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Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use?

Posted By: Endeavour Morse

Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/12/10 10:09 PM

I'm curious what everyone is using for a backpack stored mess kit and/or stove.

We have USGI canteen cups in our "belt order" (mini survival kit worn at all times when hiking or in a "bug-out" situation), and have East German 3pc Mess Kits in our rucks.

I also have a Coleman F1 Exponent stove.

Example images found on the internet:

Canteen Cup
[Linked Image from i43.tinypic.com]

Mess Kit
[Linked Image from i40.tinypic.com]

Stove
[Linked Image from i41.tinypic.com]
Posted By: skorpyd

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/13/10 01:34 AM

I made a hobo stove from a couple of stainless canisters that were on sale at Target. The smaller can fits inside the larger. the lid on the small one can be used as a cup, the lid on the larger one can be a small frying pan. I can use small wood sticks for a wood fire, or the esbit fuel tabs. Everything fits inside the bigger canister, including the smaller canister filled with rice bean or whatever.

[Linked Image from farm5.static.flickr.com]
Posted By: Sigfest

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/13/10 04:43 AM

Anyone still got those EG Mess Kits for sale? Those and the Vietnam era pot and pan sets (Mountain?) are great.
Posted By: Endeavour Morse

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/13/10 03:51 PM

Skor - nice set up!

Sigfest - I see the occasionally on EvilBay, but they're actually getting expensive.
Posted By: digthisbigcrux

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/13/10 06:07 PM

I have a few set ups, including the MSR stove, which I like but would rather not have to rely on any kind canned fuel. I bought a Swedish mess kit.. which is kind of heavy and bulky. My g/f knew I was looking in to another set up, so she ended up buying me this

http://www.littlbug.com/ (the small one)

When I saw the price, I told her I'd probably send it back because there's no way some sheet metal is worth that price. I still beleive that, but when I set it up and saw how light and compactly it stored away...I ended up keeping it. I'm sure one could be made for much less, but I'm not much of a fabricator.

I've yet to use it out in the woods, but did give it a test run in the garage using both wood, as well as a trangia stove from my Swedish mess kit and it worked just awesome.

The kettle and mess kit I got on clearance at REI for under 20 bucks. I had some dividend money from being a member, so essentially it was free. It's light and works well.


I'll be doing some kayak camping hopefully in the next month or so and will put it to use.

[Linked Image from i732.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i732.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i732.photobucket.com]
Posted By: Endeavour Morse

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/13/10 07:04 PM

Digs - Nice setup!

I too am concerned about relying solely on canned fuel so I always keep a Canteen Cup Stand nestled on my Cup. Its designed for trixoane tabs, but also works over a fire (or with a VERY small fire built under it).

[Linked Image from i42.tinypic.com]

This is the actual model I have....

[Linked Image from i40.tinypic.com]
Posted By: DotD

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/16/10 11:01 PM

Architect
I'm curious about your East German 3pc Mess Kit. Is it made from aluminum or stainless steel?
Thanks.
Dave


Quote
We have USGI canteen cups in our "belt order" (mini survival kit worn at all times when hiking or in a "bug-out" situation), and have East German 3pc Mess Kits in our rucks.
Mess Kit
[Linked Image from i40.tinypic.com]
Posted By: Endeavour Morse

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/17/10 04:01 AM

DotD - the East German mess kits are aluminum. If you're interested in stainless, the WW2 German kits are of this material.

I took these pics today during a hike.....

[Linked Image from i39.tinypic.com]

[Linked Image from i40.tinypic.com]

[Linked Image from i41.tinypic.com]

The Coleman F1 Exponent stove boiled 16ozs of water in a matter of minutes (inside the EG pot).
Posted By: DotD

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/17/10 04:18 AM

Thanks Architect,
I didn't know that some were made of stainless.
Nice looking setup there with the stove.

This is my Kelly Kettle for boiling water. It has an attachment that fits
in the top of the chimney that allows a pot to be put on top of the kettle.

[Linked Image from i292.photobucket.com]


My liquid fuel stove is a Brunton multi-fuel.
The orange device in the foreground is the pump that fits inside the fuel
container for the stove.

[Linked Image from i292.photobucket.com]
Posted By: Endeavour Morse

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/17/10 04:29 AM

You have very nice kit <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />!


I'm happy with my gear, but wouldn't mind a smaller mess kit. The East German kits take up a lot of space (I do store stuff inside of them though). We currently have one EG kit in each of our Bug-Out-Bags, and the pictured spare (for hiking; etc).

The Coleman F1 works very well. So much so, I could see adding one to my wife's BOB. However, I'm always looking to "upgrade" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Endeavour Morse

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/17/10 04:32 AM

I forgot to mention, I was wearing a waistpack with one of my USGI canteen cup and stands in it (never leave home without it). Eventually I need to get some pic's up of me using the "stove stand" for cooking.
Posted By: DotD

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/19/10 05:50 PM

I don't have a USGI canteen cup or anything like that. Really need to work on it.
Was thinking of getting one of the NATO setups, but $$ are scarce these days.
The Kettle and Brunton were purchased in richer days.

I've been talking with Bushman5 about getting him to make me up something like
he has with the canteen and 2 cups. One is set up so you can use it as a stove.

Hopefully, we can get him to post some pictures of his setup.
How about it Bush?????
Posted By: Private Klink

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/20/10 11:52 AM

Like Architect, I have canteen cups and EG kits - several others as well. Just remember that an empty can (such as a tuna can) with holes punched in the side for air makes a good stove - that's what we used in VietNam. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: digthisbigcrux

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/20/10 05:39 PM

Seth had asked me via mail about stove weights and a brief comparison...thought I might as well post it here. (sorry for the delay Seth)

The Swedish Mess Kit weighed in at 2 pounds 4.9 ounces. This is w/ trangia stove and a small plastic bottle of alcohol fuel. As others have mentioned, this is a stout, very sturdy set up. It works well, but I just find the shape to be a bit awkward.

[Linked Image from i732.photobucket.com]



The Kelly Kettle came in at 1 pound 10.7 ounces. Again, very bulky. It works great especially for taking out on the canoe or bank fishing on cold mornings. This would have water boiling in under 10 minutes.

[Linked Image from i732.photobucket.com]


Up next is the MSR Superfly. With fuel it weighs in at 1 pound 1.4 ounces. Pretty light, boils water in a heartbeat and easy to use. I just don't like the fact that once you're out of fuel, you're SOL.

[Linked Image from i732.photobucket.com]


The littlbug stove came in at 7.2 ounces ... 18 ounces w/ GSI mess kit. The thing is stable, although that's not your first impression when you start to set it up. I used it on a quick hike yesterday to make some tea and I had boiling water in about 10 minutes....easy to set up and break down. Weight weenies who don't want to rely on canned fuel will like this. I'm not one of them, but I still like this stove a lot and it will be the one that goes out with me the most.

[Linked Image from i732.photobucket.com]





The Kelly Kettle w/ an old boy scout mess kit stays in the truck. The Swedish mess kit I may give to a friend for his kayak set up and I'll keep the MSR for a back up.
Posted By: sumoj275

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/20/10 08:35 PM

Thanks for the mini wt review.
Posted By: kuanomar

Re: Mess Kit & Stove - what do you use? - 04/21/10 05:10 AM


i use a Jetboil and a Snowpeak. I need a non-gas back-up.
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