Thoughts on Heat Exchange Pots

[Huntsman247]

I'm curious to see what people think about pots with heat transfer fins.
I've always just used regular pots. But I've pretty much worn the oxide coating on my pot. So time to think about a new one.

Came across the 'Terra Weekend HE' pot and am wondering if anyone has discovered any cons to the heat transfer fins.
Has anyone experienced if the added distance of the pot from the flame affects the performance in say windy weather?

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[jdeks]

Really really good at boiling liquid.

Rubbish at everything else.

I love my bacon and eggs so mine went to the fleamarket pretty quick

[crollsurf]

A wind shield might be a better, lighter, more flexible option.

Definately with UL pots they dont spread the heat as well as heavier pots. Other than that, I dont the science behind it.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[keithy]

MarkF did some tests on his heat exchange pot a while back - viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11422&p=151758 I missed out on buying that Firemaple pot from him when he put it up for sale, so I ended ordering that exact Firemaple 1L pot elsewhere.

I've also done some tests comparing it against my short fat aluminium and titanium pots, using the same stove but can't find the pics and results anywhere at the moment.

[robbieb]

I have that pot set. I've cooked a steak in the lid and it was great. I like how quick it boils water. I think it boils water between 1-2 minutes faster than a normal pot

[skibug]

I have a similar pot - the Olicamp XTS Pot 1 litre - and have both seen reviews, and tested myself, indicating improved performance of around 25 - 30% - ie. that much faster, and that much less fuel used, for a given quantity of water. Their design has nothing to do with spreading heat evenly, but is instead intended to increase the surface area of metal exposed to the flame, thus absorbing more heat which is in turn transferred to the pot/liquid.

The trade-offs are price and weight. Price is reasonable these days, especially from overseas suppliers. The weight penalty needs to be looked at in terms of the trade-off with fuel weight. If the pot weighs (say) 100 grams more than your regular 1 litre pot, it is only worth it if you save 100 grams or more of fuel weight due to the higher efficiency. The values will depend on fuel/stove type etc, but as a broad generalisation the break even point is around 30 litres of water (or 15 litres of snow melted and brought to the boil). This is more likely to occur on longer trips, and with bigger parties. On four day backcountry ski trips with a party of 4, it definitely saves some weight - though not much per person.

The heat exchange pot will probably perform the better in moving air, but both will be MUCH better with a suitable windshield.

See:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11422

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/top ... nger-pots/

Skibug

crollsurf wrote:

I'm curious to see what people think about pots with heat transfer fins.
I've always just used regular pots. But I've pretty much worn the oxide coating on my pot. So time to think about a new one.

Came across the 'Terra Weekend HE' pot and am wondering if anyone has discovered any cons to the heat transfer fins.
Has anyone experienced if the added distance of the pot from the flame affects the performance in say windy weather?

[Moondog55]

I asked the same question myself over at BPL
The consensus was that it makes sense with bigger pots/bigger groups and extended trips but not for short walks or small pots.
Good windshields are lighter and more flexible in their usage.
For melting snow a skirted pot is better but those are a DIY thing currently, as nobody is making them at the moment in sizes and weights suitable for bushwalking.

[Huntsman247]

Hmmm.... Sounds like its not going to be much of a benefit to myself then. I generally don't consolidate cooking gear.
Does anyone know where I can get a 900 ml pot like the above pic without the heatsink but with measurements etched in?

[CasualNerd]

Hmmm.... Sounds like its not going to be much of a benefit to myself then. I generally don't consolidate cooking gear.
Does anyone know where I can get a 900 ml pot like the above pic without the heatsink but with measurements etched in?

That same pot or very similar is available from Optimus without the heatsink, from Paddy Palin or online.

[Moondog55]

Hmmm.... Sounds like its not going to be much of a benefit to myself then. I generally don't consolidate cooking gear.
Does anyone know where I can get a 900 ml pot like the above pic without the heatsink but with measurements etched in?

That same pot or very similar is available from Optimus without the heatsink, from Paddy Palin or online.

Also ALDI when they have the outside sales.
I do think a pot which is more squat [ wider / less tall] uses much less fuel and heats faster at the same time
It is very easy to make a mark at various levels by using a blunt nail and a small hammer

[Huntsman247]

Hmmm.... Sounds like its not going to be much of a benefit to myself then. I generally don't consolidate cooking gear.
Does anyone know where I can get a 900 ml pot like the above pic without the heatsink but with measurements etched in?

That same pot or very similar is available from Optimus without the heatsink, from Paddy Palin or online.

Yeah but it's much smaller. You can't fit a 230g canister inside. The other optimus pot is only 0.6L

[Huntsman247]

Hmmm.... Sounds like its not going to be much of a benefit to myself then. I generally don't consolidate cooking gear.
Does anyone know where I can get a 900 ml pot like the above pic without the heatsink but with measurements etched in?

That same pot or very similar is available from Optimus without the heatsink, from Paddy Palin or online.

Also ALDI when they have the outside sales.
I do think a pot which is more squat [ wider / less tall] uses much less fuel and heats faster at the same time
It is very easy to make a mark at various levels by using a blunt nail and a small hammer

I think your right about the wider pot. As for the marking however I don't want to damage the oxide coating to expose the aluminium. Not the most healthy thing.

[Moondog55]

I think your right about the wider pot. As for the marking however I don't want to damage the oxide coating to expose the aluminium. Not the most healthy thing.

It shouldn't do that, but anyway the oxide comes back almost immediately and the risks posed by aluminium are greatly over-exaggerated.
You get more aluminium in your system by crunching a Quik-Eze than in a lifetime of cooking

[Warin]

As for the marking however I don't want to damage the oxide coating to expose the aluminium. Not the most healthy thing.

And it makes it harder to clean up. But a solution is at your finger tips.

Mark your spoon/fork/etc with the required heights for the volumes you want.

[Huntsman247]

As for the marking however I don't want to damage the oxide coating to expose the aluminium. Not the most healthy thing.

And it makes it harder to clean up. But a solution is at your finger tips.

Mark your spoon/fork/etc with the required heights for the volumes you want.

Ok that is not a bad idea at all.

[Huntsman247]

I think your right about the wider pot. As for the marking however I don't want to damage the oxide coating to expose the aluminium. Not the most healthy thing.

It shouldn't do that, but anyway the oxide comes back almost immediately and the risks posed by aluminium are greatly over-exaggerated.
You get more aluminium in your system by crunching a Quik-Eze than in a lifetime of cooking

It won't come back by itself to anodise aluminium you an electric current and acid. It's not as simple as a patina on metal.
And although minimally bad for you, I personally want to reduce the amount or harmful things I eat/expose myself to. Lots of small amounts of harmful things compound to something more substantial.

[MeanderingFlyFisher]

Takes a month or 2 too get to here but this is what I use https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Camping-Hiking-Foldable-Cookware-Set-Pot-Pan-O4W1/253287835668?epid=1171037027&hash=item3af921a814%3Ag%3A-6sAAOSweM1aIMZy&_sacat=16034&_nkw=hiking+pot&_from=R40&rt=n and fits 230gm canister.Also has markings on it.

[Huntsman247]

Takes a month or 2 too get to here but this is what I use https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Camping-Hiking-Foldable-Cookware-Set-Pot-Pan-O4W1/253287835668?epid=1171037027&hash=item3af921a814%3Ag%3A-6sAAOSweM1aIMZy&_sacat=16034&_nkw=hiking+pot&_from=R40&rt=n and fits 230gm canister.Also has markings on it.

Awesome! Thanks for the linky. Just ordered one.