My Ultralight Cook Kit

My Ultralight Cook Kit is one the most important parts of the gear I take into the backcountry with me. Let's be honest. You have to eat, so this gear matters, and it's nice to keep it light weight.
The stuff:
Toakes 750ml titanium pot: bit.ly/338oDj7
Toakes Long Handled Spork: amzn.to/2oUuFVO
BRS 3000 Stove: amzn.to/2ImL2Ry
GSI Outdoors Microgripper Pot Gripper: bit.ly/2Io4jSF
Norwex Body Cloth: amzn.to/2Migm5r
Bic Mini Lighter: amzn.to/2VclkEG
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My Big 3 (Shelter system, sleep system, and backpack):
ULA Ohm 2.0: www.ula-equipment.com/product...
Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 2: bit.ly/331TdL3
Massdrop EE Revelation 20 degree Quilt: bit.ly/2ZwNGhD
Nemo Tensor 20R: bit.ly/31OYxS2
Klymit X Pillow: bit.ly/30Ifs7f
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My Camera Gear:
My Setup:
Canon EOS 80: amzn.to/2XoqsWD
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens: amzn.to/2Ih5l2c
Neewer LED Softbox Lighting Kit: amzn.to/2XnXK8d
Deity V-Mic D3 Pro: amzn.to/2L8Z7p1
Geekoto 77" Tripod: amzn.to/2WtImG9
Jobi Gorilla Pod 5K: amzn.to/2Pnw6J8
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If you'd like to help out this channel, shop with the links below:
Backcountry.com: bit.ly/2M9m61a
REI.com: bit.ly/30Kgsbc
Klymit: bit.ly/31JXh2w
Outdoor Vitals: bit.ly/2VfwHvr
Garage Grown Gear: bit.ly/2olQIVj
Sea to Summit: bit.ly/35hm9Az
Amazon.com: amzn.to/2oRmYzs
What's with all the links? These affiliate links are the best way for me to invest money back into this channel to purchase equipment, gear and pay for trips. By clicking on these links to do the shopping you would do regardless, I get a minimal kickback from the sale. This is the best way to support this channel without it costing you anything more than what you would already be spending. Thanks so much!

[@fixnfly673]

Hey John, thanks for the review on your cook kit! I'm putting together a Bike Packing kit myself and it's always great to get info from folks you know. Definitely adding some of these items to my list. Keep up the good content!

[@john_kelley]

Awesome, man! Thanks for the comment!

[@april906outdoors3]

Great setup. I always backpack with my Norwex cloths! Gives me confidence that my pot, spork, and hands are clean. They dry quickly and sanitize themselves overnight. Hike on!

[@john_kelley]

I had no idea how useful they were until I got my hands on one. Thanks for commenting!

[@skeeterbone]

You are so right...always a blue lighter. I got one inside my Toaks 750ml as well. Great video brother.

[@john_kelley]

Thanks, Jeff!

[@Hftimes2]

I have pretty much the exact same set up. Toaks 650 pot, BRS stove, hot lips and a fuel can. I’ve recently been influenced by Mr. backpacking with Jason sir to branch out from the freez dried meals and start actually cooking some in the backcountry. So I went and bought the msr seagull pot, or the stowaway pot. Looking forward trying it out soon.

[@john_kelley]

Nice! Jason knows how to eat in style! He’s the man!

[@Leadmeoutdoors]

Yup, that is a great pot! Nice review!

[@john_kelley]

Thanks!!!

[@BorealWilderness]

The Toaks 750 is fantastic. I think most of us have it. Lol. Silica gel pouches however saturate very fast when exposed to moisture and can only be regenerated in an oven. So reusing these packets for any extended period of time only affords a placebo effect.

[@Canadian_Craftsman]

Also love the BRS stove using it for years ZERO issues bought 2 of them keep grinding John!!(=✌💚

[@john_kelley]

Right on! Thanks!

[@Canadian_Craftsman]

@iPac9mm yup almost 5yrs now!!

[@donmatulevich9411]

Good video. My kit is very similar. I go solo so I have the 550ml pot, BSR, mini bic and bandana. I have the diy reflections cozy inside the orange cozy too. That’s it.

[@john_kelley]

Nice! Great minds think alike!

[@Oldsparkey]

Good review and you sure can not go wrong with the Toaks gear , top quality. I like it with gas burners or wood stoves. My go to Ultra light set that stays in my backpack is the Evernew Appalachian Set which weighs 5.7 oz. For a eating utensil it's the Human gear GoBites Duo at .78 oz.

[@john_kelley]

Evernew makes some great stuff! I need to check out human gear.

[@Silkstep]

Nice efficient cook kit. I have a BRS too and like it too. Great review. My solo cook kit is a Toaks 550ml pot with lid, a Gram Weenie alcohol stove, aluminum windscreen, a small Outpost titanium insulated coffee cup, a Toaks long handled titanium spoon, a cotton bandana, and an 8oz bottle of alcohol, good enough for a weekend trip, all held in a LiteAF dyneema cook kit stuffsack. The whole kit (less the alcohol) weighs just under 8oz, and gives me 2 cups of boiling water for about .75oz of alcohol, giving me 10 good burns for food and coffee for just under a pound. Sure, it is slower than a canister, but it runs silent and I am rarely in a hurry on the trail. :)

[@john_kelley]

That’s a great setup! I almost went with the 550. I’ve never done the alcohol stove. I’ve just stuck with the old faithful canister stove. I’m intrigued by alcohol, though.

[@HawkeyeHikes]

Almost have the same setup- I use the toaks 550ml but I also don't have the microgripper. I usually just use my buff or the orange coozie to grab the pot. Decissant is really smart, I need to start doing that!

[@john_kelley]

Thanks, man! Looking forward to that part 2 video!

[@BackcountryExposure]

I’m all about the 700ml pot. Wider base which I enjoy more. Nice kit.

[@john_kelley]

The 700 is very nice, and I kinda like the handle on it better.

[@hoser7706]

Looks like that but Toaks 550. Also use Snow Peak 800. The light and stove can tuck into the GSI pot gripper too to limit rattling

[@Whitey73192]

This little guy right here lol great vids man

[@john_kelley]

😂 I do what I can.

[@erict5878]

I always take 2 mini Bic too, What I do with those Mountainhouse meals to save on bulk goin in and less trash going out. I take 1 original pouch and put the others I am taking in ziplock bags. They are easier to pack especially if you need to use a bear can where you are going. I use the first original package for my first meal then rinse the pouch clean. Then use that pouch for the other meals ( in ziplocks) to make those meals. Thus reducing the number of original pouches to pack and carry out Saves the bulk and weight both in and out of the back country. What do you think?

[@john_kelley]

That’s a great idea!

[@mackjenkins7721]

JK man you give me a good laugh every time I watch your video. I got me one of those little stove to. I got me a MSR pocket rocket stove for free. I delivered a load to a store and the general manager gave me one for free. I use it when I'm in a rental truck because my truck has a microwave in it. One thing I do need is that pot gripper. I like that. I got one of those long plastic set of silverware that I got with the stove but I like what you got better. I realize how good those stove are when you don't have a microwave in the truck and you are not near a truck stop to get a decent meal. You take it easy man.

[@john_kelley]

You’re that man, Mack! Thanks!

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

I'm hungry while watching videos on cook kits. What do I want to eat? John mentions Ramen's. [pauses video]

[@srockguitar]

awesome video i like that pot.im new to backpacking getting ready for my first trip overnight to try it out what does your backpack weigh when loaded?im trying to figure out my weight

[@Joey_Joey_Joey]

Thanks for the video! Didn’t know if all the stuff will nest in your 750 ml pot, including thes gas.

[@stracky2]

I have a Toaks 550mL, and a 4 oz canister fits inside, with enough room for a snowpeak litemax stove as well

[@Joey_Joey_Joey]

@@stracky2 thanks Dude!

[@MattyOutdoors]

Ramen noodles (just the noodles) with a bit of soya sauce, and the flavour packet. mmm yes!

[@john_kelley]

A little teriyaki never hurt either.

[@MattyOutdoors]

@@john_kelley 100% trying this.

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

Good stuff JK. I use the Toaks ultralight cook system with the 550ml pot and solid fuel tab stove. The whole kit weighs 4oz. I don't use the tiny folding spoon with it though. I also use the long spork with the polished bowl. I've never used anything I like better. When in a national park that requires canister stoves, I use the BSR and have never had issues with it. I really prefer the solid fuel stove though and keep the fuel tabs in a plastic spice container to keep the smell contained. They stink. Lol

[@john_kelley]

Nice! I’ll have to try the fuel tabs! Thanks for the comment!

[@bonnevillebagger9147]

The toaks 550 is 3.6 oz alone, what else is in your kit?

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

@@bonnevillebagger9147 Hi BBB. I'm not sure where you got that weight from but my TOAKS 550ml pot and lid weighs 2.45oz alone. TOAKS claims 2.5oz. I've left you a link to TOAKS where I ordered mine and they claim total weight of 3.9oz for the kit. I ditched the folding spork (way to short) and use the long handle TOAKS spoon with the polished bowl. Total weight of my kit is 4.3oz. I hope this helps. ATB, Tony www.toaksoutdoor.com/products/cs-01

[@bonnevillebagger9147]

I was using amazon, so i'm sure someone put in the "shipping weight".

[@jlhgrace8284]

I also have the Toaks 750 pot and use it for boiling water. I would also like to cook meals other than freeze dried ones, so could I still use the titanium. Not sure I really want to have an aluminum or stainless steel post because of it's higher weight, but maybe. The other thing I would luke to do is have the option of using the pot on an open fire. So, really, I need that one perfect pot for boiling water, AND simmering pasta, for example, AND using over a fire.

[@pamelaklemp5615]

John, Hello. I did a quick KZbin search and found you today, so GLAD I did! I was becoming overwhelmed at all the small cook kit choices out there. Many weren't even small really. Then I happened on your Ti cook kit video. ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! Why? My husband and I are day hikers. We only take what we need for that given hike plus first aid stuff and an emergency tarp shelter. That is in his backpack. I carry the kitchen cook items and the hiking stove, etc. YOUR COOK SET would allow me to ditch the backpack and go with a mid size waist pack 👍♥️👏! It would also allow me to enter into the Ti cook kit instead of SS. Yes, perfect for us. And that super little stove...BONUS! I'm thinking of getting 2 of each of the items you showcased, one for each of us! We are both Senior Citizens so weight is always a high consideration for us. John, This video answered our needs brilliantly! BRAVO! So, what would your little lightweight cook kit replace that we currently carry? I carry the kitchen stuff in my backpack. That usually is the Titan by Solo Stove, a Trangia 28 (mini cook kit ), hickory wood chunks, denatured alcohol, leather gloves, Stanley French Press, etc. All great for our car and motorcycle overnights but I always dreaded to head out for a day hike or quick overnight with most of that heavier, larger gear. Again, your video answered 4 me!👍👏👍👏👍👏 ♥️

[@john_kelley]

So glad my video helped out. It’s amazing how quickly you can drop some weight out of your pack by just changing some things up.

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Nice cook kit. Great review JK. That lighter looked like North Carolina blue and not Kentucky Blue 🤔. Lol. Cool video my friend 👍

[@john_kelley]

Thanks! I just thought it was funny how many of us use the same color lighter.

[@Ontrail82]

What company is that hat your wearing? I recognize the logo but I can’t think of it lol

[@aar5pj]

The BRS 3000 burner is not efficient but could make for a good back-up burner

[@reallyrhonda7222]

Great review. They must have been out of blue bics, I have a black one.lol

[@john_kelley]

LOL! We'll let that slide!

[@cassidysummer509]

I have the Toaks 550ml pot - and the lid barely fits on it, and pops off all the time - is the 750ml better than that?

[@hector5299]

I only carry orange Bics, when possible.

[@JustinOutdoors]

Looks familiar! Haha. Blue lighter club checking in.

[@john_kelley]

Yessir!!!

[@jamesthornton3339]

Me too!

[@john_kelley]

James Thornton Yes!!!

[@CorvusNumber6]

The cosy is dead handy. Same function as a tea cosy I suppose!

[@john_kelley]

Some people swear by them.

[@FollowingTheAgees]

Great review, we have one, spork rocks also! Coffee first, then talkie second! 🙋‍♀️Lisa and Rick🙋‍♂️

[@john_kelley]

Coffee is a must!!!

[@FollowingTheAgees]

JK...how goes the battle? If you need any encouragement, just ask!! 👏👍🙏🙋‍♀️Lisa

[@john_kelley]

Following The Agee's it’s just starting. I’m always down for some encouragement! Thanks!!!

[@FollowingTheAgees]

JK is Hiking...well, when I was on the journey to lose 80 lbs., I put a picture on the fridge of myself at my highest weight, 192, and wrote on it...Do you want to look like THIS for the rest of your life?!!! Then I’d move it to the pantry! Then I’d put it on my mirror, etc. Putting scripture that affirms my uniqueness in Christ also helped me...You’re gonna be such an inspiration to other hikers!! GO JK!!

[@koofdome]

How do you grab a hot pot and strain it?

[@john_kelley]

I usually bring a small pack towel or a bandana and use it as a pot holder and to clean out my pot.

[@koofdome]

@@john_kelley ohhhh dang ok! New to backpacking. I'm realizing how expensive lightweight gear is, but how absolutely necessary it is in the long run if this is something that becomes a hobby. Having better lighter gear in every way makes the trip more enjoyable and I realize now how worth it every penny is on better stuff. That titanium cook set looks perfect for what I need

[@john_kelley]

@@koofdome better to pay more now then have to fork out even more cash later.

[@scott11771]

Where did you get that hat?

[@john_kelley]

I found it on amazon.

[@SensatiousHiatus]

At 7:30 I've heard if you use a white one, it means you're an undercover cop

[@john_kelley]

😂🤣😂 Shhhhhhhh

[@Anywhere72]

I use to buy a pink lighter. Why because nobody steals a pink lighter.