Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set Review

Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Sturdy construction and efficiency-oriented heat exchanger ring, locking universal pot gripper
Cons: Heavy, especially for a kit that requires addition of other features, heat exchanger ring is a little messy
Manufacturer: Primus
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
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Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Price | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $79.95 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $25 List $24.95 at REI | $55 List $54.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Sturdy construction and efficiency-oriented heat exchanger ring, locking universal pot gripper | Environmental and health-friendly ceramic construction, lightweight and versatile overall construction | Durable, excellent frying pan for discerning cooks, great lid, great value for the set | Super durable, simple design, inexpensive, great for meats, fast boiling time | Light, simple, just the right set of features |
Cons | Heavy, especially for a kit that requires addition of other features, heat exchanger ring is a little messy | Fragile coating and pots dent easily, no features beyond two basic pots | Heavy, no non-stick coating | Limited cooking options, hot spots while cooking | Not suitable for sophisticated cooking |
Bottom Line | Efficiency oriented, with an excellent foundation for the practical, hearty cooking, enthusiastic user | For gourmet and health-conscious campers, this set will form the foundation or three to four campers | A high value car camping set, optimized for performance and compact carry, at a high weight | A super durable stainless steel cook set designed for the solo traveller | A simple pot and basic accessories for ultralight backpacking |
Rating Categories | Primus PrimeTech 2.... | MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set | Stanley Adventure B... | GSI Outdoors Glacie... | MSR Trail Mini Duo |
Cooking Performance (25%) | |||||
Packability (20%) | |||||
Durability (15%) | |||||
Weight (15%) | |||||
Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
Features (10%) | |||||
Specs | Primus PrimeTech 2.... | MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set | Stanley Adventure B... | GSI Outdoors Glacie... | MSR Trail Mini Duo |
Measured Weight | 1.6 lbs | 1 lbs | 4.8 lbs | 1.0 lbs | 0.7 lbs |
Material | Aluminum | Hard-anodized Aluminum | Stainless Steel; pot and pan bottoms have additional layers | Stainless Steel | Hard-anodized Aluminum |
Components | 2 2.3L pots, 1 lid, pot tongs, padded/insulated storage bag | 2L pot, 1.5L pot, strainer lid, 2 plates, 2 mugs, handle | 3.5L pot, vented lid, 7" 3ply frying pan, cutting board, spatula with extending handle, serving spoon with extending handle, ⁴ 6in plates, ⁴ 22oz bowls, ⁴ sporks, dish drying rack, heat resistant trivet, locking bungee | 1L pot, 1 folding handle frypan, bowl, 1 cup, 1 stuff sack | 1.2L pot, 28 oz. bowl, lid, pot lifter, stuff sack |
Avg Boil Time (mins) | 3.12 | 3.58 | 4.12 | 3.05 | 4.02 |
3L Pot? (>2.4L) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1L Pot? (.5-1.4L) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Frying Pan? | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Frying Pan Lid? | N/a | N/a | No | No | N/a |
Packed Size | 7.9 x 5.3 in | 5.3 x 7.8 in | 11 x 6 x 11 in | 6.7 x 6.6 x 3.5 in | 5 x 5.5 in |
Weight of pot closest to 1.5L, with lid and handle | 0.9 lbs | 0.5 lbs | 1.9 lbs | 0.74 lbs | 0.5lbs |
Cooking Surfaces | Non-stick Teflon like coating | One (1.5L) non-stick pot, One (2.5L) uncoated pot | Stainless Steel | 18/8 Stainless steel | Hard anodized |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The two pots that make up this award-winning cook set are solid and clean, and their performance is excellent, with only proven "bells and whistles". Of the cook sets we tested that include efficiency-enhancing "heat exchanging" fins, the Primus pot is a little less efficient, but the other attributes tilt the overall needle back in its direction. The whole combination is an excellent foundation for a genuinely high-end camp kitchen. For true aficionados of camp cooking, those that demand carefully selected equipment for preparing excellent food with ease and enjoyment, the Primus PrimeTech is one of the best pots we've tested.
Performance Comparison
Cooking Performance
We evaluated the cooking performance of each set of cookware on a matrix of objective tests and the subjective results of "day to day use".
On this rubric, the Primus shares the top spot with just one other product. Because boiling water is the foundation of camp cooking, the results of our standardized boiling test are a big part of the overall cooking performance score.
The heat exchanging ring on the bottom of the Primus main pot reduces the boiling time and saves simmering fuel to a significant degree. This same pot, with its broad construction, relatively thick aluminum bottom, and excellent Teflon coating, cooked scrambled eggs remarkably well. On a stove that simmers well, the thick pot walls and the close-fitting lid even work well for backcountry baking tasks.
When preparing boiled water or food, the other products we tested suffered when compared to the Primus. The difference exaggerates even further if one's camp cooking involves melting snow. In other cooking tasks, like sautéing and simmering sauces, the Primus does well too. It does not include a dedicated frying pan, but either the main pot is broad enough to suffice. Its heat exchanger ring offers one of the fastest boiling speeds (3:07 min) while the non-stick coating makes scrambling eggs a breeze.
Packability
The outer dimensions of the packed-up Primus kit are almost exactly average. The 2.3-liter pot forms the rigid outer shell of the kit, enlarged only by the lightly insulated carrying bag. The shape is also fairly average.
To maximize boiling efficiency and cooking ease, a low cylinder shape is pretty standard. (The Primus is shaped this way too.) When it comes to packability, we also consider how much we can fit inside and any effect on the cookware. The two pots of the PrimeTech set nest tightly together, wasting no space. The inside of the inner pot is treated with a nonstick coating, which should be protected from whatever is placed inside. We find that a small piece of a towel is an excellent addition for pot protection and is also a worthy kitchen accessory. We were able to easily fit a small canister of fuel and a small stove inside this set-up, adding to its overall versatility.
Durability
Durability is a function of materials and metal thickness. Thicker metal is less likely to bend or warp. Steel is the strongest, followed by titanium, and then aluminum. Uncoated metals maintain their performance attributes longer.
Pots and pans coated with Teflon and ceramic break down with time, with the ceramic pots safely maintaining higher temperatures longer than the Teflon products.
The Primus pots are aluminum with Teflon coatings. They will dent, but not as easily as some. They will lose their nonstick coatings with use and abuse. In the meantime, though, the cooking performance is worth it.
Weight
The overall Primus set is average, weighing 709 grams. Comparing overall cook sets, however, is problematic, as each set comes with different components and features. In our attempt to better compare products, we weighed the main pot, lid, and handle and then normalized for pot volume. For the cooking performance it demonstrates (above average), this weighted scoring is admirable.
That said, it is a common choice for use on lightweight missions where fuel efficiency is of most importance. The large volume of both pots allows you to cook meals for up to three people, boiling water quickly on the go. This higher volume output means using fewer resources and more value in the long run. While it's not the lightest cooking set out there, it certainly has functions in all sorts of capacities.
Ease of Use
Pots are mostly fairly simple to use, and any differences are fairly subtle. We like the locking, universal handle/gripper of the Primus set. The heat exchanger ring lends a little stability when the pot is set on narrow camp stove burners. The lid is easy to put on and off, and its plastic construction stays cool, and the lid strainer separates water from the cooked pasta.
The accumulation of simple, bombproof usability attributes in the Primus PrimeTech pot set puts it near the top of the heap regarding usability. It is simple, stable, and easy to use.
Features
There are no extra features to speak of. The one extra that is included in the insulated "cozy" that doubles as the carry bag. While we couldn't find much use for this attribute, some will certainly like the option to insulate your heated or cooled cooking pot and its contents.
It is likely a feature that you learn, over more time than we had, to incorporate into your habits and patterns. It is exactly the lack of accessories that set the Primus apart. No cook set is perfect. For high performance, high-efficiency, regular, and frequent camp cooking, connoisseurs will want to assemble their kits. For those, a basic, well thought out set of pots will form the backbone of a tailor-made kit. The PrimeTech doesn't have any extra parts that you will have to compromise on or have to replace.
Value
If you find cooking performance to be of value, you'll find this to be a product of great quality, despite the seemingly high price. If you prefer a spartan set-up with fewer features and better overall performance, this contender will last you a long time (when properly cared for) and perform for many years to come. Use it while car camping or backpacking.
Conclusion
This Primus PrimeTech equipment is the ticket for the engaged shopper that wants the best of the best. He or she will also need to secure a frying pan, cups, plates, cutting board, and cutlery to have a complete kitchen kit. It offers amazing cooking performance, good durability, and packable design, all at a great price.
— Amber King & Jediah Porter
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