Heat proofing a mug handle

[tombear]

While poking around a army stores in Bolton I found a box of 3/4 pint stainless steel mugs with stein lids (removable). They seemed just what I was looking for quick half pint brew ups on my Pocket Rocket or Click-stand/Trangia. However the mug type handle would of course need insulating, as would where I want to sip from.

Is there any better method than the layers of black tape of my youth?

If I wasn't such a Luddite I'd put up a photo, they are very well made unissued WD jobs (all dated between 1949 and 1953 with a stores code of K.F. 1612 as it happens) and at two quid a pop a real bargain. I made the mistake of looking up the code and they are "Cups, Spit" but since they were still in their grease I'm not worried about getting TB off them!

All the best

Tom

 

[fred gordon]

I've done this sort of thing by wrapping paracord round a cup handle to gine some protection from the heat. Not quite sure what you can do about the lip other than let the liquid cool a bit.

 

[John Fenna]

Several layers of wool or cotton yarn could replace paracord if you want to be "hardcore bushy" and I have seen beautiful leather covered handles...
as to the burned lips...tape is all I can come up with!

 

[demographic]

Something like the handle on this...

I know its a knife and not a cup handle but its done the same, my father used to repair golf clubs and did the "whipping" on em where the shaft joined the head.

Same thing but using thicker string.

 

[oops56]

Now do as i say not as i done football mouth guard when soften it will mold a round the lip of cup. O K i mess my up the water was at a boil it melted to much but i saved it just put in hot water or just warm its got to get real soft so you can mold it to the cup plus keep you finger out of the camera lens P S as for hot handles don't you have gloves with you lots of things got hot when camping like a hot frying pan over a open fire

 

[addyb]

Fantastic idea Oops, but Isn't there a danger of the mouth guard melting if you let the cup heat up too much?

Adam

Gah, why don't I ever think up brilliant ideas like that on my own? *bangs head on desk*

 

[oops56]

Fantastic idea Oops, but Isn't there a danger of the mouth guard melting if you let the cup heat up too much?

Adam

Gah, why don't I ever think up brilliant ideas like that on my own? *bangs head on desk*

put on ofter you take off stove

 

[Ogri the trog]

Hi Tom, welcome aboard.
I'll go with the same as Oops56 - a pair of good gloves. As for the scalded lips - either don't make it so hot or keep the hottest coffee for wafting around the campsite to the envy of the other campers

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[tombear]

Thanks folks
some great ideas there. The one failing of the mug is the handles a bit narrow (and of course the weight but I can live with that) so with podgy nature of my fingers and the gloves I favour (thick old German army leather ones) wrapping the handle will seem the best option.

I've just aquired a balsa strip cutter and that should do a excellent, fine, leather strip for binding the handle.

Sorry about the picture, the mugs still wonderfully shiny so I had to be careful of glare.

ATB

Tom

 

[gregorach]

I've always used electricians tape on the rims of my metal mugs. Works just fine - even on the fire!