Titanium is particularly effective for boiling water, making drinks and preparing simple trail meals. It is light, does not rust and does not readily retain food flavours.

Its weakness is heat distribution. Thin titanium cookware can develop concentrated hot spots, making sauces, eggs and thicker meals easier to burn.

Use a controlled flame and stir regularly if cooking food directly in the pot. If you plan to prepare more involved meals, aluminium or stainless-steel cookware may be more forgiving.

The Vargo BOT is designed to function as both a cooking pot and a sealable container. Selected models can carry water, store ingredients, measure quantities and heat food, reducing the need for several separate items.

The sealable lid also allows food to be pre-soaked before cooking, which can reduce heating time and fuel use.

Never heat a BOT while it is sealed. The manufacturer instructs users to unscrew the lid and turn it over into the cooking position before placing the container on a stove. Heating a sealed vessel can create dangerous pressure.

They are simple once you understand the fuel and setup, but they are not always as convenient as a canister stove.

Alcohol and solid-fuel stoves generally take longer to boil water and are more sensitive to wind. A suitable windscreen and stable cooking surface can make a significant difference. Wood-burning stoves also depend on dry, legally collectable fuel and may be prohibited during fire restrictions.

Use stoves outdoors in a well-ventilated area, away from tents and combustible materials. Never refuel an alcohol stove until the flame is fully extinguished and the stove has cooled. Alcohol flames can be difficult to see in daylight, so check carefully before handling or refilling.