Suppose you had just one pot

What pot would it be? I have previously suggested this Vargo 450 ml pot at 62 grams for an overnight camp or for emergencies. It is an excellent mug (though lidless) with a wonderful cool lip – so you don’t burn yours!  but it would never do for a longer trip. I have pointed out before that a larger frypan will always serve as a lid for a smaller pot (and as a plate). This is just as good advice as my recent discovery that tooth paste is a liquid such that if you stand the tube on its spout you will never have to squeeze any out, and the tube will empty completely without waste! But, I digress…

And again: If you really like your fish (or falafels) fried, dripping or Tallow (Beef or Mutton Fat) 40C & Lard (Pig Fat) 30C have the highest melting temperatures of all the edible lipids (fats and oils). Therefore they are not so likely to soil your backpack.

But to continue: you can go lighter with MLD’s 475 ml offering at 39 grams but you have to forgo handles and the cool lip. Mind you you can use these ‘Hot Lips’ at 1-2 grams to create your own cool rim, and a cloth such as a towel or t-shirt will insulate the mug.

Some folk seem to manage with a 550 ml pot such as this 55 gram one which also has a 22 gram lid, or this 550 ml one at 74 grams (pot plus lid) but again I think it is a little small for a hungry person’s meal which you are likely to need after a few days on the trail.

Probably for a large size meal you need to stretch up to something like this 750 ml one by Vargo at 117 grams including lid which allows a little spill room. It has two thoughtful advantages. The cool rim which does not burn your lip when you are drinking out of it is a great feature, as are the drainage holes in the lid when you need to get rid of some excess fluid. You could go lighter eg with Evernew’s750 ml  ‘Pasta Pot’ at 93 grams (inc lid) but you have to forgo the cool rim.

For myself, there are some things which may be a bit of a luxury (in that you could go lighter) but they are also a nuisance. The absence of a plate for example – or two cooking receptacles (eg if you want mash or peas with your dinner). I also really like a plastic cup with a handle, as I drink a lot of coffee/tea. I am happy to carry the extra 30 grams for this purpose, much as I am happy to carry the extra 30 grams or so for a frypan lid.That is why I carry the 900 ml Evernew pot (123 grams) that I do (which also allows a bit of spill room.

When there are two of us I carry an 1100 ml pot with frypan lid (156 grams) which will cook a meal for two if you are not big eaters. We are not. Della carries a lightweight plastic bowl and cup. I also usually carry the Brasslite Stove (though there are many ‘boilers’ which are lighter – as there are many meals I like to simmer.

See Also:

https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2016/01/26/cookset-woes/

https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2017/09/18/ultralight-cookpot/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2017/10/28/the-ultralight-deer-hunter/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2017/09/22/ultralight-windscreen/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2016/05/22/the-egg-ring-ultralight-wood-burner-stove/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2015/03/16/hot-lips/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2017/07/01/out-of-the-frying-pan/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2015/11/20/he-hiked-with-a-falafel-in-his-hand/

https://www.vargooutdoors.com/titanium-travel-mug-450.html

https://www.traildesigns.com/products/evernew-titanium-500ml-ultra-light-mug-pot-eca266

https://www.vargooutdoors.com/titanium-ti-lite-mug-750.html

https://www.traildesigns.com/products/evernew-570ml-ultra-light-titanium-pot-cup-eby278r

https://www.traildesigns.com/products/evernew-lid-for-titanium-cup-570fd-eby277

https://www.traildesigns.com/products/evernew-titanium-ultra-light-deep-pot-9l-eca265

https://www.traildesigns.com/products/toaks-titanium-1100ml-pot-ckw1100