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Schenk Off Leash Man


Joined: 16 Apr 2012 Posts: 2140 | TRs Location: Traveling, with the bear, to the other side of the Mountain
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A local Spokane company has come up with some folding cook pots for camping and backpacking.
Looks like a great idea, and apparently they work.
With the popularity of "heat exchanger" pots and high efficiency stoves I wonder if they don't need another model, or two?
My thought is they need to make one with a heat exchanger that will fit onto the popular stoves (Jetboil, Windpro, Windburner, etc.), or work directly with those manufacturers and do some OEM pots for them.
Here is their website, what do you think?
https://www.bearminimum.org/
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DIYSteve seeking hygge


Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 12652 | TRs Location: here now
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Interesting, makes me ponder thermodynamic inefficiency of box vs. cylinder. Also, the Al base plate appears to protrude around the perimeter, which would contribute to heat loss (i.e., the opposite of a Reactor-type heat exchanger, which directs perimeter heat up along sides of pot). Most cylindrical pots are designed for nesting of stove (and sometimes fuel can) inside, thus space savings would not be all that much. I hear ya re heat exchanger (which IMO is way to go). Those appear to be made with very simple tooling. Building them with heat exchanger bases compatible with Reactor, Windpro or JB heat would be a big step. |
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RandyHiker Snarky Member


Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 5968 | TRs Location: Mobile
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I wonder about long term durability and plastic compounds leaching into food. Remember the whole BPA water bottle blow up? |
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Grannyhiker Member


Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 3165 | TRs Location: Gateway to the Columbia Gorge
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I'm thinking of inevitable leaks at the folds after a couple years' use,, and of the more fragile stuff I pack inside my solid cook pot so it won't get damaged (stove, for one). YMMV and HYOH, of course.
-------------- May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.--E.Abbey |
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contour5 Member


Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 2708 | TRs
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Looks kind of like a pic-a-nic basket. |
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Schenk Off Leash Man


Joined: 16 Apr 2012 Posts: 2140 | TRs Location: Traveling, with the bear, to the other side of the Mountain
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I dunno BooBoo....I am not certain, but judging from the images it looks like it could be similar to the material used for grill mats and oven liners, like Silpat mats.
http://www.silpat.com/
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JonnyQuest Member


Joined: 10 Dec 2013 Posts: 318 | TRs
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Certainly doesn't look like there's a weight advantage. Hard to find weight or spec info on the website, but in the description for the Mama Bear 64oz (1.9L) it says "under 10oz". Similar size backpacking pots in aluminum (STS, MSR), seem to be in the 8oz range and priced similar. Titanium would be more $, but even less weight. |
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DIYSteve seeking hygge


Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 12652 | TRs Location: here now
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JonnyQuest wrote: |
Titanium would be more $, but even less weight. |
More money, yes. But not lighter. Density of Ti and Ti alloy is roughly 60% greater than density of Al or Al alloys. See https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/metal-alloys-densities-d_50.html
The only way to make a lighter Ti pot would be to draw it to a section >60% thinner than material used for existing Al alloy pots, which is not practicable, thus lightweight Al alloy camp pots and Ti alloy camp pots of the same volume and design are roughly the same weight. Ti alloy pots are sometimes actually heavier.
Ti would be stronger and tougher, of course, although I'm not sure to what end: I have not experienced any failures with Reactor pots (all 3 sizes) notwithstanding lots of use and abuse.
ETA: Also, Al alloy is the better choice for heat exchanger pots because Al alloys conduct heat more evenly than Ti alloy. That is, Ti alloy pots tend to result in hot spots and cold spots (as do stainless steel pots). |
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JonnyQuest Member


Joined: 10 Dec 2013 Posts: 318 | TRs
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DIYSteve wrote: |
JonnyQuest wrote: |
Titanium would be more $, but even less weight. |
More money, yes. But not lighter. |
MSR's 2L titan pot is listed at 6.4oz, Toaks 2L titanium pot is listed at 6.7oz (sans lid)
So both lighter than the "under 10oz" of the Bear Min 1.9L cube and the 8oz 2L aluminum pots from MSR and STS that I mention. Could be due, however, to less build / feature and not specifically the material. You could find lighter Al pots. Just not from MSR, STS, GSI, etc.
Fully agree that Al is much better than Ti and stainless at heat dispersion. |
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Bernardo Member


Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 1903 | TRs Location: out and about in the world
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Wonder how they would work in a wood fire? Hard to believe they would last as many centuries as a good metal pot. |
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Schenk Off Leash Man


Joined: 16 Apr 2012 Posts: 2140 | TRs Location: Traveling, with the bear, to the other side of the Mountain
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I think I might try one.
Their main attraction is space savings, and not necessarily weight, durability equal to metal, or wood fire compatibility. I do go on some trips where space in my pack is a premium (at least until have my way with a few days worth of food volume).
If I do try one, I'll report back.
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DIYSteve seeking hygge


Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 12652 | TRs Location: here now
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Schenk wrote: |
Their main attraction is space savings |
Is there any meaningful space savings if you do it right, i.e., pack cylindrical pot full with stove, fuel, food and/or other camp gear? |
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Schroder Member


Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 5328 | TRs Location: on the beach
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I wouldn't put that on top of a stove. I've been making a great effort to get rid of any plastics that come in contact with high heat and my food. In their own FAQs:
"Open flame will have a high potential of degrading the material after prolonged contact and should be used with caution."
"The Bear Bowl cook pot body is made from a food grade PTFE coated fiberglass and is used in food manufacturing plants as well as in cooking, grilling and baking products."
"if you overheat the Bear Bowl cook pot to burning, it could have a potential of leaching materials."
No thanks |
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Brushwork Know your complex


Joined: 18 Aug 2018 Posts: 144 | TRs Location: Washington
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I like my titanium pot.
It's light and functions perfect. I fill it with bowl, cup, and stove (or crackers). If it were squarish (slightly easier to pack),it would be hard to clean.
Just can't imagine a folding pot having near the durability... a malfunction is not an option.
The only way I can imagine my pack lighter is to not carry so much (extra) food....or clothes, or tools... Well, unless I could get someone else to carry part of it...yea, not going to happen.
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Schenk Off Leash Man


Joined: 16 Apr 2012 Posts: 2140 | TRs Location: Traveling, with the bear, to the other side of the Mountain
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DIYSteve wrote: |
if you do it right |
Did you mean to say "if you do it DIY's way"?
I can easily see situations where having something flat, rather than a cylindrical, would be an advantage.
Feel free to not try or use these if you don't think there is an advantage in it for you.
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