MSR BlackLite Gourmet

Review Date
April 15, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: trail ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $50.00 at REI

Summary:
i have had these pots for about 6 years now, have used the hell out of them, and guess what? no bends, dings or dents, yeah, some of the non-stick stuff has scratched off, but i just put my chamois and a small packtowl or bandana in between them and presto, pot protector, dishrag and dishtowel all in one light package. the potlifter scratches them a little bit, but it sounds like most of the other reviewers have been cooking with golf clubs or battle axes or something. it's teflon people- it will scratch if you let them get scratched. lexan or, like my trusty permaware spork, seems to do no damage. but i guess that's only cos i treat my gear like i WANT it to last. i even have some scratches on the outside from using the MSR heat exchanger with them, but not a single tear have i shed over a few little scratches.
the grooved bottoms grip my stoves well and the black color hold heat better than a lighter color. to summarize: great value, durable if you realize and respect the fact that they are aluminum and not cast iron, and lightweight for a set this large. i recommend this set whole-heartedly.

Customer Service:
haven't needed to bug MSR about any of their products- i own water filters, tents, hydration bags, stoves, snowshoes, and cooksets from MSR, and i have not had a single problem with any of their products in the last 10 or 12 years

Similar Products Used:
GSI, snowpeak, primus, thrift store mugs, plates, etc

Review Date
August 28, 2004

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Backpacker Girl ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Mountain High

Summary:
My husband and I bought this set and took it out to Colorado. After one use, the teflon coating started to come off. We were very unhappy with this cookset. Is was the biggest waste of $50 that we have ever spent. Also the fact that you have to use the handle to grip the pan on the inside and scratch up the teflon is a terrible design flaw. I would highly recommend NOT buying MSR pans. You will be sorely disappointed with them. We are going to get a new set of pans at REI. They have their GSI Hard-Anodized Non-Stick Extreme Cookset on sale from $54 to $40. After we try it out on the trail, I will write up a review on it. By the way, the $10 stain-less steel set of pans that I bought at WalMart years ago are just as good as the day I bought them. The drawback on them is their weight.

Review Date
January 23, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Keith Hannah(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Galyans

Summary:
This has been a good cookset, I have enjoyed using this over the last 3-4 years very regularly. The single lid to fit all pots works fine for me and the pot gripper is THE BEST. I do use all three pots in different situations (I only pack those I need based on the meals packed). I use the frypan regularly and it works fine. I did warp it, by leaving it on the heated stove while preoccupied with something else. I was able to order a new fry pan with no problem. I load it up with my stove and other items and stuff it at the bottom of the pack and have never had a pan dented or warped other than the heat damaged frypan. Scratching of the non stick surface has happened somewhat probably due to my relaxed packing, I am looking forward to trying the duralite, hoping I will get the same great cooking attributes with less scratching.

Customer Service:
I have contacted MSR about stoves and this cookset (to get the new fry pan). They have always been very helpful and easy to work with.

Similar Products Used:
GSI, Coleman

Review Date
September 19, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: paulbaguio (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Baguio

Price Paid:  $45.00 at REI, Tx

Summary:
Pros: Lightweight and bascally durable. It can cook to the most simpliest frying to the gourmet soup that you woul like. No problem with boil water but I would go for the stainless type. non none-sense non stick and is really is non-stick.
Cons: easily scratches off. I hate it whne every climbs or hike, a "medal" is scratched from their surfaces. would tend to wrap if just placed in the stove for just a minute.

Customer Service:
no problem

Review Date
October 20, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Northy(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from NYC, New York

Price Paid:  $45.00 at Campmor

Summary:
This is very good cookset. Light and good size for 1-2 people. Pot bottoms diperse the flame well as they help boil water fast! Easy to clean too. I haven't used the fry pan yet, as I mostly use the 2-ltr (large) pot.

On the downside, the non-stick finish will sratch in transit unless you place paper towels or plastic bags between the set. Because they're aluminum, I question the long-term durability. But I'm happy with them for now.

Customer Service:
not used

Similar Products Used:
none