StansportStainless Steel Cook Set

Wow! The other reviewers are correct. These pots are GREAT quality even at twice the price. They compare favorably to my Cuisinart set. The stainless steel is thick and these pots will last many years. They are nicely cladded at the bottoms and distribute heat evenly. To save some room in my crowded cabinet, I may just retire my bulky pots with their own unruly handles and just use this nesting set for everyday use. The grooves in the universal lid fit the 1, 2 & 3 quart pots whereas the pan makes a nice dome lid for the 4 quart pot. Note, when used as a lid for the 4 quart pot, either attach the handle to the pan BEFORE you turn on the stove or else use oven mitts to remove the handle-less pan. It is nearly impossible to attach the handle when the pan is upside down. That brings me to my next point. The single removable handle is somewhat difficult to use but well-made. To put on the handle, keep it vertically and deftly hook the J shaped hook to the side connector of the pot. Then, carefully so as not to wiggle the J hook out of the side connector, press the button of the handle upward and slowly rotate the handle 90 degrees. If connected properly (you'll hear/feel a click), the handle is quite strong and can handle the weight of a full 3 quart pot with minimal flex. For my first try with a 2-burner camping stove, I attached the handle to the frying pan and used the 1 quart pot (without a handle) to boil water at the same time. When the water boiled, it was challenging to disengage the handle from the pan (pull the nob toward you and rotate the handle 90 degrees upward and attach it to the boiling pot since both pans and pots were hot and I could not clutch either to simplify the task. I ended up using a Trangia brand pot gripper which quickly clamps to the rolled edge of the pot to without needing to hook anything to the connector. Given this experience, I do recommend you get at least 1 pot gripper to quickly grab a pot since unclipping the Stansport handle may prove to be difficult when the pots & pans are hot. So, here's my strategy in using these pots when using a 2 burner camping stove. Always put on the pot handle on the heaviest pot to be used (in my case the pan) and keep it on for the duration of the cooking. Then, have the pot gripper on stand-by for the smaller pot so I can quickly use it to clamp the pot and lift it. The Trangia pot gripper did just as fine of a job as the included Stansport handle in safely & securely lifting the pots. Rather than foregoing this excellent set of pots due to the somewhat challenging handle, either buy 1 or two pot grippers (depending on how much you dislike the included handle) and you will have a very nice set of cookware for around 70 or less. Even at that price, it's still an awesome deal. (For those who wants to be frugal, the Open Country pot grippers are a bit more affordable at almost half the price of the Trangia.)Lastly, when I was researching this set, I wondered why I would need so many different size pots. One reviewer mentioned using some of the pots as mixing bowls. What an excellent idea for a nesting set that would not take up any more room with 1 or 3 pots! In addition, you can also use the larger pots, the 3 & 4 quart ones as as makeshift sinks for washing dishes or scrap bowls for garbage. Now, the number of pots in the set is just perfect for multi-use!I LOVE this set and recommend for everyone whether you use it for camping or daily use!

Most of my outdoor time has been backpacking but more recently I've been filling out my kit for more car camping, paddling trips and group cooking. A couple of the Stanley sets had been on my list for some time, but when an unexpected trip came up I wanted to find something less expensive since I was also purchasing some other items for the trip. However, I like to cook and I won't put up with thin cookware. As soon as I opened the box I knew this was a fantastic purchase and I do not feel I compromised in any way. These pieces have very heavy bottoms and are only slightly--and I mean very slightly--lighter than good home cookware and are heavier than cheap stainless sold for home kitchens. The only minor negative I have is that the handle has to be tipped up nearly vertical to slot onto the pot before lowering and locking on. It's a bit awkward but nothing I can't get used to and it is secure. I also have a pot grabber from another set I can always use if needed (Stansport offers this in one of the packages).I do not view this set as something that "will do until I get the Stanley set". This is my permanent car camp kit. I got the pots & pan only; plates, bowls, utensils, etc. are easily added or the Stansport sets with extras are still very reasonable, they just don't nest the same as the Stanley sets. Not an issue for me. I got this at a very good price, but even full price isn't unfair for the solid quality. I'm very, very happy I came across this set. Well done, Stansport!

I bought this set in preference to some others because I really couldn't justify buying the more expensive sets given that we go camping only once a year. That's car camping not backpacking.The main difference in design between this set and the others, as far as I could see, was the difference in the handles and, as I found out, the materials.As it turns out the handle design is a little clumsy requiring you to hold it vertical close to the pot to insert the tab into the bracket on the side of the vessel. There's a little retractable piece under said tab that squeezes in under it to secure the tab, essentially locking the hinge that the tab forms at the bracket. This is a clumsy design and, while it works, it does allow the pot to swing a bit if it is tilted sideways (rotating about the axis of the handle) as if to pour something out. This isn't a problem unless you rotate it more than 90 degrees. In my assessment, you'll only rotate it more than 90 degrees when the pot's almost empty so this isn't too bad.What doesn't work is the fact that only one handle is included with this set of five vessels. Two handles is the minimum number that should be included. While spare handles are available on Stansport's website, they're priced at a ridiculous $15.00. A much better handle for a more expensive set is priced at $12.00! (unfortunately not exchangable) I don't think it's possible to justify a price of more than $7 or $8 dollars for this handle. I've ordered one of the many pot grippers available on Amazon.All the vessels have a thicker base which appears to be a sandwich base. The box does not say whether it uses aluminum in the sandwich but does claim improved conductivity and even heat distribution. The one vessel (1 quart) that I tested worked fine boiling water quickly.I took a magnet to the vessels and the lid and discovered something surprising. The vessels are not all made using the same quality of stainless steel. Three of the vessels were only weakly magnetic - the 1, 2 and 3 quart pots. The fry pan and the 4 quart vessel were more strongly magnetic and the lid was not magnetic at all. I believe that marine grade SS isn't magnetic so if that is the only criteria, this set doesn't qualify. I don't need marine grade so it doesn't bother me.