Optimus Kettle

I've found this to be the only pot I need when "hot camping" on backpack trips.

For comparison purposes, I'm a lightweight (under 20lb pack w/food for 3 days and fishing gear - FSO weight under 25lb) and will often "cold camp", taking no stove or foods that need cooking (unless I'm fishing, too). I've been helping people find the joys of the wilderness since I was in Scouts 40+years ago and have led beginners and beginner groups on successful backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada for years.

In the past 5+ years I've switched to this kettle exclusively as a part of my attempt at lightweight backpacking.  I used to use a 1L titanium or anodized aluminum pot, but switched to this kettle as water comes to a boil faster in it. The wider base keeps the flame and heat from my alcohol stove UNDER the pot longer, therefore helping to bring the water to boil faster and saving on fuel. This holds true when using isobutane stoves as well.  

Holds enough water to rehydrate a 2-person dehydrated meal with a little left over. My 22-year-old son, a couple of his friends and both of my long-time (30+ years) backpacking buddies have all switched to this kettle from whatever they carried before. Large enough inside to hold my alcohol stove, lighter and fuel for 3 days.

The only reason it's not getting 5 stars is because the handle seems to wait until I'm not looking to fall over sideways and, when it does, it gets HOT and requires the use of something as a hotpad to pick it up to pour.

For solo or UL two-person backpacking, it's all you need if you're only boiling water. If you're planning on cooking in your pot, you want something else.

I have commented earlier; this is an excellent product. I have used the .5 liter Trangia teapots for years and very successfully, but this is a better design and holds more water at .7 liters.

The Trangias tend to pour with difficulty if the lid fits securely...air cannot get in to allow pouring smoothly. The new Optimus has an air vent and the pouring spout does not drip. This is a nice product; you will not be disappointed.

A picture of the kettle is displayed at the beginning of the promotional explanation and details.

Perfect for my alcohol stove.

I have been experimenting with different alcohol stoves and couldn't seem to get my boil times under 8 minutes using the Snow Peak titanium 700ml pot. So when a friend suggested a larger diameter pot may be the trick I started shopping.

Unfortunately I couldn't find a kettle (meaning large bottom) made out of titanium. So the next best was hard aluminum and I found this Optimus kettle. I have now put it through some testing and the results are great. I now have two cups of water to a boil in a little over 4 minutes with my cobalt stove.

Thanks, Optimus.