Favorite Cookware Material

[Notredame11211]

What materials do you guys prefer when out cooking in the bush? I prefer Stainless Steel because of its durability, the look of it, and its easy to clean. I have not tried titanium but would consider because it's lightweight.

[bigzee]

I've always liked the designs of that titanium stuff, but been scared right back out onto the pavement by the price (not nice enough to justify a faceful of wallet-moths!) I like aluminium products based on both the light weight and good heat conductivity. It's also a dream to work with (like beech is with wood). However the conductivity can work against us if there's too much air or wind around the pot cooling it as fast as heating it. Lips on ali can be burned too without some tape or something. I'm right with you on stainless steel 'cos even though it wouldn't pass muster to an ultralight bagger, it's durable practical and looks like a proper piece of kit (even when homemade!)

[JEEP]

I have an equal amount of aluminium and stainless steel cookware. I like the aluminium for its superior ability to cunduct heat and for it's lightness. I like stainless steel due to it's sturdiness and ability to withstand higher temperatures.
I use aluminium cookware with most of my stoves (except from my Bushcooker) and stainless steel over open fire.

Titanium is an even worse heat conductor than stainless steel, making it suitable for boiling water and heating pre-made food, but not that ideal for actual cooking.

[Fletching]

Stainless for me. I've never got on with aluminium. They either love to stick to food or literally go pear shaped when packed. Never tried Ti but if Jakob's comments are true, wouldn't suit me either as I like to cook.

[luresalive]

Mostly stainless, a little heavvier than aluminium, but worth it.

[great white ape]

Does a stick and fire count ?

[jbrown14]

I've basically got two pots that I use when out, and I don't cook food in either of them, only boil water for rehydrating food. One is stainless and used to have a copper coating on the bottom that scrubbed off after a few years, the other is titanium.

I like the Ti for its light weight, durability, and the pot is a good size for just me. Honestly, I don't prefer one over the other, they just have different uses to me. I've used the Ti model on everything from LP burners, to iso-butane mix, to alcohol (meths) stoves, and over open coals. I haven't noticed a significant difference in conductivity, but again, I just boil water in it. Heat it fast, get it done.

(And yeah, the Ti was way too expensive, but I had a gift card to burn.)

[Notredame11211]

Does a stick and fire count ?

Always :D

[The Big Lebowski]

Titanium seems to catch very quickly if you dont stir the contents every 30 seconds or so...
I tend to boil noodles/soup or plain old water in mine and then leave it to rest (food wise) and warm through. One thing it is good at is keeping heat in!

Evernew do a range of non-stick Ti which would be ideal for ultra light cookware, but I'm not sure if its available in the UK, as-yet or how much (insert eeek!)

I will, for the first time be carrying a 4L dutch oven tomorrow for an overnighter. Maybe excessive for travelling on a 3-4 day trip, but it will be going 2 miles each way up sheep tracks for an overnight camp/meet, the main reason i bought it!

I guess my arms will decide weather it was a wise choice :)

al.