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Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
photo: Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set cookware

My review is for the Stanley SS cooking pot system that includes one (1) large SS 24 oz. pot [the pot will hold up to 30 oz if filled to the top], one (1) 24 oz. insulated nesting mug, and one (1) SS folding spork. This cooking kit is an amazing find and might even become your favorite cook kit for backpacking and multi-day wilderness trips.

I've included a few photos for reference.

Pros

  • Wide bottom on the SS pot makes it much more stable on alcohol or white gas stoves.
  • The large insulated mug conveniently nests within the SS pot with room for a fuel canister + burner or a Trangia spirit burner and pour-over coffee filter.
  • Folding handle on pot also locks lid into place for travel or storage.
  • Vented lid has drain holes and a slot for sipping coffee, tea, or soup.
  • Insulated mug is large and will keep the contents hot for over an hour.
  • Lid fits both mug and pot.
  • Mug comes with a light-weight neoprene cozy for added insulation.

Cons

  • Vented lid is not metal and can melt if exposed to direct flame (although this also prevents hot liquids from burning your lips when drinking from the mug).
  • Larger compressed gas canisters may not fit within the mug for storage purposes.
  • Mug is also composed of a polymer and cannot be exposed to direct flame.
  • Lid fits snugly onto the mug but loosely onto the pot.
  • When straining hot liquid from pot, you need to hold the lid securely in place to prevent pasta or other contents from falling out if the lid falls off.
  • Folding spork has a tendency to "fold" when in use—I do not use it.

I have field-tested tons of different camping cook sets, always on a quest to find the best overall backpacking set-up for my particular needs.

For example, a while back I purchased a Stanley Adventure All-In-One Boil + Brew French Press and was very impressed with it (because we all know fresh ground, hot brewed coffee is the most important item when first waking up in the morning).

In fact, many of my fly-fishing friends purchased the same unit after watching me use it during a 10-day salmon fly-fishing trip in Canada.

However, when I saw the Stanley 24 oz. Camp Cook set with the insulated nesting mug, I was impressed with the simplicity of the large insulated mug and the wider dimensions of the stainless pot.

Lid-cup-and-pot-01.jpgPot-with-volume-markings.jpgThis has quickly become my favorite cook set because I can brew a large cup/mug of (fresh ground) pour-over coffee and it will stay hot for over an hour—giving me time to heat additional water for a packaged meal or to cook something over an open flame.

Because of the larger diameter of the pot, I can use my Trangia spirit (alcohol) burner along with a lightweight homemade windscreen, or I can place the pot over a small fire or hot coals. Very versatile when trying to conserve on fuel.

Pot-with-Lid-and-Cup-03.jpgCup-Lid-and-Pot-02.jpg24-oz-Pot-with-grad-marks.jpg24-oz-Pot-and-Lid.jpgOne additional bonus I've discovered; the stainless steel Adventure pot slides into my collapsible Lixada Ti multi-fuel stove...and fits like a glove. If I use my Trangia burner inside of the Lixada (along with the Evernew Ti Cross Stand), the entire setup works very much like a Caldera Cone, without the high purchase price.

I can store my Trangia alcohol burner, an Evernew Ti Cross Stand, a GSI Ultralight Java Drip (for my pour-over coffee addiction), a week's worth of paper coffee filters, a folding spork, a Bic lighter, and a multi-purpose cloth camp rag within the entire unit.

I'm just angry at myself for not finding this cook set sooner—that I wasn't the one who developed and patented this design—because everyone who sees this cook set will want to buy one (or more) for their BOB, EDC, and backpack.

Bottom Line: the Stanley Adventure 24 oz. Camp Cook Set is the most versatile backpacking/car camping cook set I've found. It is virtually bulletproof, holds over 30 ounces of liquid if filled to the top, has a nesting insulated mug, folding spork, and polymer lid with strainer holes and a sipping vent.

I know, it isn't ultra-light titanium, but gram for gram, it is simplicity and efficiency at its best!

SPECS:

  • Weight: 18.75 oz, 1.15 lbs, or 525 gms
  • Dimensions in inches: 5.10L x 4.90W x 5.80H

DETAILS:

  • 18/8 stainless steel, BPA-free
  • Locking pot handle
  • Nesting system
  • Dishwasher safe

4-PIECE SET INCLUDES:

  • (1) 18/8 Stainless steel pot 24oz/ .7L with locking handle
  • (1) Vented lid
  • (1) Stainless steel folding spork
  • (1) Mug/bowl w/neoprene wrap 24oz/ .7L

Hint: the folding spork is not of much use since it tends to collapse or fold over on itself "for no apparent reason". Instead, I use a UCO Switch Utensil Set.

Background

I've bought and used many cook sets....ranging from anodized aluminum to stainless, even a few high-dollar Ti pots or kits (and yes, titanium can hurt the pocketbook).

Since I'm not climbing Everest, hiking the AT/PCT, or planning extended wilderness treks, a few extra ounces are not a "deal-breaker" as long as the items are bullet-proof and can serve multiple functions.

I've used this cook set for about two years, in approximately 10 outings, usually 2-4 days in length. These solo trips normally include fly-fishing and panning for gold, so pack weight is easy to control.

With all of my hiking, camping, canoe trips, fly-ins, and fly-fishing float trips, this Stanley 24 oz Adventure Camp Cook Set has become, hands down, my favorite kit.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $25

For a person who likes a large cook pot and doesn't mind a little extra weight, this may be your new favorite.

Pros

  • Durable stainless steel
  • Insulated bowl/coffee cup
  • Included nesting spork
  • Lid is used for the cook pot and the cup
  • Cup locks into the pot, eliminating rattles
  • Spork has great fork function

Cons

  • Weight? 13.8oz
  • Lid probably can't be used next to a fire
  • Cup can hold too much coffee?
  • Spork "bowl" is very shallow

I admit that I am a cook pot gear geek. (I would rather collect cars and motorcycles, but this will have to do.). When I see something inexpensive that looks like it may be nice to have around, I will pick one up. Stanley's new Mountain series uses imagination to make well nesting, full functioning products.  

Total weight on this set including spork is 13.85 oz.  If you are a kid or don't have much to spend on your equipment, this is a good piece of kit  

I show it next to the GSI cup for comparison. 
image.jpg

The pot is marked up to 24 ounces, but also gives you much more room above the 24 oz mark. The handle locks into both open and closed positions, but the silicon seal on the lid doesn't need the handle to hold it on and the cup locks securely into the pot. When used for the lid on the pot, the lid sits loose but well in the pot. It keeps the silicon seal safe. I have used this with an alcohol stove with no issues

image.jpg

image.jpg

The cup has a neoprene sleeve much like the GSI Infinity mug, that I find very effective. I poured boiling water into the cup and could handle it with no problem. The drinking lid fits tight and works great. I am having a giant morning cup of tea in it now. (Can't waste a cup of hot water.)


image.jpg

I am torn when it comes to the spork. It has great tines for using as a fork for noodles, but the spoon is shallow enough that you will be better off drinking any soup. You won't be scraping oatmeal out of the cup with this thing.


image.jpg

Even though this feels large, I like this set. Previously I seemed to go back to the GSI cup to boil water and a fair share mug so I had room to stir up instant potatoes etc. Then I carried an infinity mug for coffee. This does that in one kit. If I wanted, I could put the GSI cup inside for a pot and leave the large pot, fair share mug and infinity mug at home.

Final numbers:

  • Lid only 1.75 oz
  • Spork 1.15 oz
  • cup 4.15 oz
  • Pot 6.8 oz

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $29

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This cookset was previously called the Mountain Compact Cook Set.

Specs

Price MSRP: $25.00
Current Retail: $25.00
Historic Range: $14.93-$29.99
Reviewers Paid: $25.00-$29.00
Weight 1.15 lbs
Dimensions 5.10 x 4.90 x 5.80 in
Details 18/8 stainless steel, BPA-free / Locking pot handle / Nesting system / Dishwasher safe
4-Piece Set Includes 1 18/8 Stainless steel pot 24oz/ .7L with locking handle / 1 Vented lid / 1 Stainless steel folding spork / 1 Mug/bowl w/neoprene wrap 24oz/ .7L
Product Details from Stanley »

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