The Aluminum Cooker L Set is a buy if you want to make soup for 3 to 5 people in light pots. Two pots hold about 7.5L and the weight is about 1.3kg. If you want a rice pot and a strainer packed in one, the fan5duo fits.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
Aluminum's specific gravity is about one third of stainless steel's, so a pot of the same size can be made at one third the weight. About 7.5L in about 1.3kg is that material difference showing up directly in the numbers. So for a camp meal for about four, I start my thinking from this set.
Key points
- Calculating the packed shape (220mm outer diameter × 155mm high) as a cylinder gives about 5.9L. Inside it, two pots totaling about 7.5L and the frying pan nest together
- The difference from the M Set is JPY 3,300 and about 300g, and the pot capacity grows by 2.5L. The added liter costs JPY 1,320, half of the whole set's JPY 2,640 per liter
- There is only one frying pan, 217mm in outer diameter with a 1.5mm base thickness
In this article (9 sections)
- The Aluminum Cooker L Set holds a 4.5L pot at about 1.3kg
- How I judged it
- Aluminum Cooker L Set capacity and weight (official numbers)
- Where the lightness comes from: aluminum's specific gravity
- The weak points
- How it differs from the fan5duo, and which to pick
- How it differs from the M Set, and what else you need
- Who is it for?
- FAQ
The Aluminum Cooker L Set holds a 4.5L pot at about 1.3kg
It is a set worth buying if you want to make soup for 3 to 5 people in light pots. If you want a rice pot and strainer packed in one, take the fan5duo; if you hang pots over a campfire, compare other sets too.
The contents are five pieces: a 20cm pot (about 4.5L), an 18cm pot (about 3.0L), two lids and a 20cm frying pan. In the cookware set ranking, I put it at No. 1 of 7.
How I judged it
The first thing I looked at was the combination of capacity and weight: about 1.3kg for about 7.5L. When you spend half the year camping, you take pots in and out dozens of times a year, so I read weight before price.
Next I set it beside the fan5duo in the same 7L range and confirmed a gap of about 1kg. What I wavered on was that neither a strainer nor a rice pot comes with it. You can add tools later, but you cannot make a pot lighter later. That is why it is No. 1.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Captain Stag Aluminum Cooker L Set UH-4203
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 9,460 (as of 10/14). Prices vary by up to JPY 25,261 between shops. Prices change daily.
Aluminum Cooker L Set capacity and weight (official numbers)
| Item | Aluminum Cooker L Set (UH-4203) |
|---|---|
| Official price (incl. tax) | JPY 19,800 |
| Weight | About 1.3kg |
| 20cm pot | 212mm outer diameter × 147mm high, about 4.5L |
| 18cm pot | 190mm outer diameter × 120mm high, about 3.0L |
| 20cm frying pan | 217mm outer diameter × 50mm high, 1.5mm base thickness |
| Packed size | 220mm outer diameter × 155mm high |
| Materials | Aluminum (hard anodized outside, fluoropolymer inside) |
| Listed headcount | For 4 to 5 people |
Split a 4.5L pot among 5 people and it is 0.9L each; among 4, about 1.1L (4.5 ÷ 5, 4.5 ÷ 4). For a hot pot with lots of ingredients, I would leave room by capping it at 4 people.
Where the lightness comes from: aluminum's specific gravity
According to a Japan Aluminium Association document, the specific gravity of aluminum plate is 2.68 and of stainless steel plate (SUS304) is 7.93. If you make a pot in the same shape and thickness, stainless steel weighs about 3 times as much (7.93 ÷ 2.68 = 2.96). Thermal conductivity is about 8.5 times higher: 138 for aluminum plate against 16.3 for stainless plate. It is a material where the heat of the fire spreads easily to the sides of the pot.
The packing also shows in numbers. Calculating 220mm outer diameter × 155mm high as a cylinder gives about 5.9L (11 × 11 × 3.14 × 15.5 = 5,889cm³). Inside it, pots totaling about 7.5L nest together. It is a set whose contents are bigger than the volume of its box.
The weak points
The first weak point is the frying pan: just one, 217mm in outer diameter with a 1.5mm base. It is small for pots meant for 4 to 5 people. The fan5duo's frying pan is about 21cm with a plate thickness of about 2mm, so it loses by 0.5mm in thickness. Grilling for everyone means cooking in several batches.
Weak point 2 is price and contents. At JPY 19,800 it is the highest of the 7 in the ranking. And still, neither a strainer nor a rice pot comes with it.
On the fluoropolymer inside, Captain Stag's guide page says to use medium heat and that metal spatulas and metal scrubbers scratch the surface. It also cautions that heating empty can cause warping, burns and fires.
How it differs from the fan5duo, and which to pick
| Item | Aluminum Cooker L Set | fan5duo |
|---|---|---|
| Official price | JPY 19,800 | JPY 19,250 |
| Weight | About 1.3kg | About 2.3kg |
| Total pot capacity | About 7.5L | 7.9L (filled to the brim) |
| Largest pot | About 4.5L | About 4.3L |
| Packed size | 220mm outer diameter × 155mm | About 215mm in diameter × 175mm |
| Packed volume (calculated) | About 5.9L | About 6.4L |
| Pot material | Aluminum | Aluminum and stainless steel |
| What comes besides pots and pan | Storage case | Strainer, storage case |
The big pots are almost the same. The difference is whether you carry another 1kg to get a pot that cooks 1 to 3 go of rice, plus a strainer. For people who cook rice with other gear, or who put soup volume first, the Aluminum Cooker L Set. For people who want rice and noodles all done with one set, the fan5duo.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Uniflame fan5duo
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 19,250 (as of 10/14). Prices vary by up to JPY 77,000 between shops. Prices change daily.
How it differs from the M Set, and what else you need
The M Set (UH-4204), built the same way, has 3.0L and 2.0L pots at about 1.0kg and JPY 16,500, listed for 3 to 4 people. The difference from the L Set is JPY 3,300 and about 300g, and capacity grows by 2.5L. That is JPY 1,320 per added liter (3,300 ÷ 2.5). For 3 or more people, I would take the L Set.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Captain Stag Aluminum Cooker L Set UH-4203
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 9,460 (as of 10/14). Prices vary by up to JPY 25,261 between shops. Prices change daily.
A storage case is included. The official page lists no separately sold designated items. No strainer or ladle is included, so add ones you own. I compared the heat sources in the two-burner ranking.
Who is it for?
It suits people who cook curry and hot pot for 3 to 5 and want to cut weight. You can put the large and medium pots on the fire at the same time.
If you are mostly 1 to 2 people, a 4.5L pot is large. If you mainly grill, you get only one 20cm frying pan.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Captain Stag Aluminum Cooker L Set UH-4203
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 9,460 (as of 10/14). Prices vary by up to JPY 25,261 between shops. Prices change daily.
FAQ
Does the Aluminum Cooker L Set come with a storage case?
Yes. The official page says a carrying storage case is included.
Can I use a metal spatula with the Aluminum Cooker L Set?
It is not recommended. Captain Stag's guide page says a metal spatula scratches the surface and recommends a wooden or silicone one.
Are the handles on the Aluminum Cooker L Set metal?
The handles and lid knobs are both phenolic resin. The country of origin is listed as China.
Gear in this article
Ads & images: Rakuten IchibaSources (5 official pages)
- Captain Stag official: Aluminum Cooker L Set UH-4203
- Captain Stag official: Aluminum Cooker M Set UH-4204
- Captain Stag official: cooker sets recommended for family camping (material and care explanation)
- Uniflame official: fan5duo No.660256
- Japan Aluminium Association, Aluminum Architectural Plate Guide 1. Features (table of specific gravity and thermal conductivity)
