Solo Canoe Trip Gear Out Part 3: Canoe Trip Kitchen

[@kevinharding2099]

Excellent. The best video on this topic I have ever seen

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much!

[@1967AJB]

I’ve come to understand that, listening to you talk about cooking kit, has become my happy place.

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, I'm so glad. :)

[@marksmithj9892]

Great video. You have a very simple and clear way of explaining things that is a pleasure to listen to. I disagree with your comments about the MSR stove, however. I’ve been on possibly hundreds of canoe and backpacking trips. Every single one of those was done with my MSR Whisperlite. This stove is almost 30 years old with the same pump it came with. Still works as well as the day I bought it. The pump may be plastic, but it will take hugh amounts of abuse. Funny that yours is cracked, though. Bet it’ll still work for many years to come…

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the comment. I know people love their gear especially if they have had it a long time so I won't argue. My stove has lasted nearly 20 years but the crack in my stove actually leaks fuel now so it's junk. I'm just saying that if you want to maximize reliability a metal pump beats the plastic.

[@mmamallama1827]

I’ve never been in a canoe in my life, yet here I am 🤣 I’m just trying to walk in the woods more. I live vicariously through outdoor vloggers. Thanks for the help. I never miss a video.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate that! Take care!

[@KA-pq3yz]

@ Mmama Llama. Try it,you will love it. Canoeing is very relaxing.

[@april906outdoors3]

Appreciate the content, Kevin. Had no idea that a mini pepper grinder existed! That's all I use at home, so definitely need to pick one up for the trail. That reflecter oven is pretty slick, too, the way it folds down. Thank you!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for watching April!

[@rechuckg]

Kevin, Another nice review on an important part of being outdoors and explanations of your experiences with cook systems. Playing with cooking gear is one of my favorite parts of being outdoors. I especially liked your description of your journey through camp baking. It is amazing the wonder on peoples faces when you create tasty, beautiful baked goods in camp. Baking really elevates your menu and diet in the wild. Thank you!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, I think you nailed it. Part of a good trip is enjoying something that no one expects.

[@Thereal111t]

What’s funny is the berniedawg caps are a refinement and improvement on a product produced by Primus in the early 1900’s. I use the same combo in a Trangia 25 kit.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yes, I discovered that Primus was doing that in the early days. They stopped for quite a while and now they have a silencer cap on the market again now.

[@denis65366]

That was great and reminds me of my friends that canoe...

[@KevinOutdoors]

Ha, I think we all speak the same language. :)

[@KA-pq3yz]

That reflector oven cool 👍

[@KevinOutdoors]

I think so too! It works great!

[@georgedpost]

No, it's hot!

[@allenwilson5235]

i have gone to the IMUSA old school aluminum caldero. I stole Mors idea and switched the plastic knob with an eye bolt. Very versatile and lite. Makes a good wok too.

[@KevinOutdoors]

I hear those are good pots too.

[@markmatheson603]

I like how you painted the pot gripper! I need to do that

[@KevinOutdoors]

I couldn't believe it when I purchased the pots many years ago, the grippers were black. I am really bad a putting things down and forgetting where they are. This is a small tip but a good one if you are like me. :)

[@markmatheson603]

I find the smallest tips make for the best ones

[@AdamRomanoExplores]

Great video Kevin. Obsessed with cook gear and this scratches that itch. 👍

[@charters04]

Well done.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@larrygoodin2526]

Kevin, as always an excellent video. Look forward to meeting you someday.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, much appreciated! Perhaps someday. :)

[@johnkowalchuk1028]

I just finished a rather successful ammo box stove build and now I'm going to make a reflector oven. Thanks for sharing the link!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Very cool, good luck!

[@craigrobertson6082]

Great video Kevin. I found laying the billy can on its side with a small grill inside and the silicone bread pans works awesome.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yes, I have seen that done. I haven't tried that method but I did spend some time describing that. I ended up cutting it out to keep the video short (still almost 25 min).

[@dwrivers47]

I love the Outback Oven. Great ideas and tips - thanks Kevin!

[@KevinOutdoors]

You bet! Thanks!

[@toni-lynnmarcoux]

We always learn things from you! Your a great instructor and we love the way you explain things for everyone to understand no matter your skill level. Still cant wait to try your bread recipe in the bush this year! keep up the great videos and hope to see you out there!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much, I appreciate that!

[@Jeff_goes_camping]

I just discovered your channel looking for a review on the Swift Algonquin. When I saw your name, I remembered hearing Joe Robinet mention you. I like your videos, plus….Go Habs Go!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Jeff. Welcome aboard!

[@erik_normark]

Great discussion about stoves Kevin! The Primus is one I've been looking at.

[@KevinOutdoors]

The Primus Omni Fuel is a great stove. I have no complaints and it is certainly my favourite stove for canoe tripping. It is a little heavy for extended backpacking but when I was younger i backpacked with it all the time.

[@mustang774]

Very interesting video Kevin. I'm used to backpacking but plan on a kayak trip this summer where I can take a few bulkier items for my kitchen setup. This video helped.....Take care, Bluefin.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, sounds great. I've never done a kayak trip but I understand kayakers still can have some serious packing constraints. Going out on the ocean?

[@mustang774]

@@KevinOutdoors I have kayaked in the ocean but the trip I'm planning will be in fresh water. When I had a canoe I never did use it for camping. I should have.......Take care, Bluefin.

[@FreakofNature1]

Quite the gear load out! Very informative I am sure many will find useful! Nice video Kev!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks 👍Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alanbierhoff6831]

Have you seen or used the Banks Fry-Bake? It’s been around since the 1970’s and has been used widely by NOLS.

[@KevinOutdoors]

No Alan, I haven't heard of them. But I just googled them and they look really interesting. Perhaps Santa will bring me a set? I'll put my order in. 😃

[@alanbierhoff6831]

@@KevinOutdoors Pro Tip: the cosmetic seconds will save Santa some money and they’re perfectly fine 😎

[@adventureswithbecketandxena]

For my cook kit for backpacking I use the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 and an MSR 1L Pika Kettle. I'll sometimes use a cat can alcohol stove Great video Kevin. 👍

[@KevinOutdoors]

Awesome! Thanks Becket.

[@jeffm5808]

for mya backpacking i like to use my jetboil micromo and for canoe tripping i like to take my Msr simmerlight and Mors 1.8L pot sadly the Mors Pots are no longer made .

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yes it is too bad abut the Mors pots. Perhaps they will make a return.

[@alanbierhoff6831]

That was a great video. This is the part of camping I’m most interested and invested in. Just call me “Cookie” 😆 The Svante Freden RO is my favorite out of my collection. Yes, I have numerous RO’s 😎 The new version of his oven has support legs (I have both the old and updated ovens) on the back and, using that as a template, I was easily able to retrofit my old oven with legs. I really wish that Open Country would start making the Mors Pots again. Unfortunately, they are completely out of the camp cookware business. I got the last Mors pot that Rutabaga had in stock so now I have a spare. *Have you seen the new RO that KIHD just came out with? 👍🏻

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks I love the Svante Freden. It is interesting that it now comes with legs. Finding a the perfect rock to support the stove has become part of the process. No I have not seen the new RO from KIHD.

[@jtucker4201]

Interesting kit collection (how do you store everything? Your house must have an annex for your camping stuff and [I assume from prior videos] your family's sports stuff. New to me was the "quieting cap" for the white gas burner, that almost made it bearable - I still prefer the silence of the Trangia though.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yes, thanks John. We do have a 'gear room'. When we bought our house many years ago the basement was unfinished and when I finished it I made sure we had a good space for equipment. After the video I do realize how much gear I have collected over the years. This series started off as, and was intended to be, a 'solo' gear out discussion but in this case I have certainly gotten into group gear discussion. I do like alcohol stoves but for a group of any size a white gas stove is hard to beat. Thanks for watching and leaving a great comment!

[@blackdogbite]

Kevin- GREAT video. I have been cooking in the back country for decades and I learned a LOT here. I like how you are into old traditional gear as well as innovative cottage designers and manufacturers. The Svante Freden oven is interesting. You didn't show it in action. Is this positioned adjacent to a hot fire? I used to have MSR Whisperlite stove and I agree with you. The designs are great but the plastic parts and the quality of the hoses (even back in the 80s and 90s) was not high enough to withstand years of normal use. the Primus looks much better. I have moved away from gasoline stoves. They make a lot of sense for really extended trips and international trips. but lately I'm using isobutane gas canisters. The MSR Pocket rocket is very popular now ...but to me, any of these little stoves that thread right on top of the fuel cannister make for a top-heavy assembly. Add a large pot of spaghetti atop this and, with a bit of sandy or rocky ground, it topples over. I like the little micro stoves that fold up and run on isobutane...but the ones with the fuel hose that allows the cannister to be separate. This does four things. 1. It get's the center of gravity for the pot lower , and greatly increases overall stability. 2. It gets the fuel further away from the flame and theoretically in a safer place to avoid potential accidents if fuel leaks, etc. 3. Most important, to me, is that you can operate the can in a normal position, with the valve connection at top. In this position, gas is fed through the hose to the stove. In normal temps this is fine. As the temperature get closer to freezing, the liquid butane does not "boil off" as well as propane...and the stove fails to burn as well, or at all. With the remote cannister, you flip it upside down and now the actual pressurized liquid under pressure is running through the hose. (called "liquid feed") You get a better flame in low temps. 4. Your control valve is not attached to the stove and pot assembly...so if the ground is a bit unstable...you're not having to reach in and touch the stove and reisk upsetting it. A small point, I know, but still. All of these little isobutane stoves seem to simmer quite well and also blast a jet flame when needed. I have a cheap ones from amazon and also an older out-of-production Brunton folding stove that's pretty small and lightweight and durable. I like the idea of baking small items in the Billy pot. Very cool (or very hot...haha) One final comment. There are a bunch of woodburning stoves now that are lightweight and are quite worth bringing into the backcountry. Solo is a manufacturer that makes some of these, in various sizes. They are fairly expensive for what they are although I don't doubt that they are good. There are a BUNCH of rip-offs on amazon with funny names, that work quite well and can be had for $20 or so. Mine has a funny Chinese name, and fits inside my MSR Seagull/ Stowaway 1.1 liter pot. (those stainless steel pots are very good gear and worth looking at. There are four sizes and size # 4 and 2 nest within each other and size #3 and #1 rest inside each other.) These stoves burn small twigs and are quite effective when you have a small bit of practice. It's much easier to get heat from little twigs and pencil-sized sticks you can gather, than it is finding and chopping or cutting logs. If you are in forested areas, you could easily do a one month trip with just one of these. No fuel to bring at all. It's best suited to one or two person groups. Tending two or three of these for larger groups would be tedious and not effective. Again, thanks for a good four part series...I've enjoyed it a lot and learned a lot! You're very straight-ahead with no hype or ego. I like that.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks blackdogbite, I really appreciate the lengthy comments!

[@Woodswalker1965]

Good Morning Kevin. Very comprehensive video. I've started a support group for those of us (me) who are addicted to cooking systems, care to join?😂😂😂😂

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, when I looked through my cooking gear I knew I could fill some time. There is a lot I didn't even touch :)

[@cliffspicer6555]

I have wanted to invest in the Primus Stove Kevin because it can be used in all 4 seasons and seems to be a real workhorse. You said when using the standard canister stove you can get 1 week out of a canister. How long can you get out of one of those pump bottles with Coleman fuel in it and do you carry more bottles on longer trips?

[@KevinOutdoors]

My Primus stove takes naphtha, also known as white gas or Coleman fuel. I get about a week out of a 1L bottle but I tend to do more real cooking with the Primus and so I tend to use it more than I would a canister stove for backpacking where I might just be rehydrating meals. On longer trips in the two week range I will carry an extra bottle of fuel. I always have extra. The bottles can easily be refilled.

[@cliffspicer6555]

Thanks Kevin. I normally use a twig stove to conserve on fuel and a Soto Windmaster backpacking canister stove but two things I have found is I seem to go through Butane which is what I refill the canisters with safely (I know this is frowned upon by some but I only use the canisters half a dozen times of so) but even just boiling water for meals and coffee on solo trips like this weekend I will go through one of the medium canister which seems quick. I am not sure if butane burns quicker than isobutane but I was considering the Primus stove since I have heard good things about it and see lots of people use it. I don’t do much cooking since I don’t eat fish but occasionally in a pinch I may take a package meal that requires a bit more time like a box of KD😊. I wonder if this stove and fuel is more efficient or if you have any experience with this issue I am having ?

[@ProdigiousReturn]

No trangia duossal set ups? Tsk tsk lol. Waiting patiently for part 4 :) the kids and I always enjoy your videos

[@KevinOutdoors]

You know I don't really like alcohol stoves for canoe trips. They are never enough heat if you are cooking for two or more people and because I can bring more gear in a canoe I prefer my camp fuel stove. Alcohol stoves have a great place for solo backpacking.

[@drbsmokelake5564]

Another informative and enjoyed video. Considering upgrading to MSR Alpine 2P Stainless Steel for longevity. Not sure if anodized aluminum possess any health concerns ? Safe travels !

[@KevinOutdoors]

You can't go wrong with stainless especially for durability. I am not worried about health risks with anodized aluminum. I believe the anodization protects aluminum from getting into your food. I do however worry about the non stick surface. They should be safe on a stove but on a fire or if you bake with them they may get above the danger temperature when the coating gives off harmful gasses.

[@drbsmokelake5564]

Much appreciated..... take care !

[@jeffm5808]

something i am wondering is would a reflector oven be able to boil water in a pot?

[@KevinOutdoors]

I would expect that it would, they do get quite hot. I think it would just take longer than on direct flame.

[@mshirey2799]

YESSSSSSS A NEW KEVIN VIDEO!!! Also Kevin, I wanted to ask you a question as the most knowledgable and experienced canoe guy I know of: are there weight limits to canoes? I'm a BIG person, and have always wanted to canoe, but have found that every fun activity I want to try has a weight limit. Are canoes the same? Are there different canoes for different weights?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, yes there are limits to canoes. Some manufactures will specify a capacity limit, I presume based on testing of their craft but not all do. Most limits on the average size 16' boat are 800-900lbs so one would have to be really big to exceed that capacity. We have a large 18.5' boat and I am sure we have had over 750 lbs in it with two adults, gear, kids and dogs. We weren't even close to its capacity.

[@mshirey2799]

@@KevinOutdoors I CAN GO CANOEING!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, Kevin!!!! You've made someone happy cry today!!

[@marcol515]

I’ve been look in all over online for that Hard-anodized aluminum set. Doesn’t seem like GSI makes it anymore and I can’t find a good alternative...

[@KevinOutdoors]

Hi Marco, I think a lot of companies have reduced the diversity of products they offer during COVID. I have found similar products made by MSR and Primus.

[@ProdigiousReturn]

P.s.s (sorry many questions). Is your voyageur titanium? I just looked it up at Canadian outdoor equipment and it lists as stainless steel there

[@KevinOutdoors]

Hi Jay, I had to double check. Yes my grill is titanium, I bought it directly from Purcell Trench Grill they offer both stainless and titanium.

[@ProdigiousReturn]

@@KevinOutdoors it looks like you must have an older version. Their site just lists the packer series as having a titanium option. The voyageur only comes in steel now it seems

[@jeffgriffiths5945]

go habs go!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Go Habs Go!

[@ProdigiousReturn]

P.s. Where’d you find that wash basin?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Good question, it has been so long ago I have forgotten. Finding simple cheap kit like this can sometimes be a bit of a challenge.

[@sandybrains]

watching this even though have never gone camping and will likely never go camping alone 👀👀👀

[@nagihangot6133]

You're not afraid of encountering bigfoot or dogman?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Ha, no generally not.

[@iblamesummers]

s/0 the Canadiens.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Oui, les Canadiens! :)

[@doneddy2204]

Better go talk with anyone who cooks professionally. Stainless cooks much evened than aluminum. Then there’s the whole aluminum poisoning issue to learn about

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Don. Stainless pots and pans for kitchen use generally have an aluminum core (or copper if they are very expensive) kitchen pots and pans are too heavy for camping and stainless camping pots are a little thin to really cook with properly. The aluminum pots I demonstrate are anodized aluminum and that avoids the health issues with aluminum.