Ok, since I’ve been thinking lately on cooking systems for hiking & backpacking, I figured I’d carry that theme through into this post. There are a lot of nice cook pots & full cooking systems available today, many of which are a bit pricey. Those made of titanium obviously cost more than those of stainless steel or aluminum.
Years ago I bought a GSI Double Boiler cooking system. It’s made of anodized aluminum, weighs under 10 oz & is great to use for 1-2 people. The system I have came with a clear lexan lid. It seems the newer versions now have an aluminum lid. Mine cost less than $20 at the time, and for the price, you can’t beat it. It’s lightweight & has plenty of space when cooking for two. The large pot holds 33 oz, the smaller pot, which can be placed on top of the larger, holds 20 oz. I’ll routinely have the smaller pot heating up water for coffee or tea, while the larger pot is cooking my food. The beauty of this system is that it uses the heat which is generally lost during normal cooking practice. These can be found online at Campsaver.com. 
Campsaver.com
Though the GSI DB works great when I backpack with my sweetheart, I opt for the Snow Peak Mini Solo Titanium cook set when I’m alone. The 28 oz pot with lid & 10 oz cup have a total weight of 5.5 oz. Titanium is the lightest material for cook sets & is stronger than steel.
These are on sale now for less than $50 at Campsaver.com.
GSI has some other cook pots available that, for the price, look fantastic! They’re the Pinnacle Soloist & Dualist Cooking Systems. Made of the same anodized aluminum from which the Double Boiler is made, these things are lightweight & people seem to love them. Because my Double Boiler system is similar to the Soloist, I probably wouldn’t buy it. But the Dualist system is something I’m seriously considering purchasing. The price for both systems is very reasonable.
The GSI Pinnacle Soloist |
The GSI Pinnacle Dualist |
~Steve, The Pilgrim.
Pilgrim, February 23rd 2010 |
Posted in Cooking, Ultralight Backpacking, backpacking, crude reviews
If you haven’t had the chance to watch any of the presentations in the National Parks: America’s Best Idea, then you should take the time to check them out. Here’s one of the previews put together for this presentation. Very well done documentary by Ken Burns. You can watch full episodes at this link, http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/watch-video/#875 . Hope you enjoy it!
~Steve, The Pilgrim.
Pilgrim, February 22nd 2010 |
Posted in videos
This post was actually intended to be made before the last post concerning the Crude Burner. But alas, I figure it’ll do fine here. My main cooking system for the past few years has primarily consisted of the Trangia Spirit Burner, along with the Snow Peak Titanium Solo Cookset.
The whole system weighs less than 10 oz, and packs easily. The burner fits inside the pot, along with my windscreen/pot stand. I’ve read online in places where ppl have stated the Trangia is not very fuel efficient. I disagree with this. On more than one occasion, other hikers/backpackers have tried debating with me how inefficient alcohol stoves are. In every instance, I’ve sat eating my meal, while they tinker with their stoves, or wait for their meal to heat up. Several times I’ve seen ppl almost burn their face or hands while trying to get their stove to work. Of course, this is most likely due to the fact that their stoves are not well looked after, and not to the inefficiency of the stoves themselves. Canister & white gas stoves definitely have their purpose, and I would never try convincing anyone differently. But I will argue the point that alcohol stoves have their purpose as well. My Trangia has performed very well in temps below freezing.
When it comes to lightweight cookware, titanium is the king. Light as aluminum & stronger than steel, this material has become the favorite of hikers & backpackers the world over. I have an aluminum cookset which I still use, but when I’m out solo packing, the Snow Peak Mini is what I carry.
~Steve, The Pilgrim.
Pilgrim, February 21st 2010 |
Posted in Cooking, backpacking, crude gear
