I agree with Hikemor. There is no real difference between different types of materials for water bottles or other cook gear when it comes to boiling or cooking times. Some higher end SS pots have thicker bottoms, but again not enough to make any real measurable difference.

As for TI water bottles...or any other TI gear in general, I don't bother. Carefully and thoughtfully selecting and packing your gear for the expected distance, weather, terrain and environment can easily make up the difference in weight. Too many times, I see people out for a day or overnight hike and being weighed down with too much gear that would be more suited for an expedition length trip.

I went the opposite route - I started off with metal water bottles (military surplus, sigg, etc.), then went to hard nalgenes, and now use wide mouth platypus reservoirs. They're about as easy to scrub out as a nalgene, not as heavy as a metal bottle, and they squish flat when not in use. I've also used them as floats in my backpack when canoeing. They are compatible with my MSR water filter, too.

I don't heat anything in my canteens. I use a quart-sized titanium pot for that.

The only disadvantage I can see with the platys is that they develop a smell after a few years. They're arguably not as durable, but they've held up through a total of months of bushwhacking.

The downside to metal water bottles in desert climes (for everyday use) is that if you leave one in your trunk or car seat during the day, its a burn waiting to happen when you go to pick it up. While solar heating is unavoidable, at least plastic bottles won't burn your hand when you grab it. Minor observation on long term ubiquitous use.

Of course we're discussing off grid use. I prefer 'Nalgene' bottles to hydration reservoirs b/c even though the bladders carry more I don't drink as much and works better with my SteriPen and tablets. YMMV. (I do use a reservoir when I run).

Let me try to explain my hiking style and maybe that will help this make sense. I don't tend to heat water from fire.
--I have a Jet Boil, very easy and cup provided.
--I have a White Box Stove that I use a UL 3 cup teapot. A bit bigger footprint in my pack but its still a lighter set up than the Jet Boil.
--I just bought a GSI Halulite Minimalist cook set for $22 which would be the closest I have to being able to boil water on a fire. It nests a 1L Nalgene bottle perfectly and weighs about .5 oz. It has a rubber two finger pot gripper that is pretty ingenious.

I would always prefer to boil water w/o an open fire, and guess now I can.

Teslinhiker,

I don't think most of us consider using the metal bottle as a regular cooking utensil, just as a backup or for those times we don't carry any other pots because we are not going to need to heat water (which is of course the time we need it most).

Respectfully,

Jerry

Jerry - True. I've moved to metal because of the minimal equipment - maximum uses philosophy. In all likelihood I'll never boil water in one, but I carry matches anyway.

Personally I do not trust anything not made specifically for cooking in to cook in. Many metal water bottles especially the cheaper ones have Liners sprayed into them which is common for almost anything metal these days including food and beverage cans. The best lightest weight pot I have found while not romantic or top tech is the little one withen most inexpensive messkits. I can easily remove it and take just that along with other gear in a "lightweight" assortment for camping.

I have used Klean Kanteens extensively for boiling water. As for being designed for it, they do not suggest them being used as your every day pot but Klean Kanteen does note on their website that it is perfectly fine to use them for cooking in. The only issue that I have ever had is that soot builds up and needs to be cleaned off. I scrub mine down with a brillo pad when I get home and dont have any issue with the external discoloration from the heat/smoke. After using mine extensively the inside surface looks brand new and the material shows no signs of obvious stress. Feel free to check out my blog which has an entry on them.

I was surprised to hear that plastic and metal bottle weights are nearly the same. Given that, I'll go metal for the heating/ boiling option.

Depends on the plastic. Recycled pop bottles are significantly lighter, and much cheaper. The money I save on canteens allows me to buy overpriced flashlights and brag about them.....

Who told you that?

I just ran some comps.

My plastic 32 oz Nalgene bottle weighs 6.3 oz w/ lid. (personal test)

This link shows as 38 oz Guyot Design Stainless weighs 12.9 (prob w/ lid)

This link shows Nalgenes Stainless 1L also weighs 12.9 oz.