Cookware options?

[The Infamous Grouse]

Hi all! Apologies if this has already been covered.

Essentially; If there was one piece of cookware you could not do without, what would it be??

I pack light and I'm just getting into camping. I'm looking to get a titanium camp mug to do everything with as a cooking/eating/drinking vessel. Any advice or experiences that'll show up the folly of my ways or steer me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance for any comments

 

[Spaniel man]

I wouldn't be without my MSR Titan kettle, had it for years and it ticks all the boxes for me. I've got other ti pots, but this is the one I always grab.
There's tons of reviews of just about all makes and sizes of pot, so just decide what capacity and shape you want, and get one. Ti gear isn't THAT amazing, so don't be blinded by advertising blurb. It has it's disadvantages as well. Sometimes aluminium is just as strong/light etc, and is nicer to use. One thing to watch for if you decide to go for Ti, the cheaper stuff like Alpkit, Tibetan, Toakes et all (they all seem to be made in the same chinese factory!) are made of a different (cheaper) type of Ti than MSR, Evernew and Snowpeak etc. It's darker and not as polished, soot seems to stick to it more, and it's not as nice to drink out of. Also the lids don't fit as well..

 

[The Infamous Grouse]

Thanks for that, that MSR does look handy; I was also looking at an MSR cooking pot, but the titan looks better. Thanks for the advice on the titanium, I was looking at a Vargo; but after what you've said, I think I'll keep looking at alternative options. Cheers mate!

 

[Spaniel man]

THIS place is good.

 

[The Infamous Grouse]

That's a great site; can't believe I've never come across it before! tah

 

[Macaroon]

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co...ans-c9/fire-maple-fmc-207-solo-cookware-p2852

I got one of these recently as a present, and I cook out at least once a day right through the year; this thing is as good as anything I've ever used and does everything for a great solo meal and brew.

After SS and Ti, you notice a huge difference in the cooking properties of Ally, the heat distribution is so much better; makes for better cooking and easier cleaning...............and only twenty rats!

 

[copper_head]

I have a Primus Alutech kettle its pretty light and won't break the bank. I mainly use mine for pot cozy 'cooking' with an Alpkit myticup as a second cooking vessel. I recently got myself the MytiMug which may not look as pretty as the more expensive options but the functionality is just as good but at half the price.

My alutech cook set...

 

[The Infamous Grouse]

Thanks for the replies!

Macaroon, I was looking at an Optimus Terra cook set that looks very similar to this; I just didn't really fancy anything anodised; in a few years I'm looking to have a beaten up old pot that could tell some stories lol. But just to clarify, the aluminium cooks and cleans better than the others, or the other way around?

Copper_head, your little titanium looking cup there (with the sachet) is what I was originally thinking; do you ever put that straight on a fire? dumb question, but how hot do the handles get?

I've now been looking at the Esbit Ti cooking pot, basically a 750ml mug with a perforated lid, found one for £36.

 

[Teepee]

My MSR Titan kettle rarely gets left behind, makes a good man sized coffee mug, can be used as a main pot and titanium doesn't burn lips.

My titanium foil windscreen from the bay is fast becoming well loved too, it works very well with alcy and small gas stoves.

 

[copper_head]

Copper_head, your little titanium looking cup there (with the sachet) is what I was originally thinking; do you ever put that straight on a fire? dumb question, but how hot do the handles get?

Titanium disperses heat very quickly so I've not had any issues with the handles becoming too hot to handle. That said I've only used that cookset with a gas or meths stove. I tend to take use a SS billy pot and crusader mug for open fire cooking, but that might be me being a gear junkie .

 

[The Infamous Grouse]

Thanks guys, that hot handle question has been bugging me a bit!

 

[Spaniel man]

Not a lot wrong with THIS set up for the price

 

[The Infamous Grouse]

Yeah, I thought the same, but I only need the cup, and I found that Esbit new for £36.

 

[Dark Horse Dave]

I was looking at an Optimus Terra cook set that looks very similar to this; I just didn't really fancy anything anodised; in a few years I'm looking to have a beaten up old pot that could tell some stories lol. But just to clarify, the aluminium cooks and cleans better than the others, or the other way around?

Is there any reason you don't fancy anodised? I'm really wondering because I have my eye on a similar Primus set (this one in fact)

 

[The Infamous Grouse]

No really good reason, it's just that the anodising will wear off over time, how long depends on the production quality. I would just personally prefer spending a little more on a lifelong faithful companion (still talking about the cup lol!), solid metal, no coatings; what could possibly go wrong.

 

[rg598]

Well, the type of pot you use will depend on what type of cooking you plan on doing and whether to not you plan on melting snow for water, but along the lines of what you seem to want, here is my minimalist cooking set up, which uses a Stoic 700ml Kettle: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-minimalist-cook-kit.html

 

[The Infamous Grouse]

Like it. I hope not to have to melt snow for water . That kettle looks just like the Esbit one I was thinking of. I reckon that's the way to go to meet my needs. Thanks for the advice mate.

 

[Macaroon]

Ally doesn't get hot spots, the whole vessel heats up evenly so less chance of burning or overcooking, hence less cleaning;
these properties also mean you can do baking-type stuff, bannock etc., much more easily in ally cookware. I find the difference well worth it.

 

[The Infamous Grouse]

Very good point, never thought of that. Great for cooking then, but maybe not so good for then eating/drinking out of. Thanks for the heads up mate

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Had my anodized pans for over 6 years and no sign of wear on the coating. Used them on gas, meths and open fire and no issues.