Quick Take: The Detour series from Sea to Summit is full of kitchen items that strike a great balance between packability and usablility. Stainless steel construction is durable and easy to clean, while the collapsible silicone components provide excellent space savings. If you’re looking for compact cook kit that will last for years, this is the line you should be shopping from.
Of all the gear categories that overlanders carry, the camp kitchen is likely the one where it is the easiest to overpack. Even though I’m well aware of this fact, I’m also very guilty of it. On the last couple of trips, I’ve been attempting to dial in my camp kitchen, only carry what I need, and minimize the chuck box load out. With a relatively simple cook kit, you can make plenty of meals in camp and not feel like you’re locked into a certain cuisine or cooking style.
A big portion of my minimalistic redesign of my kitchen kit has centered around two bundles from Sea to Summit: the Detour Stainless Steel One Pot Cook Set and the Detour Stainless Steel Utensil Set. These two kits are highly packable without feeling like a kids’ toy kitchen, and they can cover a wide range of camp kitchen needs.
Starting with the smaller of the two, the Detour Stainless Steel Utensil Set, as you can probably guess, is constructed of stainless steel. The utensils are sturdy enough to abuse in the camp box, but you don’t have to worry about rattles thanks to the included silicone sleeve that keeps the tools nest together. The matte finish on the handles adds some grip, and the polished ends are easy to clean. The set includes a serving spoon, a slotted spoon, a spatula, and tongs. The spatula even includes a handy bottle opener so the camp chef can stay hydrated.
The tools are just under 12 inches long, and I find this a great size to actually get some culinary work done in the kitchen. They’re not full sized, but they also don’t force your hand halfway into the pot you’re stirring. I’ve also added the Detour Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife to the kit to handle food prep. The Detour Knife is just as well constructed as the rest of the kit, and the blade cover keeps it sharp and minimizes accidents.
With my utensils covered, the Detour One Pot Cook Set takes care of the rest. Based around a 3-liter pot, this is a great simple cook set for two. The pot has been fantastic for boiling and frying. The unique locking handle design includes silicone for heat resistance, and they lock in two positions to keep the set secure when packed. If you have any reservations about the collapsible nature of this system, you needn’t worry. The silicone ring allows the pot to collapse, but when deployed, it’s as sturdy as any other pot. The 3-ply base helps for equal heat distribution and works great on gas or induction cooktops. The set also includes two shallow bowls that work well as plates and two mugs, all of which use the same silicone collapsing technology to pack down to a five-piece kit that’s only 2.5 inches tall. The handles on the pot flip to keep everything securely packed and rattle-free. If you’re looking to simplify your cook kit without sacrificing functionality, you’d be hard-pressed to find a pot, two plates/bowls, and two mugs that pack down into a smaller package.
The whole Detour series is BPA-free and backed by the Sea to Summit guarantee for the lifetime of the product. Like all of their gear, the system was designed and tested by their passionate and talented team. These pieces are welcome additions to my camp cook kit.
What to know:
- BPA Free
- Stainless construction utensils include powder texture on handles for grip and polished sections for easy clean up.
- Backed by Sea to Summits lifetime warranty
- Triple ply bottom of the cooking pot provides even heat distribution.
- Silicone sections allow for collapsing construction while remaining sturdy when deployed.
- MSRP: Starting at $39.95