Rusty:
I have, for some time, carried a US military 1 quart canteen, canteen cup with wire handles, canteen cup stove/stand, AND, another cup, with the handles removed nested inside the first cup. There is an Altoids tin in the bottom of the canteen cover that holds 4 Esbit tabs. This is my most basic, or ?hobo?, cook kit. It provides me with enough hot water for my needs, and allows me to use a cup for eating or drinking while the ?cook pot? cup is making more hot water, or as a cover for the ?cook pot? cup to help water boil faster.
But, never one to be content, I always look for bigger and better things: Here are several suggestions:
West German Army Mess Kit: Make sure you get the post war Bundeswher kit, not the East German one, or the Russian/Soviet one, or the BGS one. The one I?m talking about is about a 1/4" taller than the others I mentioned, and is a THREE piece kit. The large pot is about 2 litres, the lid/fry pan is about .5 litre, and the middle dish is also about .5 litre. The middle dish snaps on to the handle of the lid/fry pan and makes a pretty good eating surface, and the lid/fry pan alone makes a pretty passable drinking cup. (I does not, however, make a good frying pan?. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />) The large pot has a bail handle so you can use it over a fire, if necessary. It is aluminum, so it is pretty lightweight. With an Esbit stove and one fuel tab, you can HEAT 1 litre of water. On a good day. With NO wind. If you are going to use this kit, you MUST make a windscreen to get water to a boil, or even to get it anywhere near a boil. This is the kit, along with a windscreen, I carry if I am going to be out longer than 72 hours. I have tried others, but I still keep coming back to this one.
Swedish Mess Kit: This is a two-piece setup similar to the German one, but it has the advantage of having a Trangia stove and windscreen as part of the kit. I Loooove my Trangia. Oh yes, I do. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> This baby will send 1.5 litres of water into a rolling boil in about 10 minutes. The secret is the windscreen. The reasons I do not ditch the German kit for this one is for one-man camping is that it is HEAVY; and y?know, that third dish in the German kit comes in real handy.
British Army Mess Kit: Same as the Dutch Army Mess Kits you?ll see on e-bay. Two deep, square-ish, aluminum pans that nest, with wire handles on each. Much better for frying food than the German Mess Kit, but nearly impossible (in my experience) to boil water using an Esbit or Trangia stove. Again, a windscreen is a must. (Note: Any UK or Dutch Army vets who can help me with cooking tips for this rig would be most appreciated!)
Hope this helps, and Happy Thanksgiving!
?..CLIFF
Living large one state over to your right.
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