View Full Version : Best lightweight cup/bowl...
I'm using a Fosters can pot and don't really want to cook in it because my hands are a little too big to clean it well. I'm tryin to find a bowl/cup combo that will work well to eat out of. Right now I'm considering a 32oz (size) Oikos yogurt container we have with the lid. I haven't weighed it, but, it's super lightweight. I was considering permanently affixing a reflectix coozie to it and figured with the lid, it'd do well as a cooking vessel. I think it'd make a good lightweight option for a cup/bowl.
Before I start cutting on the reflectix, I just thought I'd ask you guys about what you might use to serve this purpose if/when you aren't cooking directly in your pot, just using it to heat water.
Thanks.
For a bowl I'd use one from a microwaveable Chinese noodle dish (I'm sure other meals use similar bowls but I can't think of em) and for a cup I'd use a Campbells soap cup like they sell in 7/11 (The one where you peal the aluminum back and pop it in the microwave for a min)
fastfoxengineering
03-02-2015, 16:23
Antigravitygear sells their ziplock 2 and 4 cup screw top containers with a pot cozy attached. You could easily make your own as well.
Be advised, these containers will leak at the threads when closed.
I cook in my pot, but I would choose one of these over freezer bags all day every day if I did that type of trail cooking.
I found a ~$1 plastic 1qt mixing cup at Lowes with a snap on top. I was thinking about affixing the reflectix to this (and possibly the lid, too - heat rises) and using it since it's a little lighter than the yogurt container. Not looking for a bowl AND a cup, looking for one item to serve both purposes.
Sirsnappy09
03-02-2015, 16:31
Wlamart sells a small insulated bowl with a screw on lid for 1.64. It is the mainstays brand and is located in the aisle with cooking accessories and the Ziploc type containers. It is super light and works very well.
4eyedbuzzard
03-02-2015, 16:38
Antigravitygear sells their ziplock 2 and 4 cup screw top containers with a pot cozy attached. You could easily make your own as well.
Be advised, these containers will leak at the threads when closed.
I cook in my pot, but I would choose one of these over freezer bags all day every day if I did that type of trail cooking.FWIW, both the zip lock brand and knock off screw top bowls leak around the threads as well. I've had better luck with take out soup containers like the ones you get at Chinese food restaurants.
Christoph
03-02-2015, 16:42
Don't laugh, but I'm using one of the 5 dollar aluminum "mess kits" from Walmart. Well, just the inner pot/lid and the plastic cup. I'm going to get a small plastic bowl (Rubbermaid knockoff type, whatever's the cheapest) just slightly bigger so I can put my store pot and cup in it. And my Titanium spork. That pretty much sums up my cooking/eating needs.
I use a Fosters pot for a cup. It nests inside the small Imusa grease pot(.9 quart or something). The Imusa with reflectix cozy weighs 4 oz I think. Gives me the ability to cook in pot and heat up water for coffee in the Fosters.
I'm liking what I'm making right now, I'll send some pictures here in a few minutes once the glue sets up.
Sirsnappy09
03-02-2015, 17:19
The imusa xup works great. You can also get a standard grease pot at Lowe's cheap and it fits as a kid on a brine or fosters pot. I used it when I carried a keg set up. I like to cook more now and the keg just doesn't do it.
Ok, here it is. I have no idea how to rotate the pictures so you'll have to use your imagination (unless someone can do it for me).
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It's nothing special, but it's lightweight and I'm pretty sure it'll do the trick of both bowl and cup. Insulated so it should keep food warm and coffee hot. I think it'll work as long as I'm careful with it.
bemental
03-02-2015, 17:28
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/02/2938e5a2580ccf37b38c92a6aaaf9309.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/02/a9a11a35cfec9e3e2aff606571532ee6.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/02/e37d78fd060977fbf53f7eb8156ca991.jpg
Should work. May want to hot water test before you leave just to make sure.
All of the reflectix is glued on, too. I just put the rubber bands on to hold it in place while the glue set up. But, I'm thinking I may just leave them on there to help keep it in place and so I have them if I need them for anything else.
I'll pour some boiling water in there in a little bit and see how it holds up and how long it stays hot.
Seems to work well, I just learned that I can't snap the lid on if the water is boiling. It'll swell up and try to pop off. I rested the lid on top so the steam can escape and it's working really well. The plastic got a little soft, but it still holds its shape really well and I think it should work.
I just realized I may have to take the rubber bands off, afterall. Once the plastic softened, it deformed the cup a little. I took the middle rubber band off and as it cooled, it took its normal shape again. I'll leave he rubber bands off while it's cool and then probably take them off before I leave.
Christoph
03-02-2015, 20:00
Maybe a little sip hole or a real small vent hole in the lid might keep it from swelling while the lid is on. I'd go the sippie cup route so I could drink some hot coffee while hiking.
Christoph
03-02-2015, 20:01
Oops, maybe scratch the sip cup idea. Just saw it wasn't a screw on type lid so it might leak. haha
Wasn't really planning to use it while moving, so this might work. I may take a drill to the lid and put a small weep hole in it. If it affects performance too much, I think I can pick up another one for less than a buck and I have plenty of reflectix left.
Dochartaigh
03-02-2015, 21:00
What are you using to protect your Fosters pot from getting crushed? One little fall (or even leaning up against a tree or something) and that pot can be ruined. I've been using the plastic caddy my Trail Designs Fosters pot caldera cone system came in - the bottom half only to save weight. Very rugged plastic and it only weighs 1.81 ounces. I put 1/2 cup markings on it to measure out water for my dehydrated meals as well. The only thing I don't like is the threads on the top of it - they're very wide so it's easily cleaned but it's still a place for gunk to accumulate if you don't watch it.
I'm honestly not sure about that, just yet. I'm trying to figure out what all I can store inside of the pot to give it some support. Also, I got it from Zelph and he has the little ridges all over it to make it more rigid. Regardless, I'm trying to find an assortment of items to go inside of it that would help that very thing from happening. I'd like to find a good water bottle that fit pretty snug inside of the fosters pot and use the pot as a holster, of sorts, in a side pocket for my water bottle. Hoping that might keep it from crushing if something hit it.
I'm using a ZPacks Arc Blast, as well. Since its a cuben fiber pack, I'm going to be pretty picky about when and how I use my pack so hopefully that added caution will help prolong the life of the stove.
Can anyone offer any suggestions for this situation?
I have the Foster's Ridges version. It is quite reasonably sturdy.
If I were clever, I would remove the top edge and use this:
http://www.outdoortrailgear.com/cottage-industries/smokeeater908/beer-can-pot-aluminum-ring/
I use the cheap green plastic cup that sometimes comes with mess kits
CarlZ993
03-08-2015, 21:42
I saw one guy use a cut-up Platypus container (2-L) to make a bowl. Very light & low profile. I guess you could make a reflectrix cozy for it as well.
It was always interesting to see the 'outside the box' cooking/eating setups I saw along the trail.
Your yogurt tub should work as long as it doesn't get crushed in your pack. Same goes for your beer-can pot.
shakey_snake
03-10-2015, 11:33
Why not get a sturdier pot that weight the same as a foster pot + eating bowl/protection?
Glad round, screw top food storage containers. Cheap, light, plus the screw top allows you to re-hydrate food while hiking without worrying about spills. Various sizes, I find the 2 or 3 cup size ideal for me.