Minimalist Ultralite Pot Lid UPGRADE

by slylee in Outside > Camping

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Minimalist Ultralite Pot Lid UPGRADE

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A while back I bought a "GSI Halulite MicroDualist"- a cooking and eating combo kit. http://www.gsioutdoors.com/products/pdp/pinnacle_dualist/.

It is a very nifty set, and works well.....except that the lid will melt into your pot if exposed to the slightest flame.
As someone who enjoys remote camping, I need my gear to be durable, so I set out to upgrade this pitiful plastic lid to something that will stand the test of time.

btw minimalist is not a word. A friend recently told me this. But new words are being added to the english language all the time. I heard on NPR the other day that F-bomb is being added to the 2012 Merriam-Webster Dictionary.True story.  So I am going to continue saying minimalist.

I hope you enjoy this instructable, and if so, please vote for me in the "Fix it Contest" by clicking 'vote' above.

Supplies and Materials

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To make a new lid, you will need:
  • A large metal cannister with a bottom as large in circumference as the pot. I used a small beer keg.
  • A drill
  • Metal sheet cutter or Dremmel
  • Sandpaper
  • Pliers 

Step 1: Trace and Cut Out the New Lid

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Trace out the circumference of the pot on your metal canister. Make the circumference a little larger (about 1cm) than the actual circumference of the pot.

Then, drill a large hole and cut out the circle with the metal sheet cutter or a dremmel (I tried a dremmel first, and it was much harder than using the sheet cutter). 


Step 2: Trim Edges and Make the Tabs

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Now, cut three tabs at equal distances around the lid. Make the tabs about 1cm long. 

Then, cut the excess off. 

Bend your tabs so they have a little more than a right angle to them. You want the tabs to fit snuggly, but not too tight, over the outside of the pot.

Your edges will be extremely sharp so be careful.

Step 3: Sanding

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Sand away as needed.

Step 4: Bending the Lid to Specifications

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You may need to bend the lid a little to make it sit fairly flat on the top of the pot. If it has some gaps, that is perfectly fine. The original lid had multiple holes in it for some ventilation. 

I haven't put this lid to the test yet, but I have a feeling that it will last for many trips to come.