Pot Cozy

[Luke Coop]

I’ve been working on lightening my pack, which currently weighs in at around 378 pounds. One step I’ve taken is swapping out the Pinnacle Dualist set that’s always served as my float trip/occasional backpacking overnight combo with the Snow Peak Trek set. I imagine I’ll end up leaving the 1300 behind for most trips, opting to take only the 900 unless my wife or other partner in crime decides to join me. That said, I’d like to find a cozy that will also accommodate the 1300 if possible. I like the looks of the Discovering Wilderness offering. Anyone have thoughts on that one? Looks like the large is designed for the 900. Think it would cover the 1300 as well? Seems to this novice backpacker like it’d be more durable and more packable than the AG Gear cozy. Advertised weight is 1.3 oz. I only see a weight range from lightest (smallest) to heaviest (largest) on AG Gear, but given that range is .6 to 1.7 I’d expect the large DW to be comparable in weight to its AG Gear counterpart. Are there other ready made cozies available that I’ve overlooked? I saw the Warm Sak referenced, but that one doesn’t appear to be available anymore. I have some Reflectix and tape and could DIY, but I’d rather not unless opinions come down decidedly in favor of that option. What y’all think?

[Kevin Babione]

Welcome back!  First – you may want to edit your post…I’m guessing you meant 378 ounces (23.6 lbs) and not pounds for your pack weight. :)

I’ll suggest you just make your own cozy.  While a purchased one may fit, just knock out one for each pot and keep them with the pot.  Especially in winter, you don’t want to be futzing with your gear, and this way you can get it exactly the way you want it.  I did one with a fold-down lid that I secured with a small piece of Velcro that worked well.

[Brad W]

Has anyone tested these and found they add measurable heat retention?

[HkNewman]

Has anyone tested these and found they add measurable heat retention?

I read where a company that makes or uses reflectix tested it.

They found it works but much better if the metal film is in actual/very close contact with the items being insulated. Air space reduces the effectiveness significantly.

Just some thoughts.  A pouch for bagged meals, FBC, etc.. would likely be more easier than a pot due trying to squeeze a hot pot into a tight fitting “cozy cup”.  Then there’s the handles, .. unless cutting out a space for said handles.
Last time I made a cozy, I kept my pot cozy’s base and lid separate, which allowed me to easily fold the main cozy.  I tend to use [cleaned] discarded window reflective shades as they can’t be recycled in many places (mixed material)

[Glen L]

Reflectix Is the highest performance insulation for the weight I’ve ever used. It is bulkier than some but very easy to make.  You can hot soak things with it, saving fuel and keep it steaming hot for an hour.
Now I’m just using this cozy for my Toaks 650 ml mug that I made from an old fleece sleeve and sewed a round piece into the bottom. The inner fleece, an old Nike Livestrong is thermally woven and works very well, keeping the titanium from burning hands and a nice piping hot beverage hot while drinking. It took a little more work but still easy to make with hand stitches. It also holds part of my windscreen flush to the mug, protecting it during travel. When you make your own you can get a precise fit. I have no experience with cozies for sale by third parties. I hear some are good though. A small challenge is good at times.

[JCH]

I second the DIY suggestion.  You can size the cozy to each specific pot…no need to find a “one size fits all” compromise. Reflectix works reasonably well but I used an old 1/4” foam yoga mat as material and it works exceptionally well.

[Jerry Adams]

easy DIY – cut reflectix with scissors and use packaging tape

[Philip Tschersich]

I read where a company that makes or uses reflectix tested it.

They found it works but much better if the metal film is in actual/very close contact with the items being insulated. Air space reduces the effectiveness significantly.

I think the opposite is true. From reflectix.com:

No Air Space = No Reflective Insulation Benefit (An R-1.1 is provided from the product itself for the Reflective/Double Bubble material.)

For either a reflective insulation or a radiant barrier, an air space is required on the reflective side of the product. (Most Reflectix® products are reflective (shiny) on both sides.) The radiant barrier’s benefit is derived from the interaction of the low emittance surface with an air space. An air space must exist on a minimum of one side of the product (always on the reflective side (residential attic – preferably oriented facing down)).

[R-value for Reflectix] reflective side of product: R-4.55 Down • R-1.32 Up • R-1.70 Horizontal.

So in contact with a pot, you get R-1.1. With an adequate air space between the pot and the reflectix cozy, you get R-4.55 below the pot, R-1.7 on the sides, and R-1.32 above the pot.

[JCH]

Reflectix and a blue foam pad are both super inexpensive…build one of each and see which performs best for yourself.  Spoiler…it’s the blue foam :)

[HkNewman]

Whoops, must’ve remembered it wrong.

I think the opposite is true. From reflectix.com ..So in contact with a pot, you get R-1.1. With an adequate air space between the pot and the reflectix cozy, you get R-4.55 below the pot, R-1.7 on the sides, and R-1.32 above the pot.

Then it’ll be an easier project though not much “R” except below.  Like the old fleece or blue foams ideas.   Maybe winter..

[Philip Tschersich]

I always use a puffy jacket or my sleeping bag as a cozy. They are light, have high R values, and I’m already carrying them. I have not spilled food into my gear (so far). But if you are worried, just carry a simple oven roasting bag as spill insurance.

[Axel J]

I always use a puffy jacket or my sleeping bag as a cozy.

Same concept, I use my Black Rock down beanie.

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

Then there is Ryan J’s recent experience.

[Philip Tschersich]

Correct: don’t wear your food. Leave it inside the cozy in a safe spot and just stir once or twice.

[Jerry Adams]

I use my sun hat for a cozy

Putting reflectix against the pot will give some radiative heat advantage, on the outside surface which as an air layer next to it

The reflectix has internal air bubbles which produce low weight insulation.

An experiment would be to measure temp of the water inside the pot, over time.  No cozy, reflectix, and blue foam.

 

[Luke Coop]

Kevin, it’s true I’m given to hyperbole. However, after a ~20° night on a deflated pad with the wife and a switchback and blowdown bonanza the following day with said wife I’m pretty confident I do remember my pack weight being approximately 378 pounds.

Joking aside, it is absurdly heavy. I honestly don’t know how heavy because I’ve never weighed it. One of the things I’ve ordered is a scale. It’ll be fun working all this out!

Regarding the subject at hand, I think I’ll start with a DIY pouch. That’s probably all I really need anyway.

Thanks all!

[David Gardner]

It’s incredibly easy and cheap to make cozies from Reflectix or similar. I’ve done it for many years.

And tested it extensively. Five times I put 500 ml of boiling water in one of these rigs in my chilly garage and checked the temperature at 30 min. intervals, resulting in these average temps: 30 min/195 F, 60 min/172 F, 90 min/150 F. At 150 F it’s finally cool enough to actually drink or eat. It works so well that you can “simmer” in effect but just letting it sit there.

[Luke Coop]

David,

Thank you for the specifics and the encouragement. How do you pack them?

[Graham]

Video showing heat retention data for a pot cozy and DIY instructions

[Jerry Adams]

nice data David and video Graham

from that plot, with either cozy it stays above 75C for 10 minutes but only 5 minutes without cozy.  I think that’s when you’d get the most hydration, at the hotter temps.   So, the cozy gives you twice as much hydration time.

I can’t imagine waiting more than about 10 minutes.  I guess I’m impatient.

I don’t use a cozy.  Oatmeal hydrates completely.  I hydrate some dried beans and vegetables for dinner and there are still some crunchy bits – I should try using a cozy.  I make about 800ml of tea in the morning and refill my cup about three times before I drink it all.  By the third refill, it’s just warm.  I should use a cozy for that.  I use my hat sometimes which helps.

[Jerry Adams]

In that video, near the beginning, he shows two mids.  In the foreground is a silpoly or silnylon mid.  It’s sides are wrinkled.  In the rear is a DCF mid.  It’s sides are completely taut.  Maybe it would be more wind resistant – sheds the wind better.  Maybe that’s just aesthetic.

[Marcus]

I use myog 1/8″ high density foam with one aluminized radiant side. It works better than reflectix but I got the foam as packaging and can’t find more! I think it is commonly used for vehicle/ trailer/ camper insulation. I see similar stuff on Amazon but it’s thicker or adhesive backed.

My 375 cozy + Insulated lid weigh about .6oz and the 1L pot version is about 1.1oz.

Both have a double layer bottom which makes a big difference. I taped them then glued with SeamGrip and they have lasted over 60 nights so far. The HDCCF is pretty rugged. The foam is higher density than the Thinlite pads and more durable.

My cup cozy will keep coffee too hot to drink for over 10 mins and drinkably warm for almost 30 mins in 30-40* weather. Works amazingly well for the weight.

[Jerry Adams]

Nice use of materials that would have otherwise been thrown in the garbage.

I have a Toaks 450 cup.  I took some 1/16th inch hat stiffener “insulation” from fabric store and taped it around the cup.

I can now hold the cup when it’s hot without burning my fingers.  It will warm my fingers up when it’s cold.

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