I’ve had to handle a hot camp pot with a bandana or a folded tea towel. It’s clumsy and unsafe, and it often ends with a dropped meal or a singed fingertip. With a camp stove you often use a pot or pan without a handle to save weight and space. That’s what a pot lifter is for. I picked up this simple aluminium alloy pot clip to see if it’s worth adding to my cooking kit or just another gimmick.
What’s in the box
A very light, compact aluminium alloy pot lifter for handling hot pots and pans safely on a camping stove.
What we like
- Extremely lightweight (30 g)
- Provides a strong, secure grip
- Compact and easy to pack
- Made from durable aluminium alloy
- A safer alternative to a cloth
What we don’t
- Not for lifting heavy, full pots
- May scratch non-stick surfaces
- Can feel awkward on very small pots
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminium Alloy |
| Colour | Silver |
| Weight | 30 g |
| Length | 12.5 cm |
| Features | Ergonomic designAnti-scald |
First look
As I pulled the pot clip out of its packaging, the first thing I noticed was how light it is. I weighed it: a mere 30 grams. The design is simple, a bit like a pair of scissors with a clamp on the end. The silver finish looks neat, and it feels solid in my hand. A spring keeps the clamp open, ready to grip, and a simple lever locks it in place.
It’s a small piece of gear, but it feels well made. There are no loose parts or flimsy hinges, just solid aluminium alloy that feels like it can take a lot of use. My first thought was that it would be very useful in my ultralight cooking kit, especially for my pots without a handle.
Materials & Build QualityMaterials & Build Quality
The pot clip is made from a durable aluminium alloy, a good choice for camping gear because it’s strong and light. It feels much sturdier than the plastic versions you sometimes see, and it copes with high heat without any trouble. The inside of the clamp has a smooth finish that grips the lip of a pot.
The build quality is better than I expected for an unbranded item. The spring is strong and consistent, and the locking lever clicks firmly into place. There are no sharp edges or rough finishes, which is a nice touch. It has taken a bit of rough handling without scratches or dings, which is a good sign for how it will hold up.
Ergonomics & WeightErgonomics & Weight
This is where the pot lifter does best. At just 30 grams you’ll barely notice it in your pack. It takes up very little space and tucks into your pot or pan with the rest of your cooking gear. It’s simple to use and comfortable in the hand. You press the handle, clamp it onto the lip of your pot and lift. It’s much easier and safer than using a cloth or a pair of tongs.
The grip on the pot is very secure, and I felt confident carrying a pot of boiling water or a hot skillet. The clamp has a rubberised pad to prevent slipping, which works well. Because it clamps onto the lip of the pot, be a little careful with non-stick cookware so you don’t scratch the surface. It works best with standard aluminium, titanium or stainless steel pots and pans.
Performance & FeaturesPerformance & Features
In the field, this pot lifter did what it should. It grips a wide range of pot sizes firmly, from small coffee pots to larger frying pans. Its main job is moving hot pots on and off a stove safely, and it does that well. The scissor action is easy to use with one hand, which leaves the other hand free for stirring or steadying.
I also found it useful for other things. You can use it as a simple tong to move food around in a pan, and it’s handy for lifting a hot grill grate off a fire. It’s not made for very heavy pots (a full 2-litre pot of water is a bit of a stretch), but it handles anything you’d realistically use on a backpacking stove.
Pot gripper comparison
We’ve also tested the Boundless Voyage titanium hot plate gripper. It costs about four times as much and weighs a little more, but it grips more securely on a full pot, its handle stays cool, and it doubles as a bottle opener and a small wrench. This aluminium lifter is the budget pick.
This one Alu Pot Lifter |  Pot Gripper | |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle opener and wrench | No | Yes |
| Material | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Length | 12.5 cm | 12.5 cm |
| Weight | 30 g | 51 g |
| Price paid | $13 | $55 |
| Our score | 7.8 | 8.9 |
Conclusion: Camping Pot Clip Aluminium Alloy Pot LifterConclusion
The Camping Pot Clip is a simple piece of gear that makes a real difference. It’s light, very easy to pack and gives you a safe, secure way to handle hot pots and pans. It isn’t for heavy, full pots, it may scratch non-stick surfaces and it can feel awkward on very small pots. You won’t need it on every trip, but if your cookware has no handles, it’s well worth carrying.
A simple, light tool that makes a real difference with handle-less cookware.
At 30 g it packs into anything and gives a safe, secure grip on hot pots and pans, far better than lifting them with a cloth. It isn't for heavy, full pots, it can scratch non-stick and it feels awkward on very small pots.
- Backpackers
- Ultralight
- Hikers
Yes, as a cheap safety extra. At 30 g it gives a secure grip and beats lifting a hot pot with a cloth. It’s not for heavy, full pots and can scratch non-stick surfaces.
