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View Full Version : Who really "cooks" in a 900ml pot. Is it too small?



fastfoxengineering
09-16-2014, 12:52
I'm contemplating stepping down a size in my cook setup. Unfortunately because Titanium is expensive, I cannot just buy a new pot and practice with it then find out it does not work. I think I might go out and buy a really cheap similar sized pot (900ml or slightly less) and began experimenting at home with it too see if I can COOK in it.

I'm considering picking up the Trail Designs Caldera Sidewinder Ti-Tri with all the goodies. The full inferno setup with floor, etc. I'm interested into getting into wood-burning when I want. But having an efficient alcohol setup for my regular cooking duties. I'll even keep the gram cracker in there with one esbit cube just for fun. I like options.

I like to go ultralight where I can, but these accessories only add 1-2oz and I'll use them outside of ultra-light backpacking trips. Well, I'll even use them during ultra-light backpacking trips. Weight isn't even what I'm addressing here.

Does anyone have any resources of people cooking meals for one in their 900ml pot with success? I know I can cook in my 1.3L pot with ease for one. I can make a really hearty meal if need be. I feel like if I step down to a 900ml pot it would be too small/inconvenient in the volume department. However I gain advantages such as packability and weight savings.

My only nitpicks with the 1.3L is it is a "little" too big for me personally. I don't know why but it bugs me because most of the time I'm not utilizing the volume the of the pot, and therefore it's a waste. However, it is easy to cook in. Has plenty of volume for a hearty meal and hot h20 for a drink.

So, COOKING in a 900ml pot. What's your success stories?

Furthermore, if Evernew or Toaks offered a 1.1L wide bottom pot... I think it would be their best seller. A thru-hiker's dream pot.

Starchild
09-16-2014, 13:18
Someone was offering a swap 1.3 for a 0.9 recently here IIRC.

But to answer your question, what do you mean 'cook' I have used a 0.75l Ti pot, practicing at home, to make almost everything imaginable. On the trail my cooking is simplified. Sometimes I do have to cut the ingredient down to fit (lets say if I'm making sausage and peppers, I have to precut the sausages instead of cook them whole), but volume wise I find it is good for 1 person 'cooking'. YMMV

tiptoe
09-16-2014, 13:37
I use a 900ml pot, and it works just fine for dehydrated meals. I use a smaller frying pan on top, which functions both as a cover and to boil water (well, sometimes it doesn't quite boil, but it gets close enough) for tea. And a piece of folded aluminum foil serves as a cover for the whole thing. The 900ml pot, with fry pan inverted as a lid) is big enough to hold my pot scrubber, aluminum foil cover, small lighter, two short coat-hanger sections, aluminum flashing windscreen, and a plastic spoon. And the whole thing fits neatly with the rest of my gear. A 1300ml pot would be much more of a space hog.

Just Bill
09-16-2014, 13:44
read, but missed responding to your first thread-
If you truly cook in your pot- you may want to get a hard anodized aluminum, perhaps even non-stick pot instead of TI.
I cook in TI pots, but constrain myself to liquid type meals, soups and stews or just boiling water for freezer bag meals.
I do not cook things like Mac and cheese or "dry" meals in TI. (though I don't use them, many lipton side style meals would be meals I would think of as dry) You can brown a few things or cook with some oil over a low enough heat, but the instant heat transfer and very high hot spot behavior of TI makes them hard to truly cook in. Once you char them, even at home with a good brillo pad they are hard to clean back up and more prone to burning foods in the future.

Generally speaking- when I want to go light and fast- I use TI and keep the meals simple. When I'm out and taking time to cook, the ounce or two heavier pot isn't a deal breaker and produces better meals.

Regarding size- I consider 750ml about the smallest pot I would use to cook in my pot. A pack of Ramen, a few dried veggies and water to cook it all will take 600-650ml easy, and it's no fun to stir any meal at the brim of the pot or spend 20 minutes ensuring you stove is dead level. 900 ml is a good size for most meals. If you require meals bigger than that solo, likely you need to eat/snack more frequently during the day. If you are looking to one-shot a meal and hot drink, a better plan in my experience is to consider the hot drink separately. If you want it prior to the meal, fill the pot, pour off your drink into a cozie and then top off the pot to finish cooking. If you want the drink after the meal, then transfer the food into a cozie and refill the pot to boil your drink. This does your dishes at the same time.

I would rather have a cozie along (currently using the Ziploc twist lock style) than a bigger pot. This container allows me to rehydrate things on the move if needed and provides more versatility than a bigger pot. I can soak some veggies or food to cut down cooking time, as well as take meals "to go". I often do this when moving quickly as it lets me cook and do chores at a water source(low spot), then carry my meal a short distance to a view (high spot) to sit down and eat.

Caldera Cone is an excellent stove, with the only big ding being the one you mentioned- you have to be sure what pot you want to use.
I would suggest getting a hard anodized AL pot in 900ml and play with it a bit before you pull the trigger.
FWIW- I prefer the Esbit/wood combo to the Alchy. You can leave the fuel bottle and stove at home, carry the gram cracker Esbit instead. Now you are really talking a 2 ounce stove (cone, gram cracker, and two stakes, Tyvek sleeve). In addition, I carry a film canister to store partially used Esbit tabs in. These can be used at dinner time to start a fire. An extra tab or two also does double duty as emergency fire starter, although a small packet of Vaseline cotton balls is lighter and more useful) I DID NOT purchase the inferno insert, I didn't feel it was worth the money. In addition, when I make a wood fire, it is often because I will have a full fire for dessert. So the cone is set up in a pit and used much like a chimney charcoal starter for the evenings fire. You can always add the insert later...
If enjoying a fire, I may even rake a few coals over, set the caldera on top, and heat up/warm up that drink I mentioned earlier to save fuel.
Finally- once you choose a pot size- wide flat is better for the caldera cone (and generally) Also- if you shop carefully- you can likely find both a TI and AL pot style that will work with the same stove so that you have each option. Rand is very helpful, he may have a combo deal for you, or even allow you to buy the AL pot/cone combo now and add the TI pot later.

Gambit McCrae
09-16-2014, 13:48
I have the 1L Ti evernew pasta pot. First time using it I wanted to COOK! So I made up this habenaro cheese penna chicken which resulted in me permantly blackening the bottom inside of my 80$ pot, and having burnt tasting penne. SO, I only use my TI pot for boiling now, as well as coffee. I stick to the boil bags, I also use it to cook the uncle bens rice still in the bag.

Odd Man Out
09-16-2014, 14:01
I like my Olicamp XTS pot. It not really UL, but it is anodized aluminum, and it has a heat exchanger on the bottom for efficient heating. It is listed as a vol. of 1.0 L so a bit bigger than 900 mL. I like the fact that the height to width ratio is about 1:1. Easy to get into while keeping down weight and surface area.

http://www.olicamp.com/products-pots/xts-pot

fastfoxengineering
09-16-2014, 14:20
I like to cook just about anything. A cup of pasta and some veggies is a "normal" meal for me. A packet of ramen and some extras is never enough. I'm gonna have to buy a cheap .9L pot and experiment at home before I commit to a Titanium setup.

squeezebox
09-16-2014, 14:27
Maybe go to Xmart and get a cheap pot the size you're thinking of just to check out the size. When you decide what size pot you want, Go out and buy it in Ti.

Just Bill
09-16-2014, 14:47
I like to cook just about anything. A cup of pasta and some veggies is a "normal" meal for me. A packet of ramen and some extras is never enough. I'm gonna have to buy a cheap .9L pot and experiment at home before I commit to a Titanium setup.

Sorta my point with the cozie. The twist loc comes in 1L or .5L sizes. I prefer the 1L. Let's look at your pasta prima-vera-
Boil 750ml of water, pour off about a cup to into the cozie to "cook" your veggies in.
Add enough water to the pot to cook pasta Al-dente. Strain veggies, and dump pasta (water and all) into the cozie with the veggies. Let stand to finish cooking.
Add a little oil to the bottom of your pot, fresh garlic and spices and toast it up a bit. Add sauce of choice (let's say dried pasta sauce flakes) into the pan, pour enough of the pasta water over to reconstitute sauce and stir often.
Remove from heat- strain pasta/veggies then dump sauce into cozie and eat. Or dump in pot if you prefer and reserve water for tea.

You can do a lot more with pot+ cozie (or combo pot with lid as mentioned above) for a given volume. Usually it's no so much volume as space to cook everything.

Regarding the Ramen-
I agree- ramen is my junk food, I like it for lunch or snack. What you need to look at isn't cooking a double batch of ramen to fill you up, but eating food of double the quality. 750ml of beans, rice, and veggies will fill you up, 750ml of junk food, not so much. Soaking the beans and veggies in the cozie for a few hours before dinner, means I can simmer those up with some additional water and cook 5 minute brown rice at the same time in the same pot. I can even transfer that mess into the 1L cozie, drop a little oil, garlic, and sunflower seeds into the pot to toast a little and build flavor, then remove from heat and combine.

It's not that often that we use a single container at home to cook complicated, healthy, filling meals. I find the second container meets this need and allows cooking full meals in as small as a 750ml pot. It also allows you to cook side dishes like mashed potatoes or mixed veggies in the cozie while your main dish heats up in the main pot. Examine a bit how and what you cook at home and how you do it, for most meals I've found that using my cozie as a second pot makes meal time easier and more diverse.

BTW- the cozie is an excellent substitute for the "freezer bag" in freezer bag cooking- saving messy trash, weight, and adding an actual bowl to eat from that is easy to clean up.

tiptoe
09-16-2014, 14:53
Yes, forgot to mention that both my pot options are anodized aluminum. Food doesn't burn, for the most part, and they clean up easily. I don't lose any sleep over the extra weight. I do like to travel light, but I'm not obsessed with the notion, and ti just strikes me as way too pricey.

Odd Man Out
09-16-2014, 15:12
I like my Olicamp XTS pot. It not really UL, but it is anodized aluminum, and it has a heat exchanger on the bottom for efficient heating. It is listed as a vol. of 1.0 L so a bit bigger than 900 mL. I like the fact that the height to width ratio is about 1:1. Easy to get into while keeping down weight and surface area.

http://www.olicamp.com/products-pots/xts-pot

I would add that I use the Olicamp pot with alcohol stoves, but you can't use a side burning stove where the pot sets on the stove (like a super cat or bottle stove). You need to have a center burning stove with a pot stand. I have not used Esbit, but should work fine. It also works with canister stoves. With the heat exchanger, it is a bit like a Jetboil. I'm not sure if I have "cooked" in this pot. It depends on your definition of cook. I put in food, water, boil, put the whole pot in a pot cozy (AGG DIY kit), let set, eat.

Just Bill
09-16-2014, 15:16
http://www.olicamp.com/products-pots/lt-pot
[U][COLOR=#0066cc]http://www.amazon.com/TOAKS-Titanium-900ml-115mm-Diameter/dp/B00JZ1CLE8/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1410894650&sr=1-2&keywords=toaks+900ml

Just an example- 2 oz more, 100ml more room- half the cost for the Olicamp without the heat exchanger.
Not talking enough weight really to agonize too much...

I would talk to Rand at Trail Designs- I'm pretty sure he knows of pot combo's that are the same size and come in TI or AL versions so you have the option of buying one Caldera Cone.

slbirdnerd
09-16-2014, 15:18
I mostly freezer bag so usually just boil water in mine, but I have cooked ramen in it. Once you get it right, I think freezer bagging is the way to go if you don't like to carry a lot of cooking gear.

Just Bill
09-16-2014, 15:21
I would add that I use the Olicamp pot with alcohol stoves, but you can't use a side burning stove where the pot sets on the stove (like a super cat or bottle stove). You need to have a center burning stove with a pot stand. I have not used Esbit, but should work fine. It also works with canister stoves. With the heat exchanger, it is a bit like a Jetboil. I'm not sure if I have "cooked" in this pot. It depends on your definition of cook. I put in food, water, boil, put the whole pot in a pot cozy (AGG DIY kit), let set, eat.

Only issue with heat exchanger and Esbit- if you don't take the pot to a regular fire every so often the Esbit gunk builds up pretty fierce.
Otherwise good system overall and as you mention, at least half of the Jetboil's success comes from using a heat exchanger.

Coupled with this stove- http://www.amazon.com/Olicamp-Ion-Micro-Stove-FMS-300T/dp/B00BISD16I/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1410895123&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=oicamp+stove

you have a light system that is very efficient for under $80 and eight ounces. Cheaper than jetboil, just as good, AND you can take it to the fire or use your pot with alchy stoves too. Right up there with CC system IMO.

fastfoxengineering
09-16-2014, 15:34
I just experimented with a 1L steel cook pot I have in my house. Boiled three cups of water. 2 for some pasta and one for a cup of coffee. I definitely feel like it would be too small to actually cook in. Just enough volume to get by, but not convenient. It would be hard to stir and the pot would always be filled to the brim at the start of cooking. And by that I mean, a good portion of pasta needs more than two cups of h20 to cook it properly. On the other hand, by incorpartiong a pot cozy such as Just Bill is suggesting then the pot would be sufficient in volume to make really just about anything. Unfortunately, I want the option of doing full cooking in the pot. I think the 1.3L is still going to serve me better. I can make generous portions of food easily, melt decent amounts of snow, cook for two if need be, all hassle free.

I'm not completely concerned about conserving fuel because I want to get into wood burning. Those are the instances I will prob do most of my "real" cooking. If I'm using my alcohol, I'll prob be boiling a little water for FBC or just simple 2 cup meals. With wood burning, I don't care about how much fuel/water I use. But I love the option.

I should note, my cooking isn't setup for JUST an AT thru-hike per say. If I was doing a thru-hike, my approach would be similar, but i would probably simplify my meals more. On overnights and such, I would lug up real food and cook in pot over a wood burner. On a thru, I would probably still cook over a fire sparingly. But I like having the option to do so.

I'm ranting a little and don't know if I fell off subject, but by testing out my 1L pot I have in my kitchen to cook a meal. I made some observations.

I can cook in it. I made a pot of pasta with sauce and Parmesan cheese. Easily ate all the pasta and I'm not even hiker hungry. But it was a MEAL.

I almost max'd out its volume for REAL cooking with something I consider a normal meal. Sometimes I like to eat more. So, that's a big negative for the 900ml. Not enough food can fit when I'm pigging out.

Cooking in my 1.3L is more convenient when it comes to stirring, boil overs, adding more ingredients, experimenting with different foods.

It's going to take some refining to make a 900ml pot work. I don't like that when it comes to food, I like to be flexible in my diet and have alot of options rather than FBC and boil in bag methods.

I can do everything I need in the 1.3L but not the other way around. In the 1.3L I can use 3-4 cups to cook with, and still have plenty of room for extra fluid for a hot drink. This may sound crazy to some of you to use 3-4 cups for dinner. But that's what it takes to properly cook a lot of pasta or rice.

For now, the 1.3L is just a tad too much volume. But when the hiker hunger kicks in, it would probably be perfect.

I still think Evernew would sell a lot of wide bottom 1.1L pots. Would be ideal for me.

bigcranky
09-16-2014, 16:03
We've used a 900ml Snow Peak pot for two people for a while. We do cook in it, usually a Knorr side or something similar (couscous, mac and cheese) with a bag of chicken or bacon and some dried veggies. It's perfect for us.

This summer we got a JetBoil and to save weight I got the Ti version, 800ml. It doesn't seem much smaller, but it was just a bit too small for this sort of cooking. We made do, but I would buy the 1-liter JB pot for next time and save the smaller one for solo hiking.

If you want to try the 900-ml SP Ti pot, I can probably make you a good deal :)

The Solemates
09-16-2014, 16:20
dont use an aluminum pot unless you want cancer or alzheimers. go with Ti or stainless

Starchild
09-16-2014, 17:12
I'm not completely concerned about conserving fuel because I want to get into wood burning. Those are the instances I will prob do most of my "real" cooking. If I'm using my alcohol, I'll prob be boiling a little water for FBC or just simple 2 cup meals. With wood burning, I don't care about how much fuel/water I use. But I love the option.

FBC is inherently inefficient. It is a tradeoff between efficiency and convenience.

slbirdnerd
09-16-2014, 19:18
FBC is inherently inefficient. It is a tradeoff between efficiency and convenience.How do you figure?

Odd Man Out
09-16-2014, 19:35
Only issue with heat exchanger and Esbit- if you don't take the pot to a regular fire every so often the Esbit gunk builds up pretty fierce.
Otherwise good system overall and as you mention, at least half of the Jetboil's success comes from using a heat exchanger.

Coupled with this stove- http://www.amazon.com/Olicamp-Ion-Micro-Stove-FMS-300T/dp/B00BISD16I/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1410895123&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=oicamp+stove

you have a light system that is very efficient for under $80 and eight ounces. Cheaper than jetboil, just as good, AND you can take it to the fire or use your pot with alchy stoves too. Right up there with CC system IMO.

Good to know about the Esbit. I've sometimes thought about getting the Olicamp pot without the heat exchanger. It would be a great chance to test otherwise identical pots to see what the real effect of the heat exchanger is. I've looked at that Olicamp Ion Micro Stove. I'm not convinced that that pot supports are long enough to support my pot with the heat exchanger. Should be fine with a flat bottom pot. I'm a bit paranoid about tipping over my dinner so I tend towards wide pot stands. I'm considering the Soto Windmaster instead. It's gotten lots of good reviews. Also very light. Gives me an option for when there is a fire ban and alcohol is not an option. As you pointed out, having options is nice.

Odd Man Out
09-16-2014, 19:38
One other thing about the Olicamp pot, if you are a real gram weenie, you can swap out the rubber coated SS wire handles (which are very stout), with lighter DIY wire handles. I made some from a clothes hanger. Saves maybe up to an oz. The handles pop on and off easily with no tools, damage, or modifications necessary.

Alligator
09-16-2014, 22:56
I just experimented with a 1L steel cook pot I have in my house. Boiled three cups of water. 2 for some pasta and one for a cup of coffee. I definitely feel like it would be too small to actually cook in. Just enough volume to get by, but not convenient. It would be hard to stir and the pot would always be filled to the brim at the start of cooking. And by that I mean, a good portion of pasta needs more than two cups of h20 to cook it properly. On the other hand, by incorpartiong a pot cozy such as Just Bill is suggesting then the pot would be sufficient in volume to make really just about anything. Unfortunately, I want the option of doing full cooking in the pot. I think the 1.3L is still going to serve me better. I can make generous portions of food easily, melt decent amounts of snow, cook for two if need be, all hassle free.

I'm not completely concerned about conserving fuel because I want to get into wood burning. Those are the instances I will prob do most of my "real" cooking. If I'm using my alcohol, I'll prob be boiling a little water for FBC or just simple 2 cup meals. With wood burning, I don't care about how much fuel/water I use. But I love the option.

I should note, my cooking isn't setup for JUST an AT thru-hike per say. If I was doing a thru-hike, my approach would be similar, but i would probably simplify my meals more. On overnights and such, I would lug up real food and cook in pot over a wood burner. On a thru, I would probably still cook over a fire sparingly. But I like having the option to do so.

I'm ranting a little and don't know if I fell off subject, but by testing out my 1L pot I have in my kitchen to cook a meal. I made some observations.

I can cook in it. I made a pot of pasta with sauce and Parmesan cheese. Easily ate all the pasta and I'm not even hiker hungry. But it was a MEAL.

I almost max'd out its volume for REAL cooking with something I consider a normal meal. Sometimes I like to eat more. So, that's a big negative for the 900ml. Not enough food can fit when I'm pigging out.

Cooking in my 1.3L is more convenient when it comes to stirring, boil overs, adding more ingredients, experimenting with different foods.

It's going to take some refining to make a 900ml pot work. I don't like that when it comes to food, I like to be flexible in my diet and have alot of options rather than FBC and boil in bag methods.

I can do everything I need in the 1.3L but not the other way around. In the 1.3L I can use 3-4 cups to cook with, and still have plenty of room for extra fluid for a hot drink. This may sound crazy to some of you to use 3-4 cups for dinner. But that's what it takes to properly cook a lot of pasta or rice.

For now, the 1.3L is just a tad too much volume. But when the hiker hunger kicks in, it would probably be perfect.

I still think Evernew would sell a lot of wide bottom 1.1L pots. Would be ideal for me.Sounds like you have got it mostly figured out. Since you like to cook, stick with 1.3. I've got two 900 ml pots and I generally go with the 900 as I pretty much always carry home dehydrated meals. I'm never cooking more than a ramen or a Lipton besides that. I may cook pasta in it once in a blue moon.

Something that I do to fill up for supper is that I have a little dinner and a big dinner. I might have ramen or other soup, mashed potatoes, maybe instant grits, or even a liptons as a first meal and then a dehydrated main meal. This always keeps me full. I also carry a titanium sierra cup for hot drinks.

Starchild
09-16-2014, 23:06
How do you figure?

The bag is just another step added instead of directly cooking the food in the pot. Yes it does not mess up the pot but each additional step away from the heat source does introduce inefficiencies.

Just Bill
09-16-2014, 23:32
The weight difference between the .9l and the 1.3l Evernew uncoated TI pot is 15 grams. If your unicorn 1.1L pot existed you would theoretically save 7.5 grams, but probably less. I wouldn't loose any sleep over committing to the 1.3L.

If that 7 grams is really killing you- cut the silicone wrap off the handle and use your bandana to grab the handles. You'll likely reach your goal.

Sounds though like you have discovered the reason most of own several cooksets...

garyp
09-17-2014, 09:58
for $30.00 that isn't a bad price.

fastfoxengineering
09-17-2014, 16:07
The weight difference between the .9l and the 1.3l Evernew uncoated TI pot is 15 grams. If your unicorn 1.1L pot existed you would theoretically save 7.5 grams, but probably less. I wouldn't loose any sleep over committing to the 1.3L.

If that 7 grams is really killing you- cut the silicone wrap off the handle and use your bandana to grab the handles. You'll likely reach your goal.

Sounds though like you have discovered the reason most of own several cooksets...

I do notice how one accumulates multiple stove/pot setups. Cooking is such a huge variable on the trail. I don't know how people eat knorrs sides for dinner for 6 months straight. God bless them, I just can't do it.

I'm not that concerned about saving 15grams of weight. I just figured if I didn't need the extra volume, then theirs no reason not to take advantage of the weight/space savings in my pack, even if it's only a small amount. Every bit does add up.

As for now, I'm going to stick with my 1.3L. I'll probably buy a CC ti-tri sidewinder in the near future. Hunting season is coming around and that's when I do most of my "real" cooking when I camp. I'm not hiking 15-20 miles a day. I would love to be wood burning this fall with that system and cooking up some good eats.

I also already cut off those silicon handles covers a while ago. They were not useless but I figured they were gonna burn off or something sooner or later being used on a fire. I've never had a problem with the handles getting too hot to touch.

Thank you for your advice, you've given me some useful information during my time here on whiteblaze.

meat803
09-24-2014, 10:08
Just an FYI for those that don't know. You can take a cheap ace hardware blowtorch to a Ti pot and it will remove creosote and/or anything burnt solid to your pot.

I am curious if you could just stick it inside your over when you do a self clean cycle.

Dogwood
09-24-2014, 14:40
Who really "cooks" in a 900ml pot. Is it too small?

I've been fairly exclusively using a Snow Peak Mini Solo 28 oz(828 ml) pot for the past 8+ yrs on more than 25K trail miles. Plenty big enough for me.

CarlZ993
09-24-2014, 15:05
I use an Evernew 0.9L pot (titanium only; no non-stick coating) to 'cook' solo meals. For me, cooking means boiling water, adding my food, stirring, and then putting the pot in a pot cozy made out of Reflectrix (you can make one from material from Home Depot or buy one ready made from Antigravitygear.com). I wait about 10-15 min while the food continues to 'cook' in the cozy. For example, if your recipe calls for 7 min simmer, just double the time in the pot cozy. Nothing gets burned to the bottom of the pot.

You can put a lot of food in a 0.9L pot. Add some olive oil & some sort of nut mix (equal parts cashews, almonds, & sunflower seeds ground up in a food processor) for extra taste & calories.

Odd Man Out
09-24-2014, 16:11
I use an Evernew 0.9L pot (titanium only; no non-stick coating) to 'cook' solo meals. For me, cooking means boiling water, adding my food, stirring, and then putting the pot in a pot cozy made out of Reflectrix (you can make one from material from Home Depot or buy one ready made from Antigravitygear.com). I wait about 10-15 min while the food continues to 'cook' in the cozy. For example, if your recipe calls for 7 min simmer, just double the time in the pot cozy. Nothing gets burned to the bottom of the pot.

You can put a lot of food in a 0.9L pot. Add some olive oil & some sort of nut mix (equal parts cashews, almonds, & sunflower seeds ground up in a food processor) for extra taste & calories.

Exactly what I do.

Cadenza
10-05-2014, 22:32
This will sound like heresy to the UL faction, but I actually take two Titanium pots, both the Evernew .9 (900 ml) and the 1.3 L.
They nest together, and are worth the negligible weight.
The 1.3 is used only for boiling a full liter of water, usually coffee for two people.

I cook only for myself in the .9
Cooking and eating well is a big part of the camping experience for me. Almost all my meals are prepared from fresh groceries. I hate freeze dried, packaged commercial stuff (like Mountain House, Knors, etc.).

I cut up raw veggies, potatoes, carrots, celery, garlic, onion, sun dried tomatoes, etc. and make stews and veg soups from scratch.
Sometimes I soak dried beans in a zip-lock baggie all day then simmer for hours on a campfire.
Other times I have real rice, real red beans, and mild Italian sausage. The rice and beans are made in the pot. The sausage is grilled on the Purcell Trench grill over coals.
I've been cooking from scratch on a campfire for over 30 years. Now having stated the above, .....I just recently got an Excalibur dehydrator and am looking forward to experimenting.

Either way,......the .9 Evernew is plenty big enough for me.

swjohnsey
10-06-2014, 09:03
I also use the Evernew 1.3 uncoated titanium pot. I carry a plastic "dish" made out of the bottom of a creamer container that I can eat out of but mostly to drink coffee from. My Simmerlite stove nests inside.

Connie
11-04-2014, 20:28
My first cookware for backpacking included a reasonably lightweight 1.3 liter stainless steel cooking pot, Swiss brand I think. Next, I had an aluminum nesting "billy can" set I never liked. Because I did not have a way to "simmer" I felt my dinner was always at risk of burning at the bottom of the pan. I liked the 1.3 liter pan, because I could see into the pan to see if I needed to stir things up a bit, scraping the bottom of the pan with a spatula.

The problem, like the OP, is the volume of the pan is unreasonable for packing well, and, it is too big for cooking for one.

I have the problem solved with the open design of the Vargo 750 titanium. It has a lid. It has a folding handle that is sturdy when it is in position to grasp.

I can easily see into the Vargo 750 Sierra to see how the cooking is progressing and scrape the pan with a spatula.

Now that we have carbon cloth to have a simmer, I can prepare any entree.

I am referring to the cut-out carbon cloth circle that is put over the flame, so only the center of the flame reaches the pan. http://www.woodgaz-stove.com/carbon-felt-disc-and-rectangle-pot-grabber.php

I have my meal one item at a time. In that manner, I need only one pan for food preparation and for consumming the food.

That is how I like "cooking for one".

Wise Old Owl
11-04-2014, 21:49
dont use an aluminum pot unless you want cancer or alzheimers. go with Ti or stainless

ouch this has been vilified.. Even if you have not eaten paint chips as a child. You still have Iron, Mercury in your blood... go get tested if you don't believe me.


Aluminum toxicity occurs when a person ingests or breathes high levels of aluminum into the body.
Aluminum is the most plentiful metal in the earth’s crust. It is present in the environment combined with other elements such as oxygen, silicon, and fluorine.
Exposure to aluminum is usually not harmful, but exposure to high levels can cause serious health problems. If you think you have been exposed to high levels of aluminum, contact your doctor.

*Causes

Because aluminum is found in food, water, air, and soil, people may be exposed to high levels of aluminum when they:


Drink or ingest substances containing high levels of aluminum
Breath aluminum dust in workplace air
Live where aluminum is mined or processed
Live near certain hazardous waste sites
Live where aluminum is naturally high


*Risk Factors

Anyone can develop this condition, but certain people are more likely to develop aluminum toxicity. The following factors increase your chances of developing aluminum toxicity. If you have either of these risk factors, tell your doctor:


Diminished kidney function
Hemodialysis
Drinking or ingesting substances that are high in aluminum
Living or working in an environment that contains high levels of aluminum
Receiving long-term intravenous nutrition
Live in dusty environments



Definition

Aluminum toxicity occurs when a person ingests or breathes high levels of aluminum into the body.
Aluminum is the most plentiful metal in the earth’s crust. It is present in the environment combined with other elements such as oxygen, silicon, and fluorine.
Exposure to aluminum is usually not harmful, but exposure to high levels can cause serious health problems. If you think you have been exposed to high levels of aluminum, contact your doctor.
*

fastfoxengineering
11-05-2014, 14:33
After about a month of messing around with a 950ml stainless steel cook pot I have in my kitchen and my 1.3L titanium pot I still am having a hard time doing real cooking in the 950mlpot. It just doesn't have the space needed to use the right amount of water for proper boil cooking and stirring becomes an issue.

Just for an example. And this is an extremely simple meal.

1 packet of ramen calls for 2 cups of water. I, as well as, many others eat 2 packets of ramen at one time. So calling for 4 cups of water equates to roughly 946ml of H20.

So before I even add the ramen to the pot which will take a lot more volume, I am over a 900ml cook pot.

In my 1.3L cookpot, adding the correct amount of water and the 2 bricks of ramen brings me to about 1100-1200ml mark.

After boiling for a little bit food typically absorbs some water and some h20 boils off.

I'm just pointing out that you cannot follow the directions to cooking 2 packets of ramen to a T in a 900ml pot.

I understand that one, you don't really need two cups of water per packet at all, it's overkill, and two, this is why so many people do FBC and pot cozy cooking.

But for someone who is making full in pot meals in the backcountry with full boil times and "real" food. I find a 900ml pot to be too small.

Regards

Cadenza
11-07-2014, 01:23
When I was younger, I ate more. I used to cook in the 1.3
As I get older I find my appetite is not quite as big and the .9 is fine.
It really comes down to HOW MUCH do you need to fill the tank?

Connie
11-10-2014, 15:29
I think 900 ml is huge. Find a smaller pot, to fit inside the 900 ml. Use a ring of metal from a small cat food tin, place the smaller ml pot inside the 900 ml on top of the "baking ring" to make trail muffins, fudge brownie mix, whatever.

That's cookin'

The rest of the time, use the smaller ml pot as a cup.

There, that is a complete kitchen for a solo backpacker.

oh, try Pad Thai. It is a tasty and "appetite satisfying" dish.

Just Bill
11-10-2014, 16:32
I understand that one, you don't really need two cups of water per packet at all, it's overkill, and two, this is why so many people do FBC and pot cozy cooking.

But for someone who is making full in pot meals in the backcountry with full boil times and "real" food. I find a 900ml pot to be too small.

Regards

Congrats- This is the classic example of informed HYOH. You listened to others, understand how others do it, tried each method and ultimately choose what works for your style of hike.

Enjoy slugging down that big ol pot of food at the end of the day, you've earned it!

In addition, that big pot is likely perfect for steam baked GINGERbread men if'n you're feeling like desert is in order- just a thought.:banana

fastfoxengineering
11-10-2014, 21:51
Congrats- This is the classic example of informed HYOH. You listened to others, understand how others do it, tried each method and ultimately choose what works for your style of hike.

Enjoy slugging down that big ol pot of food at the end of the day, you've earned it!

In addition, that big pot is likely perfect for steam baked GINGERbread men if'n you're feeling like desert is in order- just a thought.:banana

Just Bill.. your never gonna let the Ginger thing go are ya bud lol! I'm proud of my red locks. But yeah, at 5'8" and 150lbs. I can eat like an animal. 2 packets of ramen and a chicken pouch is a normal dinner for me. And sometimes I want more. I am NOT one of those people that goes hungry till they get to town to chow down. I eat a lot on the trail, cause my metabolism is so high, I need the calories for energy.

Maybe I need to find more energy/calorie dense food. I am looking to getting into dehydrating my own meals, but that'll only work for shorter trips or mail drop scenarios.

Just for fun in order for me not to go to bed hungry, which, is the worst thing ever. This is what a typical day on the LT was like.

1-2 bagels with peanut butter, jam, nutella for breakfast. Accompanied with water, green tea, or instant coffee. Usually 2 snacks before usually, sometimes three. A snack was typically an energy bar, some trail mix, granola bar, candy bar, etc. A lunch consisted of a cheese and salami, or tuna wrap with a snack. Two more snacks before dinner. Then a hefty dinner and don't forget desert.

Like I said.. everyone gocked at my food bag. But it was always about empty going into town.

fastfoxengineering
11-10-2014, 21:52
ps... I do not like gingerbread men cookies lol.

July
11-10-2014, 22:29
Just an FYI for those that don't know. You can take a cheap ace hardware blowtorch to a Ti pot and it will remove creosote and/or anything burnt solid to your pot.

I am curious if you could just stick it inside your over when you do a self clean cycle.

I kinda prefer to leave mine 'seasoned', and use dedicated stuffsack.

Connie
11-11-2014, 20:59
I think food satisfaction is important for trail food.

I am never satisfied by bagels, or, tuna fish or tuna anything. It just leaves me hungry, as ever.

I am an advocate of calorie dense. I think I have become an advocate of food satisfaction.

I never had Pad Thai before. I got Stick's Blog: I liked the idea of using so little water. I tried it.

I looked at the finished dish. I thought, that is not enough food for anyone!

To my surprise, Pad Thai had a great deal of food satisfaction. I can't wait to try it out on the trail, and, find out if it has sustained value.

Is it the "magic" of ingredients that go so well together?

I find any item on the Highly Beneficial food list, in D'Adamo, has sustained value.

Is Pad Thai ingredients on my Highly Beneficial ingredients food lists?

For example, walnuts are on the Highly Beneficial list for my constitutional-type. I have even a few walnuts. I feel strong.

I am thinking, this is a big part of why I am so happy with my Vargo Sierra 750, a 750 ml cook pot.

I am eating differently.

blgoode
01-17-2015, 22:44
Ine complete box of shells macaroni. The smaller 7.5oz size.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/bgoode/2014/2169E614-9C15-491B-9DE1-949AB0FAC87E_zpsha3dp2fx.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bgoode/media/2014/2169E614-9C15-491B-9DE1-949AB0FAC87E_zpsha3dp2fx.jpg.html)

LuckyMan
01-21-2015, 12:30
I'm a big eater and almost got a 1.2- or 1.3-liter pot, but my 0.9-l titanium pot is big enough for me, including homemade dehydrated meals and Knorrs noodle and rice dishes.

ny breakfast
01-21-2015, 18:12
if you go with the trail designs set up it's worth picking up the simmer ring for the alcohol stove . i cook in the 900ml pot and fbc with it when cooking in the pot stir the center regularly. the caldera cones are addicting i use a 400ml for the occasional fbc and coffee in summer months. 900ml the rest of the time when there is no snow on the ground and the 1300ml for snow melting. the 900ml is the perfect size. most meals will cook with less water then the recipe calls for on the package

fastfoxengineering
01-21-2015, 20:12
Lots of good feedback with this thread. I the op, am sticking with my 1.3L. I even got my CC Ti-Tri sidewinder with inferno for it. It's a pretty sweet setup. I'm staying with my 1.3L for the versatility of it.

I can cook whatever I want in it. A sh"t ton of food or a little, boil large amounts of water for a dinner and drink, melt snow, have a hot bath! So far this setup is going to do everything I need out of a cook kit, year round.

Plus it is "easier" cooking in my 1300 than my 950ml stainless steel pot I have in my kitchen. Less fussy, easier to stir, and never filled directly to the brim.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

zelph
01-25-2015, 13:46
I think "Shug" uses a 900ml pot


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKAFAsPfC4s&list=[/QUOTE]

Awillner
01-25-2015, 14:06
I used a 900ml Ever new pot on my 2014 AT thru hike. Titanium - it worked great, no problems and was easily plenty for one person on a thru hike. I augmented it with an REI titanium double walled mug - Good enough.

squeezebox
01-25-2015, 15:08
July; The thing about putting cookware in an oven on self clean works great for cast iron at home. So if you mess up a cast iron skillet or such putting it in the oven on self clean will bring it back to brand new condition. You will have to re-season.
I don't know about Ti, Al, or stainless steel.

squeezebox
01-25-2015, 15:21
I added a tin can lid to my pot set as a heat spreader, since Ti does not transfer heat as well as Al, or stainless, I wont get the hot spot right under the flame.

Deacon
01-26-2015, 06:11
I added a tin can lid to my pot set as a heat spreader, since Ti does not transfer heat as well as Al, or stainless, I wont get the hot spot right under the flame.

Interesting. Did you attach it somehow to the bottom? Would like to hear more about this.

RED-DOG
01-26-2015, 11:29
I only boil water no need to cook directly in your cook pot just boil water and put it in a zip-lock bag enough said.

Allshookup
01-29-2015, 22:29
If you are wanting a 1.1L pot check out the Toaks 1.1L Titanium Pot. it come in three options. 1. With a flat lid, 2. With a Flat lid and a with Bail Handle, 3. With a Fry Pan for a Lid. I hope this helps.

1) http://www.amazon.com/TOAKS-POT-1000-Titanium-1000ml-Pot/dp/B009PJHD6Q/
29791
2) http://www.amazon.com/TOAKS-Titanium-1100ml-Bail-Handle/dp/B00F4MK892/
29792
3) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009MZHRKU
29793

Allshookup
01-29-2015, 23:20
Sorry the first link was for the 1L not the 1.1L .. here is the link for the 1.1L http://www.amazon.com/TOAKS-Titanium-1100ml-Pot/

Allshookup
01-29-2015, 23:23
Sorry again http://www.amazon.com/TOAKS-Titanium-1100ml-Bail-Handle/dp/B00F4MK892/

Traffic Jam
10-28-2019, 20:31
I have been struggling with this question lately as all of my meals from my last three trips have been cooked in my pot...no freezer bags. I love my small and light-weight cooking system but it has its drawbacks; cooking in a small pot can be hazardous. I recently caused a small fire when cooking lunch at a rest stop.

Last week I splurged and invested in a caldera cone with inferno and 900ml ti pot. I love the idea of being able to use multiple fuel sources with one system. Deciding on the pot size was difficult and I wavered between the 900 and 600 ml pots. The caldera cone is custom fit to the pot and that limitation bothered me. I like to have options.

Anyway, due to a snafu, Trail Designs sent me the wrong size pot, the 600 ml, so I had an opportunity to compare pot sizes and see how the 600 ml fit in a caldera cone that was built for a 900 ml pot.

My first impression is the 900 ml pot is so big. It feels much bigger than my current pot but appears to be the perfect size for my needs. There is plenty of room so I won’t have to constantly stir and lift it off the flame to avoid boiling over. It’s hard to wrap my brain around the idea that I’ve just spent a lot of money to upgrade my cooking system to a heavier one.

I took some pics of the 600 ml pot in my new caldera cone. It will only work with the stakes as it’s not a snug fit but I believe it can work if I decide the 900 ml is too big for me. Granted, I didn’t test this theory as the pot had to be mailed back to TD,

So here’s some pics if anyone is interested.

BTW, great customer service from Trail Designs.

45807

45808


45806

45809

zelph
10-29-2019, 10:25
I swithced to a modified Toaks 1300ml pot. I can use multi fuels. This video shows a modified Kovia Spyder being used.

I can fit 2 packages of ramen inside easily. Hey, I'm a big guy, need lots of food :-)


https://youtu.be/BerkAB3bWGA

QiWiz
10-31-2019, 16:34
I really like a 900 cc pot when I'm just cooking for me. When full of water, it's perfect to pour off a couple cups for a big mug of tea or coffee, and still have enough water and room to rehydrate whatever I'm eating for dinner or breakfast. I have a dedicated one for my FireFly twig stove (so that any soot can be left alone, with pot stored in its cozy), and another when I'm using a canister stove burner.

foodbag
11-01-2019, 19:52
I went from a 1.3L to a .9L pot and it was fine. Enough room to boil up a couple of Ramen packets or a Lipton dinner. Takes up less room in the pack and still big enough to store my titanium alcohol stove, windscreen and other items.

RajaJaja
11-13-2019, 16:21
Just an FYI for those that don't know. You can take a cheap ace hardware blowtorch to a Ti pot and it will remove creosote and/or anything burnt solid to your pot.

I am curious if you could just stick it inside your over when you do a self clean cycle.

I'm glad that works for you, but I'd offer a word of caution for people who want to try it out -- beware of "oil canning." When working with sheet metal, like in a Ti pot, a big heat gradient can result in expanding the sheet metal, causing a high/low spot that pops in-and-out. Oil canning can be fixed, with some heat and some skill, but better to avoid it in the first place. In this case, try to heat the surface somewhat evenly rather than concentrating the flame in just one area.

Five Tango
11-13-2019, 16:30
I have the 1L Ti evernew pasta pot. First time using it I wanted to COOK! So I made up this habenaro cheese penna chicken which resulted in me permantly blackening the bottom inside of my 80$ pot, and having burnt tasting penne. SO, I only use my TI pot for boiling now, as well as coffee. I stick to the boil bags, I also use it to cook the uncle bens rice still in the bag.

I had the EXACT same experience with my Evernew pasta pot.Kept it for boiling water only because the width of the bottom makes it efficient but now that I have downsized to a pack with smaller pockets I am back to my trusty SnoPeak 600 which is all I really need for boiling water anyway.

Traffic Jam
11-13-2019, 20:07
I had the EXACT same experience with my Evernew pasta pot.Kept it for boiling water only because the width of the bottom makes it efficient but now that I have downsized to a pack with smaller pockets I am back to my trusty SnoPeak 600 which is all I really need for boiling water anyway.
I haven’t cooked in my ti pot yet, only boiled water...need to try it soon. When cooking in my aluminum mug, I have to stir quite a bit and lift if away from the flame when the contents begin to boil too vigorously. I’ll be bummed if I can’t cook in the ti pot.

i guess an alternative is to boil water then add ingredients that don’t need to cook, remove it from the heat and let it finish rehydrating.

trailmercury
11-14-2019, 11:06
I haven’t cooked in my ti pot yet, only boiled water...need to try it soon. When cooking in my aluminum mug, I have to stir quite a bit and lift if away from the flame when the contents begin to boil too vigorously. I’ll be bummed if I can’t cook in the ti pot.

i guess an alternative is to boil water then add ingredients that don’t need to cook, remove it from the heat and let it finish rehydrating.

what about adding a pot cozy to your kit to help this process along?

Elaikases
11-14-2019, 20:10
I like my Olicamp XTS pot. It not really UL, but it is anodized aluminum, and it has a heat exchanger on the bottom for efficient heating. It is listed as a vol. of 1.0 L so a bit bigger than 900 mL. I like the fact that the height to width ratio is about 1:1. Easy to get into while keeping down weight and surface area.

http://www.olicamp.com/products-pots/xts-pot

My wife and I use a 1.7 liter pot but we cook a meal for both of us. Half of that would be more than .9, so for one person ...

But seriously, lots of people do just fine with a 1 liter or less pot. The key is that you can get really cheap aluminum grease pots that are about .9 liters and practice with those. If it works, you are golden.

Elaikases
11-14-2019, 20:14
I use an Evernew 0.9L pot (titanium only; no non-stick coating) to 'cook' solo meals. For me, cooking means boiling water, adding my food, stirring, and then putting the pot in a pot cozy made out of Reflectrix (you can make one from material from Home Depot or buy one ready made from Antigravitygear.com). I wait about 10-15 min while the food continues to 'cook' in the cozy. For example, if your recipe calls for 7 min simmer, just double the time in the pot cozy. Nothing gets burned to the bottom of the pot.

You can put a lot of food in a 0.9L pot. Add some olive oil & some sort of nut mix (equal parts cashews, almonds, & sunflower seeds ground up in a food processor) for extra taste & calories.

Well said about what cooking on the trail is usually like.

NY HIKER 50
11-14-2019, 20:44
I did not read the posts since I don't have the time. What I do though is I carry a small pot and eat cold foods. However, the pot is for coffee, tea, bullion cuppa soup and cocoa. See, you get warmed up and you still get your faves.

Traffic Jam
11-14-2019, 23:18
what about adding a pot cozy to your kit to help this process along?

Great idea.

Traffic Jam
11-14-2019, 23:20
I did not read the posts since I don't have the time. What I do though is I carry a small pot and eat cold foods. However, the pot is for coffee, tea, bullion cuppa soup and cocoa. See, you get warmed up and you still get your faves.
I have this thing about eating a hot meal...it’s an important part of my experience and feeling of well being. Even in summer, I need a hot meal at the end of a hiking day.

Time Zone
11-15-2019, 08:00
My wife and I use a 1.7 liter pot but we cook a meal for both of us. Half of that would be more than .9, so for one person ...



Half of 1.7 is less than .9, unless sleep deprivation / senility has caught and overtaken me. And my calculator.

coach lou
11-15-2019, 08:41
No more cooking.........dry food and FBC!

foodbag
11-15-2019, 12:56
I cooked two packets of Ramen in my 900ML Evernew pot. It was tight, but the contents stayed in the pot and no boilovers.

NY HIKER 50
11-16-2019, 13:08
I have this thing about eating a hot meal...it’s an important part of my experience and feeling of well being. Even in summer, I need a hot meal at the end of a hiking day.

Well, you still get something hot and you're not denying yourself much except that this is more of a hot liquid. No messy pot to clean up.

Elaikases
11-22-2019, 12:45
Half of 1.7 is less than .9, unless sleep deprivation / senility has caught and overtaken me. And my calculator.

exactly.

So .9 ought to be enough.