Hear Hear James! That would make me totally happy!

Cool designs from Bill & Jason. I do have a question though - how do you store a lid like the foil/liner ones in your pack. It seems they would be easy to puncture, or the stiff foil edges might cut other items. I've used plain aluminum foil for lids and folded it and stored it inside the pot, but the heavier foil seems like it would be hard to unfold and reshape to properly fit the pot.

Do you use these types of lids for multiple trips or replace them with a new one each time?

Pam

Hi Pamela,
The inside of the pot holds my stove, windscreen, and pot stand and is wrapped with a bandanna, which provides some support for the foil. Also, I pack the pot horizontally (not upright)and put a layer of clothing over it so it is less likely to get punctured.

Hi All,

We are working with our manufacturer to come up with something. Thanks for your patience, it could take a little bit of time to sort this out.

Ryan

Thanks Ryan. Please keep us posted.

Thanks for the update Ryan. I've been told by a supposedly reliable source that a redesign is underway for these pots. I love the pot (other than the misfitting lid) but I would also love to see embossed measuring marks in it. Maybe that could also be incorporated into the updated design.

BTW: I especially like the absolutely perfect fit on the FireLite Esbit Wing Stove. Combined with a windscreen, the whole thing makes for a great lightweight cooking system.

Ryan,
I have 2 of the pots. One with and one without handles. I managed to punch a hole in the one without handles by being careless when making a dimple at the one cup line.

Just a couple of suggestions:

It would be useful to have measures on the cups. I don't care about the lid - I make my own anyway to fit the Ziploc 1-cup cup.

On the other hand, an extra 1/4 cup capacity would be a little more useful for cooking. The useful capacity of the 500 ml pot is 1 3/4 cups. Two cups is just too close to the rim.

MSR tea kettle..
800ml, 4oz, properly tight fitting lid, _necessary_ spout so you can keep the lid fitted while boiling, removable handles if 4oz is too much weight, REI 100% lifetime refund policy. $39.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=2678982&parent_category_rn=4500495&vcat=REI_SEARCH

Bill, that stove you are using looks interesting, is it basically an open cat stove with some flanges to hold the pot?

Edited by Brett1234 on 01/14/2007 18:20:35 MST.

Brett -- Agree about the MSR. Also noted the stove in Bill's post. It is similar to what I have been experimenting with for a wood stove. It works so far, but Bill's version is better than what I have been playing with.

Bill F. -- do you burn wood in the can stove? And, can you redo an explanation of your external frame? IMO it is to die for. bd

Brett / bd,

The stove is from Japan and is very special. It was made by JSBJSB who posts here once in awhile. He has a great web site. Do a "forums " search for JSBJSB.


This thread talks a little about the stove you are asking about

The stove is for alcohol and is small. Alcohol stoves in Japan are a finely developed Art Form.


bd,

Which external frame are you talking about? If it the one for the Cuben Pack Bag I have never talked about it. Those are the first pictures I have posted.

I recieved mine (sans handles) a week or two ago. I was bummed the lid wouldn't fit. It wasn't until today that I found everyone else has had the same problem. Foil lids are ok, but I like a real lid that seals the pot without crumpling- not so much for cooking, but for packing things inside it and stuffing it in a pack.
If some sort of replacement lid is in the works, I'd like one.
Otherwise, it's a great little pot.

I am frustrated here, tried to post before and lost a comment. Oh well, Brett: Dittos on the MSR.

Bill F.: The new or different frame is cool. Can you post about it?

I have bought a UL 45 from REI when they were on closeout just to pirate the external and partially internal frame, by cutting off their bag and accessories. I don't have time or the materials, tools, and layout to make a new frame. But, I believe you are on the right track. A frame that can take different packs (from summer to winter and big to small) is where I want to go. bd

Edited by bdavis on 01/14/2007 20:08:45 MST.

I got my pot last week and just like the other posts, I had the same problem with the lid not fitting. I thought it was just my bad luck getting one that didn't fit properly.

Other than the lid not fitting, I really like it. A perfect size for my lightweight solo trips and the weight can't be beat.

Too bad about the lid. Is there any chance we can get a replacement?

Hi Kurt,
See above: Ryan said they're working on something. I also got a nice email for BPL customer service saying that they're working on a solution and will keep us posted. I'm very confident they'll make good--it just might take some time.

My Firelite lids sucks like most everyone else's. After spending 2 hours last night trying to shimmy the inside of the pot with my dental drills (to little avail), I played around with other pots and lids. I found that the lid for my Snow Peak Solo set fits the Firelite perfectly if it's inverted. Also, the Vargo Ti Lite lid fits the Snow Peak cup and pot. BUT--the Ti Lite lid doesn't fit the Firelite (too heavy anyway). My suggestions to Vargo would be to (1)make a proper Firelite lid, and (2) make all their lids interchangable (for similiarly sized pots), for mix-and-match flexibility, and (3) add measuring lines in 1/2 cup increments.

I love the Nestle lid idea, and might try to fabricate one of my own. Till then, though, I'll go with my MSR Titan. I usually just do 2-4 day outings, and I'm less stringent than most regarding weight (20-25# pack). We all choose our ounces differently, and I want everything I carry to work well.

But it would be sweet if we could score a replacement lid for our Firelites.

Addendum, 1.23.07--While I was pestering the help at Boulder's REI yesterday, I found the seldom-stocked Backpacker's Pantry Reflective Collar. It's a 9" X 9" piece of rather heavy aluminum, which is folded into quarters. Each of the quarters measures 4.5" square, which would be a perfect fit for us to cut into a circle for use as a lid (w/o handle). Cost=$3.75 + tax - dividend, or about a buck for each of the 4 lids that can be made from one 9" X 9" piece. That might get us through a season while we wait to see if Ryan can talk Vargo into being sensible/responsible. I'm off now to see if I can find some Nestle Nido. We are all so hopeless--our shared quest for the ultimate gear will never end!

Edited by Zia-Grill-Guy on 01/23/2007 09:12:58 MST.

I agree totally that an extra 1/4 cup capacity and measurement marks scored into the pot would be great.

Hey Ryan et al,
Any update on the progress of a better-fitting lid from the manufacturer? Also, any plans to add the measuring marks? I think that was a great suggestion. Maybe the same laser engraving used for the BPL address on the outside of the pot could be used on the inside instead of score marks? I'm just thinking out loud here and don't really understand the nuts and bolts of it all so if the technology is prohibitive, sorry.

Edited by jasonklass on 02/07/2007 20:56:57 MST.

It looks like from the pictures that the misfitting lids are about 1/10" too wide.
Has anyone tried a round wedge, possibly something like this:


..

The idea is to very lightly hammer or press the mandrel into the Firelite 500 until you get the desired diameter.

Just an idea.

MikeB

Edited by eaglemb on 02/07/2007 21:46:43 MST.

I just wanted to second Jason's desire for measuring marks.

Gary, Your post contains a lot of the ideas being tossed around here in this thread, so I chose it to reference from.

I also think that (1) lid for multiple pots/cups would be a really smart move for a gear company. It would allow them to produce a line of pots, including a cup; for single person use (cup), smaller pot for short trips, larger pot for extended trips. If you brought all three pieces along on an outing the lid could be interchanged as needed during the meal.

Having the MSR Titan myself, I'd make this design the larger pot and work back from there, getting squatter as you go. It's a fuel efficent shape, and packs well amongst other gear. The only caveat I have found with this item is that the area that holds the handles on can be sharp and cut fabric.

Interchangeable set of handles would lower the set's weight too. Or a bail, ala Bill F', would also suffice IMO. I think a bail offers the added advantage of easier conformation of a cozy, without danger of the handles tearing it. Plus, the bail stays far enough away from the flames to stay cool to the touch(if it can be made to 'lock' in the upright postion, like the Titan's lid handle)IMO.

The only thing I differ on here with others is the fact that I prefer pots/cups without any internal rivets, markings, or indentations. I use a packtowel or viscose piece to wipe out my cooking gear after use; because I have found this not to scratch the interior surface. I once had a pot with 'measurements' scribed inside and found it impossible to clean out food crud. If the measurements were on the exterior, and did not interrupt the smooth interior surface that would be useful. I think most folks can eyeball the correct level of liquids from the outside, since markings should be a good inch or so apart. After using certain pots and cups over the years I've found it easy enough to Sharpie mark the exterior to my satisfaction for measurement usage IMO.