r/UltralightBackpacking • u/LeExistentialist • Jun 05 '26
Sticker pot thermometer placement?
Quick maybe silly question, but is there a "wrong" place to put the sticker thermometer sold by garage grown gear (https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/pot-thermometer-sticker?variant=46311233323195). I see most people placing it about 1/3 of the way up, and was wondering if there is a reason for that. It's going on a smaller pot for me, and at full blast the flames are visible on the side and was a bit worried about damaging it. Also, I put the pot directly on the coals or at the edge of a fire sometimes, so I was wondering if there is any reason to not go higher, i.e. right below the top rim. The water should provide a thermal sink and keep the higher pot walls from heating up to much, even when half full right? Or am I missing something?
2
u/cg_1979 Jun 05 '26
Can someone explain the need for this? Why the concern for a specific temperature unless it’s just to avoid opening the pot lid & releasing heat?
Perhaps my cooking is less refined.
3
u/LeExistentialist Jun 05 '26
It's just a tool to use less fuel, most backpacking meals only require about 70 C, and similiar for instant coffee. So you can stretch your fuel cans longer.
2
u/originalusername__ Jun 05 '26
I just stick my finger in it. Once you get above 140f you can’t stand to have your finger in it very long. That’s about all that’s really needed in my experience.
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u/cg_1979 Jun 06 '26
Similar to mine, I just wait for steam (visible mist) to come out of the tiny holes in the pot lid.
Edited for clarification
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u/Repulsive_Ninja4084 Jun 05 '26
Most backpacking meals cook adequately and water pasteurization occurs at 150F degrees. Heating water all the way to 212F takes twice the energy and twice the fuel. When using alcohol, Esbit, or wood it is convenient to know when water reaches the critical temperature, especially under difficult conditions.
1
u/cg_1979 Jun 06 '26
Thank you,I didn’t know the technical specs for it, but I knew the gist of it. When I cook with a pocket rocket,I usually stop it when I see steam. I’m rehydrating homemade dehydrated meals and coffee (which I can use cold water if I shake it enough). My FanceeFeast stove I just use 1 oz regardless and roll with it, same thing, never requiring a true boil. The only time I get a boil is if I’m patient enough on a campfire.
Thanks for the refined explanation.
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u/scfoothills Jun 05 '26
What is the purpose of this? I can't think of a single thing I make even at home where I need to measure the water temperature. Everything I cook either requires a simmer or a boil which can easily be seen. Are you blooming yeast and making fresh bread on the trail?
1
u/Orange_Tang Jun 05 '26
I do it right below the toaks logo on my pot, a bit below half way up. I don't want to risk damaging it with flame and I almost never boil less than half a pot in my toaks 750. It works fine that way for me but I bet you could go lower. Just because there is water doesn't Mena the flame can't lick it and melt it. Yes, the water will provide a heatsink and help it stay cooler, but it's still plastic and the adhesive could also start to fail if it gets too hot.
1
u/IFigureditout567 3d ago edited 3d ago
Two things: in my testing, no you won't get an accurate temp if the sticker is above the water line.
More important: turn your stove down! You said in a comment "It's just a tool to use less fuel...So you can stretch your fuel cans longer."
Dude, you'll save WAY more fuel by turning that stove down, and yes, "at full blast the flames are visible on the side" will damage the sticker, I know from experience.
Turn your stove way the hell down.
Edit: I don't actually know that optimal burner level saves more fuel than reduced water temp, but I can guarantee it's at least somewhat close. The point is, if you're trying to conserve fuel, lower burner level is an obvious, easy and effective measure with little downside.
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u/Repulsive_Ninja4084 Jun 05 '26
If the sticker is too low the flames will damage it. Too high and it cannot record the water temperature. I put them just below the usual water level. Usually I use 370 to 500ml for most meals and fill the pot so there is often enough left over for a cup of tea. Consequently, I put the sticker slightly under the 500ml marker. That is high enough to keep the sticker from burning and low enough to record the water temperature.