Not a tale by any stretch! I learned it from an old WW II Pacific Theater Leatherneck. They perfected it under imposed "stealthy" conditions! Did it myself dozens of times. We used the best sand we could find with a clump of grass as a "scrubbie." When it's done right and thoroughly (Sarge would have it no other way!) you could damn near eat off 'em when you were finished! But then a quick soap wash, clean water rinse, followed by sterilizing tablet rinse (followed by air drying) - and you're good to go! Not much water and virtually all the food particles go with the sand into the fire. If we had no sterilizing solution then onto the end of a stick and into the fire for a few minutes. End result - sparkling dishes, use very little water, no food particles, healthy patrol! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />