A four-person cooking set that fits inside a pot is nothing new, but one this light or ingenious is.
In 1990, Australian Tim Macartney-Snape became the first person to walk and climb from sea level (Bay of Bengal) to the highest altitude on Earth (Mount Everest).
His journey inspired him to establish Sea to Summit, a company that focuses on light, top-quality outdoor gear. Its ethos is to start at ‘sea level’ and build something great, leaving no detail untouched.
This approach applies to the company’s latest cookware, the Alpha Pot Compact Cook System. Weighing just 1,2kg, the set includes two pots, four mugs, four mug holders, four bowls and a dishcloth, which all fit inside the biggest 3,7L pot – the way it all nests together is kind of beautiful.
Features include:
- pot handles that pivot horizontally and lock behind their lid handle – easy to pack;
- lids with holes for efficient draining and small silicone Y-shaped handles which work fantastically;
- measurement markings on the pots and cups;
- and a textured bottom on the pots for better stability on the camp stove.
I made a boerewors and blue-cheese pasta in the pots, leaving them unwashed overnight (in the name of research, not laziness) and was impressed with how easy they were to clean the following day.
They are made of hard-anodised aluminium, which means they’re non-stick and as hard as stainless steel.
I also made oats and it glided out of the pot beautifully (Sea to Summit’s design team researched and debated at length the ultimate angle of the bowls and pots for smooth scooping, which I think they’ve nailed.)
If you’re into multi-day hikes or clever camping then this nifty set is definitely worth adding to your gear.
Cost: R1999, adventureinc.co.za
The pots are intended for use on camping stoves only. Don’t put them on an open fire.
This gear first appeared in the March 2018 issue of Getaway magazine.
Our March issue features three magical train journeys, how to plan your escape on a dhow safari around Bazaruto, where to eat delicious fare when you have only 36 hours in Mumbai, plus lots more.
