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Insulating my titan kettle handles


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  • #1228221
    Ian Schumann
    BPL Member

    @freeradical

    Locale: Central TX

    Hey how can I do this? I'm aware of fiberglass tape wick but I think the wrapping diameter around those skinny wire handles will be too tight to really work . . . maybe I need silicone tape like Tommy Tape?

    Any other good ideas?

    I feel like this will make the kettle a TON more usable. As it stands now, once the kettle gets hot, the only place I can pick it up with bare hands is by the insulated handle in the center of the lid. Thanks goodness for that tight fit . . .

    Why couldn't MSR insulate the handles such as on the Evernew Ti pots? Trying to keep the weight competitive?

    #1427425
    Boozer
    BPL Member

    @anywayoutside

    Locale: South East

    Ian, I figure I owe you this one since I tried this first on the SP 700 I got from you. On the SP stuff atleast just pop off the handles and run the small silicone tube over it. I ran it around the bends to help hold it in place. Fit is excellent. I am not sure of the Titan handle diameter, but assume it is similar. I will say it is not the easiest to run the tube over the handle, but seems to be well worth the trouble. You can buy 8' of this stuff for about $2…on the cheap at any pet supply. Also I do think the use of a medical glove helps get a grip on the tubing. I did also use some hot water to make it more pliable.

    #1427426
    Richard Scruggs
    BPL Member

    @jrscruggs

    Locale: Oregon

    You might check out a product that's described by Jason as "silicone" from "Smooth On" in his following comment for a BPL thread that discusses the insulated handles on an Evernew .9L titanium pot used with a Caldera cone:

    "I am a big fan of the insulated handles on the evernew .9, and have not have problems with handles and the caldera stove.

    "I have recently switched to the ti-tri and am going to try to coat those handels as well with silicon from smooth-on."

    For the entire thread, see the following link:

    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/9205/index.html?skip_to_post=66814#66814

    I haven't ever used the silicone "Smooth-On" product, but did find it's website at the following link:

    http://www.smoothonsecure.com/store/index.php?cPath=278

    JRS

    #1427432
    Ian Schumann
    BPL Member

    @freeradical

    Locale: Central TX

    Hmm that airline thing sounds good! Also, I guess if needed I could order some thicker stuff from McMaster for more heat resistance.

    I'm curious about "popping off" the handles. I don't have my Titan in front of me so I can't take a look, but do I take it rightly that the handles must not be closed loops? They're just, what, C-shaped (ish)?

    Then I'm envisioning that you just pull up and down at the same time to pop the handles out of the welded plate. Is this right? Does that not deform the handles in a way that makes it tight to get a good factory fit again once they're put back in? Enlighten me.

    #1427433
    Boozer
    BPL Member

    @anywayoutside

    Locale: South East

    Yes, just a "C" shape maybe 3/8 inch into the sleeve. I will say it is not at tight as new, but as we all find after about a dozen times of folding our handles in and out they loosen slighty. There was already play from top to bottom so I simply pushed all the way to the top an popped the end out. I didn't seem to bend it, just flexed it. I reversed this to put them back. I gave an additional squeeze after they went back into the sleeve to tighten as much as possible. Once again this is on the SP. What MSR did w/ the Titan I don't know.

    #1427442
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    I always leave the handles sticking out, rather than folded in flush, when I have my Titan Kettle on a Snow Peak GST100 canister stove. I can bring the Kettle to the boil and then pick it up by the top of the handles quite easily. They are rarely more than warm out at the corners.

    I have found the handles get a bit warmer with a Coleman Xtreme stove, as this has a wider burner. But I only use this stove in the snow. Cooling the top of the handles under these conditions requires a very complex operation involving a small lump of snow …

    Maybe the problem you have is a burner which is too big for the Kettle?

    #1427466
    Ian Schumann
    BPL Member

    @freeradical

    Locale: Central TX

    Roger, my problem up to now may have been the burner setup. But given that I'm getting on the Caldera bandwagon very shortly, this could be a moot point. A Caldera Cone should keep the pot's handles quite cool right?

    But really, I just want to figure out a way to insulate the handles for that extra usability margin, and to overall add a little versatility to this little pot.

    A friend still has my borrowed Titan so, Roger, do you know if its handles are C-shaped like the SP mug?

    #1427470
    Dave .
    BPL Member

    @ramapo

    The Titan does not have the same handle shape as the Snow Peaks:Titan

    #1427474
    Ian Schumann
    BPL Member

    @freeradical

    Locale: Central TX

    Oh yeah, I mean I know how they're shaped, I just want to know if they're closed loops or open under that spot-welded plate. If they're closed they can't be removed, but if they're open "c-shaped" then I should be able to get them out just as has been done with the SP mug handles.

    #1427493
    Dave .
    BPL Member

    @ramapo

    Nevermind. I didn't read the posts above carefully enough. My mistake.

    #1427494
    Roger B
    BPL Member

    @rogerb

    Locale: Denmark

    They are open and can probably be removed, but I am not about to try and damage my MSR pot to find out.

    #1427591
    Boozer
    BPL Member

    @anywayoutside

    Locale: South East

    Thought this might be of use…SP 700 Insulated Handles

    #1427624
    Ian Schumann
    BPL Member

    @freeradical

    Locale: Central TX

    Hey thanks man, that turned out really good for you!

    I'm speculating: if you used a segment of tubing about a half-inch or inch longer then the ends of the tubing would squish up against the walls of the pot, which would probably go a long way toward A) making the handles rattle a lot less, and B) reducing the annoying amount of free swing that the handles currently have, i.e. creating a stiffer hinge.

    Could be worth a try.

    I get my Titan back from my friend tomorrow morning. Excited to play with it.

    #1427627
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    Definitely C-shaped, and the inserted bit is not long. See below – sorry about the slight blurring.

    Handle removed from MSR Titan kettle.

    I hold my kettle at the top, thus:

    Holding top of handle

    Removal is best done from the bottom. Getting the top end out requires that you tilt the handle sideways to clear the rolled rim.

    Cheers

    #1427661
    Ian Schumann
    BPL Member

    @freeradical

    Locale: Central TX

    Yep, thanks Roger. I just got my Titan back this morning and immediately yanked the handles out with no problem. Didn't even have to bend 'em much to make it work. Now for that silicone tubing . . .

    #1427817
    Denis Hazlewood
    BPL Member

    @redleader

    Locale: Northern California

    Using Roger's method of only touching the upper/outer ends of the handles; might one remove the handles and reinstall them upside down? Puts the upper corner even farther away from the burner.

    #1427818
    Ian Schumann
    BPL Member

    @freeradical

    Locale: Central TX

    Hey good idea!

    Just so people know, I did the thing with the silicone tubing mentioned above. I had no trouble whatsoever making this work with the Titan Kettle, and the handles aren't bent out of shape or awkwardly loose after being reattached to the pot . . . so if you want to try, don't fear–it works!

    #1427919
    Michael Mangold
    Member

    @mkmangold

    What about coating the handles with silicone caulk? You wouldn't even need to remove them.

    #1428660
    Mike Hinsley
    Member

    @archnemesis

    Locale: England, UK

    After burning my fingers TWICE this week I came up with a simple idea – finger puppets.

    Imagine a mini oven glove that fits on thumb and finger – several layers of cotton on the inside edge.

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