| Awards |  Best Campfire-Safe Cookware |  Best Value Cookset for Groups | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $45 List Check Price at Amazon | $95 List Check Price at REI | $70 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $90 List Check Price at Amazon | $33 List Check REI (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A great budget-friendly option for those seeking front-country performance that’s sufficient for two | This lays the foundation for gourmet and health-conscious campers seeking a lightweight cookware set with exceptional non-stick performance | Whether traveling or in the comfort of your own home, these tried-and-true cast iron skillets are perfect for preparing gourmet meals | A comprehensive and budget-friendly cookware set that works well for families of four or small groups on the road | A super durable stainless steel cook set designed for the solo traveller |
| Rating Categories | Stanley Wildfare Go... | MSR Fusion Ceramic 2... | Lodge 3.2 Quart Cast... | Stanley Wildfare Cor... | GSI Outdoors Glacier... |
| Cooking Performance (30%) | |||||
| Ease of Cleaning (25%) | |||||
| Features (15%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Packability (10%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Stanley Wildfare Go... | MSR Fusion Ceramic 2... | Lodge 3.2 Quart Cast... | Stanley Wildfare Cor... | GSI Outdoors Glacier... |
| Components | 1.5L saucepan with folding handle; strainer lid; 2 cutting boards; removable trivets; two 473 ml bowl; 2 2-piece sporks; 2-piece spatula | 1.5L pot, 2.5L pot, lid, removable handle | 3.2 qt Dutch oven, 10" frypan/lid | 8” fry pan, 4 qt pot, lid with vent, cutting board, silicone trivet, 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 cutlery set, spatula, spoon, bungee cord closure | 1L pot, folding handle frying pan, bowl, cup, stuff sack |
| Cooking Surfaces | Stainless steel | Ceramic nonstick | Cast iron | 18/8 food-grade stainless steel | 18/8 stainless steel |
| Servingware Material | Plastic | N/A | N/A | Plastic | Stainless steel (bowl) and polypropylene (mug) |
| Packed Size | 6.26 x 6.26 x 4.02 in | 7.7 x 5 in | 16.5 x 10.38 x 4.63 in | 8.5 x 10.5 x 6 in | 6.7 x 6.6 x 3.5 in |
| Measured Weight | 1.78 lbs | 1.0 lbs | 12.3 lbs | 4.7 lbs | 1.0 lbs |
| Avg Boil Time (seconds) | 155 | 215 | 270 | 180 | 236 |
| Weight of Pot Closest to 1.5 L (with Lid and Handle) | .8 lbs | 0.5 lbs | 5.9 lbs | 1.13 lbs | 0.74 lbs |
The Stanley Wildfare Go is among the lightest cooksets that we've tested. The 14-piece set has just what you need to feed two people, featuring a saucepan and servingware that all easily nest into the pot. The lid to the saucepan has holes for draining pasta water, which is an appreciated feature, and we like the measurements that are etched into the side of the pot so there's no need to fiddle with measuring cups.
This set is affordable and compact for those looking to save money and maximize space, but it's too small for big camping weekends and too heavy for the backcountry.
Although the Stanley Wildfare Go includes a small saucepan and lid along with plastic servingware for two, it's best suited for boiling water for mac and cheese or dehydrated meals. The plates are too small for a full meal and we didn't find them to be very high quality, either. It lacks enough capacity and versatility for much more than that, leaving a bit to be desired for those who want more variety in their meals during travel.
If you're looking for something comprehensive for cooking full camp meals, we think there are better options. The Stanley Wildfare Go is too heavy for the backcountry and a little small for car camping, but if you're just after something basic with enough servingware for two, this is a compact design that performs well on a camp or backpacking stove. If you just want an affordable cookset with a durable pot for heating water for pasta or dehydrated meals, this could do the trick.
If you're in a larger group or family of four, Stanley makes a bigger version of the same set. The Stanley Wildfare Core Full Serve 26-Piece includes even more components and a larger capacity that's a great choice for those on a budget. If you're after a set you can pack into the backcountry, we recommend the GSI Outdoors Halulite Microdualist; it's lighter weight and just a little more expensive. The Cadillac of them all is the Gerber ComplEAT 16-piece Cookset, which is a top-quality design that's perfect for a small group or family of four.
