Sooty Billies

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

Hello all,
Just looking to canvas opinons here...
cooking over an open fire makes your pans go black. Now, I've never had a problem with this concept; I like the used look!
Someone recently reminded me of a trick to avoid this - simply put a thin coating of fairy liquid over the base of the pan, and the soot/tar won't stick.

Problem i foresee is that if the soot doesn't stick, then instead it goes all over your hands and your gear!

So: Shiny pan or sooty pan. Which do you prefer? And why!

As per the question - "sooty" heats the contents far better.

Who cares what it look like?

Phil.

 

[SOAR]

I must admit to keeping my pans clean, I usally wipe them abit then pack, but when I get home I give them a good clean. The wife wouldn't let me keep them in the cuboard else. Besides I like to look after my kit even if its only a billy can. Another reason, try finding a replacement zebra this side of Christmas, they are like gold dust.

 

[John Fenna]

I wipe mine off in the field so that loose yeuch does not get all over everything, then when I get home I put them by the sink and the house fairies do the rest......
I got the best wife in the world!
Mind you with my rep for breaking things during washing up I think self interest comes into it somewhere......

 

[john scrivy]

Good on you John how did you train your wife to be so good

 

[John Fenna]

I did not have to train her - she was this good when I found her 27 years ago!
The trick has been making sure that she does not get fed up and leave
Headlines in the Western Mail
"Wife walks out on husband" "Bushcrafter dies of starvation and neglect"
How do you work an electric cooker/washing machine/vacuum-cleaner?

 

[john scrivy]

I think you are about my age John going back to my school days I remember while us lads were tought metel work the girls were tought domestic science recon your wife was top of the class Nice to have a bit of freindly banter I will say no more

 

[ganstey]

I give everything the usual wash when camping, but don't worry about the soot. When I get back home I give things a better clean, but still don't worry too much about the odd stubborn bit. The only exception is my real copper kettle - once back home that gets a real good clean and a polish

G

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

The black coating is carbon which is the best conductor known, so it wont insulate the pots quite the opposite im sure.

Carbon conducts better than Alu or Cu ? You sure ?

Nick

 

[spamel]

I have seen carbon brushes used in alternators, so they must conduct pretty well!

 

[Aragorn]

spot on spam, also used in d.c motors

 

[lostagain]

I'm going to have to side with the 'bash the loose stuff off and that'll do' group. I'm going along the lines of a Sigg bottle....a nice battered, scuffed and bruised Sigg bottle is worth a thousand war stories.

If i meet someone with a Sigg bottle that looks like its gone head to head with a jack hammer, the owner immediately becomes a bushcraft guru. Surely its the same with blackened (and the odd dent) pans ?

 

[Squidders]

Bushcraft guru's have enough lazy time to tinker with their kit

I much prefer to see people generally looking after, maintaining and respecting their stuff but you can always tell wear and tear from neglect and doing it for effect.

 

[jackmcmanus21]

as long as the loose soot is off, I'm happy with it.

 

[mick miller]

Personally I let it get black and sooty, removing the worst before stowing my cook kit which always goes in the same external pocket anyway, so any flaky bits don't matter too much.

When it starts to get very bad the whole lot goes for a stealthy dishwash in the dishwasher when the good ladies eyes are elsewhere.

Works with my firebox too!

 

[preacherman]

I just keep the inside clean while I am out and about. I do give the pots a good rub with steel wool when I get home though but I am not fussed if they do not shine up completely. I like them to have a bit of character.

 

[Andy2112]

Correct me if i'm wrong but surely your food would cook quicker with a sooty billy as black surfaces absorb heat better than lighter ones, well it did when i went to school.

Black billies for me then !!:bluThinki

 

[spamel]

Who voted? Come on, own up! You could at least add something meaningful when you vote you know, then we won't all look in and be dissapointed!

:aargh4:

 

[Rothley Bill]

I like many others here clean the worst off before I leave and give them a good scrub when I get home. So whilst my billies are clean they are not spotless, and have a lovely patina which reminds me of all the trips and meals thay have made.

 

[Melonfish]

kit will have pouches to be put in, therefore sooting shouldn't be an issue in my pack and i'll happily get the pouch black. as long as you can beat off the excess, then technically the black helps with energy absorbtion so really sooting is a GOOD thing.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Try it on your hand in front of a fire.

I did this as an experiment when I was at school. It's a long time ago now but, if my memory serves me right;

We got a piece of tin foil and painted the dull side black.
Wrap it round the back of your hand (silver side showing) and see how long you could hold your hand in front of an electric fire.
Then try it with the black side showing and note the difference in time.