cook set and mess tins- whats your choice?

[sandsnakes]

I am just starting out on this so I have the good fortune to be able to ask you guys.

I am looking for a cookset and mess tins/plate/bowl. I have looked around and found bits but not a complete set that suits, what do you use and why?

I must add that i dont want cheap teflon in my food and dont like the idea of aluminium. Ally is associated with alzhiemers disease and at my age i need all the help I can get! So I guess its stainless or titanium. Whats your thoughts on lexan plates/bowls do they keep food warm?

Let rip guys and maybe we can design the definative kit.

S
:thinkerg: :Thinkingo

 

[Graham_S]

i tend to go for the zebra billy can. i cook in it and the steamer insert makes a good plate. it's stainless steel so no worries there. i don't like titanium as i find it doesn't transfer heat evenly and tends to burn food easily. not a problem if you're just boiling water, but my cooking tends to be a little more complex

 

[Wayland]

I use two 12cm Zebra billies for my general cook kit and a 10cm one for my light weight kit.

To lighten it further I've removed the handle and replaced it with a braided wire bail.

I've also replaced the lid with an aluminium one from an old pan set and from the same set I use the shroud of a solid fuel burner.

This is then surrounded with a wind shield which curls up inside the pot.

 

[sandsnakes]

Both ideas sound good. My problem is I am fairly fastidious about eating! ie i dont want to eat out of a frying pan full of grease etc. I know this goes against the grain of some purists ie I only eat off of a birch bark plate then use it as lavatory paper after etc, etc But there some things that matter, if you think I am odd I know a chap who only will only wear new white socks.... Now he is odd (sorry Gavin) oops!

 

[Graham_S]

nothing wrong with that.
really it depends how much weight you want to carry. i prefer to use stainless steel cookware/cutlery as i can sterilise it by heating ofer a fire. if i'm planning to fry anything i take a small frying pan.
you'll find that most people are quite carefull about their food. a dose of the runs in the woods is not plesant.

 

[longshot]

nothing wrong with aluminium, the connection with alzimiers has been disproved and it's lighter and transfers heat better than most. that's my choice and the stuff we use in the CF.

my .02

dean

 

[Jon Mawer]

If you dont mind taking the risk with aluminium, the the mini trangia may be a great option. If you look hard enough, you can even get one without the non stick pan. Alternatively, I have used MSR "folding" pots fo god knows how long and have nothing negative to say about them. For campfire cooking, a Zebra billy would, IMHO, be the best option. A size 14, say, would be big enough to cook everything and to still make use of the bowl/steamer. As you suggested in your title, army mess tins are also very versatile. I have used them to boil, fry, simmer and eat out of all in one morning.

 

[PhilParry]

I purchased some of these

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Cat/110454?history=search results

they do different sizes and they are SUPERB.

Stainless steel, and whilst not as usable as a Zebra billy can (IMHO the best for bushcrafting if you're cooking over a fire) they can be used on a fire and the lid handily locks into place.

Guess it depends on their application.

Good luck!

Phil

 

[moduser]

It depends. If i can light a fire my zebra is all I need else I'll use my Swedish army Trangia. The latter is a bit on the heavy side but a nice bit oif kit.

Moduser

 

[Gibbsy]

I just bought these from Morrisons 5 piece stainless steel all with plastic lids and only £2.99 they are quite strong and the handle from my other cookset works with them no problem.

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

2 options.
UK NATO '58 water bottle with a stainless crusader cup if you hate teflon. Use the '58 plastic cup or an '85 teflon lined replacement cup on top of the bottle and case the whole lot in an PLCE water bottle pouch which has space for your KFS set and other bits and bobs. A simple set up.
A Nalgene bottle, MSR stainless cup on top and a Snowpeak Ti 600 cup on the bottom is the expensive but kewl option. Various pouches available from the US like Kifaru.

 

[themac]

I'd second the Swedish army Trangia, two tins, burner and windshield, not alu, at least not the one I have as it weighs too much

 

[AJB]

Hi Gibbsy,

I bought a set of those too, a couple of years ago.

Can you get the lids to stay on? I just don't have the technology!

AJB

 

[Gibbsy]

Mine have a lip at the top that the lid wraps round they look quite secure but only time will tell i suppose.

 

[moduser]

I'm still not convinced either way about the association between aluminium & Alzheimers so I just don't use the stuff if I can help it.

My Swedish Trangia is stainless and heavy but worth it's weight until I can afford to upgrade to a titanium equivilent (which will be a long way off I expect). The only problem I have with titanium is that you need to be very careful that you don't burn your food as the thin material transfers the heat very fast.

Moduser

 

[Tor helge]

A really cheap cooking pot could be made of a empty canned food tin and a small piece of metal wire.
I have several of these.
Don`t mind if I loose one, just buy a new food can, eat the content and poke holes for the metal handle. Wire for the handle can be found many places. Old fencing wire for instance.

The one in the pic I made when hunting last fall. Needed something to cook my coffee in while waiting for the moose to come by.

Tor

 

[sandsnakes]

Listening to everyones advice a billie can is a good idea. I am going to put two holes in the side of a stainless teapot (1.5 Li) and make the equivalent of a zebra. So I have a billie with a flip lid, a pouring spout and a handle. I have cut the handle, lapped the metal, drilled a hole and put a screw and wingnut in it. Now the handle can be removed or fold flat agains the side of the pot. I plan to make a shallow square frying pan similar to the british dixie but only with a lip about 2cm high, with welded folding handle add a few corner holes added I have a skillet, underside can be used as a cutting tray. Slightly smaller but deeper tray to be used as a plate/bowel. Photos to follow when done.

Teapoct cost £ 1.50 in oxfam shop


Whats the opinion chaps?

ps my mug fits inside the pot. :thinkerg:

 

[spoony]

swedish trangia

 

[spoony]

I use two 12cm Zebra billies for my general cook kit and a 10cm one for my light weight kit.

To lighten it further I've removed the handle and replaced it with a braided wire bail.

I've also replaced the lid with an aluminium one from an old pan set and from the same set I use the shroud of a solid fuel burner.

This is then surrounded with a wind shield which curls up inside the pot.

Nice i like it

 

[Shambling Shaman]

Both ideas sound good. My problem is I am fairly fastidious about eating! ie i dont want to eat out of a frying pan full of grease etc. I know this goes against the grain of some purists ie I only eat off of a birch bark plate then use it as lavatory paper after etc, etc But there some things that matter, if you think I am odd I know a chap who only will only wear new white socks.... Now he is odd (sorry Gavin) oops!

I like to use a teaspoon to stir my coffee - so I have to carry one.