe sufficient to carry all the things in place. One draw back of all this further area is the elevated potential for rattling. We suggest bringing alongside loads of gentle, multi-use packing materials to mitigate rattling if it bothers you.

What the MSR Ceramic Two Pot set lacks in weight financial savings and packability, it simply makes up for in cooking efficiency for individuals who worth quantity and ease of use.

Usability

This cookset comes with a ton of additional options which might be sensible and simple to make use of with just a bit little bit of observe. Along with the 2 roomy pots, the set features a lid with loads of drain holes, a stress launch, and a gentle rubber deal with that doubles as a latch. Additionally included are a detachable insulated pot deal with and a helpful shammy fabric for cleanup. 

The deal with and latching mechanism operate properly, however take some getting used to. MSR makes use of the pot deal with and rubber lid deal with to create a gentle latch mechanism, decreasing the necessity for further elements and maintaining the general weight down. 

Though the deal with can solely be used on one pot at a time, it securely latches in place with a no-squeeze grip so you possibly can cook dinner freely with out fear of spilling. The latching mechanism is safe, nevertheless it requires two arms to take away and should take some getting used to.

Sturdiness

Though non-stick coatings require extra care normally, these MSR Ceramic pots will final for years of use should you take excellent care of them.

The pots are made from a skinny, hard-anodized aluminium. Aluminium is a a lot softer steel than titanium or chrome steel. MSR addresses this difficulty with an anodization course of that considerably hardens the fabric, rising its sturdiness and bringing it nearer compared to its opponents.

The sturdy non-stick Fusion Ceramic coating isn’t as bulletproof as straight chrome steel, nevertheless it boasts extra total sturdiness than Teflon. The ceramic is extra scratch-resistant and extra heat-resistant, withstanding temperatures properly over 500º. Though we wouldn’t suggest cooking straight over the fireplace with this cookset, with correct care, the ceramic coating can final a very long time.

The detachable pot deal with and lid deal with each really feel sturdy and safe. With fewer hinges and shifting elements, there may be much less to interrupt thus rising the parts’ longevity.

Ought to You Purchase the MSR Fusion Ceramic 2-Pot Set?

MSR makes clear who the Fusion Ceramic 2-Pot Set is designed for – the light-weight backpacker who likes to get down with some connoisseur meals at camp or feed a bunch. 

This set artfully balances versatile cooking efficiency, quantity, and weight financial savings so you possibly can deliver the kitchen sink (so to talk) with out breaking your again.

Though it’s the heaviest and largest cookset on our listing, the environment friendly design greater than offsets the additional weight. The 2 pots pack a whopping 4 liters of quantity, so you possibly can cook dinner for the complete group with ease, and the pot parts are thoughtfully designed to chop weight. You too can depart one of many pots at residence should you’re going solo or with a associate.

The pots are designed with practicality in thoughts, evident by their giant diameter, a safe deal with, and a totally featured lid. In case that’s not sufficient, the hard-anodized aluminum surfaces are coated with a sturdy non-stick ceramic coating for easy cleanup.

For the backcountry connoisseur, this MSR cook dinner set is a no brainer. Nevertheless, this quantity of cooking efficiency and total quantity exceeds the wants of the ultralight thru-hiker boiling water for his or her nightly ramen bomb.

What Different Backpacking Cookware Ought to You Think about?

For solo ultralight thru-hikers that made it this far – don’t fear, we’ve acquired loads of favorites that may preserve your base weight from exceeding 10 kilos.

MSR Alpine Stowaway Assessment: If the decreased sturdiness in comparison with chrome steel was a deal breaker for you, try the MSR Alpine Stowaway. It’s a large pot that you may cook dinner with straight on scorching coals and doubtless even use it to hammer in your tent stakes (don’t really try this). 

SOTO Thermostack Combo Assessment: One other multi-pot set that’s designed extra for solo meals and scorching drinks. The 750mL titanium pot is sufficiently big for dinner for one and the insulated aluminum/chrome steel mug is good for a comfortable beverage on the aspect.  

Snow Peak Titanium Mini Solo Assessment: This one is for individuals who like the concept of a two-pot cook dinner set however need it in a very ultralight package deal. The Snow Peak Mini Solo quantities to only beneath 1.5 liters of quantity in a sub-7-ounce package deal.