DIY Project - Pot Cozies: What Are They And How To Make Them

[@lyles8248]

I believe your video is the best one out there for covering DIY for both the pot and pouch cozies. Well done! Many thanks.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Wow, thank you! And, you're welcome. I'm happy you enjoyed it and found the video helpful. Thanks for watching, subscribing and leaving a comment.

[@Sking32951]

What a great idea and a fantastic instructional video. We were able to successfully make a pot cozy with your help. Heading into the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness and are thrilled to have the cozy for our adventure. Thank you so much.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

+Sharon King Your welcome. I'm happy to hear that the directions were easy to follow. I've always wanted to visit the B.W.C.A. bit never made it up there yet. Maybe some day. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Tjkillingsworth]

Great video, very thorough. I am about to make a pot coozy as well, and rather than having another insulator to keep freezer bags warm while rehydrating, I am going to make my lid with extra long side walls, so that I can fit a large bag of food with water in the expanded coozy, while I heat up another cup of water for coffee or tea. Thanks!

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

You're welcome. That's a good idea. Have fun making it. Thanks for watching and posting a comment.

[@yousifucv]

I really like that you did an experiment at the end. Exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks!

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Awesome! I'm happy it was helpful. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.I figured the experiment would help illustrate how well these things work.

[@raggedymanbushcraft]

Great idea. I've got a cool bag that has seen better days so instead of throwing it out I'm going to use the insulation material to make a few of these 👍

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Re-purpose instead of spending more money; that's a great idea!

[@raggedymanbushcraft]

@@GreatLakesBackpacker It's better for the environment too 😀👍

[@tessvandijk2351]

If your finding the tape start to fall off, switch over and use gorilla tape. Works much better and you dont have to repress it. This also work better for duct work too. Metal tape is better for metal duct work, not plastic to plastic. Hope this helps someone.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

I have never used Gorilla tape but I have heard it really holds tight. Good idea.

[@antoniol1776]

Hello I thoroughly enjoyed your video You're an excellent Teacher. I've seen other people make their Cozies. They use Gaffer Tape. Some would use the Gray some would use the Black Tape. The Aluminum Tape is the Best and Works the Best. I actually bought myself some Aluminum Tape. I was planning to do the same thing. I really appreciate you showing the best way to do it. You must be a Engineer. 😃👍

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Thank you. I'm glad you found the video helpful. No, I'm not an engineer but I had some of that tape from doing some ductwork and figured it may work better. And, as it turned out, it seemed to work just fine.

[@jdominique70]

Thanks so much for this. I'm going to Home Depot right now for some Reflectix and tape :)

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

It's an easy project and works really well. You will enjoy it.

[@azclaimjumper]

I especially like the way you demonstrate the thermal efficiency of these Koozies. I made Koozies for my 750ml & 450ml titanium cups that surround the cups, the handles remain next to the cup. I have no need for a Koozie for food because I pour my Freeze Dried meals into my Koozie covered 750 ml cup to rehydrate. I boil water in my 750ml cup, then insert the cup & boiling water into its Koozie, then I pour the Freeze Dried food into the cup & let it rehydrate. I can then enjoy a HOT HOT meal inside my Koozie covered cup which retains it's heat right down to my small fold-up spork. No need for a long handled spork. Before going hiking I open the foil pouches of freeze dried food & put it in 1 QT Freezer ziplock baggies which take up much less space in my backpack, then pour the food into Koozie covered cup to rehydrate. No need for a Koozie cook pouch. It boggles my mind that so-called experienced hikers can't figure out that they should pour their freeze dried food into the cup with hot water rather than pouring hot water into the pouch that the food comes in.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Thanks for leaving a comment. I am happy you enjoyed the thermal efficiency comparison.

[@kitty4536]

The reason people pour hot water into the dehydrated food baggie instead of your method is to avoid soiling the pot, so they don't have to wash the pot since all it heats is water. The food bag gets trashed anyway so that way all you need to clean is the spoon/spork, and you can wipe clean easily with your tongue ;-) I do like your idea though, because I don't eat commercially prepared dehydrated meal. I have to mix different ingredients in the pot so it's essential to practice your method. I also don't like pouring hot water into plastic baggy with aluminum lining.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

You're right, Kitty, cooking in the pot does tend to make a mess of it and I really don't like cleaning the pot,especially when water is limited or farther away. I also tend to cook in freezer bags whenever possible, but there still are times when I cook meals in my pot so my cozie is useful at those times. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@Corcioch]

Nice video. Thanks. If you opt for the simple lid on your cosy you could let the sides come up a tiny bit higher. Finish the edge with strips of tape. Finish the edges of the lid with strips of tape....and you'll have a very snug fit. Thanks again 👍

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Thanks for the suggestion; that's a good idea. I'm happy you enjoyed the video. Thanks for leaving a comment.

[@timobrien3287]

Excellent comparison. New Sub here

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching, leaving a comment and for subscribing.

[@stoneblue1795]

Well done-- I will take a look at your other films here too, thanks.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Thank you. Happy you enjoyed it.

[@iliketacos6067]

LOVING IT

[@ivyrowe2114]

Can use the pouch to help keep your feet / hands warm when the temp drops unexpectedly.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

+Ivy Rowe Not a bad idea but my hands and feet are too big to fit in the pouch I made.

[@tianikane3312]

@@GreatLakesBackpacker I think I might make some coozie boots.... Ultra light....

[@LUVDOGS1954]

excellent...thank you.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@LUVDOGS1954]

@@GreatLakesBackpacker yep...now suscribed sir!

[@alannah1201]

Is the material healthy? At least it will get in touch with fingers and food 😳

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

There shouldn't be any health concerns. It is safe to handle, and your food is never in direct contact with the insulating material.

[@davidnieve6444]

Hay, that's really cool! Thanks!

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@RideCampRamble]

Just what I was looking for. Thank you

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Awesome! I'm happy it helped you. Thanks for leaving a comment.

[@bhenry5091]

This is a great idea for saving fuel, BUT I think a better test would be to do this outside, where the temperature differential , and heat loss, is greater than that experienced at room temperature. thx for the vid. Brent

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Not a bad idea, Brent. Maybe that will be the topic for another video!

[@odedaj]

That was amazing. Subscribed.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

I'm happy you enjoyed the video. Thanks for checking it out, leaving a comment and for subscribing!

[@SpaceExplorer31]

Excellent video.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

I'm happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@timhikes8624]

Thanks for info, great video.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Your welcome! I'm happy it was informative. Thank you for leaving a comment.

[@loriclayton1577]

Loved the video.... Thanks

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

+Lori Clayton I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@johnj.7803]

great video! is there a reason why you chose metal tape as opposed to regular duct tape?

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Thanks for watching. I'm happy you enjoyed the video. I had duct tape, but figured I would simply use the metal tape. I'm sure duct tape would have worked but I figured the metal tape would blend in more with the Reflectix and it might be easier to work with since it is a little more stiff than duct tape. If duct tape is all you have, then I'm sure it would work just fine.

[@fishingguy5848]

Great info better than rest ty

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

I'm happy you liked it. Hopefully it was what you were looking for. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@JoshuaJohnsonOutdoors]

Great video thanks. Can I ask where around the great lakes you are based? I'm originally from near Duluth.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Thank you, Joshua. I live in southeast Michigan; about an hour north of Detroit.

[@JoshuaJohnsonOutdoors]

@@GreatLakesBackpacker nice. I went to college in Houghton at Michigan Tech. I had a lot of friends from over that way. Again, great content. Cheers.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

I am very familiar with Houghton / Hancock and the area around Michigan Tech in the U.P. I have backpacked on Isle Royale eight times over the years. When we leave from Copper Harbor, we pass right through that area. I will be backpacking on Isle Royale again in May with two of my friends, but we will be leaving from Grand Portage, MN this time. Michigan Tech is a great engineering college.

[@JoshuaJohnsonOutdoors]

@@GreatLakesBackpacker ha, funny that! I actually live in New Zealand these days, but will be moving back to the region in the not so distant future. Perhaps i'll see you on the trail at some point!

[@Rebekahdavignon]

The metal tape can be exhaust pipe tape found at automotive stores.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Correct! Thank you for sharing that information. Metal ductwork tape... metal exhaust tape...

[@kenken-ss7jn]

Great

[@travislee9796]

Any ballpark idea of the weight of these cozies?

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

That would have been good info for the video. I just measured the one I made and use. It is 9.5"×11" and weighs 1.6 ounces (45g). Hope that helps.

[@travislee9796]

@@GreatLakesBackpacker Sweet thank you!

[@millanferende6723]

Am I the only one who wants to extend these at the bottom, to double as a wind-shield? (+ let more air rise around the pot) I guess only in practice will I see if this is a stupid idea or not.

[@margiehughes73]

Wouldn't that create a hazard (or possible explosion) of the fuel canister??

[@tianikane3312]

@@margiehughes73 Hi Margie - yes, I have seen a canister take off into the nether regions along with its cookpot and stove due to people over insulating them. Scared the crap out of us. Went off with a bang. I guess the idea is to just extend it enough to go over the stove area and not the canister. But you need to have breathing holes to let the flame breathe I would expect. And to line it with silver foil. I have seen people catch their reflectix alight, and burn it to a smouldering pile.

[@thegreatoutthere]

Excellent video and demo! I made a slightly different version due to the added handles of my cooking pot. Here's my version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGiQeIx8faqIgNE

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Thank you. Actually, a year or two after I made this video, I modified my design and created a top like the one you made... one that slides over the top and partially over the lower portion. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@Anony-Mouse28]

Do you think it's possible to make a cozy that can stay on the pot whilst it is on the stove. To save fuel.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

I would say, no. The material I used basically has plastic bubble wrap-type material between the two outside layers. That is what gives the cozy its insulating properties; the plastic inside traps the air. Leaving that cozy on while cooking would melt it, and simply wrapping a pot in layers of foil would not provide any insulating properties because metal or tinfoil easily transfer heat.

[@lynnwatson8398]

This was great-clear and good temp demo comparison. er camping.Especially for wintPosted this to Facebook and friends and family of hikers, hunters, paddlers. Thank you!

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

You're very welcome! Thank you for sharing it on your Facebook page.