MSR Fusion Ceramic 2-Pot Set Backpacking Cookware Review

Bottom Line

After whipping up various backpacking meals on trips in the Rocky Mountains, naming the MSR Fusion Ceramic 2-Pot Set ‘best for cooking’ was a no-brainer. The set’s 4-liter capacity, wide diameter bases, and non-stick ceramic coating make cooking delicious meals for the whole group a piece of cake. The pots heat up quickly and evenly for kitchen-quality performance. 

The secure, removable handle and fully featured lid further expand the set’s efficiency and ease of use. The lid includes a cozy rubber handle, a pressure release, and plenty of drain holes. For effortless cleanup, the pots are coated with a durable ceramic non-stick coating.

Although it’s not the most durable cook set on our list, MSR has gone to lengths to ensure longevity in both the hard-anodized aluminium and ceramic coating. Although this two-pot set is remarkably light for the amount of features and sheer volume, it exceeds the needs of most ultralight thru-hikers. For solo travelers, we’ve reviewed numerous pieces of minimal, ultralight cookware in our full list of favorites.

How We Tested

 We tested its non-stick properties with notoriously sticky scrambled eggs and measured its heating time and dispersion. Of course, real-life experience is indispensable and the most fun, so we put it through the paces in our outdoor playground of the Rocky Mountains.

Cooking Performance

This two-pot set was designed with real meals in mind. Not just boiling water for a dehydrated meal, but sauteing vegetables and frying bacon.

Let’s start with its size. The set consists of a larger, 2500mL pot and a smaller 1500mL pot, creating a total capacity of 4 liters. With the wide pot diameters and impressive capacity, you’ll have no problem cooking a full meal for 2 to 4 people. 

The ceramic-coated aluminum pots are thin enough to heat up quickly and disperse the heat evenly for kitchen-quality performance. The durable Fusion Ceramic non-stick coating minimizes the potential for burning and makes for incredibly easy cleanup. 

We cooked a variety of meals in our MSR Ceramic cook set, including notoriously sticky scrambled eggs, and were left with virtually zero food scraps stuck to the pot. 

Instead of controversial and harmful coatings like teflon, MSR utilizes a PTFE- and PFOA-free non-stick coating for extra peace of mind.

Weight & Packability

The MSR Ceramic Two Pot Set takes up significantly more pack space than other cook sets, but it’s actually quite lightweight for such a large and capable combo. 

At first glance, this set is the heaviest on our list, weighing 15.9 ounces and hogging 245 cubic inches of pack space. But with a closer look, the set yields the highest capacity-to-weight ratio with an impressive 342mL per ounce. Plus, if you go with this set, you’re probably with a group and splitting up group gear to even out the weight.

The two pots and handle conveniently nest together with ample space for a large backpacking stove and fuel canister. The pot doesn’t come with a stuff sack, but luckily, the lid is secure enough to hold everything in place. One downside of all this extra space is the increased potential for rattling. We recommend bringing along plenty of soft, multi-use packing material to mitigate rattling if it bothers you.

What the MSR Ceramic Two Pot set lacks in weight savings and packability, it easily makes up for in cooking performance for those who value volume and ease of use.

Usability

This cookset comes with a ton of extra features that are practical and easy to use with just a little bit of practice. In addition to the two roomy pots, the set includes a lid with plenty of drain holes, a pressure release, and a soft rubber handle that doubles as a latch. Also included are a removable insulated pot handle and a useful shammy cloth for cleanup. 

The handle and latching mechanism function well, but take some getting used to. MSR utilizes the pot handle and rubber lid handle to create a soft latch mechanism, reducing the need for extra parts and keeping the overall weight down. 

Although the handle can only be used on one pot at a time, it securely latches in place with a no-squeeze grip so you can cook freely without worry of spilling. The latching mechanism is secure, but it requires two hands to remove and may take some getting used to.

Durability

Although non-stick coatings require more care in general, these MSR Ceramic pots will last for years of use if you take good care of them.

The pots are made of a thin, hard-anodized aluminium. Aluminium is a much softer metal than titanium or stainless steel. MSR addresses this issue with an anodization process that significantly hardens the material, increasing its durability and bringing it closer in comparison to its competitors.

The durable non-stick Fusion Ceramic coating isn’t as bulletproof as straight stainless steel, but it boasts more overall durability than Teflon. The ceramic is more scratch-resistant and more heat-resistant, withstanding temperatures well over 500º. Although we wouldn’t recommend cooking directly over the fire with this cookset, with proper care, the ceramic coating can last a long time.

The removable pot handle and lid handle both feel robust and secure. With fewer hinges and moving parts, there is less to break thus increasing the components’ longevity.

Should You Buy the MSR Fusion Ceramic 2-Pot Set?

MSR makes clear who the Fusion Ceramic 2-Pot Set is designed for – the lightweight backpacker who likes to get down with some gourmet meals at camp or feed a group. 

This set artfully balances versatile cooking performance, volume, and weight savings so you can bring the kitchen sink (so to speak) without breaking your back.

Although it’s the heaviest and largest cookset on our list, the efficient design more than offsets the extra weight. The two pots pack a whopping 4 liters of volume, so you can cook for the entire group with ease, and the pot components are thoughtfully designed to cut weight. You can also leave one of the pots at home if you’re going solo or with a partner.

The pots are designed with practicality in mind, evident by their large diameter, a secure handle, and a fully featured lid. In case that’s not enough, the hard-anodized aluminum surfaces are coated with a durable non-stick ceramic coating for effortless cleanup.

For the backcountry gourmet, this MSR cook set is a no-brainer. However, this amount of cooking performance and overall volume exceeds the needs of the ultralight thru-hiker boiling water for their nightly ramen bomb.

What Other Backpacking Cookware Should You Consider?

For solo ultralight thru-hikers that made it this far – don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of favorites that will keep your base weight from exceeding 10 pounds.

MSR Alpine Stowaway Review: If the decreased durability compared to stainless steel was a deal breaker for you, check out the MSR Alpine Stowaway. It’s a sizable pot that you can cook with directly on hot coals and probably even use it to hammer in your tent stakes (don’t actually do that). 

SOTO Thermostack Combo Review: Another multi-pot set that is designed more for solo meals and hot drinks. The 750mL titanium pot is big enough for dinner for one and the insulated aluminum/stainless steel mug is ideal for a cozy beverage on the side.  

Snow Peak Titanium Mini Solo Review: This one is for those who like the idea of a two-pot cook set but want it in a truly ultralight package. The Snow Peak Mini Solo amounts to just under 1.5 liters of volume in a sub-7-ounce package.