Field Report:  Ultralight Outfitters "Beer Can" Cook Pot & Stove Kit

 

Reviewer Background:
I've been backpacking off and on for about 20 years.  I'm still in the process of "lightening up."  Normal gear includes a hammock, down bag and jacket, hiking poles, and an alcohol or fuel tablet stove, retooling gear for each trip.  I also make some gear, and often nudge myself out of a design daydream on the trail.  Most trips last 3 days, but I have backpacked 10 days straight.  While most of my journeys are within New England, I've hiked the length of the Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and other trails far from home.

Manufacturer:  Ultralight Outfitters

URL:  http://www.ultralightoutfitters.com

Year of Manufacture:  2005

MSRP:  $14 US

Product Specifications: (from the website):

Silicon Rubber Lipguard

Stainless Steel Tray for solid fuel

Stainless Steel Stand

Stainless Steel No-fold Windscreen

Lexan Spoon

Weight: 4.4 oz (125 g) with customer-provided empty beer can

Tester’s Measured Weight: 3.6 oz (104 g) (stand, pot, Lipguard, no spoon or lid)

 

 

 

General Description: (Abbreviated from Initial Report)
The "Beer Can" Cook Pot & Stove Kit is comprised of bent and welded wires that are about the diameter of a jumbo paper clip; plus a small dish-like "pan" to hold the fuel; an open cylindrical-shaped wind screen that fits around the stand; and a white "silicon Lipguard."  The Lexan spoon appears as shown on the website, and I would call it "soup spoon" size.  The purchaser is responsible for procuring and preparing a 25 oz (~.75 L), approximately, straight-sided beer can for the pot, and aluminum foil (recommended) or another cover for the pot lid.  
Test Experiences and Locations:
I used this stove during several day hikes and two overnights along local trails in eastern Massachusetts.  In most of Eastern Massachusetts, we are on a coastal plain with rolling hills and some rocky areas.  Additionally, this stove setup was used for one trail lunch, plus a breakfast along or near the Appalachian Trail in the Delaware Gap region of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  In addition to cooking during backpacking trips, I used the stove/stand/beer pot at home to test a range of recipes cooked in this pot.   The air temperatures during the time this stove was used ranged from about 22 F (~-6 C) to about 70 F (~22 C), and the highest elevation at which I used the stove was about 1400 ft (~430 m) I used the stove in windless conditions to mild breezy conditions in a sheltered area.
The information given on stove use seems to indicate that the stove and beer can pot should be used to boil water to add to dry, nearly instant foods. During this test, I mostly boiled water for beverages and dry foods like couscous, instant rice, and mashed potatoes.  I did successfully cook spinach tortellini with a sauce made from a dry spinach soup mix and Parmesan cheese.  Part of the success goes to the fact that this is one of those foods that needs to be boiled for a few minutes, but can then “coast” while absorbing additional water.
Usually I can lift the pot at the Lipguard, or above the water line, as long the pot is about one half full or less.  If the pot is fuller, I need to use some pliers, a pot holder, or leather glove.  The Lipguard is in the way when I want to use pliers, so I do sometimes take it off and leave it at home.  One cool advantage of using the Lipguard that I discovered is that small yogurt container lids fit and makes a decent seal for the can when the device is in place.  I found this to be a good surprise.  The double layer effect of using the windscreen between the lower stand and fuel tray upper part so that the pot becomes an insulated cup hasn’t worked well for me, so I don’t use the pot this way.  The windscreen separation from the pot/cup is a small gap when the kit is assembled, as for the “insulated cup” function or for packing.  If the cup is heavy from being filled, my inclination is to grasp the hot cylinder firmly.  Then two metal parts touch or nearly touch, and the heat transfer between metals is fast.  I have to grasp the bottom section, being careful to line up my hand over the pot support and hope not to squeeze the metal sides together.  I find it awkward and risky when the contents are really hot, and the assembly often quickly feels uncomfortable.  It is just easier to me to use a substantial glove, folded towel, or a home made insulating sleeve to wrap around the beer can.
Test points studied

• Ease of packing:  Good and smoother with experience
• Stand/pot stability:  Still “wobbly,” but no mishaps to date-The part of the stand that holds the fuel tray does fit the can bottom snugly, so I never felt that the pot would slip off the stand, just the assembly can wobble and sit at an angle on the cooking platform
• Functionality: how stove works (with Esbit, or other fuels as backup): Great!-Esbit/ Coghlan’s both work.  A small amount of alcohol in a tea candle foil cup also works.
• Functionality as insulated drinking, cup/food bowl (insulated cup suggested on site):  Unimpressed unless wrapped with something else- (Detailed explanation:  See above.)
• Ease of unit assembly/disassembly:  Very easy and quick
• Durability/signs of wear over test period:  So far, so good
• Heat transfer to stand/damage to undersurface:  No problems, so far
• Time to cool down for handling after use:  Quick-The empty parts cool down before I’m ready to repack them.

Likes, So Far:

• The stand has a snug fit around my beer can pot.
• The distance between the fuel tray and pot bottom seem ideal.
• The stand and windscreen pack around the pot compactly for carrying.
• A yogurt lid can “seal” the pot top.

Dislikes, So Far:

• The box directions are unclear.
• The stand appears not to sit flat, causing some wobbling of the set up.  So far, no spills

Additional Information:

For this test, each tester was given one of the Good Cook Safecut Can Openers.  For more information, see my Initial Report.  The can opener continues to function perfectly.
Lexan Spoon:  Again see my Initial Report for more information.   The spoon is still in great condition.

Continuing Test Plan:
I will continue to use the Ultralight Outfitters Beercan Stove Kit as I pursue day hikes and weekend backpacks in my home area over the next two months.  Problems and appreciable wear, if any, will be noted in my next report.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosaleen Sullivan