The Toaks FRM-02 titanium alcohol pot stand is comprised of four identical pieces of curved titanium that together weigh 42g. Three pieces weigh 31g. The dimensions of each of the four parts are 0.5mm x 76mm high x 77mm wide these develop a curvature following first burn and then each measure approx. 69mm wide. When constructed with all four pieces it has an approximate 92mm diameter and is then suited to pots and pans with a base diameter in excess of that, ideally sufficiently wide to overlap by at least 10mm for safety and stability, so preferably wider than 122mm. As a four-piece, it is specifically suited to the Toaks 700ml, 900ml and larger pots.

When disassembled the four pieces retain a gentle curvature. so can slide into the side of a pot or pan quite easily. Three Points of the Compass uses a gas cook set up most frequently, particularly on longer multi-day, multi-week trails. However a light and simple meths (alcohol for our friends in the US) cook system is preferred for day walks, and shorter trails. One issue with this fuel type is that it is relatively inefficient and grossly affected by wind, so much so that it may be impossible to actually get a boil. This is where a lightweight windshield and pot support such as one of the Toaks offerings excel. Either of the sets can instead be used as a three-piece stand if burner and pot are suited.

If assembled in a three piece configuration, the support/windscreen has a diameter of around 70mm and then suits narrower pots. As a three-piece it is specifically suited to the Toaks 375ml, 450ml cup, 550ml, 650ml and 750ml pots. While I have used a three part assembly with my wide 900ml Evernew pan I am not keen on the instability of the wide pan on such a narrow support so prefer to use a four part assembly for safety. Some burners will not fit inside the narrower diameter three-piece alternative assembly. These include the Evernew titanium burner (model EBY254). But the Toaks Siphon burner and many MYOG burners will fit inside a three-piece stand.

The larger Toaks FRM-03 Titanium Alcohol Stove Dual Stand and Windscreen, or TiStand, also has four identical pieces of curved titanium that together weigh 56g. Three pieces weigh 42g. Dimensions of each is 0.5mm x 80mm high x 88mm wide these develop a curvature following first burn and then each has an approx. 80mm width. Also supplied with the FRM-03 are two titanium pins, measuring 163mm x 3.2mm, together weighing 13g. Toaks specify 70g for all components so pretty much on the button. The TiStand is specifically suited to the Toaks 550ml, 650ml and 750ml pots (750ml shown here), but will suit almost any pot up to around 95mm diameter. Or alternatively, a wide bottomed pan such as the Evernew 900ml pan that I have frequently used with it, simply resting this on the top of the stand. The support pins are not then required.

While the FRM-02 has large air hole slots at the top, the larger FRM-03 has small holes instead of slots, and two supplied titanium stakes are passed through these to support a pot. As mentioned, each stand can alternatively be put together with just three pieces. This then makes a narrower diameter pot stand.

The additional ti-pins can be handy spares if camping and could potentially even form part of the peg/stake kit carried. The flexibility of the FRM-03 makes it a better choice over the FRM-02.

Despite being quite thin gauge titanium, both FRM-02 and FRM-03 are still fairly stiff and require flexing in the hand to assemble, this often becomes bending. The tabs in particular can bend inward and need straightening out. If this is required, it is a simple one-second task. The pristine appearance of these stands from new does not last long. A supposedly circular support can be a bit wonky and malformed.

Many reviews state that these windshields are unstable, that they easily collapse under weight. These users simply don’t know how to put the stands together. You will see that they are frequently showing the assembly with the tabs inserted from the inside. I have even seen images shown on large online retailer sites illustrating this incorrect set-up. The correct way to assemble each of the windshields is with the tabs inserted from the outside. This then produces a stable support that will only collapse under a far greater weight than either is designed to support.

Both of these products are well made with little to go wrong. Unlike other multi-piece windshields available on the likes of Amazon, eBay and Aliexpress, these windshields are not the cheapest of purchases though do occasionally go on sale at a more competitive price. A far cheaper option might be something like one of the Lixada two-piece windshields looked at in another post.