GSI Halulite Minimalist Cook Kit - Is it ANY GOOD??

One of the things I am looking to do in the next year is do more reviews on cook kits. We got the stoves covered here on the channel, but many want info on cook kits...and I aim to please! Today we check out a very popular cook kit from GSI - The Halulite Minimalist
#gsihaluliteminimalist #gsi #gsiminimalist
Gear Used In This Video:
GSI Halulite Minimalist: amzn.to/3Ia6G8y
MSR Pocket Rocket Two: amzn.to/3s4SN5Y
Outdoor Element Firebiner: amzn.to/34WJoVs
I love Trangia products...I mean, who doesn't love Trangia products? Their mess tin may be their most basic piece of kit, but don't overlook this inexpensive and super handy item.
#trangia #trangiamesstin #trangiaspiritburner
Gear Used In This Video:
Trangia Mess Tin: amzn.to/350HzX8
Computer Fan Covers: amzn.to/3rT6uFb
Trangia Triangle: Unavailable
Trangia Fuel Bottle: amzn.to/3LGmlig
Kupilka Platter: amzn.to/3rTUF1y
GSI Tongs: amzn.to/3GUSjDy
Get Your Own PaleoHikerMD PATCH: www.etsy.com/shop/PaleoHikerM...
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IPhone Gimbal: Zhiyun Smooth 4: amzn.to/2ZxfkuG

[@tylerw.9100]

FYI, the pot grabber fits nicely under the fuel canister.

[@silvermediastudio]

Had this set for 8+ years. A couple hundred boils. Still going strong.

[@BentbrooksRambles]

I thru-hiked with this kit. I did add a cup, but yeah, it’s hard to argue with the cost, compactness, and utility. This really stands out when you try to find something equivalent in this price and weight range: it’s hard to beat.

[@Dragonmad1963]

Wish I could buy all the stoves and cook kits, but I have to be selective. Your reviews are very informative Thanks

[@markcummings6856]

I’ve had this for 4 years, now. Absolutely love it. I’ve hiked with it for 2k + miles. Appreciate the review

[@blacksheep6821]

I would love to see a review of the Trangia Tundra 2 cook set. There are very few reviews of it on KZbin. Thanks!

[@bangalorebobbel]

Nice kit and yes, please, doing more cook kit reviews is a great idea. Just two things - no 1 you asked where it is made and afaik everything of GSI is made in China, even though GSI is a family owned US company. My no 2 I wanted to say is about cook kits in general ... thing is, such kits as this one here are obviously primarily meant for boiling water and rehydrating ready meals like Ramen or any Mountain House thing. Even though one can also cook rice or some small one pot meals in such a kit it covers only a very reduced part of cooking and doesn't cover tasks like e.g. preparing veggies, frying eggs, potatoes or meat and so on what all requires more equipment like a knife, a cutting board, a fry pan, a spatula, a mixing bowl and so on, or at least quite some different designs of pot or other items. So my little wish for future reviews would be to check the kits resp. parts of it whether it can do more than rehydrating noodles or any other ready meals. Just for example, that foon or spork or whatever it is here isn't very useful as spatula, but there are other spoons (more square in form) which can be also somehow used as spatula. Or, another example, would the lid also work as cutting board, or as bowl for holding some items whiles the pot is used for cooking? I doubt in this case here ... Or, one more example: could I use that pot also as frying pan, e.g. for making a fried egg? Well, no, in that case here most probably not, since the form factor (small diameter high pot) makes it unlikely that it would work for fried eggs whiles other pots (large diameter small height) would most likely also do such tasks. And so on ... Of course I admit that most people would use their so called cooking kits only for that purpose this kit here is perfect for - boiling water and adding ramen or Mountain house. But I guess I am not the only one who gets bored of such things and such foods and would like to really cook real food. Must not be 5star Michelin cook things but at least I want to be able to fry once in a while some sausage or spam, make some fried potatoes, brown a slice of a toast bread and so on. And if I want to do that, such a kit as the one here, as perfect it might be for Ramen and Co, is more or less useless. (And just to say it the good old Trangia mess kit you showed in your video before that one here would easily allow me to boil water AND fry any things ... yet it is no cooking kit, means it misses spatula or spoon and so on.)

[@alf3553]

I’ve always been tempted to pick up the Stainless Steel version of that cup/pot. With that style of plastic lid it’s recommended for stoves & not camp fires 🔥

[@rimajaro]

I have the stainless, found a lid on Amazon that fits perfect! It even has strainer holes. DZO Universal Cup Lid, Stainless Steel, not available right now, but you can check another time!

[@farstrider79]

That's really my main complaint about it, otherwise it's pretty nice. I do prefer handles, even though I rarely make a fire while backpacking.

[@browsman2328]

GSI is an American company based in Spokane WA, I’m sure most of their products are outsourced. I use this pot with a Toaks 450 cup(GSI makes cheaper ones that might fit), silicon lips for cup, GSI Java Drip(with paper filter if possible), Soto Amicus stove, GSI Essential Spoon-long(best long handled spoon ever only $4.99 Amazon), ground coffee in 1 oz Nalgene bottle(for day hikes, larger Nalgene bottle for longer hikes) and MSR Strike igniter, paper towel(or cloth) to prevent rattles. It all fits in the GSI pot except the larger Nalgene bottle, Java drip,, spoon and fuel canister which are easy to store elsewhere. Amicus is a good match for this relatively tall pot due to the small flame pattern, I have the non-igniter version. If coffee or food gets cold, I put pot or cup back on stove briefly.

[@GSIOutdoorsLLC]

Awesome Review! In response to your comments about the foon, we would like to let you know that a new and improved foon will be coming out 2023! So be on the lookout for that and keep up the good work!

[@mikevandebunt811]

I have almost as many cook kits as I have stoves, but would like to see you continue this series. I do note that GSI has a basically identical set in stainless steel (called Glacier), for those that prefer SS. I'm not sure that "minimalist" and "stainless" belong in the same sentence, though. I guess if you're not counting grams... but I've been using their halulite for several decades, and I like it. I don't think that I've ever bought any GSI gear that I didn't like.

[@benterwellen]

Great video, let’s see more like this…

[@aln.8232]

I use the stainless steel version and it packs pretty nicely in the Solo pot 900.

[@1wetpaint]

Wanted one for years. Along with my other 6 pots.. Picked one up and love it. I keep it in my day pack for me and the dog when we hike. Added a collapsible cup and a folding spoon BOOM! Something about the pot that really strikes a cord with me. Even kept the box it came in.. Good video. Thanks.

[@danieljones2183]

Looks like a good beginning for a great kit. Thanks for the review.

[@SharkMarles]

Good review! Can’t wait to see the other cook kits / playlist

[@markmartello]

Thanks Doc. As always an excellent review with a bit of your much appreciated humor, "the very next cast..."

[@gunmedic3517]

I like it, might pick this one up soon. Thank you.

[@Defunct91379]

Thanks for sharing. This was actually my very first cook system I purchased and it worked very well for a number of years before I switched to using titanium full time

[@blacksheep6821]

Hahaha. I live 25 mins from that lighthouse. And yes, I’ve had porcupines climb trees in my backyard here in Maine. Thanks Ernie.

[@Callahangonefishin]

I've had one of these for many years, it's my go to and really like using it to make coffee/tea on the trail. Cheers

[@fgallogallo7]

I like you have numerous kits that I’ve put together through the years. This one actually catches my eye. I believe it would be a great kit for my grandson. Looks like I’ll be buying one also a cup would be good to go along with this Thanks informative video.

[@charleswinters7129]

I normally care something larger but have had this kit for years. I did have a chipmunk grab the pot holder and take off with it. I chased him but he ran down a hole with it. I had to order up a new one. My wife thought it was one of the funniest things ever with me chasing a chipmunk with the pot holder in his mouth.

[@sjbrakke]

Great review!

[@scetis]

I’d love to see a review of the GSI Pinnacle stove… I’ve used mine for the last year and it has worked great! I’m sure it’s not as good as a pocket rocket but I love it when everything matches. Thanks again for another great review.

[@robertmaxwell3220]

Youre top shelf on all reviews.The main thing is to try camping,its alot of fun,and learnig experieces!

[@ronaldren5581]

Love!!! This kit. With the Optimus crux folding stove.

[@troybranaman316]

Great video as always Ernie!! That's why they call it fishing instead of catching. Lol 😆 🤣. I use a red shad Culprit 7.5 inch worm Texas rigged. It's my go to for catching bass . Anyway it looked like a pretty good kit but like you said I also would put a cup with it. Take care and stay safe my friend !!

[@FlatCatGear]

Thumbs Up! GSI Minimalist is a rock solid solo kit for heating up water and making light soups. I've used it many times.

[@joesmith4222]

Excellent review on good practical cook set at a good price. It would cost a lot more if you put it together piece by piece. That was a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review Ernie.

[@lawrencefieselman3803]

Before I criticize the nomenclature of the product I want to say how much I enjoy your videos and what you do. You test a lot of gear and its been extremely helpful to me. But, how can you call that a "cook kit"? It boils water. Period. Its a water boiler. You can't fry a burger or do virtually anything else. Compare it to a Trangia 28, which you've reviewed and actually cooked on in a previous video. The Trangia is actually a cook kit. In fact I just cooked a burger in it and made some coffee. You just can't do that with a "boil kit". The Trangia will certainly do everything the boil kit does and much more. It costs a few dollars more but its so much more versatile.

[@danielkutcher5704]

Good point! For an ultralight hiker, boiling is just about all they do. It gets boring, sometimes, and, a boiled egg (which obviously can be cooked in this small pot) isn't the same as bacon or sausage and fried eggs.

[@bobbeckel8704]

I have one of these and I love it. Don't forget there is a magnet in the pot holder. I would like to see you show some military mess kits. I have some and I think the French 3 piece rectangular one is one of the best. I have the French canteen with the solid fuel stove and cup in it's cover also. Also try some of the Korean ramen. The red pack but only use 1/4 of the seasoning pack unless you have a death wish!

[@nomad753]

I have the stainless version of this pot . It only comes with a lid , but GSI builds things bombproof . Have the small stainless kettle as well . Love it

[@johnpalmer6822]

nice kit for like you said day hikes. I always end up with 2 pots and a mug. I like the idea of it and may have to get one, Nice review.

[@Bowlin01]

Excellent, can't wait for more cook kit videos. I'm hoping you end the series with your choice of 'Ultimate Cook Kit' 👍

[@dannyadamson4189]

Got mine 2012 and still love it. A lot of my friends end up buying one after a camping trip.

[@terryshrives8322]

I ended up with the stainless. I love this little baby.

[@IAMGWH1]

How fast does the stainless heat water? Would or did you choose that over the Halulite aluminum?

[@terryshrives8322]

@@IAMGWH1 it's fast! I get boil times of 4 mins plus I can put it in the fire. My only complaint about it is, it has a strong metal taste. For that reason you might go with the aluminum

[@IAMGWH1]

@@terryshrives8322 I have the aluminum but was wondering if I should also get the SS That's an idea I didn't think about, what you did by putting it into the fire or over coal like titanium works good on hot coal since it has hot spots & no even heating like aluminum & SS Plus I just saw it reduced to $9.22 (online) but "SOLD OUT" SOL!!!

[@ScottOwens28]

More cook kits! 👌👍💪

[@2thumbsdown]

Nice video. Looks like a great little kit. Some people go fishing, some people go catching.... I, too, belong to the first group.

[@rimajaro]

I love mine in the stainless steel version. I bought a stainless steel lid for it on Amazon!

[@loonytik25]

I've got the 1st generation of this kit(it's exactly the same, just has different markings)and have used it for years. It's a good kit and I used it this weekend to boil up some mac'n cheese.

[@VapourTrailz]

Just bought this after this review with a pocket rocket 2 for my day go bag to add to my g2 stainless and 750ml cup for longer jaunts. Cheers

[@hangnwithdosei3266]

It's my favorite coffee mug! It keeps coffee hot for longer than most "insulated" coffee mugs, and the lid design insures no burnt lips when drinking.

[@jbates1463]

wonderful video as always! Do you know what other stoves would also nest inside this? not with the silly foon thing included. maybe the soto windmaster?

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍 .. looks good. I have a similar setup in SS .. GSI Pot, nesting Decathlon Cup and a variety of Home-Made Burners .. stored in an Insulated Holder. Also, I don't thru-hike, so weight is not an issue. Something .. if I may please .. a subject for (could be) heated debate. 'Going Fishing vs 'Catching Fish' .. possibly two activities that can be world's apart .. inter alia intent and envisaged outcome 😏. Take care ..

[@wadev7582]

A large size Jiff peanut butter jar fits between the pot and cozy perfectly. Been my kit for a few years.

[@rodbagley1686]

You fish just like I do. I do a lot of fishing not much catching but I still have fun.

[@richardmatthews6503]

You can put the pot grabber below the gas canister.

[@bandit6delta]

Out of all my cook kits, this is my most used. I have the stainless version.

[@cardiacbob]

Thanks for the review. I have Ti pot and cup in my wife's kit, but I'm always in the market for a new kit to spend my money on, and I like that pot coozy... and I'm a terrible fisherman too... enthusiastic but not good...

[@Curlew-Corner]

In my GSI Minimalist I have the small gas, the GSI Pinnacle cylinder top stove, the pot grabber, which lives under the gas, a BIC lighter and a Wildo folding cup in Orange (to maintain the GSI colour scheme!) as I prefer a separate cup. The foon doesn’t fit inside with this set up however. I do like the new foon which seems stronger than it’s earlier iteration. I particularly like the way the hot pan slides into the cosy. I think it’s a great little kit. Thanks for sharing your review. PS: I don’t think the halulite is as good for cooking as GSI’s Soloist Teflon pan. I tried scrambled eggs in mine and it took a while to clean the pan. But if you’re boiling water for freeze dried meal or hot drinks, it more than sufficient.

[@bradfieldb]

have had one of these for years great bit of kit, spork has been updated since it that looks a lot better - mine was a sliding version that looked like a bacteria trap

[@larryreily4736]

Cool, I might need one of those for my daypack! I like Ramen, but use only half of the water and half the salt-bomb.

[@marcireale]

Looks like a great kit. Now I think I’ll find/make a neoprene sleeve for my Stanley.

[@farstrider79]

My wife really likes hers, and I got one at REI at the garage sale for cheap. I like it, but prefer my cup that has the folding handles. I really don't care for the spoon. They do keep coffee nice and hot though!

[@jazbo4173]

Please review the new Stanley skillet.

[@saegmam]

thank s

[@jplamb77]

Great Review Ernie,,,, I honestly believe that if really want to do a “Catch N. Cook”,,, You’ll need to hook up with Steve from Firebox,, He seems to have the Catching part, down pat,,,!!!!! Thanks for the video,, keep’m. coming,,!!! Joshua

[@karenr67]

Finger potholder best idea.

[@tourcheverybridge]

I personally like anything you do 🤣🤣🤣

[@longrider42]

I like GSI stuff. I have two of their cups and a lid. I'm not a fan of those little stoves, they just look too tippy. Also you cook ramen different then I do. I bring the water to a boil, add the noodles, cook for 2 minutes and 40ish seconds, then remove from heat add flavor packet, then eat. But if that way works for you, thats cool. As for a stove and cook kit, I use the Trangia 25 set up. I have since the early 80's. Stay safe and at least you got to go fishing. I wont be fishing till April. Ice on my favorite lake. P.S. Have you looked at the 12cm Zebra Billy can?

[@samsmith8870]

if you plug up the holes it's also good for cold soaking

[@nuggethikes]

Hey Bud, love the channel. Have you ever tested the alcohol stove called the gram weenie? It looks pretty robust and efficient for a tiny stove.

[@danielkutcher5704]

Those tall, skinny pots work great with pressurized fuel stoves with small burner heads, not so well with alcohol stoves or solid fuels. Looks nice for that application. Did you wash the manufacturing coating off before using it? You might want to mention that when you test new cookware. Better luck with the fishing next time, Ernie. Try a rubber worm. Black works best. Fly fishers need a muddler minnow and a black ant. Those will catch just about anything except maybe catfish. 👍

[@russelljackman1413]

SQUIRREL! Hahahahaha! Thanks, Ernie! nice video!

[@markdemaree6444]

Had mine for close to 10 years, I like it. Now it stays in my mountain bike bag

[@ecttreker9816]

Ernie, not futile, that's why it's called fishing not catching. 😀

[@syindrome]

Tight lid is the best feature for me. My older version does not have measuring marks :'(

[@emilyp.4100]

I have the stainless steel version of this (Glacier Minimalist) and I am loving it. Btw, what did You do with the carabiner to light up the canister stove? And the spork which comes with this kit is actually a newer version - the previous one was (and felt) even cheaper. I replaced it with Esbit titanium foldable spork, and I added Seatosummit collapsible silicone cup (one of their smaller ones) - fits perfectly on the very bottom underneath the canister).

[@KaylynnStrain]

next time you go to Arkansas try fishing lake Ouachita

[@weylanwang5788]

You are imitating steve! We need goats and dogs…

[@Saltfly]

1:56 got me in the funnybone

[@daveedwards6567]

If you don't mind could you make a video on a slightly bigger kit if possible a Billy Fri pan and a medium pan nesting kit gas and stove about heavier it would be great if the Billy was about 14cm as I love to eat and I normally don't go out alone big thanks 👍

[@jbates1463]

would you happen to know if this kit without the sleeve will fit into the GSI backpacker sleeve?

[@shawnr6117]

I think there's a different version of this kit that includes a stove as well, I'd have to double check though

[@praktika1082]

Boil time depends not only on the stove being used, but also the pots. Different materials and different thickness for pot walls affect boil time. I wonder if anyone has tested this extensively? Toaks vs Soto vs Snowpeak, etc. Also, boil time depends on the size of the pots used. Would a Toaks 550ml boil water faster than a Toaks 750ml?

[@susanp.collins7834]

I'd cook my eggs like that in the inverted lid using boiling water as a double boiler. Is there space in that lid for 2 eggs?

[@Mohdock]

OK twice the price, but three times the content, the Solo Thermostack Cook Set Combo

[@user-cu9zw6dc7i]

Уважаемый друг,добавляй в свои видеоролики титры.Английского языка я к большому сожалению не знаю.Смотреть интересно твои видеоролики очень интересно.

[@susanp.collins7834]

My GSI Glacier 1 Person Mess Kit is made in China.

[@golight1]

1. cont be a worse fisherman then me. 2. u dont go fishing to catch fish. u go to catch some piece and quiet. 3. one major point I think u miss regularly is open fire fitting. American concept of outdoor cooking goes for: a. i use a bought instrument to boil water: b. all i Cook is add-hot-water dihydrate products. in many years of hiking i have often found myself using cooking fire. though im not a fire fan from the environmental angel, sometimes u have no choice. i had gas stoves melted or cracked, winds so hard the alcohol stoves could not handle no mutter how good the windshield was, exidental gas leaks or spill, blocked fuel disas.... u name it. so your kit should always fit open fire, wich means like 300- 450 celz. below and about 250 atop. i do not think this acrilic-like cover and silicon will. as u said we like to make our kits. the good old proven 750-900 ml aluminum cup- better the titanium for it does not burn cooked food, better heat separation- put everything inside. metal cup/mini pan -like lid with handle, there's your second cup. and built in wire handle for the can. no other stuff u carry, or might lose. KIS. and u can do a bit more descent cooking for a change!

[@calvinmonroe2408]

I saw my first porcupine’ in colorado and sws surprised to see it climb a tree … to get away from me a curiously stupid kid

[@smaxvarese3518]

Geez dude, focus lol

[@m.hernandez1404]

Should of cooked the raccoon.

[@leemoore974]

I loved this especially the ending!! #1 subs provider -> Promo-SM!