Recommendation for a titanium cup?

[Ian Rae]

As we're doing more backpacking with our boys, we are finding that we need one more cup/bowl to avoid food fights. Currently, I have a 700ml Snow Peak pot with a 400ml REI "TiWare" titanium cup nested inside. I'd like to find a cup that will nest somewhere in this system (it could either be a short, squat cup that nests outside of the Snow Peak 700, or could go between the Snow peak and the REI mug. Seems unlikely to find anything small enough to go inside the REI mug.)

I've tried comparing measurements online, but it's unclear exactly what manufacturers are measuring (inside diameter, outside, or outside with handles…)

Any suggestions would be great!

[Bob Gross]

Does it need to be titanium?

I use titanium stuff anywhere that flames will be on it. However, for eating and drinking, I find ordinary plastic bowls to be the best. Plus, they are lighter than titanium of an equal size. I use recycled #5 plastic food containers that each hold about 15 ounces. I've been using these for about ten years now, and I haven't managed to break a single one.

–B.G.–

[Ian Rae]

I'd prefer titanium (or anodized aluminum) to avoid the possible toxicity problems with plastics. While there's lots of theories out there about how toxic (and which plastics are worse,) in general, I try to avoid hot foods in plastic.

I know it's only a few days a year, but just trying to be diligent, especially with the little guys.

[Katherine .]

make it easier for us: what are the diameter/height specs on those two items?

I'd probably drop the cup you have, and get two stackable cup/bowls that would nest in the pot.

Sticking with your idea: maybe some variation of a sierra cup?

[Daniel D]

*1 for a plastic cup, but these days I use the bottom of a yoghurt container because it fits into my cookset.

[Katherine .]

supposedly #5 is the safest (and #7 is the worst) but i don't remember the source for that info.

[Katherine .]

this might fit w/in the mug:

http://snowpeak.com/collections/backpacking/products/titanium-single-cup-2-mg-002

though it only has 8 oz capacity

[Ian Rae]

Thanks, everyone! The 300ml cup might work (I don't need anything too big, the kids are pretty little!)

Measurements:

400ml cup: 3" inside diameter, 3 5/16" outside diameter (including handles)
600ml pot: 3 3/4" inside diameter. 3 7/8" outside diameter (including handles.)

[Jesse Anderson]

I'd look at the Toaks website. They're prices are a sight better than anyone else on Ti products. They also provide the dimensions of everything right in the product description. I haven't bought anything from them yet but the 750ml pot is certainly on my wishlist.

[Roger Caffin]

> While there's lots of theories out there about how toxic (and which plastics are worse,)
And much of it is nothing more than urban myth. But people love their myths.

The hazard (to your lips) of drinking very hot liquid out of a metal cup is significantly greater.
The hazard of death from driving to the traihead is massively greater.

Cheers

[Ian Rae]

I generally appreciate the advise I get on this site (and it's much appreciated) but this kind of useless commentary is, well, pretty useless.

Thanks to everyone else!

[Dave Marcus]

– The hazard (to your lips) of drinking very hot liquid out of a metal cup is significantly greater.
The hazard of death from driving to the traihead is massively greater. –

I guess if you can't eliminate every risk of harm, there's no point in making any effort at all.

[Ian Rae]

I understand that much (probably the vast majority) of concerns over plastics are way overblown, but also have enough of a formal science background to know that the reality is that the science can take a long time to catch up with problems, and it's a simple matter to avoid in this case. There's a pretty good body of evidence out there showing (potential) problems in humans from plasticizers.

I'm certainly not going to critique anyone using plastic in their kits, but choose to avoid it where it's easy.

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Ian

> There's a pretty good body of evidence out there showing (potential) problems
> in humans from plasticizers.
True, no argument about the hazards of plasticisers.
But you do not get plasticisers in our normal backpacking plastic mugs.

Do you hesitate to drink out of a PET rocket-base bottle of fizzy drink, bought from a shop? I thought not. No plasticiser there either, btw.

Cheers

[Gary Dunckel]

Here's an option–Snow Peak's stackable double wall cups without handles:

http://www.tahoemountainsports.com/product/snow-peak-h300-stackable-double-walled-cup

[Ken Thompson]

You're just being a troll at this point Roger. Back off.

[Anonymous]

Ian, Since your present set-up appears to satisfy your needs except for the transitory inability of the guys to time-share the mugs during some of the meals, the McDonalds coffee cups are pretty tough and would probably last you on a shorter five day trip. You might give it a try reserving the paper cup for yourself and distributing the sturdier stuff to the boys. They are going to learn to share at some point or will grow up and leave home in a blink thus solving the problem at the cost, possibly, of many tears from mom. Hope this is helpful, really! I have a lot of gear laying around that serves only to stir up memories.

[Ian Rae]

Ha! Good point on short term gear use…

[Christopher *]

"You're just being a troll at this point Roger. Back off."

Wow. I have found myself on more than one occasion reading Rogers curt comments while shaking my head and even clenching my fists, but this time I actually agree with him. I guess like everything else, trolling is all a matter of perspective.

A dissenting voice against "conventional wisdom" may appear to be trolling, but when the scientific evidence is soft (as it is in this case) I think the dissent is appropriate and directs readers to go out and gather more information on their own.

[Ozzy McKinney]

doesn't change the fact it is off topic, unsolicited advice, and generally had a condescending bend to it.

Ti mugs, people.

If you are cooking hot food, maybe a larger pot is the way to go? The kiddos are small eaters now, but that won't last. Some of the Stoic stuff (the 1100 or 900?) might fit outside of the 700.

Edit- didn't realize the smaller stoic pots are discontinued. Snowpeak trek 900 would be my next guess

[Dale Wambaugh]

Kids being expensive to raise and tending to lose things, I would look at the Olicamp hard anodized aluminum space saver mugs. They are $14 or so on eBay and as light as many Ti mugs. They have enough capacity to cook and eat from and will nest around a water bottle.

Esbit markets a hard anodized mug with a plastic lip and handle, helping with the burnt lip issue. The fixed handle is a space robber, but easy to cut off if it annoys. Then you need gloves or bandana to hold it.

The Snowpeak Ti bowls are a bargain too and can be packed with other gear to save space.

For drinking, the Snowpeak 450ml mug with the "hot lips" silicone lip guard is the light Ti option that won't burn your lips—- still needs care.

Innovate makes double-wall stainless "tumblers" with lids. Hard to find, but the cheapest thermal metal mug I've found.

The good old Alladin insulated plastic mugs are good. The GSI plain plastic mugs are about as simple and cheap as it gets.

[Steofan M]

Ian, how about those Oli-Camp Space Saver Mugs? They hold 20-24 oz, fit on a regular Nalgene and cost under $10. If you are eating dinner from these, they may need to go back for seconds. The dark, anodized aluminum mug looks pretty sweet with the colored handles. Just order the colors that the boys want and all problems are solved.

[Roger Caffin]

GSI plastic mug: 50 g
TiWare 400: 68 g

Cheers

PS: re trolling, curt comments, dissenting – mostly a cultural difference, not an intent to annoy. I tend to be a bit brief at times, I know. Forgive me.

[Ian]

I own a couple Toaks mugs. They build good stuff and tend to be cheaper than their competitors.

[Bob Shuff]

Similar question, hope you don't mind me jumping in. I wanted to add an insulated cup to my kit for my 12-year-old. We have plates and larger bowls in our car kit, but neither is good for hot drinks ("winter is coming"), and the larger stuff is not needed on a backpacking trip. I have a Snow Peak Ti double-walled mug, and would love to have something that nests inside this for him. I was thinking Ti, but non-poisonous plastic is fine. A drink-thru lid would be nice.

…or should I get him something he can carry for himself?

-Slbear

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