In deference to tradition I carried a mess kit for years. But I evolved and so can you.
Tradition is one thing, eating hot food in a modicum of comfort is another.
>The garden variety clam-shell mess kit was developed during World War one so soldiers could cook and eat in the trenches.
We are not soldiers, and this is the twenty-first century.
Crappy aluminum mess kits are foisted on the young as some sentimental talisman of an authentic wilderness experience. We are stuck on the idea that we should carry special 'camping' gear into the woods no matter how impractical, impeding or flimsy it is.
Here's a condemnation of the lousy traditional mess kit and recommendations a practical modern mess kit assembled from free components from the kitchen or for a few bucks at a discount store.
Utensils
While it may be 
traditional the 'vittle kit' (an interlocking knife, fork, spoon) is silly. Lugs on the spoon collect crud and the bowl is shallow and small. The fork is a utilitarian masterpiece compared to the dull, flimsy, useless knife (in fact even calling it a knife shames knives everywhere). Why carry a fork AND a spoon when a spoon will do? 
As for the knife you'll be carrying a pocket knife, right?
I like lexan utensils; indestructible, sanitary, light and well designed. If you want to go on the cheap you can get a pretty good plastic spoon for free at Wendy's.
Plate or Bowl
The thermodynamic qualities of the plate half of the mess kit should be studied by engineers who design heat dissipating equipment
. Hot food placed in it begins to ice up as the heat is sucked from the food and transferred to your burning hands. A sturdy plastic bowl is better but a Frisbee makes a dandy deep plate, doubles as a throwing disk and triples as a fan to inspire an otherwise lackluster campfire. There are plenty of other alternatives: the Tupperware container that lost its lid, plastic carry-out containers, etc, etc, etc.
The 'Frying' Pan
Try frying something in a mess kit 'frying pan' without it sticking and burning; go ahead, try. Never mind the Chinese puzzle of a handle with nuts and bolts that inevitably disappear into a pile of leaves. Who really needs to fry something in the woods anyway? If you have to fry carry a real frying pan, or heat a flat (dry) rock.
The Pot
The Barbie-sized mess kit pot is fine if, for some reason, you need to fill an eye cup with boiling water. If you want enough hot water for a meal be prepared to fill the pot several times.
The world is full of inexpensive one quart saucepans; there's probably one lurking at the back of your kitchen cabinets right now. Cut off the handle to save weight and use your Leatherman pliers (you do have a Leatherman, don't you?) to move it when it is hot.
The Cup
Thermodynamics strikes again. Thin-walled mess kit cups don't keep things hot not to mention that they are flimsy and unstable (try to drink hot coffee using the twiddly little appendage they call a handle). Insulated plastic mugs are so ubiquitous these days there are probably several kicking around your kitchen fraternizing with old one quart saucepans, carry-out containers and lidless Tupperware. Give them a second chance; take one camping.
Canteens
Canteens are small mouthed, leaky, difficult to fill, ungainly and hard to clean. Anyone who ever used an alumin
um canteen recalls the distasteful metallic tang imparted to the contents along with the ghost of las t year's Kool-aid. Besides is there anyt hing
more uncomfortable on a hike than a canteen s lapping against y our hips at every step?
Nearly any empty diposable plastic beverage bottle does a better job and you can easily make them leak proof (well sort of).
The capacious (BPA free) Nalgene Bottle now rules the day. A generous, easy-to clean mouth, inert materials and a secure cap make for a perfect camping container - and the colors!
But what about BPA?! Horrors!
Who is NTP? The National Toxicology Program (NTP) is an interagency program of the Department of Health and Human Services established in 1978.
What is bisphenol A? Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.
What did the NTP conclude? The NTP reached the following conclusions on the possible effects of current exposures to bisphenol A on human development and reproduction. Note that the possible levels of concern, from lowest to highest, are negligible concern, minimal concern, some concern, concern, and serious concern.
- some concern for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A.
- minimal concern for effects on the mammary gland and an earlier age for puberty for females in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A.
- negligible concern that exposure of pregnant women to bisphenol A will result in fetal or neonatal mortality, birth defects, or reduced birth weight and growth in their offspring.
- negligible concern that exposure to bisphenol A will cause reproductive effects in non-occupationally exposed adults and minimal concern for workers exposed to higher levels in occupational settings.
the frisbee is a good idea. but i carry these in my bag with me everywhere (not just camping). they're foldable plates, cups and bowls. they can hold hot liquids, are real easy to clean, are about as light as can be and pack flat.
http://www.flatworld.co.uk/
they're available at rei.com:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?query=flatworld
Posted by: josh | January 27, 2006 at 02:08 PM