Are Titanium Pots Worth It? I Was SURPRISED by the results!

[@prado.offroad]

i recently bought my first titanium cookpot after 20 years of using S/S zebra pots and aluminium pots, weight wise it feels great but the main thing for me is the durability. For occasional users aluminium would last years, but as you said the benefits of the titanium durability for hard use cannot be overlooked. Sometimes for nostalgia i pull out the tin billy from the 80's and sit it on the coals😄, i miss that with the aluminium and the titanium.

[@berzerkrobot]

I bought same design aluminum pot with a burner (In the US by Stansport) and I've been using it for 12 years. Still perfect.

[@bangalorebobbel]

Having had around 20 years of using almost exclusively aluminium gear for outdoor cooking, followed by another 20 years of using almost exclusively stainless steel gear, followed by now maybe 10+ years of using mainly titanium gear, yet maybe still 10% or so using stainless steel and having still some aluminium lunch boxes in use. I managed over the time to not only boiling water but really cooking with all three types of material. Proceeding differs but once you mastered it, you can use everything for everything, so that's not really a reason to decide what's the best. Comparision of boiling time is difficult because you have almost never a true comparision as the sizes and shapes are rarely really comparable but define a huge part of the boiling process. When I compared the best comparable vessels I didn't find much difference, so far. You need always a certain amount of calories to heat up water to a boil, and as long as you don't have an isolator but a conductor between the flame and the water, it works with more or less the same amount of fuel. That said, I went almost completely away from aluminium due to some practical reasons. Aluminium is very soft, and I handle my gear sometimes very roughly, so all of my aluminium things got over the time dents and scratches which provided not only optical discomfort but also stress in use, e.g. the lid didn't fit anymore or the bottle didn't fit anymore inside the cup and so on, and things burnt in into the scratches and made it even more difficult to keep everything clean. Cleaning is another aspect, which I found not really exciting concerning aluminium - I found it always difficult to keep my aluminium cook ware clean, and not to over scratch it whiles cleaning. It works meanwhile much better with the anodised aluminium ware compared to the pure aluminium from 5 decades back, but I find handling aluminium still more challenging than working with other metals. Weight is another questionable thing. Yes aluminium is (in theory) more lightweight than other materials but as it is so soft, gear is usually much more thick than e.g. steel. So if you have two pots, one out of aluminium and the other out of steel, the weight difference is usually not as much as maybe expected, since the aluminium pot is always made from much thicker material. Since aluminium is a great heat conductor, I found it always impossible to have my coffee directly out of the pot ... but let's come later again to that point ... Cooking ware made out of stainless steel is usually thin and mostly not as heavy as most people think. It is totally durable and doesn't get easily dents or scratches. I felt always it is extremely easy to clean (compared to aluminium), usually I use steel wool and sometimes additionally some tooth powder, and I can clean it absolutely fine without leaving scratches or any residues from whatever was there before. Titanium was always too costly for me but finally I thought let me give it a try, as I use to cook really often outdoors (even when I'm at home) and on travels (means during stops on the road or in hotels etc.). As far as I experienced, the material thickness is usually more than with comparable steel gear (but less than aluminium gear) what makes the weight advantage less than most people would expect (or even almost zero in some cases, for example one of my stainless steel water bottles is almost of same weight than one of my titanium bottles of same volume). I found it same easy (if not even easier) to clean like stainless steel, and after some adjustments I found it also same great for cooking (means really cooking, not only boiling water or adding hot water to any ready meals or so) as I was used from my stainless steel vessels. Two aspects make my like titanium gear and prefer it over stainless steel (and forget about aluminium): I feel that my food stays (after cooking) longer warm in titanium pots than in stainless steel. That helps not only during eating but also during food preparation (for example if you take the rice from the flames and keep it rising by itself whiles still hot) as I do not need a pot cosy for titanium. Second thing is, that I love to drink my coffee as hot as possible. With aluminium and stainless steel, it is not possible to use the pot in which you boil the water also for drinking, you have to put the hot water in a cup (as you did here also), but with my titanium pots or mugs (e.g. those between 500 and 750ml) I just put the coffee powder etc. in the pot and drink from there, without burning my lips. Just my 2 cents, and based not on science but on my experiences and subjective judging about them, but maybe it helps the one or other beginner to think about the one or other aspect ... ;-)

[@averagejoe1892]

Good thing you had your camera or no one would believe you that it was sunny! Good to see with your boots back on. ❤

[@holmesaway]

Thanks mate. I genuinely filmed a bit saying it wasn’t a mirage but I cut it out 😂

[@justmyopiniontoday7548]

Lots of interesting points but on balance I shifted from titanium to aluminum. I've got the 5£ Aluminum pot and it's lighter and faster than my old standard width titanium. Thx for posting. Oh ... They argue that the titanium disperses heat better for frying cooking, but I only boil water and boil water food mixes. JMO.

[@holmesaway]

Great point! Thanks for commenting 😊

[@thewanderingforester]

Good to see you out with your boots on mate. Very impressed by the number of times you moved the camera! I have a Soto River pot, 1L, anodised ally which gives a harder surface. Cost £28. Not a scratch in 3yrs but only use it for boiling water. Also have an old Karrimor pot from back in the day - beat to hell!

[@holmesaway]

Cheers mate. I really need 2 cameras 😂

[@samspadeBristol]

Good to see you back out again Darren. Top spot to stop and talk pots 😉

[@holmesaway]

Thank you mate ❤️

[@tubulzr]

Been using alu pots for decades. The current €12 anodised one has worked fine for years. Only advantage of titanium imo is in an ultralight hiking scenario. One could boil a bit of water and make instant coffee/espresso and drink it from the pot. Alu seemingly stays blistering, lip and tong burning hot until the beverage is luke warm. But I don't care for ultra light hiking/care for a bit of comfort and bring a foldable plastic cup and bowl for my coffee and porridge.

[@finbarscanlonwolf]

I got the lidl stuff last year. Cook set,gas burner,gas lantern, two tin mugs,two full tang knives & 4 cans of gas. Total was €120. I can do a fry up & fresh coffee & be sitting back eating & having a coffee in 15 minute. The lantern has a mantel & gives off brilliant light & heat. The knives are notvtoo bad, considering they only costs €8. I haven't anything bad too say about them. And would most definitely recommend them too anyone starting out, or even like me who's only using them for when i take the dogs up into the forest for a walk or spending a few hours by the lake relaxing. If you look after them they should last a good few years.

[@edwardenglish6919]

MSR Alpine 2 pot set and a nesting MSR Alpine 1L Teapot. Stainless steel 1lb 13oz for two pots with lid and a perfect little tea pot. I've been using them for years with very good results and they will last several lifetimes.

[@NotThatOneThisOne]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@deaneager]

I have many, many cook systems, with several titanium and aluminium pots. I never use the titanium pots. Titanium is not as good heat conductor as aluminium, so the pots don't perform as well as ally, especially in cold, or windy conditions. Titanium is also terrible for cooking, because heat doesn't transfer well you get hot spots... and burnt food! In terms of durability I've never had an issue with any ally pot, and I they get a lot of use, in a lot of horrible conditions. Really, you'd have to jump on any half decent ally pot to damage it. The best pots IMHO are the Firemaple ones, with heat exchangers on the bottom. My 750ml one is very well designed, with 3 cut-outs in the heat exchanger for the stoves pot-holder arms, so the flame is nestled right in the heat exchanger, protecting it from the wind. At about 5°C, with little wind, using an MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe, it'll boil 250ml of water in under 30 seconds, it's that efficient. So any slight weight penalty over a titanium pot is offset by not having to carry the extra gas you'd use.

[@pedroclaro7822]

Yeap durability isn’t an issue, people have had trangia sets for decades. Gotta take care of them like anything else ofc.

[@pedroclaro7822]

But yeah heat exchanger pots if you’re on a thru hike or long term bicycle touring trip where you cook everyday

[@paulpeopleperson3594]

Thanks Mate- I have those same aluminium pots had them for 6+ years. I have been looking at a lighter weight titanium option but to be honest if I replaced like for like with 2 pots it could be a cost of near £100 to save maybe 80gms. My pots are battered & scratched, handles a bit bent and insulation on them melted but they still work just fine & means I am none too precious about using them

[@hi.kingharry]

is that osprey talon backpack? what size?

[@holmesaway]

It is yes. It’s the 11 litre version. I’ve got a 44 litre for my camps. Great bags but could do with a bit more padding on the hip belts. Not a massive issue with the 11l but the 44l can get a little uncomfortable after a long day. Thanks for watching 👍🏻👍🏻

[@CHUNKYNUGGET666]

I just use stainless and titanium kit. I can treat it rough and not worry about consuming aluminium or plastics, like the coffee cup😉

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍👍👍 an interesting comparison (with the, as I expected beforehand, results). Titanium .. if one has the cash. My pockets are just not deep enough .. I use a variety and combinations of, Aluminium and Stainless Steel. I've got and still use, Aluminium Pots and Mess Kits I bought back in the '70's. That said, I do use with my Aluminium Cookware, Wooden Utensils which reduce scratching on the Aluminium Surface with less surface food sticking during cooking and for easier cleaning afterwards. Also .. 'food sticking' during cooking. Stir regularly and control the heat, and in cases of Alcohol Burners, Open Fires and such, even removing the cookware regularly from the heat source in order to do so. This keeps idle hands busy and thus, one out of mischief 😊. A good share .. thanks. Take care ..

[@tomnoyb8301]

Good question. Boil test is rubbish though. Pot-width is a huge factor, surface shiny-vs-blackness has an effect too. Maybe missed it, but didn't hear a weight comparison? Whether pot fits fuel-canister without too much rattle is a factor in which pot one carries (doesn't effect boil time though). Lid 'fit' too. Handles and bails. Health. Many factors to consider.

[@hikewomeat]

In my opinion, both titanium and aluminum utensils can be successfully used in camping conditions. It is only necessary to take into account their features. Thus, aluminum has a low melting point and is able to react with alkalis. Therefore, aluminum pots can melt if they are used over a fire and the user, accidentally distracted, allows the water to boil away. The carbon deposits that form are also more difficult to remove from aluminum pots, since the use of alkaline detergents can damage them. On the other hand, the thermal conductivity of aluminum is significantly higher than that of titanium. Therefore, heat transfer is more efficient, especially in cookware that has a radiator. It is also better to fry anything in an aluminum pan than in a titanium one. Stainless steel is more similar in properties to titanium, but the density of this material is almost twice as high. Titanium pots, as a rule, weigh no more than aluminum ones due to the greater mechanical strength of titanium, which allows the use of thinner material, despite the lower density of aluminum. Mugs and spoons made of titanium are good because, due to their low thermal conductivity, they burn your mouth less when eating hot food. Shovels made of titanium are also very good, since this is the only material, if we do not consider toxic and hard-to-find beryllium, that provides a lightweight tool with sufficient size and strength. It is also impossible to ignore wood stoves made of titanium. The use of titanium in such products can significantly reduce their weight and ensure durability.

[@pedroclaro7822]

If anyone’s going titanium I can only recommend either Soto’s new pots, or cheap Chinese ones. Nothing else out there is worth it. Personally I have a widesea Billy pot which I use on wood stoves. But most often ditch it and use decathlon SS one on alcohol stoves. I don’t use gas anymore because of all the waste in containers.

[@inso80]

Since the aluminum pot is thicker, I would assume it also has a little more thermal mass and the effect of wind would cool down the pot just a little bit less in comparison Any thoughts?.

[@LeopoldElwes]

Well no but blue Looks good. 😅 It's actually good if you don't do it scientifically, but show actual practical differences, because everything looks good in a laboratory, but in real life, it's different. 🙌 Bad weather makes you appreciate the good weather more.😊

[@Bohonk212]

Had the same results. Gone aluminum.

[@SvendRene]

weel i has aluminiun pots 40 years old ,and still on the top

[@chrisnott1970]

I pick an aluminum pot simply because I cook in my pot. If I were just boiling water, I'd go with titanium.

[@paddor]

What’s your reasoning behind it?

[@chrisnott1970]

@@paddor Titanium is not a very good thermal conductor so titanium pots, being thin walled, will have hot spots unless the stove used has a broad flame pattern and can simmer very well. It's quite difficult to avoid burning food in a titanium pot. Aluminum has excellent thermal conductivity and aluminum pots have to be made thicker in order to make up for it's lack of strength. The mass of metal ensures a better distribution of heat and more even cooking. If you are just boiling water, having localized heating in a titanium pot doesn't matter because the motion of the water will do the job of distributing the heat. In that case, titanium's strength and the resulting lightness of the pots wins out.

[@paddor]

@@chrisnott1970 Thanks. That makes sense. I definitely noticed the shitty cooking experience in Titanium cookware.

[@grimlightwildoutdoors]

The other thing you missed is the health benefits. Titanium is none porous nothing comes off the metal when cooking where as aluminium gives off chemicals which are highly cancerous which go into your food and liquids but not at the high levels none stick gear does 👍 Great vid really enjoyed it.

[@thomasmusso1147]

I'm a 'Boomer' (YOB 1950) and was raised eating food prepared in 'Hart' Brand Aluminium Cookware. Turning 74 this month and not (yet 😏) riddled with Cancer. More BS then Fact in my view.

[@pedroclaro7822]

The study thst found aluminum to be linked to neurosegenerative diseases has yet to be confirmed, as it was never able to be replicated since. As such, one can assume based on the available information that the study was conducted on a specific agenda, most likely by producers of cookware that do not use aluminum. If you find anything thst proves aluminum to be bioavalable and harmful to the human body then go right ahead and change my mind, but rn I use and will continue to use aluminum, as most of the world does, and it stays in my mind as the best material for cookware. Ps: I own ultralight titanium cookware but its use is very limited due to heat spots, and I only use them to boil water on alcohol stoves or for stews (and watery meals) on wood stoves/campfires

[@grimlightwildoutdoors]

@pedroclaro7822 aluminium is harmful to your body that's a fact, same as none stick fact. So you can use titanium, steel, glass, iron which is not harmful to you so why not use other materials that don't harm you 🤔 titanium cooks perfect if used the right way which is use a bigger flame and lower the gas flame and no issue ive never burnt food cooking with titanium but if your using a small flame example brs ultralite stove then your bound to have hot spots and burn stuff.

[@pedroclaro7822]

@@grimlightwildoutdoors fact? Give me sources to back up your claims.

[@grimlightwildoutdoors]

@@EZdotdotdot Michelin chiefs don’t use aluminium pans either they will use steel or iron 👍😂😀😂😀

[@fries-with-lies]

more poison in alu.