Reviews You Can Rely On

How We Tested Camping Cookware

Tuesday January 2, 2024

We thoroughly enjoyed the testing process for camping cookware. To help find the best models, our reviewers made breakfast, lunch, and dinner for several months in these sets, day in and day out. We perfected our pancakes, browned sausages, sautéed veggies, baked Dutch oven lasagna, scrambled eggs, made pork fajitas, and, of course, boiled easy pasta dishes and old-fashioned oats. These cook sets have visited the high peaks of the Eastern Sierra and the beaches of Hawaii. Essentially, we've tested these sets everywhere and used the data we gathered along the way to assess these cookware sets based on key metrics.

camping cookware - mt. hitchcock was the perfect testing ground for backpacking cookware.
Mt. Hitchcock was the perfect testing ground for backpacking cookware.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Cooking Performance


In addition to cooking several meals on the trail and at home in our own kitchens, we evaluate cooking performance through a few objective tests. First, our testing team created a boil test, in which we timed how long each set took to boil two cups of water. We also evaluated the non-stick coating of each pot and pan by scrambling sticky eggs.

camping cookware - a look at the results of one of our egg tests. this pot does...
A look at the results of one of our egg tests. This pot does particularly well in our egg tests.
Credit: Amber King

While cooking various different meals, we paid special attention to how well the individual materials conduct heat, noting which products offered primarily even cooking and those that required constant attention due to uneven cooking.

camping cookware - we get ready to test several different pots with two cups of water...
We get ready to test several different pots with two cups of water each in our boiled water tests. This is inside, in a relatively well-controlled environment.
Credit: Amber King

Features


What pots, pans, utensils, and accessories does each set come with? And how useful are they? After making hundreds of meals for our friends and family, we determine which features are actually helpful and which are simply just gimmicks to promote the product. This metric accounts for 15% of the product's overall score.

camping cookware - we went the extra mile, in fact about five extra miles, for a...
We went the extra mile, in fact about five extra miles, for a backcountry picnic. Here, Ryan prepares a mac and cheese meal while Great Dane, Page, supervises on the Avalanche Lake trail in Western Colorado near Carbondale.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

Ease of Use


We cook various different meals over many months to evaluate whether or not the design is intuitive and easy to use. We note any issues with handles, lids, or other components that make the set hard to use. We test on various camping stoves, in addition to our home kitchens, to properly evaluate performance in stable and unstable environments, which helps us identify any use limitations.

camping cookware - a look at how the primus articulates with a well-known camping stove.
A look at how the Primus articulates with a well-known camping stove.
Credit: Edward Kemper

Durability


Our testing team uses and abuses each cookware set throughout our extensive testing period. Even after our test period, we continue to use each set and update based on long-term findings. We evaluate the overall quality of materials, note how well they hold up after being tossed around in the back of converted vans and pick-up trucks, and finally, how well they survive in the backcountry after being stuffed into backpacks laden with climbing gear and other bulky items.

camping cookware - here we find the potholders of this to be subpar, melting after just...
Here we find the potholders of this to be subpar, melting after just one use. Hands-on tests are integral for testing this metric.
Credit: Edward Kemper

Packability


We evaluated how well each set nests within each other as well as what other items can be packed inside the set. We also measured the amount of space each takes up in a backpack and within our travel cooking bin. We also consider the elements of performance that ultralight backpackers might prioritize to better enjoy their trail experience. This metric accounts for 10% of the product's overall score.

camping cookware - here we look at the relative size and nesting features of all...
Here we look at the relative size and nesting features of all cookware sets tested.
Credit: Amber King

Weight


We weigh each component of each set using our own scales. We also note the weight of the sets that feature pots closest to the 1.5-liter size.

camping cookware - a look at the weight with all of the different parts of the msr...
A look at the weight with all of the different parts of the MSR Ceramic set. Yes, we weigh all the gear we test.
Credit: Amber King