I'm looking into getting some cookware for my BOB. I'd love to get Titanium but I know that the price will be too high. So that being said, I'd rather go stainless steel than aluminum (since I'd rather have the stuff be durable than light). Any suggestions? A quick search or Amazon.com and REI left me overwhelmed by the number of options.

The MSR Alpine series might just be a good fit for you. You can buy the pots individually or in various sets. I have the three piece set (even though every website calls it a four pot set):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UABDIC/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=AU8KF031TC39C

Three different pots all have their own lid that also doubles as a plate when some unexpected guests show up. The lightweight pot gripper makes quick work of transferring pots to and from the stove.

Product Features

* Material: Stainless steel
* Volume: 1L, 2L, 3L
* Pots: 3
* Lids: 3
* Pot Grabber: Yes
* Storage Sack: Yes
* Non Stick: No
* Grooved Bottoms: No
* Weight: 3lb 2oz (1398g)
* Recommended Use: Camping, mountaineering, expeditions
* Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime

I second the MSR Alpine SS sets. I have an MSR Titanium set for ultralight camping, but the SS goes on the BOB cart.

_________________
Jerry D Young

I've been looking and looking for it online, but can't find it anymore. Trangia makes a nesting stainless cookset that includes their famous brass alcohol stove. I own a cheap aluminum knock-off of this set-up, which I currently use for backpacking. I want the stainless Trangia set because it is higher quality, and I'm concerned about the potential health issues associated with soft aluminum.

For a bug-out situation, I originally thought a mess kit would be the best way to go, because I could always build a fire to heat water/cook with. After thinking about it for a while, I realized that a fire just about anywhere is not very discreet. An alcohol stove is very discreet, the ultimate in reliability, and very lightweight. While this set-up is really only ideal for 1-2 people, it can boil water and cook very well. In a situation where you need to boil your water, or cook game meats and fish, having a discreet way to do so is an exercise in maintaining a low profile. While using a Dakota Fire Hole is about the most discreet campfire you can have, it still isn't as discreet as an alcohol stove.

I may just end up getting a hard anodized Trangia set, which is made from their "duossal" metal, which is essentially an aluminum structure with a thin laminate of stainless for easy cleaning...and you won't be ingesting aluminum. I'll throw the aluminum kit in my BoB with a yellow bottle of HEET and call it good.

I guess I'm Cheap.

I use an Army surplus mess kit and 2 canteen cups for my BOB cookware. I have found that they do just fine as long as you do not put them right on the fire. As long as you keep it just close enough to slowly cook the food there are no issues with food sticking and they are easy to keep clean.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

The Apline series looks great! I have a small Esbit stove for a min-kit, and looking for something a little more substantial as well.

If you have a 32-oz Nalgene bottle, then the Snow Peak Mini Solo Titanium Cook Set will fit right over the bottle, taking up practically no extra space at all.



http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Peak-Mini-Solo-Titanium/dp/B000TYHG8Q/

Me likey that Nalgene set

I should credit John McCann about the Snow Peak Mini Solo Titanium cook set. He mentioned it in his survival kit book in the cookware section. The long container fits over the bottle, and the cup then fits over the long container. I noticed there's a lid with the set, which I guess you would just not bring along.

I came across this video on the Jetboil Flash system which impressed me. It's a little pricey though - about $90 on Amazon.