Hi Guys:

I've been experimenting with a number of different sizes of Survival Kits. And rather than just lugging them around, I've been actually using a variety of contents during my hiking and hunting forays. And I'm quickly starting to develop a growing appreciation for the humble coffee can...

I know most PSK's are for the completely unexpected. However, there are times when I know I'm at significantly greater risk for being lost in the "big" woods. I regularly hunt in the Adirondacks, and once hunting is over, I'm typically a frequent snowmobiler. As a result, I'm often 10, 20, sometimes even 60 miles from the nearest road. Under these circumstances I've been carrying a larger PSK.

I've punched two small holes on opposite sides of a 1 lb coffee can (actually 13 ounces). The holes are very near to top of the can. I stuff all my survival gear in a large ziploc or two, and cram them into the coffee can, then snap the plastic lid on top. I've also added about 18 inches of bare copper #12 wire, coiled in the bottom of the can. I'm loving this simple can!

I find the assorted miscellaneous equipment is not rattling and shifting about. The can takes a bit of a beating, but protects the contents. And it makes a great little pot for boiling water and the like. Simply dump the contents (ziplocs keep it togther), thread each end of the wire through a hole and twist, add water (or snow/ice) and boil.

The typical PSK has nothing in which to cook or boil water. I'm finding this makeshift pot is seeing frequent use. A couple of tea bags take little space, and a cup or two of hot tea really helps warm me up. I can't help but feel that a hot drink reall helps ward off hypothermia and dehydration. And even if its warm enough to not need a fire or hot drink, the can is serving as an excellent catch all for everything from collecting berries to holding water while it purifies.

I know this bit of equipment is typically far too large for regular carry. However, there is now a coffee can kit (CCK) in each of my snowmobiles, as well as a another in my hunting day pack. Just don't forget a plastic bag wrap around the sooty can after a boil... It saves a mess...

Frozenny

Right back at you. Dig this: Coffee Can Emergency Kit.

I'm afraid the era of the thousand-and-one uses for the humble coffee can is coming to a close, though- they'e starting to promote plastic coffee "cans". Save the old steel ones while you can still find them.

I've only used them as a pot once or twice, but I've used them to make "hobo stoves" a half-dozen different ways.. closed at top/open at bottom, open at top/closed at bottom, suspended, air holes all around top and bottom, air holes on one side top and the other side bottom... all have similar drawbacks, but all work much better than an open fire.

Too bad they're going the way of all other non-plastic containers in the US.

It is completely impossible to have plastic coffee "can." Of course, good old metal trash cans went to plastic, too. Heavy sigh.

Cars too...

AFAIK, the earliest use of "can" as a noun (long before canning) referred to straight-sided pewter or silver mugs as used in public houses in the 17th and 18th centuries. Things do change.

There was a time we would have felt the same way about non-glass "bottles", but a few years ago I had a young lady absolutely refuse to believe me when I said that shampoo used to come in glass bottles. She couldn't understand why any company would consider that risk acceptable- and, from the point of view of this litigious age, it is a little hard to believe that we were once expected to take responsibility for our own safety.

It may not be too long before coffee cans are ebay items drawing large bids.

My whole childhood was spent filling 3lb coffee cans with stuff....marbles, teeth, bones, rocks, nails, rabbit chow....you name it.

I stopped using them as backpacking cookkits in the 70's but as an emergency kit container they would be great. If you look at the winter videos done by Les Stroud, he took a coffee can kit.

http://www.exn.ca//oneweekwild/oneWeekCold/video.asp

I hate to break it to you, but there's no "horn" in a car horn anymore, either <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

What!!!!!!! Be resposible for our own safety! Pa--lease don't get me started!

Au contraire! Mine has a pair of horns--small, but definitely horns...oh, wait, I drive a truck--maybe that's why!

<img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

David

>>Mine has a pair of horns--small, but definitely horns...<<

Ah, but are they actually made of horn? Presumably not... unless you're from Dallas, of course...

Saw my first PLASTIC coffee can in Kmart a week ago. While it seemed to be fairly sturdy, it was plastic ... and hence not as useful as the old 3-pound metal coffee cans. What are kids going to use to make drums for school? What are home mechanics going to store old nuts and bolts in? What are us preparedness people going to use to make emergency stoves? Sometimes ... "progress," such as it were, just plain sucks. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I'm afraid glass and steel containers are going to be increasingly rare as time goes by.

There are plusses as well- I'm grateful for these tiny, superlightweight, quiet, home-made alcohol stoves (made from aluminum cans) that cost almost nothing, and I remember the days when it was hard to find lightweight, sturdy plastic water bottles that wouldn't leak- now every grocery store and convenience store is full of them... but we are surely losing something as well. Looks like tin-can stoves might become a quaint anachronism.

And, the new containers leave a hint of plastic in the coffee. -- At least my "survival peaches" still come in a tin can. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I don't even need to make a stove!

-Luke

Great!,-as regards what Frozenny and Others say here regarding the Humble, Metal, -Coffee Can!

-But an Immeadiate Caution came to Mind too, -as concerns that Plastic Lid, -Watch it's Vulnerability for Falling Off and Getting Lost! -You can be Hours or More Down the Trail,-Before you Finally Notice! Perhaps a Way(s) to Better Secure,-such a Lid, -Can be Thot Up.

Thanks for the Heads Up about these Cans now Starting to Become Unavailable!, -I've Saved about a Half Dozen over the Last Year or so, -but Not Yet Knowing This,-I've also Pitched about 8 of them!

(BTW,-I'm Not even a Coffee Drinker,-Though I know there's Many Good Quality Coffees in This World!, (as well as Lesser Examples of the Rest.), -I just Never Personally Cared for It. So I Don't have the Occasional Access to such Cans,-that way.) [color:"black"] [/color] [email]citizen[/email]

>>>And, the new containers leave a hint of plastic in the coffee.

Great! I don't like to drink from styros because I can taste the difference (and, yes, I also prefer my beer in glass bottles too <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />) I guess I'll have to switch to "bag" coffee and store it in a ceramic or glass jar. Or just save my last can and dump the grounds in there!

>>-But an Immeadiate Caution came to Mind too, -as concerns that Plastic Lid, -Watch it's Vulnerability for Falling Off and Getting Lost! -You can be Hours or More Down the Trail,-Before you Finally Notice! Perhaps a Way(s) to Better Secure,-such a Lid, -Can be Thot Up.

Well, the first description of a "Coffee Can Kit" I read used two coffee cans, placed top to top and rolled in a blanket. The ends of the blanket roll were tied shut and then tied together and slung over the shoulder, or possibly tied around the waist.

I agree, I certainly wouldn't recommend carrying the cans loose. I suppose the danger would be someone strapping the can on the back of a snowmobile; the lid could easily come loose with the shaking and bouncing, and the noise would be loud enough the driver would never hear his survival supplies crashing to the ground behind him. <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I guess you are Right, -about the Second Paragraph of your Above Reply, -where you Speak of Them being Tied Down and Such. I'm of course yet a Newcomer, -and you Do Know a Lot More on This and Other Topics. I was Speaking of Other, -"Off Loose" Situations, -Such as you've mentioned about the Snowmobile. Thanks for your Information. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]aardwolfe[/email]

At least virgin metal paint cans (provided the inside is un-painted) in gallon and quart sizes are still abundant at the home despot. More secure lid, built in handle...

Luckily, Costco still uses metal cans for their store brand (Kirklands) coffee. As a bonus, it is great coffee at a great price...

Just wanted to throw in that I read glass baby food jars are going away, too. I bought about 30 of them just recently so I could have extras in our garage.

Yes, sadly, glass baby food jars are going the way of metal coffee cans and the plastic Leggs pantyhose egg. Just wait, in about 5 years people will be hawking the things on Ebay.

I believe it is in J. Wayne Fears excellent book "Outdoor Survival" that there appears an excellent "Coffee Can Survival Kit" which as I recall is actually fairly well stocked with some sustaining food items in addition to other handy items.

I just hope they don't stop making plastic film canisters. If they made the clear ones with a screw-on lid, they'd be the perfect container for even liquids.