This lightweight setup, small enough for a daypack, yet sufficient for a weekend, is mostly used to boil water. It will also heat canned or refrigerated foods on those tailgate occasions or in the cabin. Adding my lightweight fry- pan, I can toast tortillas or scramble eggs. The burner is a shortcoming, though. With only two speeds: high and off, I'm always looking for ways to make it simmer; haven't solved that yet. If I want to really cook, I must resort to a gasoline stove or a campfire. Elements of this set, clockwise from the top:
- Fuel bottle -- reincarnation of a soft- drink container. At 20 ounces, it is too large (that is enough capacity for a whole week), but I like the shape, and will eventually find a better size. Note the top was replaced with a red one and there is a bright yellow label... on a thirsty day, I sure don't want to confuse this with a water bottle. The dark green band is a supply of duct tape for repairs and first- aid.
- Soup mug -- a relatively new addition; I bought one of these at Wally- world about a year ago and it quickly became an essential. This mug is microwaveable, so it sees some domestic use, too. The snap- on lid keeps it clean, holds in heat and steam, keeps bugs and debris out of its contents, and makes it handy for packing loose items. It is light in weight and holds in heat pretty well; a wide, rounded interior makes it easy to clean. The 2- cup capacity is ample for food or drink; I use this mug to make a big, double- dose, cup of coffee in the morning. A handle makes the mug convenient to eat from in camp situations lacking a dining table. My mug sees most of its use for making coffee and drink mixes and for re- hydrating dry- mix foods (just- add- boiling- water).
- Titanium bowl-- this was my first venture into Ti- ware and I have been fairly satisfied. This metal is only slightly lighter than aluminum, but it is more durable...doesn't get all smashed in the pack. Cooking in titanium requires care to avoid scorching (heat transfer is faster than aluminum), but can be accomplished with my white- gas stoves and plenty of liquids in the bowl. Best uses of the Ti- bowl seem to be boiling water, re- hydrating dry mixes, and making soups… heat water, dump in the mix, stir, and eat. The 22- ounce size is just right for cooking ramen noodles and such foods for re- hydration; it will also hold (careful!) a can of condensed soup plus a can of water.
- Pot grabber—these little pliers are lightweight and are notched to grasp over a pot rim and handle hot cookware. This is almost indispensable for handling stove components and vessels such as the Ti- bowl or my skillet (both lack handles).
- Coffee bag— an absolute essential…been using these for years. For solo camping, they strike the best balance of palatability and convenience of preparation. In fact, I took one of these to work everyday and microwaved my midday “fix” of caffeine.
- Fuel measure vial—I marked graduations at one and two tablespoons on this screw- capped bottle. Fuel measurement helps to avoid waste and I can dump a charge into the stove and cap up a second shot for next time (pre- measuring is especially appreciated for that morning cup of wake- me- up coffee).
- Spoon—best utensil for all- around cooking, eating, stirring, and dipping “unknowns” from the cook- pot. This teaspoon is lighter in weight, but I really prefer a tablespoon.
- Wire- rimmed cup—this one is similar to the Sierra cup but, with a 2 cup volume, it is large enough to cook solo meals. A regular Sierra cup also works, but the minimal savings of weight and size don’t justify the diminished versatility. I improvised a lid from a can- end by smoothing the edges and screwing a small wood “knob” to the center. The lid makes a noticeable difference in boil time and fuel economy. That rim of stainless steel, rolled over another metal (aluminum, I think), draws the heat away from the surface, allowing hot drinks to be sipped directly from the cup/pot (have you ever drunk anything hot from the old- time tin cups?
- Alcohol burner—just a small aluminum can (this one was potted meat, I think). I’ve tried a number of home- made burner designs from the internet, a military type, and a variety of can sizes and shapes. This one works fine for heating water, is sturdy enough, doesn’t rust, and is common enough for easy replacement. Buddy- burners and NuWick candles work with my setup and a handful of wood fire could probably be substituted. However, the soot and the lingering burnt- odors can be avoided by burning denatured alcohol. Alcohol is a bit expensive, but it is convenient and is commonly available. There are no valves or moving parts; no pumping or priming is required; spilled fuel is not very hazardous and evaporates quickly. Just dump in the fuel and light up… the simplicity is beneficial for bleary- eyed preparation of that morning coffee.
- Wind screen—another can; this is a No. 2 tomato can with a cross of coat- hanger wire and some vent holes drilled around the base and top. This one, my first try, is a bit rough but I have sentimental attachment. I have since made some that were considerably neater. This can is steel, so I have to worry about rusting; maybe I’ll find an aluminum one sometime. The cross- wires are positioned to allow the wire- rimmed cup to nest fully inside the bottom of the wind screen. Upright over the burner, the wind screen extends partly up the cup and holds in the heat. I drilled an excess of ventilation at the base and about half as much at the top. It took some trial- and- error adjustment to get it right and avoid the flame being snuffed by pans which covered the entire top of the wind screen. My current cook- system is simple, cheap, and adequate for solo use. With a little juggling, it can feed two, but will never completely supplant my other camp cooking gear.
