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GSI Pinnacle Pro 2 Review

An attractive and innovative stove that failed to perform as well as we expected or hoped
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GSI Pinnacle Pro 2 Review
Credit: Mary Witlacil
Price:  $250 List
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Manufacturer:   GSI Outdoor
By Mary Witlacil ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 10, 2022
47
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#13 of 13
  • Boil Time - 25% 1.0
  • Fuel Efficiency - 25% 4.0
  • Simmering Ability - 20% 8.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 4.0
  • Portability - 15% 8.0

Our Verdict

We wanted to love the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Pro. It is aesthetically pleasing, boasts a slim design for excellent stowability, and is easy to clean. However, with a steep price and numerous drawbacks, we struggle to recommend it. Compared to other stoves, it boils water slowly, provides minimal wind resistance, and is fuel inefficient. It is relatively heavy despite the trim design, and it does not feature a carrying handle for easy transport. If you are looking for a stove that is all form, then this stove might fit the bill; but if you are looking for rugged functionality and a stove that cooks quickly regardless of wind, we suggest checking out other models in our review.
REASONS TO BUY
Stylish
Easy to clean
Slim and minimalist design lends to great stowability
REASONS TO AVOID
Over-priced
Inefficient
Below average performance
Minimal wind resistance
Cannot store regulator inside stove
Editor's Note: We updated this review on November 10, 2022, to include new scores and newly improved metrics.

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GSI Pinnacle Pro 2
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Camping Stove
Top Pick Award
Best Multi-purpose Stove and Grill
 Best Buy Award
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Overall Score Sort Icon
47
74
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66
51
Star Rating
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Bottom Line This attractive stove missed the mark in functionality across the boardA high-performing stove that boils fast, resists wind, simmers well, and is easy to cleanAn all-rounder for outdoor cuisine, we love this stove, grill, and griddle combo and the flavorful meals cooked on cast ironA decent entry-level stove featuring a piezo igniter and a compact design, but with slow boiling and moderate wind resistanceAn absolute bargain, this versatile little stove cooks any single-pan or pot meal you task it with
Rating Categories GSI Pinnacle Pro 2 Camp Chef Everest 2X Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Coleman Cascade Cla... Gas One GS-3000
Boil Time (25%)
1
9.0
7.0
4.0
3.0
Fuel Efficiency (25%)
4.0
5.0
5.0
7.0
2.0
Simmering Ability (20%)
8.0
9.0
8.5
8.0
7.0
Ease of Use (15%)
4.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
Portability (15%)
8.0
6.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
Specs GSI Pinnacle Pro 2 Camp Chef Everest 2X Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Coleman Cascade Cla... Gas One GS-3000
Total BTUs 22,000 40,000 24,000 20,000 9,000
Number of Burners 2 2 2 2 1
Cooking Surface Dimensions 19" x 11.75" 21" x 9.5" 22" x 13.2" 20" x 12" 8.25" x 8.25"
Piezo Ignitor Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Measured Weight 11.71 lbs 13.97 lbs 12.95 lbs 9.71 lbs 4.1 lbs
Average Boil Time (1 liter of water, wind & no wind) 10 min 48 sec 3 min 21 sec 4 min 35 sec 6 min 39 sec 8 min 45 sec
Boil Time (1 liter of water, wind from a box fan) 15 min 3 min 25 sec 4 min 23 sec 7 min 56 sec 13 min
Boil Time (1 liter of water, no wind) 6 min 37 sec 3 min 17 sec 4 min 29 sec 5 min 23 sec 4 min 30 sec
Cooktop Material Stainless steel Nickel-coated steel Aluminized steel Aluminized steel Enamel Coated Steel
Packed Size 20" x 12.4" x 1.4" 27" x 15.5" x 8.25" 22" x 12" x 4" 21" x 13" x 3.5" 14" x 12" x 3.5"
Burner/Flame Diameter 3.8" 4.75" 3.5" 3.25" 2.875"
Distance Between Burners (center to center) 10.25" 12.25" 7.75" 11" N/A
Windscreen Yes Yes Yes Yes No
BTU per Burner 11,000 20,000 12,000 10,000 9,000
Type of Model Tabletop Tabletop Tabletop Tabletop Tabletop
Fuel Type Propane Propane Propane Propane Butane
Model Number 56015 MS2HP 2157356 2157477 GS-3000

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Pinnacle Pro is a sleek, compact, and attractive car camping stove. The rugged cooking grate folds open for easy cleaning, and it boasts several innovative design features. However, this stove boiled water the slowest in all our boiling tests. It is, sadly, an over-priced and underperforming model. Hopefully, future iterations will improve upon its design flaws.

Performance Comparison


gsi pinnacle pro 2 - we wanted to love this sleek and attractive stove, but were...
We wanted to love this sleek and attractive stove, but were disappointed by its performance in several key metrics.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

Boil Time


To evaluate boiling power, we measured how long it takes to boil 1 liter of 58°F tap water in our windless lab (aka our garage) in the presence and absence of wind. Then we ranked our tested stoves based on their average between the two scores. The Pinnacle Pro had an average boil time of 10 minutes and 48 seconds. To simulate wind, we subject each stove to a constant 2-4 mph “wind” (as measured by a pocket anemometer) generated by a box fan on low. This stove surpassed the 15-minute mark without boiling, which is when we turn off the stoves to avoid wasting fuel. Then, in the wind-less test, it had a boil time of 6 minutes and 37 seconds.

Across both tests, this stove was the slowest in our review. The stoves with cooking grates situated closest to the burners almost always boast the quickest times; however, the rugged cooking grate of the Pinnacle Pro situates your cookware 1.5 inches away from the burner, and the 11,000 BTU burners are not powerful enough to overcome this gap. Couple this with poorly designed L-shaped (rather than rectangular) windscreens, and these design flaws are likely why it finished last in our boil tests.

gsi pinnacle pro 2 - with a large gap between the burner and the cooking grate, this...
With a large gap between the burner and the cooking grate, this stove had one of the slowest boil times of any stove in our review.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

Fuel Efficiency


In addition to measuring wind and windless boil times for each stove, we also determine their fuel efficiency. We do this by weighing a fuel canister before and after each test, then taking the average fuel consumption rate per stove. The Pinnacle Pro consumed an average of 1 ounce or 6.5% of a canister of fuel. In the windy test, it consumed 1.31 ounces or 8.34% of a fuel canister. Then in the wind-less test, it used 0.71 ounces or 4.46% of a fuel canister. We only consider the average between the two scores to determine stove rank, which positioned this stove in the middle of the pack in terms of fuel efficiency. That said, it was the third least fuel efficient in the wind test.

gsi pinnacle pro 2 - while the l-shaped wind screens on the pinnable pro 2 create more...
While the L-shaped wind screens on the Pinnable Pro 2 create more space for cookware handles, they fail to provide sufficient wind resistance.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

Simmering Ability


With the large gap between the burners and the cooking surface, the Pinnacle Pro simmers well. However, in any situation where we needed high-power output, this stove failed to live up to our standards. If you only need to simmer to prepare your meals, it will not disappoint, but if you need to cook quickly after a long day of backcountry adventures, you may want to look elsewhere.

gsi pinnacle pro 2 - as long as there is no wind, this stove simmers well, owing to the...
As long as there is no wind, this stove simmers well, owing to the large gap between the burners and the cooking surface.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

Ease of Use


The Pinnacle Pro performed fairly average in this category. We found it easier to set up than tear down this stove. To set up, you flip open the legs, open the stove, click the windscreens in place, and screw the regulator onto the back. It is mildly annoying to close the Pinnacle, as it can take some effort to push the buttons to close everything, and the windscreens tend to get stuck in their slots.

gsi pinnacle pro 2 - to set up the stove simply open the stove, secure the wind screens...
To set up the stove simply open the stove, secure the wind screens, and attach the regulator to the back.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

We dislike the position of the regulator port, as it means that the stove will take up more space on your table or tailgate, but we appreciate that the regulator is easy to install without fear of cross-threading. This is an issue on stoves with internally-housed regulator ports, as they have soft brass threads, and it can be challenging to visually ensure the port aligns with the regulator before threading it. To protect the exposed threads, the savvy engineers at GSI included a thread cover on the back of the stove, which you flip closed when not in use.

gsi pinnacle pro 2 - unlike most other stoves, you can find the regulator port on the...
Unlike most other stoves, you can find the regulator port on the back of the stove. The innovative design of the regulator port means the threads are easier to sync-up to avoid cross-threading.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

To clean the stove, simply flip open the cooking grate and scrub the non-stick stove surface. We did find it a little finicky to unlatch the grate, and we were a little disappointed with how the metal components of this stove vibrate when stored vertically in a vehicle. However, as long as you store it horizontally, the stove is quiet in transit. Be fair-warned, the stainless steel exterior does attract fingerprints, so you will want to keep a scrubby on hand if you want it to stay shiny and clean.

gsi pinnacle pro 2 - to clean the drip pan on the pinnacle pro, unhook the cooking grate...
To clean the drip pan on the Pinnacle Pro, unhook the cooking grate, fold it forward, and scrub away. Keep in mind: it takes a little effort to unhook the grate and could steal your skin if you're not careful.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

Portability


With an impressively slim design, the Pinnacle Pro stashes easily in a car camping kit or the back of a vehicle. It weighs 11.71 pounds and is the most compact two-burner stove in our review, with dimensions of 20" x 12.4" x 1.4". However, it does not feature a carrying handle, and it is relatively heavy, so it is not as easy to carry as others. And, unlike some of the thicker stoves in our review, you cannot store the regulator inside the stove while in transit. To rectify these minimal issues, GSI offers a canvas carrying bag to transport and protect your stove, though this is, of course, an additional expense.

gsi pinnacle pro 2 - this slim stove stashes well in your car or van, but the lack of...
This slim stove stashes well in your car or van, but the lack of handle makes it more difficult than other stoves to carry, and the stove is too compact to store the regulator inside the stove when not in use. GSI makes a carrying case that could remedy both problems, but for the price we would expect these features to be integrated into the stove.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

Should You Buy the GSI Pinnacle Pro?


To be perfectly honest, no, you should not buy this stove. The Pinnacle Pro does not live up to our expectations for a top-of-the-line car camping stove. We would expect a stove to boil fast, resist wind like a champion, and be fuel efficient for a price tag this steep. Instead, the Pinnacle falters in both of these crucial metrics. While it is aesthetically pleasing and boasts some innovative features, without design improvements, this stove does not provide the function we expect for the price.

gsi pinnacle pro 2 - the flexible regulator does not stow away inside the stove nor does...
The flexible regulator does not stow away inside the stove nor does it hold your propane bottle at the appropriate angle to avoid freezing when the fuel gets low. Both things we would like to see on a stove at this price point.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

What Other Camping Stoves Should You Consider?


If you need a trim and highly portable stove that has excellent design features, we recommend the JetBoil Genesis Basecamp. If you were drawn to the Pinnacle Pro because you love the stainless steel look, we recommend the Camp Chef Mountaineer. It may take up more space than other stoves, but it is the highest-performing stove in our review; beyond that, it is designed well and built to last.

gsi pinnacle pro 2 - this sleek, stainless steel stove is certainly attractive, but it...
This sleek, stainless steel stove is certainly attractive, but it did not live up to the hype. Hopefully subsequent iterations of this stove will address the design flaws we noted in our review.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

Mary Witlacil