Thru-Hike Cooking (Not Boiling)

[bajabackpacker]

Hey, now that I've pretty much figured out what clothing and equipment I want to carry, I've been trying to decide what type of cooking system I want to use. I know that there are a lot of ultra-lighters out there with their pepsi-can stoves and ramen noodles but I'd like to eat more nutriously and have more variety. I want to cook (simmer,boil,fry, etc) and I think that I've found a relatively lightweight way to do so, was wondering what you guys think. JetBoil just came out with a backcountry gourmet set http://jetboil.com/Products/Cooking-Systems/Backcountry-Set

It's a little more than 2 and a half pounds and seems to be what I'm looking for. Let me know what you guys think.

[Cuffs]

FWIW, as a freezerbag cooker, I am very consciuos of my nutrition intake when I hike.

I eat lasagna, stroghanoff, tuna casserole, shepherds pie, bisquick biscuits and much more... all by just boiling water...

[partinj]

Hi i have the snow peak stove just as good as the jetboil system. Only weight 3.5oz will simmer or go full boil and it cost a lot less. 34.95 and they have a windscreen for it it is rated at 10.000 btu. it will boil a 1.5 liter pot of water in 3 1/2 mins. :-?

[max patch]

Hey, now that I've pretty much figured out what clothing and equipment I want to carry, I've been trying to decide what type of cooking system I want to use. I know that there are a lot of ultra-lighters out there with their pepsi-can stoves and ramen noodles but I'd like to eat more nutriously and have more variety. I want to cook (simmer,boil,fry, etc) and I think that I've found a relatively lightweight way to do so, was wondering what you guys think. JetBoil just came out with a backcountry gourmet set http://jetboil.com/Products/Cooking-Systems/Backcountry-Set

It's a little more than 2 and a half pounds and seems to be what I'm looking for. Let me know what you guys think.

At 2.5 pounds if I was a betting man I'd bet that it will get sent home before Damascus. Way before Damascus.

Having said that, every year there is a handful of ld hikers -- as in 1 or 2 -- who spend a lot of time and effort with their meals. Maybe you will be in that category.

But I'm betting against it.

Good luck.

[max patch]

By the way, I assumed you were a ld hiker and I phrased my answer with that in mind.

I take all things of things -- including extra cooking stuff -- on weekend trips that I wouldn't dream of taking on a ld hike. 2.5 lb cooking setup on an overnighter would be ok in my book.

[Alligator]

2.5 lbs is fairly heavy.

You could go with a Trangia set (http://www.rei.com/product/657906)slightly over 12 oz. The pot is a little small, and I didn't find the burner to be too efficient compared to my brasslite, but you can cook with it.

Personally, I have a titanium pot with a fry pan lid(7.7 oz, smaller half of this set), and I use a Brasslite (3 oz). The pot is 1.3l and the lid is 0.7l, I also have a titanium sierra cup (1.9 oz). I could make a three pot meal if I really wanted to, I can fry if I want to, and I'm still under 2.5 lbs. BTW, REI now lists that sierra cup at 1.6 oz and its $12. I have used it in the past to make instant rice and couscous. I usually just use it for hot chocolate or cider. I'm not claiming this is the best setup, but it is very versatile for its weight.

But, you may want to use a canister stove other than jetboil with a pot, frypan lid. I am sure you can find a setup lighter and cheaper than the jetboil. I haven't looked lately into non-ti pots w/frypan lids.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

We are a two person team -- I can cook pretty much anything I want with a 2 qt (2L) pot and a frypan that is about 8" x 1.5" - and a lid that fits both. Once in a while the lid gets pushed into service as a 'warming plate' for fried bread . We have a wide variety of foods.

The Jetboil system is a nice system, but it is just too darn heavy for most people - especially a solo hiker.

[sarbar]

At $150 for the set, you'd do better just buying a GSI set (http://www.gsioutdoors.com/detail.aspx?c=4&sc2=57&p=50205&lu=%2flist.aspx%3fc%3d4%26sc2%3d57&) for $60. The lids double as nice frypans as well. In truth you really only need one of the pans to do nearly anything. The hard anodized aluminum is great for conducting heat and for easy cleanup. Add in a simple canister stove and you come out at maybe $90-95 tops.

As for the utensils? Feedback is they can have snapping issues. They are pretty cool for the design but.....be careful. One piece will be sturdier over a long period. The Light My Fire XM Spork (the new one) is longer and designed a bit better for cooking.

[Pedaling Fool]

I always carry a Jetboil (the original system) with a separate cooking pot, because I like to cook a real meal (I dehydrate all my foodstuff), not that freeze-dried crap. I use the Jetboil cup to boil the water quickly and efficiently and then pour the boiling water in my pot and simmer over the Jetboil stove. I also use the Jetboil cup for coffee in the am.

[Alligator]

If you are looking for even less expensive, but don't mind a little weight GSI makes a couple of sets with pot/frylid combos:
I use the Solo (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=13085849&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1)as a two person setup $19.99. I don't bring the cup, bowl.
There's a 5 piece set (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?AFC-googlebase&productId=13058664&engine=googlebase&keyword=82061) that you could nab the smaller pot/frypan $29.95.
These two sets are a little heavy though, about 12oz for a pot/frypan.

The frypan lid and pot I have comes from this set (http://www.rei.com/product/720287). It's on sale for $75.00. I don't like this ti pot as much as I like the Bugaboo one. The nonstick is not as good.

[take-a-knee]

A SVEA 123 weighs a lot less than 2.5 # and nothing simmers better.

[sarbar]

Ok, I have a cheap deal:
The Texsport Hard Anodized Black Ice cook set. 1 quart with lid, 1 1/2 quart with lid and a 7" frying/saute pan that also fits the bigger lid. Comes with mesh stuff sack. The pans have folding handles.

$25, yes $25 bucks for the whole set. The set weighs in at 1 1/2 lbs for everything (you wouldn't need all of it).

I found the set at Walmart, you can find it in many big box sporting goods stores.

The shocking thing is...this set is actually pretty nice overall.