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Reviews > Cook and Food Storage Gear > Cook Sets > MSR Titan 2 Pot Set > Owner Review by Ray Estrella
MSR Titan 2 Pot Set
June 22, 2014
TESTER INFORMATION
I've been backpacking for over 30 years, all over California, Minnesota, and many western states. I hike year-round in all weather, and average 500+ miles (800+ km) per year. I make a point of using lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. Doubting I can ever be truly ultralight, I try to be as light as I can yet still be comfortable. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring/chilling. I usually take a freestanding tent and enjoy hot evening meals. If not hiking solo I am usually with my brother-in-law Dave or my twin children. The Product
Manufacturer: Mountain Safety Research, Inc. (MSR) Quick & Dirty, Nitty Gritty The MSR Titan 2 Pot Set is a very lightweight cook set and was all my kids and I needed for our backcountry meal prep. (I can't say we really "cook";-)) It is more than I even needed for my solo hiking, but one of the pots worked great for my alone time. Please read on for the details. Product Description
The MSR Titan 2 Pot Set (hereafter referred to as the Titans or pots) are the company's lightest multi-pot cookset. It gets its name not because it is huge (oh no, Titan at the south wall, get the hydraulic pot lifter harpoon…) but because it is made of titanium.
Both pots consists of a cylindrical body. At the top of the pot's bodies is a rolled lip for structural integrity. On the bottom are a couple of stampings.  One of the MSR mountain logo and the other of a flying bird with the words "Seagull Brand" next to it, and "Made in Thailand" below. (I am guessing this means that it is manufactured for MSR by Seagull.)The bottoms of the pots have been indented in the center. The resulting raised edge strengthens them. The larger pot has a slightly smaller indented area than the smaller pot. This allows the smaller pot to "lock in" when set inside the larger pot. The larger 1.5 pot weighs 3.9 oz (111 g) and the smaller pot weighs 2.6 oz (75 g). The 1.94 oz (55 g) lid is stepped and fits both pots. It has a 1 in (25 mm) high wire handle that is silicone coated to ward off burned fingers. A little notch in the spot welded plate that attaches it to the lid allows it to stay in the upright position when slid back into it. Stampings of the MSR logo and "Titan Titanium" are on the lid also. The Titan 2 Pot Set forgoes attached handles on the pots, instead providing a pliers-type LiteLifter pot handle. The handles of the 1 oz (28 g) aluminum LiteLifter have been dipped in a silicone coating. The pots will hold an MSR fuel canister (and the other brands of Lindahl valve canisters as well), along with the MSR MicroRocket that I used with the set. As I rarely needed a second pot I mainly used it with just the large pot. To keep the noise down while backpacking I wrapped my large towel around the canister to take up space and muffle the clanking. Above is a picture of both ways to pack it. MSR provides a 1.3 oz (36 g) black nylon and mesh storage sack to keep everything together. Field Conditions
I used the Titan 2 Pot Set on all of my 3-season hikes in 2013. All use was in the state of Minnesota (MN) including numerous backpacking trips to the Halstad/Hendrum areas on the Red and the Wild Rice Rivers on my side of the state (west), plus trips to Itasca State Park, Chippewa National Forest and Paul Bunyan State Forest for a total of about 23 days. Temps encountered ran from lows of 32 F to highs of 80 F (0 to 27 C) with a lot of rain, some hail and even snow on the last trip with it. I even took it on a late November trip (considered winter here) that saw temps drop to 0 F (-18 C). I mentioned rain? The picture above we are kicking back after dinner, right before having to escape to the tent from an approaching storm. In the picture below the Titan 2 Pot Set is sitting on a picnic table at a fisherman's campsite in Paul Bunyan State Forest as all my clothes dry from the hike in.
Observations
It has been a long time since I have used a pot that was not specifically made for use with one of my alcohol and wood burning specialty set-ups. (All reviewed here.) I have owned both the Titan Kettle and the Titan Cup (reviewed also) so was comfortable with the Titan 2 Pot Set which I got specifically to use with the company's new MicroRocket stove that I just reviewed.
I could easily get away with just the smaller pot for solo use but since the lid is sized to fit both pots and the sack fits the bigger pot better, I just used the 1.5 most of the time. On trips with kids I brought them both so I could have the next batch of water measured and ready to go on the stove. Here's a picture of early morning cocoa making at Halverson Lake on a Kid Trip.
The pots have not taken too much abuse as most campsites in MN have picnic tables. So not much use on boulders or such. I do often use the bottom of the large pot as a cutting board. It has a few slight scratches, but not bad. Some cheddar cheese got the Dexter treatment (was chopped up) inside my vestibule on a cold wet fall trip seen below. At least I was able to clean the bottom of the pan on the soaked prairie grass I am camped on.
I would say I am pleasantly surprised by the Titan 2 Pot Set, but with my past 10 years' experience with the other products in the series I have to say they are just what I expected. Nice, strong, lightweight, and a joy to use. I leave with a shot of them in the storage sack in my tents vestibule on a nice day along the Red River.
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