titanium vs stainless cookware

“Any epinions would be greatly appreciated. Looking to buy but want to get my money's worth. Which holds up better, brands, cooking efficiency, etc?”

“Stainless is very heavy, best for car camping.
How many people you cooking for?
For solo use, I'm real happy with my Evernew 0.9 L Ti pot. Very light.
For light and cheap, aluminum works great. The GSI double boiler is a good choice.”

“Stainless is heavy, and doesn't transfer heat as well. Titanium is very light and very expensive. Aluminum is also light, inexpensive and a good middle ground, but food sticks to it if there isn't a nonstick surface.

If it's just yourself, only purchase 1 pot/lid, as most find that's all they use out of a cookset of 2-3pots. There are also kettles that double as cookpots, you may want to consider.

Next...”

“I traded in the stainless for titanium a while back. I've had the same $30 titanium pot for 2 years now and it works great still. A wise investment.”

“Stove - I have the same Evernew 0.9 L Ti pot do you have probelms with it getting burnt on the inside if you cook? I use a Pocket Rocket, what do yo use?”

“I upgraded from stainless (food sticking problem and heavy) to MSR blacklite (a little heavy, but no stick) to titanium. Titanium ROCKS!

It is light, it is tough, and so far I have no complaints after 1 year of use. Laq- we haven't really had problems with burning the pot, though there is a slight discoloration on the bottom (not enough to classify as burnt).
We use the Primus Yellowstone lite (cannister) stove.

Woody, if you have the bucks, go titanium. For a slightly heavier but more econo option, try blacklite.

good luck! :o)”

“I don't cook in my pot - just boil water, so I don't know about sticking.”

“laqtis - I have the uncoated version. I haven't had a burning food problem. I use alcohol and esbit stoves, so the problem may be with too high a heat setting on the Pocket Rocket. Turn that Rocket down! Ti doesn't distribute heat as well as aluminum so it tends to have "hot spots" where the flame is.”

“Yeah, I gots hot spots on my pots too. I have a one quart and a two quart Titanium evernew. IT does ROCK!! I got them for Christmas.”

“Smokygirl has "hot spots"? Hee hee.
I thought you were pretty much a hottie all over!
Now go to REI and spend your B-day money young lady!”

“Thanks for everyone's input. Looks like titanium wins out. Now I just have to find some at a reasonable price!”

“Evernew 0.9L and 1.3L Ti pots here. Love them. I have a Snowpeak Ti mug as well.”

“Personally I think Ti sucks really bad for actual cooking but is perfect if all you do is boil water.”

“why does it suck for cooking?”

“Well for me it doesn't distribute the heat evenly and you get hot spots. Food sticks of burns and if you aren't careful the pot can get too hot and buckle. This is a real problem if you use stoves that don't simmer.

But that could be a non issue for you depending on what you like to cook.

Personally I like stainless at home and Aluminum on the trail. If all I were doing was boiling water (shut up TwonDawg!) I would go Ti.

The real question is what material works best for your style of cooking not what material is best.”

“I use a Pepsi stove and primarily just boil water. Seems like I get hot spots no matter what material I use! Probably should invest in a good stove before good cookware? Or both!”

“I just recieved the Titan cookset for christmas, mentioned to my wife that I would like to have it and boy was I surprised on Christmas morn. I would not have bought it for myself ($80) as I was happy with my $15 cookset that weighs 2lbs. But the Titan weighs 9 oz!!!! I have cooked on it 3-4 times with no problems, no sticking no hotspots, I use a Camping Gaz stove and I never had hotspots with my old cookset.”

“Several years ago I replaced my bomb proof MSR stainless steel cookset with the MSR Al Blacklight cookset. Although Ti is the fad on the market now, the Blacklight cost 1/2 as much and weighs in at 18 oz; the same or less than the non-stick Ti cooksets. Other features that I absolutely love are the grooved bottoms for gripping the pot support's teeth and more even heat distribution, black exterior, and rounded corners for allowing the heat to travel from the stove up the sides of the bowl more easily. My only request to MSR would be that they create a pot holder out of lexan or something that would be less abrasive to the Teflon coating on the sides of the pots.”

“the MSR rep told me that if you cook alot in your pot to go with something other than titannium. he said it bends easily...

but if you just boil water than get the titannium stuff”

“well i have a stainless pot, but I also have a titanium pot (giving to ma as a present). still have yet to use it.

So ill let you know what i think very soon!”

“I havent gotten to try my new titanium cookset out yet..I cant believe how light it is..Kind of weary about its durability”

“My titanium pot rocks! But, I do notice it burns easy when my stove is roaring. If I stick to pasta and other easy stuff, then I am okay. I tried to make pancakes with it. Not a good outcome. I like how light it is more than its versatility so it works for me...”

“Don't worry the functional durabiltiy of Ti is fine. However, asthetically speaking Ti sure can't handle the dings that my steel cookset has absorbed over the years.”

“Since I've went Blacklight I can't go back.”

“If you can find good aluminum, it's the best IMHO. Cheap and light.”

“The problem with titanium is supposed to be scorching. If you are cooking in the pot, once you get the water boiling and add the ingredients, cut the flame back to a simmer and let it just simmer with the lid on it. Stir occasionally and you will have no trouble. You don't need to be running a stove full blast when cooking something anyway.

I don't fry things or make pancakes while backpacking. I generally stick to one-pot meals with noodles, rice, or beans. Everything just needs to get mixed together and simmered until it's all properly hydrated. I very rarely use prepared freeze-dried meals. They all taste blah to me.

The titanium pot is thinner walled, true. But I don't think it will be a major issue. My old pot has its share of dings. Besides, if the titanium does not work out, I always have Old Faithful standing by.

Besides the pot being lighter, mine has a handle on it that obviates the need for a pot grip, another weight savings. So far I love it. It just might take some adjusting on my part, but I think it will be great.”