Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > AntiGravityGear Mamas Kitchen Cookset > Andrew Priest > Field Report

Testing Location(s):

The hiking environment of the South West of Western Australia allows for hiking and backpacking from coastal plains to forested ranges. Elevation ranges from 0 to 585 metres (0 to 1,920 feet). Within this region, I hike in varying conditions from forestry roads, to sandy tracks to single-purpose walking trails, to rock hopping, to beach walking to completely off-track walking through open and dense country.

During my extended Field Testing period I have used the 3 cup pot set on 54 days during my sojourn (end to end) of the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia.  This has exposed the pot set to extensive testing in the field, as the pot was used at breakfast, on all these days. In addition it was also used at lunch, dinner and often intermediate "tea" sessions on the majority of these days.

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Weather Conditions:

During the summer period, daytime temperatures average 30 C (86 F), whereas from March through to December the daytime average temperatures range from 15 C to 26 C (59 F to 79 F). During the autumn (fall), winter, and spring periods the normal weather pattern is fairly wet with frequent heavy rainstorms evident. It does not normally snow in Western Australia.

According to The Times Atlas of the World (Concise Edition - Revised 1997) our weather is described as being "Mediterranean - rainy climates with mild winters, coolest month above 0° C (32° F), but below 18°C (64.4° F); warmest month above 10°C (50° F)." The atlas depicts the coastal area north of Los Angeles as having the same climate.

The weather during this field testing covered the ambient of weather conditions to be encountered in the south-west of Western Australian including days and days of rain and gale force winds. Apparently the Roar'in40s (trade winds) have chosen this year to return!  It should be noted that the 3 cup pot set was used with two exceptions within the confines of a Bibbulmun Track three-sided shelter and therefore was not exposed to the full force of the elements.

Report Comments:

Due to the nature of my expedition trip during this testing period I made the strategic decision to limit this phase of the testing to the 3 cup pot set. It is my intention to extend the testing in the remaining long-term test period to 2 quart pot set while also continuing to test 3 cup pot set.  When considering my experience please keep in mind that I have used this set for 54 days on a pretty much a daily basis.  

In my Initial Report I noted a few points as a result of initial inspection and also testing points.  Each of these points is revisited below along with further comment as a result of my field testing.

• Storage of metal items in the pot.  As I indicated in my Initial Report, I was concerned about the possible damage from the storage of metal objects in the pot during transit.  Therefore I changed my packing strategy, avoiding storing metal items in the pot.  At the end of this stage of testing, I have no evidence of damage to the interior of the pot.

• Pot grips. As stated in my Initial Report, I have not been able to use the pot grips supplied. For my end to end I made use of another brand of pot grip.

• "D-ring" handles on lids are very small and fiddly.  I found the D-ring handle initially ok on the 3 cup pot set. However, once I started experiencing the tight fit of the lid, the handle was not sufficient enough to allow the application of enough force to remove the lid from the pot. In these circumstances I normally made use of pocket knife to pry the lid free from the pot. Now at the end of my end to end, the D-ring has gone missing from the lid.

• The pot cozy does appear vulnerable to damage in the rough tumble of my pack.  The pot cozy has stood up well to 54 days of use. Life in the rough and tumble of my pack has damaged it, but not to the point where it is no longer effective. It does show signs of wear where the cozy folds over the lip of the stove and does appear to have shrunk a small amount or worn away around the top edge.  The cozy no longer folds over the edge of the pot.  It is also now starting to flake. I find that I sometimes get bits of "foil" in the pot/meals/water.

•  Resistance to flame in an open fire cooking environment (less controlled). I used the pot once in an open flame environment as per the photo.  The pot did not like this!  It appears that the heat absorbed by the bars on the grill transferred to the pot to melt the pot coating. The heat may have also deformed the pot, but I am not sure about this.  I did note that about 10 days after using the pot on the fire, that the lid started to be a tighter fit, that the pot seemed to have lost some of its round shape and that the pot was no longer sitting firmly on the stove's pot supports.  Whether this was a result of the fire or just life in my pack, I cannot verify. What it does mean is that I now have to take care, to ensure the pot is safely positioned on my stove. I can recall two incidents where the pot slipped off. Thankfully no one was burnt.

• Cooking off the flame.  My experience cooking pasta as reported in my Initial Report has been extended to over meals, e.g., rice and I have continued to find that the cook in the cozy concept to be a very effective and efficient way to cook foods. I have used this method throughout my end to end without hassle.  I have become an expert at getting the food out of the pot while it is in the cozy to my bowl without spilling it. Amazing what you can do with a spoon!  Over the length of my Bibbulmun Track walk I used one less 450 g (16 oz) gas canister than I anticipated.  My budget for gas was based on a consumption rate of 50 g (2 oz)  per day which was reflective of my experience prior to using the Mamas Kitchen Cook Set and of a year or so use of my stove.  I attribute the saving in gas to the cook set, as my meals where pretty standard fare for me.

• Cleaning.  I have found the pot to be very easy to clean and that ingredients, in the main, do not stick to the pot surface.  The only exception has been where I have added milk powder to the meal or water. Where milk powder has been included in the cooking process, I generally found it necessary to clean the pot with a cloth. Otherwise it was generally a simple process of rinsing and using my fingers to remove materials from the surface.  Conclusion? Easy to clean, non-stick surface which continues to be effective. 

In summary what do I like and dislike about the Antigravity Mamas Kitchen Cook set?

• Positives
  • The cook in a cozy approach is saving me money! I am using less gas per day than my earlier cooking style;
  • Durability of the interior of the pot;
  • Lightweight.
• Negatives
  • Found the D-ring handle to not be sufficient to allow application of force. It has now worked loose and fallen off the lid.
  • Distortion of the pot. Lid no longer fits properly;
  • The pot does not sit on my pot stands squarely.  Care needs to be taken to ensure the pot does not slide off the stove.

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Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > AntiGravityGear Mamas Kitchen Cookset > Andrew Priest > Field Report