I always saw this hanging on German soldiers. I assumed for a long time that it was a mess kit, stove, something like that. Later discovered that it is a gas mask container...

I ordered the 1st messkit from cheaperthandirt.com and it was in almost new condition. The 2nd messkit was gotten through my local army-navy surplus store (new condition). Both purchases were around $5 and of course, I paid S&H for the 1st messkit.

If you make a lot of oatmeal, grits, or other "just boil" foods look into Freezer Bag Cooking. Simply put the oatmeal and water in a heavy duty freezer bag then set this bag in boiling water. It'll cook up fine and not leave your cookware a mess. I've started doing this with eggs, canned chili, curry, etc... It saves me a lot of cleaning hassles in the woods.

-Blast

Thanks for the tip, I'll try it out!

I liked that idea so I made some versions from PVC piping and I use them to carry electronics gear (antennas, small parts), emergency rations (which can also be used as a water carrier).

My imagination is the limit.

Ok, responses & stuff:
dchinnell; thanks, I didnt order mine from them (got one off a guy in maine), but, good word of caution. They use a standard picture for it, so, I guess you cant guess from that. Good call, thanks for the word of caution.
OBG: I used to think the same thing! There is a guy local to me who has the worlds largest & most expensive collection of Nazi memorabilia. I asked him the same thing, years ago. He told me that, after a couple of years, the soldiers dumped the masks & used it to store stuff. This guy also has the only shirt in existence worn by Hitler. I touched it. what a bond with history....
Blast: I too am gonna try that out! Any time saved cleaning up is time spent, well, doing other things I guess

Keep an eye on it, last time I did eggs in a bag the bag tipped to the side and melted into the side of the pot above the waterline. Really made a mess of my gormet omlet...

Try folding the excess material togehter and holding it in place with a small binder clip then attaching the binder clip to something up away from the pot/fire.

Like so:

Three eggs, 1/2 onion, salt, pepper, and 1/3 of a summer sausage cooking to perfection.

-Blast

smitty:
I use Denatured alcohol from wally world. Works outstanding. I had to pay $14.95 + shipping for my unit, but after using it, it's worth it. The unit I recived was like new, and I realy don't think it had ever been used.