Since my PSK is carried in a pouch on my water bottle carrier (which carries a steel cup and usually a steel bottle), the biggest use I find for the aluminum foil is as a moisture barrier under the start of a fire. We have a lot of ground moisture at the best of times around here, to.

If I was going to try to count on it is a container, I would want to roll it around something for storage.

I have heard of using foil as a fire barrier. Never tried it though. Really to get the best proformance out of it one would have to make sure to take care in storing it. If it starts to look worn or weak points begin to form then it's time to replace. I guess that goes to say that your PSK is not one that is sealed and never openned. I guess it could be safe to say that when it's time to replace any items that have an experation date. It's also wise to check everything else and see if all is in working order. A little maintenance never hurt any one.

I often use foil beneath my fire. It's especially handy if I'm using potassium permanganate to start it. I just fashion the foil into a small cup to keep the PP in one spot til it gets going.

This is a case where you can make a poor water boiling device vs a nice one with a metal cup or water bottle.

I bought 11.75-in. x 12-in. piece some months back from here to test as alternative to Al foil. $15 + shipping (less 10% discount for active duty/veterans). Too many other projects, so haven't played with it yet.

I asked questions before purchase about durability/folding. The reply: "The Ti foil is much thicker than Al foil... it will not tear. Repeated folding will cause it to work harden and break. You want to roll up the Ti foil. This is the same foil that we make the Ti stove pipes out of (0.005" thick). You will have trouble poking a hole in the Ti foil with a nail."

So, still needs TLC like aluminum foil when comes to folding; but nevertheless an improvement (albeit a pricey improvement) if carried rolled as suggested, with expectation that in emergency use, would be fashioned into cup/cooking vessel and left that way (not repeatedly folded/unfolded). Warning: edges are like a razor blade; in use, would have to be crimped over.

Finally, for Al foil, 3M High Temperature Aluminum Foil Tape will work as improvised patch up to 600 degrees (prolonged exposure to open flame could be a problem, though data sheet says flame resistant).

Thank you very much - that indeed is useful information. Is your source Kifaru? (stove pipes!).

I guess the most practical solution is still a cup/mug snugly placed around the bottom of your canteen. Takes up negligible space and you can cook to your heart's content with no difficulties. There is wide variety of containers available in various metals and diameters to fit many different water bottles.

Bought mine here .

Agree about cup/canteen combo. That's method in my larger kit(s)/packs. The Ti foil intended strictly for small PSK-type kit, like my Maxped Pocket Organizer where "(small) size does matter." As for cost (for "just a piece of foil"), I figure that I've already gone to some expense to outfit with the best small bits of gear I can find, so what's another $15 (I can rationalize anything, given enough time ).

...or just carry a metal water bottle. easy to boil in.

As a compromise between foil (easy to carry, hard to use) and a metal cup (great to use, not psk sized) could I suggest foil pans - disposable loaf tin sort of thing. Much stronger than foil, and fold up pretty well (you may need to trim the rolled top edge.). I wouldn't want to keep folding and unfolding them, but one that would hold about a pint, carefully folded and flattened will pack small and open up fine.

Just another possible stop point on the size / utility continuum...