Cold Soak Optional System.Review.

Interesting Norman. I got one of your systems as a first foray into alcohol stoves, and have mostly given up on the system. It works well with dehydrated meals, but as I have specific dietary needs and most of my use tends to be overseas, I don’t normally have access to dehydrated meals if I want a anything nutritional. It means I eat a lot of lentils and stuff that needs “proper” cooking, which is a lot trickier with an alcohol stove. When I had days where I stopped early, I found cold soaking lentils or whatever for a 1+hrs would reduce the cook time and make it easier with the alcohol stove.

So this system appeals. The option to start soaking stuff while hiking for a few more hours is nice – and it’s nice redundancy (I’ve once run out of fuel, so I always have a meal or two I leave to the end that can be cold soaked). And the weight is better than most TI pots.

A couple of questions:

1) You sell with a lot of “accessories.” I’m not interested in the 500mL pot (I don’t bother with beverages unless I’m on a rare group trip), or it’s cozy, the lip protector gizmo, or the solid fuel tray. Would one be able to purchase without all these redundant items?

I gather the second pot is a way to keep the stove elements safe while making the storage vessel useful as well – which I’ll grant is clever if you’re a beverage consumer.

2) are you making the pots/canisters yourself?

3) you say you need to be careful with the pot/canister because it’s softer. How soft are we talking? Wrapping it in spare clothes makes sense to protect it, but my only spare clothes is normally my puffy or rain shell (and the former is at the bottom of my pack with my sleeping bag, so not really accessible to act as bubble wrap).

Thanks N. I really like the idea, but the durability concerns are a little off putting. I normally clean with river silt/stones for example, which you advise not to. And the notion that it needs to be protected enough that it should be kept padded in the middle of the pack is a problem. If something holding liquid is that fragile, the risk of damage causing a leak seems higher. And if that happens when it’s in the middle of my pack (ie with my quilt and sleeping clothes)…

Might have to pass for now.

@mods. I think this does belong in the gear discussion section as it’s a fairly innovative and new idea. I would miss it in the gear deals section and would be curious to how any discussion from others unfolds.

Repeted removal of the lid seal will cause the seal to deteriorate quickly. Keeping it clean will be bloody chalenge. You’ll be luck if it doesn’t get blown away in the wind. Having to deal with the removal of the lid seal and it’s replacement is a turn off/buyer beware ;)

Using a pot lifter on the soft aluminum threads will cause denting and screw on lid will be bloody hell to screw back onto the pot.

Putting the silicone lip guard onto the pot will be dificult and likely cause deforming of the pot body because of how easy the soft aluminum deforms.

The coating on the outside of the pot is going to be adversely affected by the stove flames and will start to peel off.

I seriously doubt that your containers were meant to be cooked in. They were made for dry storage of food.

The bloke that reviewed your kit said he had negative issues with the system; containers were too soft. What were the other negatives that were said to have been resolved?

I’ve worked with Al containers like yours to create Al Bots. Gave up on the project because of fragility of the aluminum and coating on the inside and out.

When I ordered 12 of the containers, 9 of them were damaged in shipment due to the softness of the material.

I added ridges to create a place for use with a bail instead of a pot grabber due to the softness of the .004 Al

My photos

Shows the coating peeling off due to flames/heat

I don’t use Teflon or non-stick pots, and haven’t (as far as I’m aware) had problems using river sediment in cleaning pots. I also use duff as well, but normally I’m camped up high where there are mostly stones and snow grass around. I suppose I could switch to using snow grass or tussock, but river silt is great if something gets stuck in the pot.

How long did you use yours in testing? If it’s more a case of “be sensible” then it might be sufficient for my needs.

Oh yes, found a photo of the ones that were damaged in shipment and then returned.

Stormin said:

There is no coating on the inside or outside of these cans, otherwise I would not be using them.,

These photos of your system clearly show there is a shiny coating on the inside. If there was no coating, the surface would be dull.

REFLECTIVE surfaces indicate COATING

USING POT GRABBER ON THREADS………….NOT GOOD

HAVING TO REMOVE AND REPLACE SILICONE BASED SEALS IS GOING TO BE A “PITA”

Like I said, just some observations.

I quote “Brian” :

• can be damaged easily if you don’t pack it correctly

You guys are cute.

Title says review, but no review, just cottage guys bickering.

Edit: read the review. Several nights is a short test.  But the bickering…

STORMIN NORMIN we’ve met before. I know your character, you show us it quite nicely here. 

Lighten up, were just having a conversation here. We’re just sharing some obvious information. I show your photos and tell you what I see.

Here, I’ll share some info on the containers I purchased and then you can share the same type on your containers. You don’t have to tell us who your supplier is, just give us a description offered by the manufacturer.

Thank you Stormin Norman for sharing.

Ken, we be cute 

I have 6 SS Vargo Bots in stock that I’m creating kits with titanium windscreens and the new Starlyte XL2 stove. Seems like I got the last of the SS Bots. The Vargo Ti Bots are awesome, have 6 of those also that will be used in kits.

Stormin Normin, best wishes!

I cold soak all of the time; I just use a zip lock bag.  If one wanted to cold soak and cook in the same container, all of these options can/will work.  With Vargo dropping the Stainless Steel BOT, the only other options seem to be titanium versions that are pushing $100.  The Keith pot (IMO) is expensive, weighs too much (256 grams) and really doesn’t offer much benefit.  Yes, you can steam rice in it, but I can make rice in a plain old pot.  Stormin’s product offers a lower cost option that will probable meet a number of peoples need’s.  This is a UL crowd that grew up using beer can containers, so using a thin walled aluminum container has been demonstrated.  Annealing of the thread shouldn’t be an issue for as long as you have some liquid in the pot the aluminum won’t get that hot.  Yes the thread may get damaged if you’re a brute, but again UL customers understand these trade-offs.  My recommendation earlier was for Stormin to offer just the 750 ml pot as it would be possible to get the price point down to ~`1/3 that of the Ti option.  Then I think the product could get some traction.  My 2 cents.