The Kochanski Pot

R

Raymond1000

Joined
Oct 8, 2006
Messages
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I’ve kept an eye peeled for a decent pot for a bug-out-bag. Camping to, of course. But I want dedicated pots for bag and for car kit.

Ben’s Backwoods sells what they call Bush Pots. “This style of pot has been used by Mors Kochanski for over 40 years after he had received one when working at the Canadian Air Force Survival School. Mors considers it the perfect ‘Bushpot.’ "

It looks okay to me. Anodized aluminum makes a pretty good pan. It’s tougher than naked aluminum. It’s better at spreading heat than stainless steel. (That’s why stainless steel frying pans have aluminum on the bottom.) The pot’s not that bulky. It’s big enough to boil more than a liter of water at a time. It weighs 11.5 ounces, I can live with that. It’s got a decent bale and butterfly handles in back. (The butterflies will be hot to handle.) The pouring spout might work. (Not all do.) Apparently Mors loved them.

Does anybody have experience with the things? Is there an Achilles heel? (If a pot can have a mouth, sides, and bottom, why can’t it have a heel?)
 
Here is a link to a good thread about them. I have not personally used them, but they look very nice.
 
I went on with an Aussie mate about getting a genuine Oz bush billy and he sent me this as a surprise. It is stainless but it works like a champ and I can fit a gas cannister and my Micro stove inside, padded with a scour pad and washcloth. I don't notice the drawbacks of a stainless cookpot for boiling water and making coffee. It came with the stainless pan which nests inside, but I don't ever use it. I have a copper bottom folding handle skillet for frying though.

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I have 3 of them and I love the them.

The reason I have 3 is because I have two of the small ones. The small one nests inside the larger one when it doesn’t have the bail on it. So, I left one alone. I put the bail on my second one, and that one is usually my go to pot when I am alone. I use the kit when more people are with me, during the winter, or with the kids.

I was skeptical about the anodizing, and how well it would hold up, but it is great! I pretty much wash my stuff exclusively with sand, and the small one has been scrubbed with sand dozens of times, and the inside is great.

I have a few Zebra’s too, and for whatever reason can stick stuff to those pretty easily. I have had no sticking issues with the Mors pots, even with doing all my cooking on the fire/coals, which is harder to control temps.

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These pics are all when mine were new. I have lots of “in use” pictures that I can post later if you are interested.
B
 
Thanks, Brian.

The more I learn about these guys, the more I like them.

How well does the pour spout work?

Can you sand-clean the outside enough to not spread grime around? Or do you use a stuff sack?

I’d like to see the pot in action, if you would.
 
i also have them as well, in both sizes.. my smaller one has a bail on it, so it is not able to nest in the bigger one.. i think they're a great little pot's.. definitely well worth the $$..
 
Raymond1000 said:
How well does the pour spout work?
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It pours out where it should and it doesn't dribble. So, I guess it works as intended. I never thought much about it because I have never had any issues with it.

Raymond1000 said:
Can you sand-clean the outside enough to not spread grime around? Or do you use a stuff sack?
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I do. Just scrub the outside, and I don't use a stuff sack. It still has stain and color, I just scrub it enough to get any fire gunk off of it.

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That is about all I have on record dude :)

B
 
Thanks for the info, guys! The pot I have been using is about to give up the ghost, and I always enjoy dealing with Ben's. Gonna have to get an order in.
 
Brian Andrews said:
I have 3 of them and I love the them.

The reason I have 3 is because I have two of the small ones. The small one nests inside the larger one when it doesn’t have the bail on it. So, I left one alone. I put the bail on my second one, and that one is usually my go to pot when I am alone. I use the kit when more people are with me, during the winter, or with the kids.

I was skeptical about the anodizing, and how well it would hold up, but it is great! I pretty much wash my stuff exclusively with sand, and the small one has been scrubbed with sand dozens of times, and the inside is great.

I have a few Zebra’s too, and for whatever reason can stick stuff to those pretty easily. I have had no sticking issues with the Mors pots, even with doing all my cooking on the fire/coals, which is harder to control temps.

IMG_1622.jpg
Click to expand...

Good Lord. Remove the butterfly handles and you have the same basic design that the Hudson Bay Company used for 150 or so years in the fur trade !
 
Brian Andrews said:
You got it.

Every time I ask my kids if they want some, they say no. I mix it up anyway, and make it, and they eat it all every time :)

B
Click to expand...

Try tossing some raisins into the mix sometime.:thumbup: I've probably had a dozen variations from Aboriginal cooks. Some light as a feather, others gut bombs. Never cared much for oven Bannock though.
 
I thought I had more pictures on Photobucket, to include our more recent trip a few weeks ago. I have one of the older “Open Country” versions, but the only “heel” it had was it was “naked” aluminum. The newer versions that are anodized are safer for those fearful of dealing with naked aluminum. The butterfly side-handles really help to pour and the pour spout works as designed. I use a small stock with a hook to grip the handles and assist in pouring…works like a charm!

I use the larger Bushpot for our family trips (usually three to four of us). The smaller 5-cup model is perfect for the solo or trips with just me and my son or wife.

The other great features are the locking positions for the bail handle and the off-set sitting lid handle; such small features that make a big difference when working with an open fire to boil water or cook.

The older (non-anodized) version:
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ROCK6
 
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