What do you cook in?

[f0rm4t]

Well, to cut a long story short. Ian, yes our NB Ian, viscously and callously beat the sh*t out of one of my mess tins at the last meet, much the amusement of the other members, but did indeed make me cry. (never let the truth get in the way of a good story)

So, replacement required!
Mess tins, or billy, or what????

What do you use and why?
I like the issue mess tins because they nest well, pack well, and allow for food storage inside them. But, I don't know any different, so share your preference with me please :)

I use one of these (http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Adventure-Stainless-Steel-24-Ounce/dp/B005188T90/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top) for water.

[Silverback]

I have several home made billies, my issue mess tins and a zebra billy, depends what floats my boat at the time....never go anywhere without my metal mug though

[wildish64]

i use one of these but changed the mess tins for the german ones as i much preferred them.
works with the trangia and you can use it as hobbo too

8076

[Wardy]

I just use a zebra billy can and my NATO cup have mess tins aswell but tend not to take them

[jus_young]

MSR Titan Kettle

http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/potspans-and-mugs/SC119.html

I like the size and of course the weight being titanium. I have made a pot cosy for it and my Ti mug with cosy, meths burner, trivet, pot grabber, granpas fork, matches, vasaline coated cotton balls and LMF striker all fit nicely inside to go along with the Honey Stove to make up my cookset. The Kettle is used as my cookpot, kettle and plate when on lighter weight excursions but I may add a proper kettle (thanks to FishyFolk) when on static camps.

Its good for doing my morning porridge as well :p yum.

[FishyFolk]

Eagle products camp fire frying pan with a fold over handle, which can be lengthened by putting a stick in the handle. (anodized aluminium, non-stick)

Eagle products camp fire kettle for boiling water for a brew up.

Solo cook kit, with two pots, one of them is the lid for the bigger. inside I have a pot stand, and a trangia type meths burner, a wood spoon, wind screen and some tea, instandt soups, salt and pepper etc also fits inside

Then my Nalgene water bottle sits nested inan olicamp space save cup (stainless steel), so I can use that as well.

My Nalgene canteen bottle (US army style), also nests in a stainless steel US army GI style cup. I think I will get a hex burner for this.

I have a Zebra billy also. Have not used it yet. I think I have to cut off the handle for it, it's a lot less packable than I thought it would be. Plan to use it over a camp fire.

Trangia style cook kit - for when the whole clan comes with.

But 90% of the time, what I cook is just a bunch of sausages on a pointed stick left to charr over the fire, then put in a bun, and drowned in ketchup :-)

[Ehecatl]

To be fair, Paul has missed out a specific requirement; namely that said container must be able to repell bannock that's certified as eligible to replace the ceramic amour on main battle tanks.

However, from my point of view (I'm the guy who cooked new potatos in a 5Ltr kettle), I think it's a great question Paul.

Cheers,

M@

[TheOutdoorist]

I use/have used:

MSR Titan Kettle
Crusader Mess Tin
MSR Seagull Pot
Crusader Mug
Pathfinder Cook Kit
Zebra Billy Can

[TreefrogGB]

I mostly have pots for cooking on whilst canoe touring -

Four Dog anodised pots
http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server2200/3927d/products/93/images/470/Plain_Aluminum_1.1_liter_pot_with_and_without_bail _handles_cropped_550x500__16823.1361904348.1280.12 80.png

Eagle Kettle for water
http://norkatt.nl/shop/images/NorkattOutdoorEagleTheekokervoorkant.jpg?osCsid=4a 044cca39fe5b54483f431179f1ff74

GSI Anodised dutch oven for anything larger
http://www.gsioutdoors.com/resources/images/cache/pdp/resources/images/product_images/50410_h1_f-486x376.jpg

They should last me for a lifetime, and i'll have my ashes put in one of them :D

[Silverback]

and i'll have my ashes put in one of them :D

Only after we've eaten the crumble

[alvino78]

I am currently using a 12cm zebra with a trangia kettle that fits snug inside,in the kettle i have tea and coffee sachets, in the nesting dish above folding spare cup,meths, soup,herbs other condiments. I also carry a crusader water bottle with both cups in its pouch which also fits my trangia and trangia triangle.I have the 16cm zebra for when i take a friend or my boys. I maintain to take my mess tins everytime as i use them to carry various items and they are always there as spare cooking vessals if needed!

[Silverback]

I always try to wear clothes......the spattering of frying bacon and eggs can smart a little



:evilgrin:

[alvino78]

But 90% of the time, what I cook is just a bunch of sausages on a pointed stick left to charr over the fire, then put in a bun, and drowned in ketchup :-)

yes indeed the old sausage/burger on a stick is camp protrocol round my way tooo!! lol

[BJ]

I always try to wear clothes......the spattering of frying bacon and eggs can smart a little



:evilgrin:


http://yoursmiles.org/msmile/fun/m0139.gif (http://yoursmiles.org/m-fun.php?page=2) .

[Kernowek Scouser]

I've got three metal mugs, the Crusader cup which is the largest, a Dutch one which is a little smaller, but like the Cru nests on the Nato waterbottle and a Swiss one that nests with its companion waterbottle. Today I took the Cru cup, nato bottle and a hexi stove out with me on a coastal bimble. Had a couple of brews and a mugshot. Not the most space efficient set up and I do have the Cru cooker which nests after a fashion with the cup, but it annoys me. So the cup and hexi do the job (I am slowly circling around the USGI bottle, mug, cooker and lid; as this does seem to be a more space efficient set up and I've heard a good review of it, but I'm struggling to house all the cook gear I already have, so I've no immediate desire to fill the shed past bursting).

For overnighters I have tended to go for a the Swedish Army Trangia as it is versatile and more than adequate from my needs, but I have also used standard mess tins, the French army three piece mess tin, the Trangia 27 2 UL and Eurohike Trangia 25 knock off in my time.

I'm predominantly a boiler, very occasionally a fryer, but rarely a baker. So unless I fancy spam and eggs for breakfast or intend to have a go at making bread, I leave the mess tins and more elaborate cook kits at home.

I guess it all comes down to what you intend to cook and your preferred fuel e.g. fire, meths, tabs, gel, gas etc.

Oh I did recently acquire the Swiss volcano stove, which is a bit like a poor man's Kelly Kettle. An entertaining bit of kit, but I've not been of a mind to use it anywhere other than the garden yet, so I fear it may be destined for the shed.

Good Luck in your cook kit quest.

Atb.

Colin

Btw, have you seen the video review (http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?5649-Meta-50-Swedish-Cook-Set-Review) Ade did for his new stove?

Civvi Trangia-like but still rather cool, might be what you are after?

[FishyFolk]

Oh I forgot the Norwegian army mess tin, which look like any other armys mess tin. Used it once and have not even bothered to clean it afterwards, as it made me remember how much I don't like it :-)

[jbrown14]

MSR Titan Kettle

http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/potspans-and-mugs/SC119.html

I like the size and of course the weight being titanium. I have made a pot cosy for it and my Ti mug with cosy, meths burner, trivet, pot grabber, granpas fork, matches, vasaline coated cotton balls and LMF striker all fit nicely inside to go along with the Honey Stove to make up my cookset. The Kettle is used as my cookpot, kettle and plate when on lighter weight excursions but I may add a proper kettle (thanks to FishyFolk) when on static camps.

Its good for doing my morning porridge as well :p yum.

Are you my brother?

I use an MSR Titan kettle as well. I've made a cozy for it from old evazote pad and aluminum duct tape.
I'm kind of lazy when it comes to doing dishes, I never, ever, EVER cook anything but water in my kettle. I make my own meals in zipperlock freezer bags and rehydrate them with the water. Eat out of the bag and dispose of it properly at home.

[f0rm4t]

To be fair, Paul has missed out a specific requirement; namely that said container must be able to repell bannock that's certified as eligible to replace the ceramic amour on main battle tanks.

However, from my point of view (I'm the guy who cooked new potatos in a 5Ltr kettle), I think it's a great question Paul.

Cheers,

M@

Ha! Yep okay, the bannock may not have come out as well as I hoped, but I was a bottle of wine down and a good way through the port & brandy too. Give a guy a break! ;)


A great deal to think about here. Thanks for all the feedback chaps!
I'll let you know what I go for :)

[f0rm4t]

Went for a wild card.
Just bought a Czech Army Mess Tin Set. Less than a tenna so if it's not what I want, no biggie :)

8205

[jus_young]

Are you my brother?

I use an MSR Titan kettle as well. I've made a cozy for it from old evazote pad and aluminum duct tape.
I'm kind of lazy when it comes to doing dishes, I never, ever, EVER cook anything but water in my kettle. I make my own meals in zipperlock freezer bags and rehydrate them with the water. Eat out of the bag and dispose of it properly at home.

I tried to limit the use of the kettle to just boiling water for the dehydrated meals but the communial stews cooked at the meets just had to be eaten from something! I am trying different variations of homemade freezer bagged meals at the moment using pasta, instant mashed potato, cheese sauce, dried pulses, herbs etc and getting close to something thats almost edible. The problem really is finding ingredients that will hydrate properly whilst the pot is in the cosy before the temperature drops too much or I starve to death. Getting there with it though.

[OakAshandThorn]

Zebra Billy 12 cm and old US Army stainless steel mug (made in 1944 :shocked:).

[jbrown14]

I tried to limit the use of the kettle to just boiling water for the dehydrated meals but the communial stews cooked at the meets just had to be eaten from something! I am trying different variations of homemade freezer bagged meals at the moment using pasta, instant mashed potato, cheese sauce, dried pulses, herbs etc and getting close to something thats almost edible. The problem really is finding ingredients that will hydrate properly whilst the pot is in the cosy before the temperature drops too much or I starve to death. Getting there with it though.

I've found good success drying my own meals in a dehydrator, like a spicy black bean soup or some chili with ground beef. I haven't done it in a few years, but when I did I would smooth them out flat on the dehydrator tray, leave them for a day or two and then break them up into the freezer bags. I usually wrap the bags in a fleece jacket or hat or something to keep them warm while rehydrating.

[jacko1066]

I use a primus trek kettle- http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000KBH2CS

So far it has been brilliant, light and most importantly non stick lol!!

I can fit my ti cup, homemade meths burner and stand, carban felt windshield all inside. Or if I want to cook on gas a small gas can and the Coleman f1 stove and legs.

Atb
Steve

[f0rm4t]

Btw, have you seen the video review (http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?5649-Meta-50-Swedish-Cook-Set-Review) Ade did for his new stove?

Civvi Trangia-like but still rather cool, might be what you are after?

Cheers Colin!

I took at look at Ade's video, really good review, thorough and helpful as is all his videos. I must admit though, for some reason and I don't know why, the Meta 50 Swedish Cook Set didn't appeal to me one bit. I'm mean the product makes sense, a good diverse set of configuration options, nests well, light, etc etc. But after watching the whole video I just thought, "Nhaa."

Price point was good too!

[snowleopard]

Not very bush crafty but I use an ikea frying pan and an old kettle (not electric:))

Joel

[f0rm4t]

I've found good success drying my own meals in a dehydrator, like a spicy black bean soup or some chili with ground beef. I haven't done it in a few years, but when I did I would smooth them out flat on the dehydrator tray, leave them for a day or two and then break them up into the freezer bags. I usually wrap the bags in a fleece jacket or hat or something to keep them warm while rehydrating.

Would love to try this!
As I adore biltong and a dehydrator would be a real asset.
Nothing better for back packing too!

[jacko1066]

Would love to try this!
As I adore biltong and a dehydrator would be a real asset.
Nothing better for back packing too!

That's interesting, just been thinking about doing some biltong in mine. Any tips mate?

[f0rm4t]

That's interesting, just been thinking about doing some biltong in mine. Any tips mate?

Here's a video i watched when I was mulling it over some time ago.
There is loads of resource on YouTube on the subject mate.
You'll be a Biltong Jedi Master in no time. (post me some when you've mastered it ;))



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2WTrNQAw0M



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxMvpTmuyco

[Kit Mac]

I used a set of steel nesting billy's for years (just like these but in SS (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NESTING-BILLY-CAN-COOKING-SET-CAMPING-POTS-PANS-STOVE-/160289657997?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_CookingSu pplies_ET&hash=item255202148d)). But recently got myself a 1.6l Tatonka kettle and I've got to say its great! The locking bail arm works really well and the lid makes a decent frying pan or eating bowl.

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a449/kit_the_great/brewon_zpsa2b5c20f.jpg

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a449/kit_the_great/tatonka_zpsafc00915.jpg

[Tigger004]

I use the 1.6l Tatonka an I love it too.

[saxonaxe]

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk136/highandry_photos/wetweekend26-11012.jpg (http://s279.photobucket.com/user/highandry_photos/media/wetweekend26-11012.jpg.html)

This is it for me..:D

[nilo52]

What do I cook in ?
Usually the nude , unless of course I'm frying bacon ! OUCH. :campfire:

[EJS]

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-backpack-2-camping-pans-p142522

tested these last night, really good compact kit. cheap too and not nasty.

[f0rm4t]

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-backpack-2-camping-pans-p142522

tested these last night, really good compact kit. cheap too and not nasty.

Wow that's an impressive price point!
Are they light?

I bought a set of Czech mess tins which stack lovely but to my surprise are a little on the heavy side.

[EJS]

Wow that's an impressive price point!
Are they light?

I bought a set of Czech mess tins which stack lovely but to my surprise are a little on the heavy side.

yeah very, theyre really good...go get themT^