BackpackGearTest.org Review - /reviews/Cook Gear/Stoves/Ultralight Outfitters Beercan Stove/Chuck Carnes/Long Term Report

Long Term Report
Ultralight Outfitters
"Beer Can" Cook Pot and Stove Kit
by Chuck Carnes
Report date: February 23, 2006

Biographical Information

Backpacking Background

Name: Chuck Carnes
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft. 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 175 lb (79 kg)
E-mail address: ctcarnes1(at)yahoo(dot)com
City, State, Country: Greenville, South Carolina USA

I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking for the past ten years. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20 – 30 pounds (11-13 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 kph). I am a one man tent camper for now until a lighter two man tent comes along and will give me more room. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

Product Information

Manufacturer: Ultralight Outfitters
Model: Beer Can Cook Pot and Stove Kit
Year of manufacture: 2005
URL: www.ultralightoutfitters.com
MSRP: $14.00 US
Beer Can Cook Pot:

Listed Weight: Not listed

Weight as delivered: 1.3 oz (36 g)
Height: 6.0 in (15.2 cm)
Diameter: 3.1 in (7.8cm)

Stove (and Stand):

Listed Weight: Not listed

Weight as delivered: 1.2 oz (34 g)
Height: 5.3 in (13.4 cm)

Windscreen:

Listed Weight: Not listed

Weight as delivered: 1.5 oz (42 g)
Height: 5.2 in (13.3 cm)

Lexan Spoon:

Listed Weight: Not listed

Weight as delivered: 0.4 oz (11 g)
Length: 7.2 in (18.4 cm)

Total Weight:

Listed: 4.4 oz (125 g)
As delivered: 4.4 oz (125 g)

Kit Includes:

Silicone Rubber Lipguard
Stainless Steel Tray for solid fuel
Stainless Steel Stand
Stainless Steel No-fold Windscreen
Lexan Spoon

My kit also came with the "Good Cook Safecut Can Opener" and an empty beer can with top already cut off and Lipguard in place. (as shown below)

Ready to be packed Ready to cook

Product Description (from web site)

The Cook Pot
The cook pot is made from an empty jumbo 24.5 fl. oz. (725 ml) beer can. This empty can is perfect for a backpacking cook pot!

It is large enough to make a meal for one person.
It is easy to hold so it can double as a drinking mug.
It has a non-stick coating on the inside.
It is a 100% recycled product.
It is readily available and inexpensive to buy and replace.
It weighs one ounce, which is incredibly light!

The Stove
The stove is a stand and fuel tray for burning solid fuel pellets. Solid fuel is the lightest weight fuel for backpacking. Solid fuel is also the safest and most reliable fuel for camping. It can't leak. You can't spill it. The stove has no jets or valves that can get damaged or plugged.

The Windscreen
The windscreen is made from stainless steel, and is pre-formed into a cylindrical shape that stands around the cook pot and stove while cooking. When the stove and windscreen are packed up for travel, the windscreen wraps around the cook pot and protects it from being dented. You never have to fold or unfold the windscreen.

Long Term Report

See my Initial Report for boil times and initial set up.

See my Field Report for in the field experiences.

Since my Field Report, I have used the UO Beercan Cook Pot and Stove on several overnight trips to the Great Smoky Mountains area and to the Pisgah National Forest area. On these trips the temperatures were 65 F to 55 F (18 C to 12 C) during the day and 45 F to 30 F (7 C to -1 C) at night.

This is a great lightweight stove that does the job for simpIe applications such as boiling water or melting snow. The fuel tablets are easy to light and extinguish by simply closing the fuel tablet tray up against the bottom of the can. I have mainly used the stove to heat water for my dehydrated meals and for boiling water for morning and evening coffee. Not much has changed since my Field Report except some continued discoloration to the can. The can that was shipped to me is still in good shape but I wanted to test the Good Cook Safecut Can Opener on another can that I could use as a cook pot. I found the same size beer can at a local quick mart, emptied the contents and proceeded to cut the top off of the can with the Safecut can opener. The can opener worked great; smooth cutting and no rough edges. Now I have two cans to use with the stove. I can make coffee in one and re-hydrate my meals in the other. As far as an extra Lip Guard, I simply purchased a gasket at the local hardware store that fits perfect around the edge of the can.

The temperature has not seemed to be a factor in heating times when I used the stove. I always used the windscreen and my boil times always end up at about 7 min. from the time I lit the fuel tab. The stand and windscreen continue to be very durable. There is a small amount of discoloration due to the flames reaching the screen or stand. I have not yet found these areas to be weak. The cook pot and stove still continue to pack well in my backpack and I make every effort not to pack stuff on top of the pot and stove that will dent or disfigure the stand or windscreen.

I have been very impressed with the UO Beercan Cook Pot and Stove throughout this test period. I will continue to use it on most if not all of my backpacking trips. It has proved to me that it should be one of the main pieces of gear in my gear list.

Likes and Dislikes

Likes:

The weight of the cook pot and stove.
Solid fuel tablets make it easy to carry and to light.
It's compactness.
The cook pots durability.

Dislikes:

The length of time it takes to cool down enough to handle the cook pot.
Not being able to simmer.

Thank you Ultralight Outfitters and BGT for giving me this opportunity to test this kit.

Reviews > Cook Gear > Stoves > Ultralight Outfitters Beercan Stove > Chuck Carnes > Long Term Report

Reviews > Cook Gear > Stoves > Ultralight Outfitters Beercan Stove > Chuck Carnes > Long Term Report