Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > Primus Litech Coffee-Tea Kettle > Owner Review by Scott Wasley

Owner Review October 11, 2006

Reviewer Information

Name: Scott Wasley
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Height: 5’ 10” (178 cm)
Weight: 180 lb (82 kg)
Email address: snw61(at)yahoo(dot)com
City, State, Country: Idaho Falls, ID, U.S.A

Backpacking Background:

I am an avid backpacker, kayaker, skier, and all around outdoorsman. I began backpacking thirty-five years ago at the age of 10. I have hiked mostly in the Western part of the United States (Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana). I am generally a mid-weight hiker, mainly because I like to take a little extra gear for comfort. I have recently spent a good share of my time in the Yellowstone National Park area.

Product Information

Manufacturer: Primus
URL: http://www.primus.se/
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Listed Weight: 5.3 oz (150 g)
Listed Volume: 0.9 L (30 oz)
Measured Weight: 5.5 oz (156 g)
Measured Volume: 26 oz (0.8 L)
Measured Diameter: 5.875 in (15 cm)
Measured Height: 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
Material: Hard Anodized Aluminum
MSRP: None Listed

Product Description:

According to the Primus website, this teapot is an “extremely lightweight coffee/tea kettle made of hard-anodized aluminum.” On the box the tea kettle comes in, Primus claims “the hard anodized aluminum of Primus Litech cookware creates a very even and smooth surface, where the pores have just one-fifth the depth of ordinary aluminum. Less space for the dirt and bacteria means less danger of getting sick.” It also claims the bend firmness of the hard anodized aluminum is fourteen times stronger than ordinary aluminum. This teapot comes with a foldable handle, removable lid, and nylon-mesh stuff sack. The aluminum handle has a molded plastic heat resistant grip that accommodates three fingers. Primus’ handle design permits the handle to only fold down in one direction. This appears to be a safety feature, which prevents premature handle folding during use. Like the handle, the removable aluminum lid also has a molded plastic heat resistant grip knob. In addition, the lid has a vent hole to reduce boil over. The pour spout extends approximately 0.5 in (1.3 cm) out from the body. The pour spout is formed to accommodate easy pouring.

Field Information:

I have taken the Primus Litech Coffee/Tea Kettle on numerous backpacking and cross-country skiing trips over the past four years covering several hundred miles (320 km). I have used it over both butane and white gas stoves. Two of these trips include a seven-mile (11 km) over-night backcountry ski trip to a yurt in the Rapid Creek area near Pocatello and a three-day, twenty mile (32 km) backpacking trip into the Palisade Creek area in southeastern Idaho.

The Skyline Yurt in the Rapid Creek area is at 6,200 ft (1,890 m) above sea level. On this particular trip, the air temperature was approximately 25 F (-4 C) wind was calm and overcast with no precipitation. I used the teakettle on a white-gas stove to boil water for instant oatmeal in the morning.

The Upper Palisades Lake is at 6,800 ft (2,070 m) above sea level. The weather on this outing in August 2006 was clear and sunny. Temperatures varied from the high 80’s F to high 20’s F (31 to –3 C). On this trip, I used the Primus teakettle over a white gas stove to heat water for food preparation and dishwashing.

Observations:

Although the kettle’s smooth bottom is easy to clean, it allows the kettle to slide around while on the potholders of my stoves. Therefore, one must exercise added caution when setting the kettle on or taking the kettle off the stove. When the liquid begins to boil inside the kettle, it can boil over quite easily due to the shallow depth of the kettle. Another item of caution is to avoid pouring too quickly. If one pours too quickly, the liquid will run out the opening in the top.

Overall, I am very satisfied with this product. I believe it is a good value for the money and would recommend it to others interested in a lightweight, compact kettle.

Reviews > Cook Gear > Cook Sets > Primus Litech Coffee-Tea Kettle > Owner Review by Scott Wasley