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Ursa Design Clikstand S-1 Complete Cook Set
Initial Report - July 20, 2004
Contents
Reviewer Information [return to top]
Name: Chuck Kime
Nickname: Fuzzy
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8" (1.72 m)
Weight: 229 lb (104 kg)
Email address: ckime AT nelsononline DOT com
City, State, Country: Upper Darby (Philadelphia suburb), PA, U.S.A.
Date: July 20, 2004
Product Information [return to top]
Manufacturer: Ursa Design
Model: Clikstand S-1 Complete Cook Set
Year of Manufacture: 2004
URL: http://www.clikstand.com
Listed weight, Clikstand: 3.2 oz (91 g)
Listed weight, Windscreen: 1.1 oz (32 g)
Listed weight, Trangia Burner: 2.4 oz (67 g)
Measured weight, Clikstand: 3.3 oz (94 g), scale accurate to 0.1 oz
Measured weight, Windscreen: 1.1 oz (32 g)
Measured weight, Trangia Burner: 2.3 oz (65 g)
MSRP: $51.95 USD
Features (from web site) [return to top]
- The Clikstand S-1 is a lightweight, collapsible, high performance pot-stand designed for use with alcohol burners or solid fuel tablets. It is precision Made in the U.S.A. from the highest quality tempered stainless steel for a lifetime of service. The S-1 has been optimized through extensive testing to provide excellent performance and ease of use in the field. It's three point design provides a stable, wobble-free platform for any size cook pot on any surface. When collapsed it will easily fit into a shirt pocket or small cook pot. It is ideal for backpackers, bikers, canoeists or anyone who needs an ultralight, reliable, compact stove. Weight: 3.2 oz. (91 g). Made in U.S.A. - Patent Pending
- Unique Windscreen designed to be used with the Clikstand S-1. It improves the performance of the S-1 by blocking wind and reflecting heat onto the cook pot. It rests on the small tabs that protrude from the corners of the S-1 making it very easy to use. When not in use it can be rolled up and placed inside of a cookpot or wrapped around a fuel or water bottle. Windscreen is made from ultra-thin tempered stainless steel for lightweight and durability. It is suitable for cookpots from 4.2-5.5 inches (108-140 mm) in diameter. Height: 2.5 inches (64 mm). Weight: 1.1 oz. (32 g). Made in U.S.A.
- Alcohol Burner made by Trangia® of Sweden. Trangia stoves have been used throughout the world for decades. They are loved for their ease of use and excellent performance. They have no moving parts to wear out or break in the field making them 100% reliable. No pressurized gas stove can make that claim! Trangia will never let you down. To use, simply fill with alcohol and light - that's all there is to it! No hoses, no valves, no pumping! Includes cap with o-ring and simmer ring/ extiguisher. Burner Weight: 2.4 oz. (67 g). Made in Sweden.
- An Evernew 0.9L Ti Pot was also delivered along with the Complete Set, to assist in testing.
Arrival [return to top]
The set arrived on July 13, 2004, in a corrugated box approximately 11¼ x 8¾ x 6 in (29 x 22 x 15 cm). The box was received undamaged. Upon opening the box, I found three (3) standard letter-size sheets with information on safety and use of the products. Inside the box, which was stuffed with the most amazingly tenacious shredded paper, I found the Clikstand and windscreen both in zipper bags, the Trangia stove in a sealed plastic bag, and an Evernew 0.9L Titanium pot in its own standard retail box. Inside the Evernew box the pot and lid were in separate plastic bags, with a stuff sack included, also. None of the contents appeared damaged.
Description [return to top]
Clikstand has some of the best, most detailed photos of gear I have seen on a website. Any details I may have missed in my descriptions should be readily answered by simply visiting their site.
The Complete Set, as listed on the web site, consists of the Clikstand S-1, windscreen, and Trangia burner. Ursa Design was kind enough to include an Evernew 0.9L coated Titanium (Ti) pot for this test, as both the Clikstand and windscreen are said to be optimized for this particular pot size.
Overall:
This set was very well thought out, as the various bits and pieces fit together without much wasted space. The only addition I will definitely make to the set itself for normal carrying will be a small plastic measuring cup used to fill the stove, and possibly a bandana to protect the coating on the inside of the pot.
WEIGHTS - CLAIMED vs. ACTUAL
| COMPONENT |
CLAIMED WEIGHT |
ACTUAL WEIGHT |
| Clikstand S-1 * |
3.2 oz (91 g) |
3.3 oz (94 g) |
| Windscreen |
1.1 oz (32 g) |
1.1 oz (32 g) |
| Trangia Burner |
2.4 oz (67 g) |
2.3 oz (65 g) |
| Totals |
6.7 oz (190 g) |
6.7 oz (190 g) |
| Trangia set ** |
None |
3.9 oz (111g) |
| Complete Set |
None |
8.3 oz (235 g) |
| Evernew Pot *** |
None |
5.4 oz (153g) |
| Complete Set + pot |
None |
13.7 oz (388 g) |
* Includes three (3) side pieces and triangular floor
** Includes burner, simmer ring/extinguisher, and cap with o-ring
*** Includes pot, lid and stuff sack |
Stand:
The Clikstand S-1 is an interesting design, consisting of three (3) identical slip-together side pieces, each about 5 x 3 in (13 x 8 cm) and a triangular “floor”, about 4¾ in (12 cm) on a side, that snaps into slots on the sides once they have been assembled together. The side panels have ventilation holes along the bottom edges, while the floor has vent holes around its perimeter and a single large hole in the center designed to fit the Trangia stove quite nicely (it drops right into the hole), although most any soda-can stove should also fit pretty well. All four (4) pieces of the Clikstand are made from the same material, which looks – to me – like galvanized steel, but, according to the manufacturer, is tempered stainless steel. Now, where did I put that magnet. . .
Windscreen:
The windscreen, which measures about 18¾ in long x 2½ in high (48 cm x 6 cm), is also constructed of tempered stainless steel (Magnet, Magnet. . . here, Magnet. . .). The edges of the windscreen are crimped over, presumably for strength, and both ends are folded over about ¼ in (6 mm), and can be slipped together to form it into a ring that is slightly larger around than the Evernew pot. When in use, the windscreen sits in tabs located around the outside of the Clikstand, keeping it from blocking the airflow at the bottom while also reducing the height necessary to reach all the way up to the pot – very clever. When the ends are not connected, the windscreen can be coiled to fit inside the pot.
Stove:
The alcohol burner, which measures 3 in wide x 1¾ in high (7.5 cm x 4 cm), is an unmodified Trangia model, and is supplied with simmer ring/extinguisher and cap with o-ring. These two accessories allow the stove to be snuffed out and carried with fuel remaining in the stove, rather than needing to let it burn itself all the way out. It is an unpressurized design, with an inner wall and a series of small holes drilled around the perimeter of the top section. All 3 of the Trangia pieces are made of the same material, which appears to be either a heavy brass or a cadmium plated steel.
Pot:
The 1-quart (0.9 liter) pot, which measures 6¼ in wide x 4¼ in high (16 cm x 11 cm), is an unmodified Evernew model, and is constructed of Titanium (Ti), with a non-stick coating on the inside. There are embossed markings on the inside of the pot for 300ml and 600ml. The lip of the pot is rolled out to prevent any contents from getting stuck under the lip when pouring or eating, and there is a small crimp in the lip located 90° from the handle to act as a sort of pour spot. This spout is for right-handed use, something I point out only because I grew up with left-handed parents and I am sensitive to these things. The lid, which rests inside the lip of the pot, rather than slipping around the outside, is made of the same material, although uncoated, and has a fold-down silicone coated ‘D’ ring handle mounted in the center. There are two silicone-coated wire handles that may be folded around the pot for packing, or folded out together to lift the pot.
First Impressions [return to top]
This is a great looking cook set, and a very interesting mix of components. It should be fun to put it through its paces.
Everything appears well made, looking pretty much like what I expected from perusing the very informative web site.
Field Information [return to top]
Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 30 ºF (-1 ºC) to highs around 95 to 100 ºF (35 to 38 ºC). Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 2,000’ (610 m). My girlfriend and I, who between us have 3 First Class Boy Scouts (ages 13, 13 and 14), are also looking into additional camping without the scouts, and the possibilities of beginning to do some AT section hikes in Pennsylvania as the weather warms up and we recover from a recent car accident. Even though the troop brings cooking gear (i.e. two-burner propane stoves and huge pots), I plan to pack for these trips as I would on a solo or 2-person hike, in addition to what I need for troop camping, so that I can test the suitability of the set for this purpose, and to help introduce the boys to the lightweight concept.
Last year I started using my own homemade stove/stand/windscreen combination, along with the well-known Grease Pot, for tea and/or cocoa while on various Boy Scout troop/leader training outings. I have found this set-up lightweight and convenient for this purpose, but was looking to expand my cooking options beyond morning beverages. Enter BGT and the AntiGravityGear Mama’s Kitchen Cook Set – with burner, windscreen, and two pots with lids. Following testing of this set, I have continued to carry it on all outdoor trips, and will be evaluating its components for use with the Clikstand set. I am looking (as always) for something that will offer less weight and/or more efficiency (which translates into less fuel weight) and/or less bulk to further reduce my pack size and/or weight.
Things I am/will be looking for:
- Ease of use. This would be for all of the various components.
- Interchangeability. Can I easily swap out the windscreen, stove, or even fuel, to create another viable cooking system?
- Boil times for a given (identical) quantity of water in each pot on each stove, with each windscreen. Variables will include quantity of water, amount of fuel used, and type of fuel used, assuming I can track down some Esbit. This will help to determine which combination will be best for each situation.
- Efficiency. What different arrangements do the most with the least weight and/or the least fuel in the least time (time being least important, as I am generally not in a rush while in the field).
- Effectiveness of the windscreen. Tested with different pot diameters. How adjustable is the windscreen, and how well does it pack into the set?
- Cleanability. This refers to all components.
- Packability. I generally carry a cut-off 1-gallon plastic milk jug, which serves as a wash basin. I try to carry my cookware inside this basin, to have all kitchenware in the same place.
Things I like [return to top]
- Light.
- Compact.
- Good use of space.
Things I don't like [return to top]
- None yet.
Backpacking Background [return to top]
I started car/trailer camping with the family when I was about 5. I enlisted in the Army Reserve during my first year of college and spent 17 years fine-tuning my packing methodology - by the time I separated from the service, I was down to what I thought was a respectable 75-80 lb (34-36 kg) load. When my son started Cub Scouts, I brought my 60 lb (27 kg) ALICE pack for a weekend. We got to Boy Scouts in the Spring of 2002 and now camp monthly in locations ranging from the Chesapeake Bay area (flat and lightly wooded) to the Pocono Mts (flat spots hard to find and very wooded), in all seasons.
Lightweight (and ultralightweight) web sites, along with a day hike up Pikes Peak in July 2003, have led me to seriously rethink my gear choices. I plan to start doing more hiking/backpacking on our monthly Scout trips, taking along as many scouts as are willing, to a) get in shape (yeah, yeah, I know… round IS a shape), and b) determine what I really need to take along. I am relatively confident that I will be able to reduce my 3-season pack to 20 lb (9 kg), before food, fuel and water, by the time this season is over.
Thank you for your time.
Chuck Kime
a.k.a. Fuzzy
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