Finding the HOLY GRAIL of camping cook kits

[@tjholcomb1225]

That Stanley pot is heavy, but a great buy. I was a wilderness therapy field guide for a couple of years. We used the $5 stainless steel Ozark Trail cups that you can get at Walmart for every meal, which was great because we cooked over an open fire. It was nice to be able to prop the cup up on the edge of the fire and heat up tea at the end of the day. I went looking for a lid to this cup to protect my tea from ash. I found the Stanley Adventure set and about died with joy. As heavy as it was, I nested that Stanley pot inside my Ozark cup, dropped in one of the green mugs that comes with the Stanley, put my Snowpeak stove in that, and set a small fuel canister on top, and it all fit with the lid on! Best part, the Stanley lid FITS the Ozark cup perfectly! Every morning on trail, I would use my stove to boil water in the Stanley for my oats and coffee. While the water boiled (and it does take a while longer in that tall, stainless steel pot), I would prep my oatmeal (complete with diced up dried fruit, peanut butter, and honey) in my Ozark cup, and prep the green mug with my Medaglia D'Oro instant espresso. In the evenings, when we had a fire going, I could use my Stanley as a third pot for our group (we carried two MSR pots regularly), or I could heat up water for myself and fellow guide to have tea. And if I was just doing tea for myself, I could slap the Stanley lid on my Ozark cup and heat it up in the fire. Some guides carried the titanium Toaks cups, which seemed great until they over heated, but they were less comfortable putting the titanium in the fire. I love using stainless steel because I can use it on my stove or over a fire, and I regularly do both. If I'm going light, I'll take just my Ozark, the Stanley lid, and one of the green mugs. If I know I'm only using a stove on a particular trip, I'll carry my cheap Chinese aluminum set, I think mine's a Wuudi and it looks just like the one in this video. The large fuel can fits inside, it's lightweight, and water boils fast in it. Much faster than in the Stanley. Thanks for the video, Dan. Good work!

[@1mlister]

Are Trangias not a thing in America? You have a great collection of cook kits, but you're missing a Trangia which is like the classic car of cook stoves. Maybe you wouldn't like it. It's bulky and quite heavy. But they are really reliable and so timeless. They make you feel like your on Everest in 1953. Perfect for the snow. Also they are completely silent. One thing you didn't mention in this video is the sound of the cook kits. It can kill the beautiful moment to switch on the Boeing 747 Jetboil. Alcohol stoves are completely silent, which can be nicer when on a peak. Treat yourself to a Trangia.

[@oldscratch3535]

I have one of the burners from those kits. Well, it was a Swedish military surplus stove and it looks exactly the same so I'm assuming it is the same stove.

[@dalesmith9741]

Fancee Feast is a better stove than Trangia. And imho in alcohol stoves the best of them all is the turbo gnome for weight/price/performance/flexibility

[@themightiness]

Honestly never really thought of the noise considering you use it for 4 minutes once, maybe twice a day.

[@bobbyhill7948]

I use a Tangier cook set they’re a little pricey here in America

[@JohnGreen_US]

Agree. Tragia/knock-offs MUST be a presented option - so widely used. A sprit burner but has some heat control.

[@dadainthip]

I ended up going with the Soto Windmaster because the pot is kept closer to the burner than with the Pocket Rocket. Not because I really needed those three seconds from faster boiling back in my life but because that smaller gap - even though it doesn't seem to be a big difference from the PR - keeps the flame significantly more protected from the wind.

[@glendabaghian1145]

True. Good share. Though extra boiling time = fuel consumption. Okay if you can borrow a buddy's can for your last meal or two on a section hike I suppose. Or just bring that second 1/3 full isopro can that we all have leftover if your soloing.

[@daveevans7151]

+1 on the SWM…paired it with the Evernew cook set (ECA540), which is a two-pot system. One 750ml pot that nests into a 400ml cup/pot. I like having a cup of coffee in the am while I cook breakfast. I can fit the small can of fuel and the SWM in the bigger pot. Great setup…light and super efficient.

[@thevelotramp1]

Soto is better in every way

[@whisperz6662]

I have the windmaster, and hands down the way to go.

[@Synistercrayon]

Yup!

[@josiahblanton8291]

Took the Stanley pot out on a canoe trip on the Buffalo River in Arkansas and I was blown away by its performance! Quick to boil hot water for my Aeropress and was a great size for single meals. I used the cups and found them super easy to clean.

[@mike158193]

I’m that rubber band guy and still watching!!! Still love the channel Dan, keep killing it. I have the Soto Amicus and it is by far my favorite stove I’ve used. And the Soto helix coffee system is also my favorite. I’ve tried abotut 4-5 other brew systems and none match the Soto as far as weight, cleanup and discarding the grounds and only a paper filter to burn or pack out, also sits above the cup so the pour is easier. Huge Soto fan here

[@DanBecker]

Yes!! Thank you so much! That was one of the best gifts I ever got! That rubber band is so awesome! And thank you so much for still watching :-). Any chance you could tell me where you got them? I’m on my last one lol!

[@glendabaghian1145]

Yours and others' posts got me surfing on Amazon. I found a $12 Genrics collapsible silicone cone with a metal disk filter. Thoughts? (other than wasting water to wash out pesky grounds) ...but DB's question was first. :)

[@mike158193]

They are called graffiti bands, I’ll throw what I have in the mail for you.

[@mike158193]

@@glendabaghian1145 I have had a hario (plastic version), primula brew buddy, And a aero press and none have come close to the Soto. And the only reason I say that is this. I found when you have to clean the grounds off of the pour over it takes a lot of water to clean, and when you’re up on a ridge and it comes down to having a second cup of coffee the next morning or cleaning the grounds off of your first cup (I usually only carry 2 liters at best) then the Soto is a no brainer. The silicone ones are probably pretty awesome and I’ll try one soon as you can literally hit it against a tree to knock the grounds off of it and smash it down to nothing, I’m always looking for ways to better my outdoor experience and so far the Soto has been the most compact, easiest to clean, you can burn the paper filter and enjoy a brew over with ease.

[@Praise___YaH]

Here is The Savior HalleluYAH “Praise ye YaH” YaH is The Heavenly Father YaH arrives via the TENT OF MEETING YaH was Who they Crucified for our sins YaH was Crucified on an Almond TREE - Ancient Semitic Cuneiform of Moshe (Moses) - Isa Scroll (The Original Isaiah) Isaiah 42:8 "I am YaH; that is my Name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. Isaiah 43:11 I, I am YAH, and there is no other Savior but Me. Isaiah 45:5 I am YaH, and there is none else.

[@Jennjenn421]

Try the jogo coffee filter straw. I use it in the back country and love it!! No more instant coffee! And no need to bring any type of coffee strainer/filter. Just boil water, pour on course coffee grounds and cover for a few mins. When your ready take your straw out and drink straight from the pot. The filter at the bottom of the straw prevents any coffee grinds from being sucked up!

[@DanBecker]

Looks cool! Just bought one on Amazon. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@mediclimber]

I started backpacking back in the 70's so I had an Optimus stove and Svea cookkit. I went through MSR whisperlites, pocketrockets (my favorite) and MSR cooksets from the XPD to a titan pot/mug. That's what I still use, pocketrocket and Titan solo pot/mug. Made a hanging kit for it for winter camping and can't say enough good about it.

[@stevemyers8065]

For solo backpacking. I love my Stanley adventure. It works well with canister stove, my hobo twig stove or on an open fire. Slight modifications makes it very versatile. My BRS has worked flawlessly for 3 years now.

[@user-zy4kp9xp5s]

Can I ask how you modified yours please?

[@ms7fam433]

That was fun... As always, thanks for showing us a variety with your takes on the different styles and giving links for us to investigate further. I appreciate you investing in the different types and allowing us to make more informed decisions without having to spend the $$$. Keep up the good work.

[@dp7933]

My favorite stove was one I rented from my college. I used it on a four day trip to the beach. It had 2 AA batteries to run a small fan which turned the chamber into a blast furnace. I fueled the thing on popsicle-stick sized pieces of driftwood while camping on the beach in winter. It worked great.

[@trynsurviven2440]

The Stanley Adventure Cook set is bomb proof for those of us on a budget. Great video thank you for sharing this information.

[@JexusXI]

Thanks for the videos, Dan! You're part of reason I got into backpacking and I essentially watch almost every video you make. Safe trekking from Oregon!

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

I'm happy that you do consider the option of actually cooking a meal from ingredients in you overview vs. just referring to boiling water as "cooking" like so many outdoor channels do. Thanks, Dan!

[@Sjackson2369]

I really do like the jetboil flash that I’ve gotten. I can fit everything in it that I need to. Fuel can, the large pot adapter, the French press kit, even the little empty can punch tool. It all fits in one and I can’t get enough of it.

[@dgrad2776]

I've only gone on two backpacking trips, but I use the Stanley cup set and I think it works pretty great. The small canister fits inside with my pocket rocket 2, a microfiber towel, and a sponge. And I nest the Stanley cup in a ozark trail camp cup. It's the prefect setup for me.

[@melanie3400]

Does the Stanley plastic cup fit inside the stainless steel cup with the fuel canister?

[@dgrad2776]

@@melanie3400 You can fit one plastic cup and a fuel canister. You won't be able to do both plastic cups that it comes with.

[@briankelly5731]

I have said this before, if you are out in the natural world, and time to boil is important to you, stay in your city! The true measure of efficiency is mass required to boil. That includes the container. Alcohol, is renewable, cheap, requires a much lighter container , and comes in very easy to find variations and locations around the world. Due to injuries, I can no longer go backpacking , I have worked with many types of stoves. Ranging from a Svea to a jet boil. I believe the best alcohol stove has yet to be invented. I'm working on it though.

[@JoeSmith-gp5dm]

That Chinese canister stove was my first backpacking stove too, I got it off Amazon along with my GSI minimalist cookset. It lasted me a good 5 years. The stove itself still works but the arms stopped folding out. I upgraded to a jetboil minimo and never looked back.

[@farstrider79]

Still have mine, it just keeps working.

[@TurkeyDart]

Im now looking into getting my first stove. Im also looking into the jet boil

[@kariebossa4851]

I'm new to the camping/ backpacking stoves. The first one I ever came across was the Jetboil Flash, and I loved the concept of it, that it could quickly boil water, or, with the pot support, be used with a skillet. Plus, almost everything fits right inside the cup, and it doesn't weigh much at all. I didn't think for a $100, it was prohibitively expensive.

[@glendabaghian1145]

Here here. Toaks pot, a less reliable burner, lighter, uncooperative titanium windscreen, stand, pot cozy, hot lips or a separate cup for drinking, a bag for the unsecure lid, burned fingers, etc. Once you add up all the parts & pieces to lose at a campsite, longer setup time and cook time... compared to say a JetBoil Flash (13oz.), I'll gladly take a ~4oz. penalty for the best efficiency, fumble-free, and peace of mind knowing a Flash won't tip over, waste fuel, and will keep a freezer bag meal warm inside itself while rehydrating.

[@glendabaghian1145]

~4oz. is the penalty (difference in weight) between a 13oz. Jetboil and the 9oz that makes up all the other parts & pieces of the cook system I roughly described.

[@CoolEyeColorado]

Love watching your content. One comment though is that I have the “cheap Chinese garbage” canister stove you mention at 4:26. I got mine for around $10 bucks in 2009 and still use it still today as my solo backpack stove. Seriously…used it 2 weeks ago in Moab to heat water for coffee. Almost 13 years old and has never failed me. 😊

[@JimmyD_C172]

Thanks Dan, this was helpful. I have the Stanley cup with a small ISO can and the BRS3000, small bic lighter, iso can stand, hotlips, small scrubby, some twine around the Stanley sitting in a Glacier steel cup. Its pretty simple and cheap.

[@GrimaceGraphics]

I also enjoy packing out my firebox nano for weekend adventures. You can use sticks around camp for fuel. The downside is you have to constantly feed the fire and boiling water takes about 8 minutes. But on weekends when you are kicking back and it’s not about miles, it’s a fun stove.

[@alaskabornheathen8902]

I used a first gen Jetboil for a few years. Decided I hated that the pot was connected to the stove. You can’t make coffee and cook at the same time. So I bought a snow peak titanium pot lid and cup set at Rei, used the Jetboil burner and pot ring for awhile until I found the folding version of the Optimus Crux. I love that set up. Recently I bought a double wall titanium coffee cup off of Amazon for like 20 bucks. Ditching the DIY Mylar bubble wrap sleeve and using the mug. To accompany this kit I have a folding titanium spork and GSI pour over clamp on coffee filter. I boil a bunch of water at once, use some for my meal and the rest for coffee. It’s a hodgepodge of a kit but it works and is like half the weight of my Jetboil

[@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135]

Random tip.... For very quick cup of coffee, tea, hot beverage, soup ECT use a Moscow mule copper mug on your stove. The copper heat conductivity is amazing and heats in about a third of stainless . I don't know why these equipment companies have a single copper lined mess kit! You would save so much fuel! What are they thinking!!!

[@larryfolloway6335]

The lid for the Stanley cook pot fits perfectly on the $5 stainless cup from Walmart. I’ve watched the hacks for replacing the tab on the lid with a key ring. That works but I’ve replaced mine with the spring from a wooden clothes pin. It’ll stay upright and cool to the touch. I’ve never seen that hack on the all knowing you tubes. For a small inexpensive cook pot it’s awesome.

[@backpacker3421]

The MSR frying pan is great. Unless I need to shave every ounce, it goes with me every time. Perfect for cooking most foods - I do agree, Ti pots are best for boiling and also good for cold soaking. Al tends to flavor food unless it has a really good coating.

[@bhenry5091]

You can find alcohol burners that have a sliding top plate which controls the flame size, such as on the Trangia burner. It comes with a separate lid which allows you to leav eiquid fuel in the stove when it is packed away. Brent

[@georgesheffield1580]

My go to burner is still a MSR XGK .Burns anything at almost any temperature ,any altitude. Boils very quickly .

[@FiddleSticks800]

I have almost as much camp cookware as you. I am really surprised that I came to a very similar favorite as you. I certainly prefer evernew titanium to any other brand. I use a ruta locura carbon fiber lid and a msr pocket rocket deluxe. I have a 12g DIY titanium windscreen which greatly increases fuel efficiency saving nearly 35% of my fuel. One difference, I don’t care for packing my fuel tank in my mug. The inside of my mug is one of the few places where thing like chips or crackers don’t get destroyed, so I use it as such. Great video and insights.

[@nagaviper1169]

Great video, I really appreciate you showing us all the different options out there. You have a great sense of humor. Thanks brother

[@ZachBrimhall]

Good info✌🏻 I use the Jetboil Minimo with a summit skillet. Perfect for me, light and can actually cook a fish, potatoes, sausage, pancakes, tortilla... excellent setup.

[@glendabaghian1145]

I'm hoping Jetboil makes a detachable clip-on pan stand for the Flash. Wouldn't mind taking it base camping with a collapsible pan & some real eggs.

[@Neotidus]

Have had my cheap Chinese stove from Amazon for 3 years and still working well. I use the Stanley pot too. Works great. Whole cooking system with stove is $25-30.

[@Tribute2JohnnyB]

That Stanley option is friggin great: Take out the cups, throw in your medium sized stove (or smaller), the small canister fuel, and then just nest a 550ml cup under it......simplicity works.

[@mikepowers8607]

I stick my Trangia Chinese knock-off alcohol stove in mine plus one of the plastic cups. You can boil enough water for a cup of coffee and your dehydrated meal of choice at one shot.

[@Glenbard4]

I use the GSI Outdoors Ultra Light Java Drip. It works just like the thing you’re going to try but doesn’t require filters that you’ll then have to pack out as trash. There’s nothing better than a hot cup of real drip coffee in the morning. I’ll never go back to instant coffee on trail anymore. I’d recommend testing the GSI one. I’d love to see your opinion.

[@timothysmith7046]

Stanley pot fits in the ozark trail 500ml and both fit down in a mollie Nalgene pouch off Amazon 230gram fuel on top Chinese stove with the igniter down inside with spoon and 1/3 green scratchy with yellow sponge and outside pocket on the mollie pouch holds sea to summit coffee drip maker all contained and under $50 I love it.

[@rjeepster8640]

Ha ha ha “I don’t want to talk about it “ killing me! Your stand up has game!

[@mendyviola]

I primarily car camp (small sedan), Motocamp and bike camp. My back can’t handle backpacking anymore. Weight isn’t so much the issue for as volume and flexibility is. My smallest is a small single burner like what you can put on a canister, but offset from the fuel canister so you can use larger/heavier pans if you want. It’s about 4” x 4” in its container and the flame control is at the canister, good for using larger pots and pans, and is compatible with both butane and propane (up to 1lb canisters). I also have a regular single and double burner stove that I also use depending on the trip. I love my Stanley pot/cup set, but I primarily use it for making tea or coffee. I just got Stanley’s skillet set that I look forward to trying out this summer.

[@ajherring92]

I've got a 750ml Toaks pot and a stainless steel mess kit for the cooking that I do in the woods. I've tried virtually all the stove set ups on the market and I go back and forth between my alcohol stove which is basically an overbuilt Trangia, or my MSR Pocket Rocket which I've had for like ten years now. Those Esbit tabs are awful smelling, but you're right they're a killer fire starter.

[@johnschmalbach8243]

One thing with Trail Designs Caldera Cone stuff. They have something they call the "Sidewinder Ti Tri." It fits in the pot and also has add-ons you can buy to make it a wood stove so the bulk issue is gone. Everything for my Ti Tri (Kojin, pieces for wood/twig stove mode etc.) Fits inside the Evernew 900ml wide pot I bought with it. It also has a piece for Esbit cubes

[@alertsquirrel]

I just got the Soto Thermostack cook set. It's the same pot, but they add in a smaller pot and a stacking cup. The neat thing is that the way the smaller pot and cup nest creates an air gap and seal effectively making a thermos. I tested it out and it worked about as well as a cheaper (think starbucks) thermos. Also, the lids are the right size to place under a canister to keep it off of the snow.

[@briandoolittle3422]

As a tea guy, Its so much easier to deal with tea in the mountains and I have 0 need for any fancy gadgets for it. Boil water. Pour in to cup. Add tea bag. Quick and easy delicious morning caffeine.

[@Jakelol1980]

Yeah that or just instant coffee of you like coffee. Im mostly a coffee guy and i never bother to bring large coffee making stuff just because it takes up to much space and weight plus instant coffee today is very good if you buy good quality coffee.

[@BladePressure]

@@Jakelol1980do you have a brand you like

[@Jakelol1980]

@@BladePressure I usally just bring Nescafé 3in1.

[@Oldsparkey]

Evernew makes a non stick titanium skillet in three different sizes. The trick when cooking with titanium is to use a low heat , not a blast furnace. My favorite stove is a triple fuel one , wood , alcohol or solid fuel. Light weight titanium and packs really small. It's the Firebox Nano Gen 2 in titanium with the X Box. The alcohol burner I use in it is the Evernew titanium one. Titanium heats up fast and cools down fast when you are threw using it.

[@IronskullGM]

I am a 4 season backcountry expedition guide. the Best and most reliable pack stove you can buy is the MSR whisperlite international liquid fuel stove. You can fix it on the fly, and pretty much use any fuel in it. I've even used diesel in a pinch. Its also much easier to get it through customs.

[@DanBecker]

Take me on an expedition! 😂🙌

[@IronskullGM]

@@DanBecker I'm actually headed out for a long one on Wednesday for the Allagash waterway.

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

..What's extra nice about the Toaks 750 mil is that you can boil enough water for both a dehydrated meal plus a hot drink with one boil ... carry a second non-metal cup ,, rigid or collapsible for your drink cup ... use canister stoves for 3 season temps above freezing ... personal preference MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe ... .. In winter temps below freezing use liquid fuel stoves , my preference is a MSR WhisperLite International (can burn almost any flammable liquid) ....and there are others by MSR and more that work well also ... once the temps drop below freezing ,, leave the canisters home ....use liquid stove ,1st choice ....wood/twig stove ,, Firebox 2nd as backup .. as long as wood is available ...... If wood products are readily available and is more of a multi day basecamp than Firebox 1st choice to save liquid fuel for trail use ... ... Have backpacked over 50 years and have a trunk full of pack style stove's ,,, some work better than others in the given situation .... some are just cool collectables ,, like the self contained all brass SVEA ...

[@donnyo65]

Great video as the choice of gear, especially for newbs, is bewildering. I still use my Trangia 27, that was bought as an 18th birthday gift 39 years ago, but with a gas canister conversion. Heavier but I mostly do cycle touring so the extra weight is worth it for the convenience. I use a wood burning 'stick stove' for other stuff.

[@granite-headgold1038]

I love my good old rugged Stanley pot, but I absolutely love my new Toaks 750 even more! I've been running the same "BRS" for years now, with zero issues (to be fair, I use it maybe 20 days a year). I have all kinds of utensils, including a long handle titanium spoon, but my favorite is my Toaks titanium folding spork (it also fits inside the 750 with the canister and stove). I mostly just boil water, and titanium effin' ROCKS when ounces count! For coffee: Folgers Coffee Singles (tea bag coffee) is my personal go-to, since it requires no special equipment and isn't instant freeze dried instant coffee. I know I've commented this on your videos before (and not just yours!), but... just cut the top off the dang freeze dried meal bags and then you don't get messy hands when using shorter utensils... it works wonderfully - trust me! Just pull out that trusty SD Classic and snip it off!

[@Kevinschart]

question for you. Do you know if the Stanley can nest in side the Toaks? Also can you nest the toaks 750 inside a GSI/Ozark mug?

[@granite-headgold1038]

@@Kevinschart sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Been busy, and my stainless gear was packed away. I just tried it, and yes, the Stanley pot WILL fit inside of a Toaks 750 Ti, without the lid of course. I also have one of the Ozark $5 stainless mugs w/ folding handles, and the 750 sort of fits inside, but VERY tightly. Maybe the GSI has a slightly bigger I.D. and will fit better; I don't know, as I don't have one. You would also have to have a Toaks 750 without handles, as they bottom out on the lip of the mug long before the pot is fully nestled (mine has handles).

[@Kevinschart]

@@granite-headgold1038 Really appreciate it. I actually just got back for an overnighter using my new toaks 900ml 115cm. I packed the ozark mug inside, with a gas can and BRS stove. It was obviously much lighter than the stanley, but titanium can't hold any heat at all. Thanks again

[@granite-headgold1038]

@@Kevinschart no worries man. I don't mind that it doesn't hold heat. I just boil water for my freeze dried breakfast or oatmeal, then use the rest to make coffee right in the pot. I'm usually looking to eat and get out of camp ASAP anyhow, so it's nice that the coffee cools down enough to drink down quick so I can break camp. Doing it all with the 750 is real nice, because it really saves weight, and I don't actually cook on-trail (freeze dried, ready to eat, or cold soak meals only). I sometimes will carry a silicone collapsible mug for my coffee if I'm not doing miles and more just camping in place; it's only 2oz's.

[@saintjackula9615]

Toaks Conundrum: When I first got into backpacking at Covid start, I went out and acquired a Toaks 750, 550, and (I think ) a 350 for coffee. The 750 was right out too big as I eat alone and don't make big meals. The 350 was OK just for my coffee, but not for a meal, even ramen. The 550 had a lid just like the 750, but it had handles like the 350 mug. I then took the 550 for cooking and the 350 for coffee, with the 350 nestled inside the 550 perfectly, but I realized I seldom eat food while simultaneously drinking coffee, so I dumped the 350 mug like it weighed pounds instead of grams, and now I use the 550 w/lid for drink AND food. I then found smaller fuel cans and a tiny stove that fit inside the 550, saving holy space. There are TOAKS configurations for everyone likely, but for me the 550 hits that sweet spot of working fair enough for both drinking and eating.

[@jasonhyde]

I use a Toaks 550 with "BRS" and mini Bic lighter under the fuel canister. Lid doesn't fit perfect but it's close. Use a rubber band and you're good to go. I too use the 550 for food and drink.

[@tjholcomb1225]

That's how it works, Saint Jackula. Trial and error teaches what works for each of us, right?

[@saintjackula9615]

@@tjholcomb1225 Oh for sure. We can follow advice, but so many of us need that trail and error. I like it in these situations, because I can give the items I don't need away or leave them in trail stashes. I love doing that.

[@tcroz7733]

I have the cheap Stanley pot and the BRS stove. It's a nice cheap combo that's served me well on a couple backpacking trips. I've not run into any issues with the BRS stove, but I do wonder about its reliability long-term. The Stanley isn't light compared to the other options but like Dan said, it's rock solid.

[@jonsanford2515]

I have one of those Stanley pots as well. My only complaint is that the small fuel cans fit inside so snugly, they make a vacuum and are a pain to remove. That, and it’s very tall and narrow, and feels like it’s going to tip, even though I’ve never knocked it over.

[@tcroz7733]

@@jonsanford2515 yes, it’s a bit snug. And totally feel you on the tipping aspect.

[@granite-headgold1038]

I had the same setup, then I got a the Toaks 750 and still use the BRS... world of difference! As long as, like Dan said, you're just boiling water.

[@moloko4]

FYI, if you take the press mechanism from a 1L french press it fits the stanley cook kit perfectly. on backpacking trips or car camping it can be a huge morale boost having non-instant coffee in a small form factor. also, on shorter trips, if you don't mind the extra weight, a hand coffee grinder for fresh ground coffee. just saying. it's been a winner (though i have to lug this stuff around lol). i can take a pic if you want, but i'm sure you get the idea.

[@eucabrooks]

And if you want it to be lighter or smaller, you can separate the plunger from the lid, and most of the time you can unscrew the stem from the plunger screen to pack it flatter.

[@kristymoore7052]

Thanks for a good review. I still have one of those Chinese kits I use when car camping when I want to have coffee before I get out of bed. I started a tradition last year during Xmas: gear I thought I had to have but do not need or want. They aren’t gifts, but they end up on the exchange table and it works out well. The CNOC collapsible, water bottle still has no takers.

[@royleerobinson5]

Been running a soto for like 8 years works flawlessly love it!

[@joeykerr5517]

So many good things! I actually use a Bear Bowl as my pot with a Firebox Nano. I generally just use sticks, but sometimes I will use an esbit. My utensil is the Uco Switch. I love that it can be used separately as a fork and spoon, or connected together to become a super long handle.

[@ovejohansen77]

Great video! I too carry just a a boiling cup and a small frying pan. No need for anything more. Right now it's a 1 liter steel cup which fits in my water bottle pouch, around the bottle. Lid goes underneath. Small 6 sided non-stick aluminium pan inside the backpack. I dont use gas canisters. I carry a Trangia-style or beercan alcohol burner in the summer. Multifuel burner with petrol in the winter.

[@nathanhollis9298]

I use the toaks 550, BSR stove and a neoross windscreen. All 3 are just are just over 5oz total. The windscreen is good for moderate wind but has the added bonus of making a more stable base for the tiny BSR.

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

As far as lightweight coffee making goes... Pour hot water over some grounds in one cup, steep for about 4 min like you would for French press, stir it down and wait another 5-10 min, and then pour it into another cup. You don't really need a filter or screen as the grounds settle out. Another option would be to make Turkish or Cuban style coffee. Edit: you can also get a large tea brew basket and put your coffee grounds in that, steep for about 4-5 minutes, then pull the basket out.

[@ryancassens2118]

I use the Stanley pot for camping. I use a Sterno stove and it works great with it. Just leave one cup at home and it has enough space to fit my Sterno can inside on top. Found a shorter, slightly larger pot (Ozark Trail I think) that just fits around the base on the outside.

[@vikingslayer34]

I think the Toaks is the champ. I have the Stanley as well, but the small surface area on the bottom makes boiling water a touch longer. The locking lid is nice though. Another nice one is the Joe Robinet 500ml stainless steel pot. It has a hanging handle you can hang it over a fire with, as well as a normal handle that folds in. Great video Dan! Been with you since the beginning. (Also a Wisconsinite!)

[@glendabaghian1145]

Good point on the Stanley's surface area. I hadn't thought about that. I traded my 550 for a 750 Toaks with the top handle after I forgot how hot the handles get. Still too many part & pieces to funble with compared to an all-in-one Jetboil, but that's me. Separate comment above.

[@mikekraut7643]

I have the Soto Helix and have only been able to find the proper filters online, not in any stores near me. You can find cone filters pretty much anywhere, but all the ones near me aren’t a true cone, they have a sort of flat tip to them, which is not ideal for the Helix since the pointed cone filters like they include allow your coffee to steep in the water after you pour over.

[@Funkteon]

After years of struggling with titanium and hard anodized aluminium whereby everything sticks to it, I now solely use non-stick pots and pans - They weigh a bit more, but I no longer need to waste water and paper towel trying to get my cooking vessels clean. I use a cheap non-stick pot from the Australian equivalent of Walmart and I use the Jetboil skillet as my non-stick frying pan... Never looked back...

[@loudowning3393]

Titanium overheats to the point you can barely touch the handle without being burned. I can't even have a hot drink out of a titanium cup as the rim will burn my mouth. I think titanium is way overrated and definitely overpriced.

[@austinburns4213]

I have that coffee filter pour-over spring thing and it is excellent. Pour the water in slowly around the edges at first to allow the grounds to steep and not flow right through. I’ve used it at home and on the road too. Give it a try.

[@hogey74]

I still use that same cheap aluminium pot with a brs. Sounds like a jet engine but it puts out the heat. I warm the canister in my armpit for a while before getting up on a cold morning. I've carried a cheap frying pan for a group hike and also when hiking in, base camping and then going on to huts in nz.

[@kristeniszler]

The first stove I got was the solo twig stove with a titanium pot to boil water, then I got a Pocket Rocket. Just a few days ago I got the Jetboil Stash and stove, and I can't wait to try it out!!

[@ScanMy2DBarcode]

I opted for the Jetboil MightyMo and Jetboil 1.5L FluxRing cook pot to cook for 2-3 people. Fastest boil for 1L so far was 3.18 minutes at about 5,900 ft. It's ceramic coated so I can cook food in it versus just boiling water for everything. An expensive combination but it's been great. I've boiled approx 9L of water, reheat 3 rounds of cold food, and cooked beans on low heat for 20 m, and have about 93g left on a 230g fuel canister.

[@johncramer9564]

Nice overview, thank you! I'm done buying those camping gas canisters. They're expensive and it seems recently they are often out of stock at local sporting goods shops, so I've stopped using those systems. Now I use a Sterno Inferno system (wind screen and cooking pot) in combination with a Trangia style alcohol stove which comes with a resealable lid and a temperature regulator to allow for simmering. Alcohol fuel is cheap. I buy the 12 ounce bottles of HEET for $1.68 each online.

[@farstrider79]

Yeah, the canisters are good, but I never liked being able to tell how much fuel is left. Alcohol while backpacking, white gas while car camping on a Coleman 425.

[@Belgarathe]

I think the kit with universal is best world. Adapt to what’s on hand

[@zachy-koon]

I bought the Soto Amicus stove and their 1L+.5L pot set and it's definitely my favorite stove. Super light, I love the four pot stands, and works quite well in the wind (though not as well as the windmaster, but then, I always find a makeshift windscreen anyhow). As for your alcohol stove, You can DIY one yourself that works much better. I made a 2-inch double-walled one out of a coke can, which allows for the heat to create a vacuum and disperse the flames out of jets you can drill into the "shoulder" (on top of the can). I filled the "wall" with plumber's high-temperature felt as a wick. I use this in winter and 2 oz of denatured alcohol or Heet can last 14 minutes and boils in 2-3 minutes. You can create a simple windscreen as well out of aluminum sheeting. Mine doubles as a pot stand by running 3 long, thin bolts in a triangle pattern through the top of the sheeting and increase air flow by drilling holes in the bottom. All of this fits into my GSI pot as well. All this to say, if you have the time, you can make a decent alcohol stove+kit that is light-weight and works well in winter.

[@neemancallender9092]

Dear Beginners 1:00 'cheap' Chinese pot is an excellent starting pot And many many people stay with that and are perfectly happy with it 19:40 Then with a BRS Stove you need go no farther Steal a teaspoon and soup spoon from your kitchen And for pennies you have an ultralight cookset Do NOT over think it or overspend

[@n8jones418]

I love the Helix Pour over coffee maker! Definitely worth taking on a backpacking trip. My only recommendation is to use larger #4 cone filters instead of the ones they provide. The smaller ones hang down into your mug too far. I get a better cup and a better experience using the larger filters.

[@glendabaghian1145]

Very cool. Great tip. I bet the pour spout lid on my Flash would nicely control the flow of hot water.

[@mandsrey]

I hiked the AT with the Stanley cook pot you showed and a home made alcohol stove 😂. Upgraded to Toaks 750 and a pocket rocket in Hot Springs, NC. It was life changing. Cool video, was fun all the way through.

[@ExON00]

I've ended up with the same setup, BRS stove in a 900ml titanium pot with the same handle as the stanley pot. Love it !

[@jimbonguyen]

A big drawback to the Stanley is its instability on stove supports. The Stanley pot diameter is much smaller than the Toaks 550, for example, and the Stanley pot has curved bottoms relative to its height that make it more tip-prone.

[@IvarsDayLab]

I bought a Polish or some other country company Pinguin and the stove is called "Camper" that is screwable onto the gas tank. It is great as you can set a bigger pot to boil some potatoes or whatever you want or frying pan to fry your steak or cook something else. It has this bigger burner circle so it will not burn just one spot on your pot or pan. So that one is nice. I would suggest to get a windscreen for it.

[@67L48]

I just went with the Optimus Elektra kit. For $70, there’s the Crux Lite stove (tons of good reviews on this stove), 1 L Al pot with nonstick and integrated heat exchanger, matching lid (tiny skillet), piezo igniter, aluminum wind screen, and carry case. Not the lightest or smallest kit, but it’s complete and high quality for $70.

[@Allcanadianoutdoors]

Msr pocket rocket deluxe is awesome. Boil cooking for two people on a three day trip. Water for breakfast, lunch dinner, coffee/tea. 2L pot was boiling in minutes. We only used 1 small fuel canister.

[@skadistyr8449]

When you try the Helix - couple it with a Soto Thermostack! It is awesome - You get basically a double-walled cup, that can be separated into two cups. You boil on the first cup, then you pour over into the second cup- Afterwars you can connect them back together to form your insulating double-walled cup. Especially nice in winter.

[@rogerwilco1777]

I like my jet boils. Everything tucks away nicely and it sips fuel. (Also probably because I got a used one for 11$ and a new one for 30$ at REI sales)..

[@specs6637]

I made a gas stove out of an old can of beans, soda can, and an old rag. Honestly has worked absolute wonders for me

[@dannynimmo3052]

You've been the absolute best for info. I've learned so much and thank you for all the help. The only thing I can add is that titanium does not conduct well. its not that it transfers heat to well, but actually not well at all and thats why you get the hot spots

[@douglasdoucette7352]

Greetings from New Brunswick, Canada. Loved your walk thru the menagerie of stoves, pots & utensils. My wife teases me about having too many camping or backpacking stoves - is 4 really too many? I think she can step back now after seeing your gear closet. After somewhat fewer trials & trails than you, I also landed on a 750mL Ti pot (Boundless Voyage) with Optimus Crux Lite canister stove as my preferred cook system for 3-season hiking. The 750 pot works for boiling water for a couple of coffees or reheating a good-sized solo meal (Crux stove can simmer). Really enjoy your videos - you seem very relatable, down to earth. Keep on putting out these entertaining & informative videos.

[@kappy0405]

I've been using the same msr pocket rocket for over a decade. Still works perfectly, regardless of the weather, and is still lighter than most options. Really don't see any reason to change.

[@NancyCavillones]

Same! Over a decade now… bought it 16 years ago for my first multi-day hiking trip and still holding up.

[@eda715]

Folgers makes a tea bag but with coffee and it is great for backpacking. I never hear anyone recommend it, but it’s way better than instant coffee.

[@deanniharasym3544]

I use MSR whiperlte. White gas...no canisters needed. Love how it boils FAST! Yeah it’s noisy, but the noise keeps the wildlife away

[@aminasshaari7109]

Haha haha haha, the BRS stove and a cheap titanium pot is my setup for dayhike

[@TechnoNinjaAlex]

If you keep the fuel upright in the tokas 550 you can store a mini bic lighter under it and the brs stove on top. Lid just off a little bit but a strong rubber band works. It’s worked for me for 3 years now.

[@bentleybear187]

I use the Stanley set with a gsi cup that the Stanley nests in. 2 small cans of fuel sit in the Stanley pot and my snowpeak stove all in a stuff sack. Been using that set up for close to 10 years. Pretty prefect for me.

[@Zw1d]

I've been using brs 3000 with GSI microdualist II for over a year now, boiled probably around 100L of water, cooked some scrambled eggs (on jetboil pan) and some pasta dinners. It doesn't give a lot of support so you have to be careful with bigger pots, but still, for the price, it's been a great stove. It does struggle with the wind but I still managed to boil water in windy conditions at 1900 meters (i did have to cover it with a backpack). It is not very fuel efficient, but from the tests I checked online it uses about 15% more fuel so I wouldn't call it tragic.

[@eddieserna5494]

I used the Stanley on my 14 days elk trip in CO was able to fit 2 small fuel canisters w/ little orange stabilizer, pocket rocket and lighter worked perfectly. I only took 2 canisters because it was my first backpacking trip and I wasn’t sure how many times I could boil water with one canister.

[@GuyonaMoose]

one of my favorite sets for summer is the msr titan and pocket rocket 2. nests in wonderfully with a small canister full size bic and a napkin :). winter requires me to use my msr whisperlight and 1.1l alpine stowaway pot. ide buy a titanium pot like it (with the handle/latch locking) in a heartbeat. msr gear is rock solid imo. also the humble trangia must never be forgotten.

[@timm7524]

Also... I think the OG tiny "no name" stove was the Firemaple. FMS-300T. That one has the steel fins less prone to warping under heat. That and the 550 mL Toaks rock as a little boiler kit!

[@beejoy6153]

For me, I 🖤🖤🖤 the GSI Outdoors Halulite Minimalist Kitchen Kit. It is PERFECTION!!! My fuel, stove, utensils, GSI Cleaning Scraper, and bandana fits in it nicely. It comes with a lid that doubles as a drinking lid and a cozy along with a folding spork (that's actually pretty nice,... believe it or not!) and a unique but practical silicone and magnetic finger pot holder. It's super compact and lightweight. I started with the Stanley Adventure Cook Kit, which I still really love to this day, but found that the GSI one works best for me. Fun video to watch but can't believe that you had to try so many to find your one.😂

[@smiles_per_hr6408]

Can maximise space by putting your stove + matches/fire steel in the pot before the canister. Can get a large canister, sea to summit x brewer (coffee brewer) and canister in a 1litre pot.

[@StreetWiseMomSurviving]

Perfect timing! Just came off the first thru hike of the spring season and definitely need to lighten up the load on the cooking situation. Woman in our hike had that Stanley set up she used with her son and ❤️❤️❤️ it! The other guy had the Soto mini and it worked great

[@cbondoutdoors2891]

I use a cylinder tea infuser for doing pour over coffee! Works likes a charm, takes up no space and is super super light weight!

[@DustinRea]

I have that Stanley pot and also their frying pan kit. I don't use the cups either. I put a tiny stove and fuel in it and just use a stainless steel insulated mug I've had for about 20 years.

[@PlayingWithFireOutdoors]

after nearly 20 yrs infantry time, I used a Whisperlight since 1984. Added the Adventure pot, its a great pair.

[@harbour94]

The MSR Windpro was my first ever stove. I’ve bought a lot of equipment since but I always keep coming back to the Windpro. It’s solid as a rock and has never failed me.

[@mtadams2009]

I have a lot of stoves and pots but my go to set up is a BRS and a Toaks 550 super light and it works. If the weather is going to be bad or cold I use my Soto. If not going solo I use one of my bigger Titanium pots. I only boil water so I am not really doing any real cooking. I used to bring a more extensive cook kit but that’s before I went UL. If camping in really cold weather I bring my MSR white gas unit. I am not quite sure why everyone seems to be fixated on fitting the fuel can in the pot. I just throw the fuel in my food bag, it’s really no big deal. In the summer I may use my alcohol stove. I have never had any issues with my BRS stove and I have used mine for months without an issue. Jet Boils weigh way to much. I can always tell when someone likes to carry lots of crap, they have have Jet Boil. Yeah I know they are fuel efficient but for how much they weigh it’s a no go. Nice review if options.

[@Algorythmfpv]

Out here making me feel successful with the high praise of the 750 at the end. lol When making my set, I landed on the Toaks 750 ml. I can nestle a toaks 375 ml in it, that holds my stove, lighter, silicone hot fingers, Silicone lip guard, and cleaning cloth inside. I then place my cannister upside down, with the lid to the 750 upside down on top, (the rim fits around the base of the cannister perfect this way, also I'm not placing the "inside" of the lid on the bottom of a fuel canister.) But because It is a little too tall to fully close the lid, I have to use the orange drawstring sack it came in to hold it all together. I LOVE how well it compacts down, how lightweight it is. And how versatile and functional it is for my needs. I went with a collapsible silicone bowl so I'm not limited to eating out of my cook pot, if I want a two course meal, or need to boil water for someone else while I eat.

[@timgoward9407]

UCO makes a fork, spoon and knife set that is excellent. It is two pieces that nest together, the handle of the spoon is the butter knife while the handle of the fork is the sheath. When nested the spoon and fork are together, pull a part, flip over, put the knife into the sheath and you have a long handle with a fork and spoon at opposite ends. Best part it's made out of plastic so you don't get that weird texture feeling of the titanium sporks.

[@juliangoble2503]

Are you John Krasinski brother

[@melissahoffman4687]

If you use a can lid and drill a hole right in the middle, you have a simmer ring for your alcohol wick stove. A normal can lid will make a great snuffer. Just drill two holes on one end of the can lids and use stainless steel wire you can order online to make a handle.

[@a.ramosakadrumgrl6677]

We all have those cheap Chinese stoves and mess kits, I think I have the same stove. I have that Stanley cook pot, I really like that one just for boiling water, but I have a bigger mess kit (from china) for cooking regular food. That pour over coffee would work great with the Stanley since it comes with 2 cups, I always take one out. Someone tried to pass off a cheap stove off as a BRS, but it was not, it was heavier and not the same design (I sent it back). Kyle says “Hi!”