Open Country Aluminum Covered Kettle - 2 Quart

Open Country 2 quart aluminum pot.

I bought this pot a few years ago and it quickly became one of my favorite pots. It is a simple aluminum pot with a good lid. It has an efficient, relatively wide shape so it captures heat well. The shape also makes it good for packing other items inside.

There is no nonstick coating to be damaged. It is very reasonably priced at about $15. It isn’t much heavier than titanium. The aluminum conducts heat well. The 2 quarts is a good capacity, although more than some may need. I measured the capacity and found that 2 quarts didn’t quite fit in. What more can you say?  

I found that a plastic top from a can of powdered ice tea mix fits it perfectly, for when I want a more watertight lid than the metal lid.  (For rehydrating food, storing leftovers, transporting liquids, etc.).

With the aluminum lid and obligatory Nalgene bottle for comparison:

With the aluminum lid and my special plastic lid:

In use:

Can't imagine a better cook pot for the price.

I have used this pot on pretty much all my backpacking trips (several per year) for about five years, almost always over an open fire or twig stove. It is made of very light aluminum, and has held up very well. The exterior is permanently black, and it came to me slightly mashed so the lid requires some pressure to be seated perfectly and a sort of flick (I use a fork in the ring) to get up when it is.

I love this pot:

• It is very lightweight
• It is quick to boil water in, and I have also used it to bake.
• The handle is excellent, as it permits the pot to be hung over a fire (so few pots have these anymore). It will also stand up on its own (if the pot is on a grate) and so not get too hot from the fire
• For packing, the pot can nest on top of the lid, if something is packed into the pot that's too tall for the lid to go on
• Excellent size. I usually like a nice cup of tea to wash down my dehydrated whatever, and the one quart or 750 ml ones just aren't quite big enough
• Although it doesn't have a spout, it is easy to pour out of.