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MSR Alpine Utensils Spoon

rated 3.0 of 5 stars
photo: MSR Alpine Utensils Spoon utensil

Nice idea, but too flexible for stirring big pots full of thick oatmeal or one-pot stews. Maybe better when cooking smaller amounts for 2-4 people. Recommended, but with some reservations.

Pros

  • Compact
  • Light
  • Price

Cons

  • Not stiff enough
  • Can fold during use

It's nice to have a big spoon when cooking for more than a few people, but this one doesn't make the grade. I had one of the original ones, which had a locking mechanism similar to MSR's Folding Spatula, but the lock broke while scraping out a pot, so I bought the new version. 

I've had the new one for a few years, but really put it to the test cooking for 8 people over 24 days on the JMT, when I was filling a 4 liter pot with mac and cheese and various other casseroles.

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The new channel lock is more durable than the old type, but it can still pop loose when stirring a full pot of oatmeal or mac and cheese.
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The spoon is also too flexible, so that it bends a lot when stirring a full pot. 
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I also think it might be more useful if the end of the bowl was squared off or asymmetric so you could scrape the bottom of the pot while stirring — important when cooking over a focused flame.

The thin lines on the inside are volume marking for measuring ingredients. I suppose this could be useful but I mostly measure by eye, or keep a clean scoop or cup for measuring dry ingredients.

It weighs in at 30 grams or a little over an ounce, folds down small enough to drop into a pot set, and costs only $5-6. So it's a reasonable purchase, but be aware of its limitations, especially when cooking big. I would pay a reasonable price for a titanium version!

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: Don't remember, probably $6 at REI

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Price Current Retail: $4.95-$7.95
Historic Range: $3.93-$7.95