Primus AluTech Trek Kettle 1L

I finally found my go-to cook pot and it didn't break the bank!

I have coveted the MSR Titan Cook Pot for several years, yet could never bring myself to spend the $50-$60 selling price for a cook pot. I liked a lot about it—the size, the weight, the fold-up handles. But $60? Nope. Not going to happen.

Enter the Primus AluTech Kettle. It has a base price of around $30 (but often is less and I actually paid $16.76 in a Sierra Trading Post deal), and although it weighs 6.9 oz. compared to the 4 oz. of the MSR Titan, I deemed it worthy to be carried in my pack.

First the specs:

• Weight: 6.9 oz.
• Capacity: 33 oz. (1.0L)
• Material: Hard anodized aluminum

It has a lid with vent/strainer holes that also has a built in lifter (that folds down for storage). The lid also sits securely (but not so tight as the MSR, which I'd heard complaints about) on the recessed lip of the pot. The handles are covered with a type of plastic for insulation and fold in on the pot for storage,and which did not get hot during cooking. It is large enough in diameter and depth to store a fuel canister and stove (I used the Snow Peak LiteMax, but it will fit most others, too—including the MSR PocketRocket—sans the plastic case).

I was quite taken with the quality of this pot--it's feels light but sturdy and there were no cosmetic blemishes of any sort. The handles feel securely attached (although I am pretty easy on my gear). It comes with a stuff sack that is part mesh, which is always a nice feature with cookware sets--you can put the pot away when it still is a bit damp and not worry about it not drying out.

The first time I used it was to heat water for instant coffee and a dehydrated meal on a day trip. I must say I do like having a pot with a large capacity such as this; I have the Snow Peak 700, but it does not heat enough water at one time for coffee AND a meal. I put 2 cups of water on the boil (using the Snow Peak LiteMax stove) and it was ready in less than two minutes at 8300'. FAST! That is one perk for using aluminum; I have found that titanium, though nice and light, does not seem to conduct heat all that well. It also pours out the liquid very nicely with no slopping, even though it does not have a pour spout like the MSR Titan.

I am very happy with this pot and although it seems to be getting harder to find, would be worth the search if you wanted to try one out. Amazon still has them, and they can also be found on ebay--both places for $24.95.

For me, this pot is well worth the extra 2.9 oz. it weighs over the MSR Titan because you can store the fuel cansister and stove in it, plus it conducts heat very well and boils water super-fast. And that saves time and money (on fuel) in the long run.

ADDENDUM: I recently cooked some coucous in this pot—it's non-stick! The hard anodized aluminum made clean up a snap! And aluminum is the way to go for super-fast boil times! I had 1.25 oz. of water boiled in less than a minute!