I would like to add, the Swedish Mess kit works well as a meat steamer. It is a good way to cook meat in the field without burning it or having a big mess to clean up. We steam small cuts of Lamb via a mesh screen at the top. You use the other pot as a lib and place it loosely . We boil carrots, potatoes and small onions in the main container. The lamb or meat's juices drip down into the water and help make a stock. I have done this with big German or British sausages as we boiled Red Potatoes.
I live in northern Sweden and in very snowy conditions we drive a 2-3 foot log into the snow and put the burner and wind shield on top of that. It protects the Trangia burner from the snow and the heat from the burner will heat the top of the log up in case you decide later to make a swedish log stove out of it for heating and cooking.
added note: i liked how u told us about the 3 crowns .. with all the knock-offs for evrything under the sun, its great to know how to spot the real deal .. thanks for that
I just put it on straight away otherwise its just wasting fuel, but im glad to see someone using the kit properly with the handle and storage Good stuff
@@crazysaint222 old habits that kept you alive are always good to keep doing. Thanks for the video. I’m currently searching for these kids as they’re really fit my needs.
One of the most useful videos on TH-cam. I've watched it so many times to remind myself about the trick with the bail handle. I've got a 68 ss model. Thx for the tutorial. It's a great mess kit. About the top in my opinion.
Thanks a ton for this video. When I first got my kit I had trouble pouring from it. I had no idea the handle was supposed to be used like that. I just tested pouring with the handle setup like you showed. It worked great. It also work for pouring from the ends of the pot rather than the middle.
Glad to help. There is another method for pouring, which involves poking the hook through one of the handle mounts, but it can be tricky to do, and won't work unless the hook is exactly as it came from the factory. It's pretty hard to get them back to their original shape once they're bent/straightened a little. Hope you have many nice meals from your cook set.
Nice work. It's a great bit of kit - I particularly like it for being able to cook two things at once on a single flame - say pasta or rice boiling in the main kettle with sauce bubbling away on top. I'd managed to figure out the bail trick but it took me ages to realise the handle of the frying pan needs to be completely inside the windshield when packed to stop it falling off!
Enjoyed your video and the explanation about the Swiss Army cook kit, especially the part about the 2 notches on the bail. I had no idea why it had 2 of them. Last week I bought one of these kits at a thrift store for $5. I knew it was a cook kit but didn't know what country it was from. Neither did the seller. So you have helped me to know what I really have in front of me. Thank you again, I look forward to using this kit in the near future.
Alcohol stoves are great little things. No moving parts to go wrong, they work after heavy blows, and the fuel is pretty easy to get hold of (no special fittings to look for). The Swedish mess kit can be used with Esbit blocks (with the addition of a small tin, turned upside down to form a platform), and even twigs (just placed in the windshield), so even if you can't find the spirits, there are other options. Glad the videos have been of use.
also the 2 d- rings on the small pan is so you can place a stick and make a wooden handle when cooking so you don't burn hands. been using one of these for 20 years and still prefer the civilian trangia cooking sets :-)
few years back we had an ice storm that killed power for weeks and many downed trees and utility poles blocked ways in and out. Living in a really rural area Many people were trapped. I have recently been "prepping" for situations like that after being in it and seeing how quick resources run out. I've been researching camp and military cooking gear and this looks like the best by far. I just picked up one because of your videos a nice alternative to propane. I plan to put this in my vehicle.
Thanks dude. Like you say, they are pretty bomb proof, especially the stainless version. Plus they're a lot easier to clean, without damaging the surface. Strange to think, they only started making the stainless ones during the war, when aluminium was getting harder to obtain, as it was being used to build planes, etc.
Thanks mate. They make a great little kit, no matter how you decide to use them. I tend to use mine hung over an open fire, as much as I use it in the windshield over the alcohol stove.
That was a really useful video, I didn't know about the tip with the hook and the handles. I have one of these which I bought secondhand, I will have a look to see if it has the three crowns marking. I love the tough simplicity of these things... love the way how every feature has a function.
Thanks for making a great video. I have had mine since 1997 and it is 3rd world rugged. I use HEET for fuel from the Auto parts store. I like the handle and I have used my kit over the campfire to boil water and make coffee. Its really alcohol and wood stove. What a great piece of kit. Thanks mate
Great video ! Lot's of information ! I have seen these kit's from time to time but never purchased one ! After seeing this video and understand the use of each piece of the kit,maybe I will have to pick one the next time I see one ! Also ,now that I know about the 3 crown stamping's,I will know if i'm buying the real thing and not some cheap junk copy ! Thank's for posting !
Hi nice video, reminds me of my time in the swedish army in 1991 i am swedish and this thing was a great thing to have, excellent for cooking and easy to use for a short break, we call it Snuskburk :-P that means filthy can or something. anyway you got it right with the handle thing, I have one from 1962 and i use it alot. cheers:-).
Nice video and I like the tip about using the handle to pour. A few extras for you, the swedish army dont usually carry the fuel inside the kit believe it or not...it smells up the inside cooking surface plus they allow the excess fuel to burn out before putting the lid back on the burner because after a while they will leak....you can buy replacement rubber seals for them from trangia.
I can imagine they aren't the easiest things to keep quiet. It must have required a good bit of practice. In the British army we had basic rectangular mess tins, which we used to clean with tea bags from ration packs :)
Thanks for a no BS demo of this very well tried and tested cookset. Very useful for the very few people who don't already know and a bit of a laugh for those of us who do! Try not to be too serious or furtive. Cooking a meal in one of these is fun!
Great video.This winter I will be going up the Sierra Nevada for a 5 day field excursion.This time I will be using my German mess kit and Sterno folding stove.I have the German,American,and British 2 piece mess tins.I found the British system much better for everything.I use it everyday at home for cooking breakfast because its easy to clean up and eat out of too.
Having been messing about with homemade meths stoves for a while I've finally decided to just get the real thing and ordered myself one, looking forward to trying it out. Love the tip about using the hook to retrain the handle for pouring, I'd never have spotted that, nice one :)
I have been using mine for years, thanks for the tip with the bail arm. The two tabs on the lid are great for sliping a small stick through and using to cook on an open fire.
I've had a few comments mentioning the D rings. I thought most people knew about those, but looking back I should have covered them in the video, for the people that didn't :)
Mine stove has the three crowns but says Svea 1968. got the stainless kit. A bit heavy for packing but I really like it. The handle trick you showed will help a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, I just researched it on eBay and these things don't run cheap, even new. But then you do get what you pay for. I like the simple functional design.
Hello Adam from West Virginia! I bought my kit a few years ago not knowing how durable and bullet proof it was! I have grown to appreciate it as a good stable food/water prep kit. On the Trangia stove there is an indented ring at the base of the burner chimney. I "spill" a little meth into this trough to prime the stove. I can also use the SS kit as a boat anchor, shovel and a defensive hand weapon against black bears...huh, small black bears! ;) Thanks for the upload, Well done!
Thanks Matt. Always worth knowing the little things, that can reduce the chance of burns, or other minor injuries, that could make life uncomfortable :)
Thanks Richard, glad the video has been of use. There is a way of placing the hook on the bail arm through the swivel mount (where the bail arm attaches to the main pot), but it can be tricky to do, and if the hook has been misshaped at all it won't work properly. That's why I just stick with this method :). Never thought about the coffee warmer idea. Might have to use that one lol. Thanks again buddy
nice one, nice to see people do know how to use them. You light them the same with the domestic versions with the wind guard off. But I see so many people burning them selfs doing it wrong.
Thank you for that. I have never been told that before. I always wondered what the square loop was for, but have never seen (or heard of) the clip that goes into it. Thanks again for educating me Adam
Opal Preston Shirley Thanks for watching Opal. It's a very handy cooking system, and can often be found reasonably cheap, although the stainless steel version can be a little more expensive.
Thank you for the video. The hook in the D ring is a great tip. No more using a stick to try and pour the water out. It is so obvious but I just didn't see it. Cheers friend
Homemade stoves are great. Cheap, light, and often more efficient that some shop bought stoves. You can't beat a Svea, Trangia, or even a Tatonka for durability though. It'll take quite a bit to squash one :) Glad you found the video useful. Always remember though, be careful when pouring boiling water, as the hook method can slip out if not in just the right place. Especially if the previous owner/user has "re shaped" the hook.
Good job with the video. I liked to watched it. Little strange to learn about Swedish mess kit in English thou. Ha ha. I have one container ( a very heavy one in steinless steel) but no windshield. I have a many Trangia burners and Trangiakitchen. Didn´t know about those two hooks on the handle. But you can take a small branch and feed through the two rings on the lid-thing to make a longer handle or to handle it when hot. Greetings from Sweden!
Excellent explanation, it's much appreciated. I'm hoping to bring my stove out to the Florida Everglades next time I go out hiking. I'll also be keeping an eye out for simple things I can cook with it, but eventually looking to just feed off of what I can get off the land. Do you have a lot of good hiking spots out in the uk?
Sounds like you had a good day, and a very productive one too. Would be interesting to find out/test what other fuels would work in them, but it would risk damaging the stove or the person testing them lol. Thanks for letting me know your test results
I know what you mean. Some of the cheap stuff can be ok for a while, but generally won't last anywhere near as long. It's hard to suggest a "best" stove/mess kit combo, as a lot of it is down to where you want to use it, and which fuel is easiest for you to get hold of. Anything from Trangia is top of my list. They've been making things like this for a long time, and it shows in the quality of the products (not just the military kit). Thanks for the sub Adam
Thanks for the great video and detailed explanation. I have what I thought was a Trangia mess kit or Swedish Army Kit and it looks like yours except for the "D" ring and hanger hook on the handle. I've used it camping a couple of times now and prefer it over the other stoves I have.
Hello mate just found your chanel ,the swedish mess kit is brilliant , I use mine a lot ,thanks for the tip about the handle, I did'nt know about that , I have subbed your chanel . Atb martin
I dont know about the Regular Army, (I think the Regulars use boil-in-bag or whatever the name is), but in the Swedish Home Guard we are still issued the classic mess kit! Normally though, during excercises, most people eat on paperplates or from a plasticbag covering the kit as to avoid having to clean it afterwards :D
Get out. Welcome to the club! :) I'm also part of the (Swedish) Home Guard! I use the AK4B (H&K G3 with an added red point sight).Like I said I also use the traditional mess kit! You know long ago, the lands that would later become Estonia, was in the Swedish Domain until it was taken over by the Russians. I think it was very fitting that we gave you some surplus equipment. Who knows, one day we will perhaps join you in NATO :)
Fredrik Häll hi there im from england plymouth was reading your info about swedish mess stoves like trangia military issue mess set? they are becoming harder to obtain especially in stainless steel model here no many stockists have them? i also heard that the russians have been testing your borders and military recently an estonian or may have been a latvian defence force intel officer was snatched kidnapped from his duties on forest borders to russia is now being interrogated by fsb kgb in moscow about your underground tunnels and defence systems strengths placements etc over 400bincursions of nato or eastern european airspace in last few months stockholm had problems with russian divers and sub f16s have been intercepting russian bombers over baltic states turkey portugal czech republic slovenia poland ukraine all reporting major activity in ukraines case invasion along their border frontiers? so my words of friendly advice to you fine sir is to be very aware very alert very cautious when you patrolling your forest frontiers because that latvian or estonian military officer has not been returned yet? after his interrogations possibly even intimidations or torture? the russians under putin are becoming imperialistic pigs? again empire builders putins economy is on the skids from sanctions hes not wanting to lose anymore eastern bloc nations to west or nato or usa influences you could well be in the immediate futures firing line of any russian advances or invasions? so join nato quickly so that we can help you if russia does invade you its going to be quick when i defended uk germany from russians in 1984-5 period expected battle period was 5.5hours whoever was most dominant after this period was side who was going to win russians have spent more on their eqyipment tanks aircrafts in last 20years all is improved upon they have very rapid tactics to take ground tanks dont like trees though so get close and fire quick then escape because i think things may yet just happen between east n west its going to get bad very quick
Thanks I use mine on canoe trips and found it is the best all around kit I can make stews from fresh items of boil in the bag meals. I love the smell of the Alcohol as she gets going.
Good video, i have a standard trangia set i bought 30 years ago. still gets used now and then but the honey stove has taken its place now and the crusader burner for quick brews on lihgt kit
Nice video. I use the same pouring method as you but the way I keep the handle away from the flame is to hang the hook on the handle of the lid, either way works though.
This was a good video. A few of questions; first, my mess kit did not come with a plastic cup. Any idea where I can get one? How much alcohol is too much when filling up the burner? Lastly, when done cooking, will the burner go out by blowing it out or is there a specific way to do it? Cheers, Pablo
Thanks for the review/lesson. A friend who lives on your side of the pond just bought one of these and gave me a link to your video. Always interested in how other countries military gear works/looks like. I've got my own set up that I'm satisfied with, but wondered 2 things in case others are doing the same: how much water does the billy can(?) hold, how much water did you use and with the alcohol stove, how long did it take get to boiling temperature.
Hi, sorry for delayed response. The main billy will hold a little over 2 pints, but 2 or less is preferable, to avoid too much spillage or boil-over. Boil times can vary greatly on the environment. On a warm day, in a sheltered area (almost zero wind/breeze), while using the lid to contain the heat, it can boil 2 pints of cold water in around 15 minutes, but conditions aren't always this favourable. In average conditions (mild temperature, with a little breeze) it can take 20 minutes to boil the same 2 pints, and if you're in deep winter temperatures, with a strong wind, it can take 30 minutes or more, depending on just how much heat is being taken away. The key is to shelter it as much as possible. The heatshield can only help so much on it's own. Boiling less water will obviously aid a great deal. It's not often you will need a full 2 pints. Boil times for 1 pint are usually just under half the time, for the relevant conditions. I should add, that although it make take some time to boil under certain circumstances, it still remains quite efficient on fuel, compared to some of the other alcohol stoves available, and the added benefit of being far quieter than propane (or equivalent) stoves. Hope that helps a little, thanks for watching.
I am more of an armchair bushcrafter, my son is the one that goes back packing every year. How long would the fuel in the storage container last? yes I realize the more often yo use it the quicker it goes. Would it last for a week trip? That is how long he goes for. Just wondering if I went with him some time and needed a stove to heat water. Thanks for the demo and information.
It is a great kit, arguably the best for for personal use. I was going crazy to get a stainless version but have you ever tried frying an egg in a stainless pan, it's not recommended. The aluminium version is very good for all kinds of cooking and you can even bake in it. Drop on one of these for around a tenner and you can camp out in your own back garden for a bit of practice !!
Thank you for that upload. It seems that I have a poor copy of this sold by Mil-Tec. I don't have that hook on the bale arm or any Kuksa and the pot stand doesn't fit snugly to the pot so I have to hold them together in transit with rubber bands. Why did you stop uploading 4 years ago?
great vid Adam i have 1 of these i keep my 2 knifes 2 spoons 2 forks my flint fire starter plus small lighter 2 dishcloths and of-course my full and stove all in my pot its a squeeze but it fits plus my 2 cups hang on a small bit of paracord from the hook on top it keeps it all together.
Adam Savage: IST fascinated set from Swedish army, apreciated very mu h your esplanation how can used. my greeting from South America in Chile to you swell. Thank very much.
Thanks Red Devil. I haven't used British mess tins for a while, but they always did what I wanted them to. I like the fact that the U.S. kit is stainless, but the size is a little limiting. The Swedish kit seems to cover most of the bases, apart from the easy to eat from part lol. The German kit is pretty similar to the Swedish isn't it? Anyway, hope you have a great time in the Sierra. All the best Adam
I really liked how to spot the genuine kit section, would get one tomorrow if meths was`nt so expensive, more expensive than super unleaded petrol (thats gasoline to the old colonies), have subbed, keep `em comming
A friend gave me one of these (no plastic cup though.) Though a neat package, I thought it was too heavy to carry and just used the Trangia stove with my old billy pot. I still have it somewhere, might have to hunt it up to see if mine has the crowns. Why didn't you demonstrate the "stick through the 2 D rings handle" on the top?
hi thanks for the video this has changed my mind on my hexamine and rushed out to buy a swedish mess kit surplus of course they are going on ebay cheap 40 year old stainless steel ones .. got a question is there any other fuel you can use like parafin for burning
Nice Video :) I have a cook set like this one and i always had a bit of problem with the poring. And i always wonderd what the second notch in the handle was ;) . Thanks for clearing that out for me and providing me with the right way to use that thingi ;D Have a nice one m8 .
Thanks for asking buddy. They are simply for sliding a stick into, giving a longer, heat resistant handle. Nothing very technical about it, but it works :)
I used this kit many times during my time in Swedish military service. We had to try and be very silent while using it. And after being used we cleaned it with snow. This was back in 1993
The good stove I took round Dartmoor with you, Martin and Jack! (This is Kieran lol) Like the video's Adam... Don't suppose you got any photo's of the camp that night?
Thanks Mark. These are much easier to get in the UK than other countries (except maybe Sweden lol). Military mart has some good stuff at reasonable prices. Useful store.
Thanks Lordbrega. The heat transfer to the top cup/pan is very slow, and it doesn't heat up a huge amount. It's ok for keeping something warm, while you're boiling water in the main pot, unless there's a strong breeze, which takes the heat away pretty fast. Some people have drilled holes in the cup/pot/lid, and used it to steam vegetables, but then you have no cup, unless you buy another set and use the cup from that. It's often easier to make a stainless steel mesh container, that sits inside for storage, but can be turned 90 degrees, and sat on top for steaming. Hope that helps answer your question
Adam Savage Sweet! I like your idea of a steel mesh container. Provided I have enough fuel to spare your mesh idea sounds like a good idea ( kill two birds with one stone). Is there any way you can make a video about your idea? I have my own idea but I would like to see yours in action.. What would you use as a top or lid to keep the steaming veggies or what not hot. I guess your idea of turning the top cup 90 degrees works in a pinch. I will search my local surplus stores this weekend for a kit. Any ideas for one online? Prices are everywhere online.
I'll see if I can make a quick video at some point, but have lots of projects on the go at the moment, including several knives, a camera crane, and a camera slider, plus a load of prop building for a short movie. The mesh container for steaming can be quite simple. Just make an oval cylinder that slides inside the large pot, cut an oval section of mesh for the bottom, and either use stainless wire to "tie" them together at the base, or use a couple of rods, or tent pegs poked through the sides of the mesh cylinder, that the base sits on. These rods can also be used to sit the steamer on top of the pot, and as it's designed to fit inside, you could use the standard lid to cover the top, and keep the contents warm :)
I bought mine at a surplus store, about 18 years ago lol. If you're in the UK, military mart has pretty good service. If you're not happy with a product, they'll send you a return label, and either replace, or refund, as soon as they receive it back. They have the aluminium ones in stock at the moment, but not the stainless, which are generally harder to find.
Cheers mate, that was very Informative, Could you let me know what the 2 "D Rings" on the handle are for, they have me stumped for a long time now, Many Thanks ...Tony
I would like to add, the Swedish Mess kit works well as a meat steamer. It is a good way to cook meat in the field without burning it or having a big mess to clean up.
We steam small cuts of Lamb via a mesh screen at the top.
You use the other pot as a lib and place it loosely . We boil carrots, potatoes and small onions in the main container. The lamb or meat's juices drip down into the water and help make a stock. I have done this with big German or British sausages as we boiled Red Potatoes.
Sounds great. Might have to try that myself now.
Thanks for sharing
I live in northern Sweden and in very snowy conditions we drive a 2-3 foot log into the snow and put the burner and wind shield on top of that. It protects the Trangia burner from the snow and the heat from the burner will heat the top of the log up in case you decide later to make a swedish log stove out of it for heating and cooking.
That sounds like a great idea. Thanks for sharing. If we ever get enough snow here, I'll give that a go.
added note: i liked how u told us about the 3 crowns .. with all the knock-offs for evrything under the sun, its great to know how to spot the real deal .. thanks for that
Well done Adam,
I have learned something from this video.I never knew I could use the hook like that.
Thanks
Sandy
I just put it on straight away otherwise its just wasting fuel, but im glad to see someone using the kit properly with the handle and storage
Good stuff
Dude ur acting really suspicious in those woods! U keep looking around like somebody is sneaking up on u lol great video very informative thanks
Scout Sniper lol Thanks man. I try not to be quite so suspicious looking these days lol
Scout Sniper why do you shoot scouts?
They bothered him once too often selling cookies.
@@crazysaint222 old habits that kept you alive are always good to keep doing. Thanks for the video. I’m currently searching for these kids as they’re really fit my needs.
@elktrip2000 ..Pathfinder makes a clone in stainless now
One of the most useful videos on TH-cam. I've watched it so many times to remind myself about the trick with the bail handle. I've got a 68 ss model. Thx for the tutorial. It's a great mess kit. About the top in my opinion.
Good post
Lellobeetle Thanks Lellobeetle. Glad you've found it useful.
It sure is a versatile and tough mess kit.
Thanks a ton for this video. When I first got my kit I had trouble pouring from it. I had no idea the handle was supposed to be used like that. I just tested pouring with the handle setup like you showed. It worked great. It also work for pouring from the ends of the pot rather than the middle.
Glad to help. There is another method for pouring, which involves poking the hook through one of the handle mounts, but it can be tricky to do, and won't work unless the hook is exactly as it came from the factory. It's pretty hard to get them back to their original shape once they're bent/straightened a little.
Hope you have many nice meals from your cook set.
Nice work. It's a great bit of kit - I particularly like it for being able to cook two things at once on a single flame - say pasta or rice boiling in the main kettle with sauce bubbling away on top.
I'd managed to figure out the bail trick but it took me ages to realise the handle of the frying pan needs to be completely inside the windshield when packed to stop it falling off!
I've learned more about how best to use this setup than anything I've seen before. Well done.
Enjoyed your video and the explanation about the Swiss Army cook kit, especially the part about the 2 notches on the bail. I had no idea why it had 2 of them. Last week I bought one of these kits at a thrift store for $5. I knew it was a cook kit but didn't know what country it was from. Neither did the seller. So you have helped me to know what I really have in front of me. Thank you again, I look forward to using this kit in the near future.
Alcohol stoves are great little things. No moving parts to go wrong, they work after heavy blows, and the fuel is pretty easy to get hold of (no special fittings to look for). The Swedish mess kit can be used with Esbit blocks (with the addition of a small tin, turned upside down to form a platform), and even twigs (just placed in the windshield), so even if you can't find the spirits, there are other options.
Glad the videos have been of use.
I used that kit for 12 months in the swedish army. Brings back alot of memories :)
Very nicely done. Like the technique for keeping the bail handle away from the heat and yet be able to pour out the hot water etc.
Nine year old video paying off as if brand new. Excellent vid!
I bought one of these (stainless) for $5 at the flea market when I was a kid 24 or so years ago, its still my favorite mess kit!!! good video ;)
I haven't had mine as long as you. Only about 15 years. Still do their job very well though. Always a favourite
also the 2 d- rings on the small pan is so you can place a stick and make a wooden handle when cooking so you don't burn hands. been using one of these for 20 years and still prefer the civilian trangia cooking sets :-)
I've watched this video more than once. I enjoy it. Great kit.
Thanks for a really good instructional video on a really useful piece of outdoor kit.
few years back we had an ice storm that killed power for weeks and many downed trees and utility poles blocked ways in and out. Living in a really rural area Many people were trapped. I have recently been "prepping" for situations like that after being in it and seeing how quick resources run out. I've been researching camp and military cooking gear and this looks like the best by far. I just picked up one because of your videos a nice alternative to propane. I plan to put this in my vehicle.
Cheers Adam, Would you believe, 2 minutes after I asked you, I worked it out myself ! Many Thanks again Adam ... Tony
Very informative..I 've had been using one of these in stainless for years and never knew the reasons for the articulated hook.
I have subbed
Thanks dude. Like you say, they are pretty bomb proof, especially the stainless version. Plus they're a lot easier to clean, without damaging the surface.
Strange to think, they only started making the stainless ones during the war, when aluminium was getting harder to obtain, as it was being used to build planes, etc.
Thanks mate. They make a great little kit, no matter how you decide to use them. I tend to use mine hung over an open fire, as much as I use it in the windshield over the alcohol stove.
That was a really useful video, I didn't know about the tip with the hook and the handles. I have one of these which I bought secondhand, I will have a look to see if it has the three crowns marking. I love the tough simplicity of these things... love the way how every feature has a function.
Thanks for making a great video. I have had mine since 1997 and it is 3rd world rugged. I use HEET for fuel from the Auto parts store. I like the handle and I have used my kit over the campfire to boil water and make coffee. Its really alcohol and wood stove. What a great piece of kit. Thanks mate
Happy to help buddy. Thanks for the kind comment.
You're right, they are great bits of kit.
Great video ! Lot's of information ! I have seen these kit's from time to time but never purchased one ! After seeing this video and understand the use of each piece of the kit,maybe I will have to pick one the next time I see one ! Also ,now that I know about the 3 crown stamping's,I will know if i'm buying the real thing and not some cheap junk copy ! Thank's for posting !
Excelent video, Thank you for taking the time to make it. How do you put the flame out? Just put the top on? Blow it out?
Hi nice video, reminds me of my time in the swedish army in 1991 i am swedish and this thing was a great thing to have, excellent for cooking and easy to use for a short break, we call it Snuskburk :-P that means filthy can or something. anyway you got it right with the handle thing, I have one from 1962 and i use it alot. cheers:-).
good info and no bs
it helped me out on my latest overnighter
link to this video under mine
thanks mate
darren
Thanks buddy
Nice video and I like the tip about using the handle to pour. A few extras for you, the swedish army dont usually carry the fuel inside the kit believe it or not...it smells up the inside cooking surface plus they allow the excess fuel to burn out before putting the lid back on the burner because after a while they will leak....you can buy replacement rubber seals for them from trangia.
There are a few really awesome pointers in you video.
Thank you for this.
Man, The way you kept looking around I just knew someone was going to knock you in the head lol. Thanks for the demo.
Thanks for a very useful guide on the use of this great piece of kit. The tricks with the handle are missed on most such reviews.
I can imagine they aren't the easiest things to keep quiet. It must have required a good bit of practice.
In the British army we had basic rectangular mess tins, which we used to clean with tea bags from ration packs :)
Thanks for a no BS demo of this very well tried and tested cookset. Very useful for the very few people who don't already know and a bit of a laugh for those of us who do! Try not to be too serious or furtive. Cooking a meal in one of these is fun!
Great video.This winter I will be going up the Sierra Nevada for a 5 day field excursion.This time I will be using my German mess kit and Sterno folding stove.I have the German,American,and British 2 piece mess tins.I found the British system much better for everything.I use it everyday at home for cooking breakfast because its easy to clean up and eat out of too.
Having been messing about with homemade meths stoves for a while I've finally decided to just get the real thing and ordered myself one, looking forward to trying it out. Love the tip about using the hook to retrain the handle for pouring, I'd never have spotted that, nice one :)
very good demo,i have the burners but not the kit and thanks for showing us in the USA how to say "Trangia"
I have been using mine for years, thanks for the tip with the bail arm. The two tabs on the lid are great for sliping a small stick through and using to cook on an open fire.
I've had a few comments mentioning the D rings. I thought most people knew about those, but looking back I should have covered them in the video, for the people that didn't :)
Adam Savage My Dad (Korean War Generation) told me how the D-Rings worked. The D-rings on U.S. gear was sized to fit issued knives and bayonets.
Mine stove has the three crowns but says Svea 1968. got the stainless kit. A bit heavy for packing but I really like it. The handle trick you showed will help a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, I just researched it on eBay and these things don't run cheap, even new. But then you do get what you pay for. I like the simple functional design.
Hello Adam from West Virginia! I bought my kit a few years ago not knowing how durable and bullet proof it was! I have grown to appreciate it as a good stable food/water prep kit. On the Trangia stove there is an indented ring at the base of the burner chimney. I "spill" a little meth into this trough to prime the stove. I can also use the SS kit as a boat anchor, shovel and a defensive hand weapon against black bears...huh, small black bears! ;) Thanks for the upload, Well done!
Thanks Matt.
Always worth knowing the little things, that can reduce the chance of burns, or other minor injuries, that could make life uncomfortable :)
Thanks Richard, glad the video has been of use.
There is a way of placing the hook on the bail arm through the swivel mount (where the bail arm attaches to the main pot), but it can be tricky to do, and if the hook has been misshaped at all it won't work properly. That's why I just stick with this method :).
Never thought about the coffee warmer idea. Might have to use that one lol.
Thanks again buddy
Totally agree with you. It's an ingenious bit of kit, especially considering it's been around for about 70 years :)
Terrific video, I'm planning to get one of these and this has been a great source of information. Thanks Adam.
Yes... 11 years ago...see my other message.
nice one, nice to see people do know how to use them.
You light them the same with the domestic versions with the wind guard off. But I see so many people burning them selfs doing it wrong.
Thank you for that. I have never been told that before. I always wondered what the square loop was for, but have never seen (or heard of) the clip that goes into it.
Thanks again for educating me
Adam
I've never seen the Swedish Mess Kit before. Good tips for it's better use. Thanks for sharing. atb Opal
Opal Preston Shirley Thanks for watching Opal. It's a very handy cooking system, and can often be found reasonably cheap, although the stainless steel version can be a little more expensive.
I knew that there was a reason for the second indent on the handle, but hadn't worked that out. Thanks for the tip
Thank you for the video. The hook in the D ring is a great tip. No more using a stick to try and pour the water out. It is so obvious but I just didn't see it. Cheers friend
Homemade stoves are great. Cheap, light, and often more efficient that some shop bought stoves. You can't beat a Svea, Trangia, or even a Tatonka for durability though. It'll take quite a bit to squash one :)
Glad you found the video useful. Always remember though, be careful when pouring boiling water, as the hook method can slip out if not in just the right place. Especially if the previous owner/user has "re shaped" the hook.
Good job with the video. I liked to watched it. Little strange to learn about Swedish mess kit in English thou. Ha ha. I have one container ( a very heavy one in steinless steel) but no windshield. I have a many Trangia burners and Trangiakitchen. Didn´t know about those two hooks on the handle. But you can take a small branch and feed through the two rings on the lid-thing to make a longer handle or to handle it when hot. Greetings from Sweden!
Excellent explanation, it's much appreciated. I'm hoping to bring my stove out to the Florida Everglades next time I go out hiking. I'll also be keeping an eye out for simple things I can cook with it, but eventually looking to just feed off of what I can get off the land. Do you have a lot of good hiking spots out in the uk?
Thanks Alan. Hope the weather stays ok for you.
Sounds like you had a good day, and a very productive one too. Would be interesting to find out/test what other fuels would work in them, but it would risk damaging the stove or the person testing them lol.
Thanks for letting me know your test results
I know what you mean. Some of the cheap stuff can be ok for a while, but generally won't last anywhere near as long.
It's hard to suggest a "best" stove/mess kit combo, as a lot of it is down to where you want to use it, and which fuel is easiest for you to get hold of.
Anything from Trangia is top of my list. They've been making things like this for a long time, and it shows in the quality of the products (not just the military kit).
Thanks for the sub
Adam
Thanks Adam for the video, very helpful and to the point! Cheers!
Thanks for the great video and detailed explanation. I have what I thought was a Trangia mess kit or Swedish Army Kit and it looks like yours except for the "D" ring and hanger hook on the handle. I've used it camping a couple of times now and prefer it over the other stoves I have.
Very clever system and a good presentation. Thanks!
Well said that man. I agree totally with you there.
Only ever tried frying eggs in a stainless pan once, and ended up with a large fireball lol.
Hello mate just found your chanel ,the swedish mess kit is brilliant , I use mine a lot ,thanks for the tip about the handle, I did'nt know about that , I have subbed your chanel . Atb martin
Thanks Martin. Glad the vid was useful.
Subbed in return, will watch some vids when I get chance buddy
All the best
Adam
Thanks for showing me the correct way to use my stove.
Thanks for the vid and thanks especially for not having any bs flashy macho graphics or sounds in it.
Top stuff mate, I will have to pick one up now I know how it works!
I dont know about the Regular Army, (I think the Regulars use boil-in-bag or whatever the name is), but in the Swedish Home Guard we are still issued the classic mess kit!
Normally though, during excercises, most people eat on paperplates or from a plasticbag covering the kit as to avoid having to clean it afterwards :D
Glad to hear it's still in use with some, if only occasionally lol.
can you remember?
AROTTWEILERR
Beg pardon?
Get out.
Welcome to the club! :)
I'm also part of the (Swedish) Home Guard! I use the AK4B (H&K G3 with an added red point sight).Like I said I also use the traditional mess kit!
You know long ago, the lands that would later become Estonia, was in the Swedish Domain until it was taken over by the Russians.
I think it was very fitting that we gave you some surplus equipment. Who knows, one day we will perhaps join you in NATO :)
Fredrik Häll hi there im from england plymouth was reading your info about swedish mess stoves like trangia military issue mess set? they are becoming harder to obtain especially in stainless steel model here no many stockists have them? i also heard that the russians have been testing your borders and military recently an estonian or may have been a latvian defence force intel officer was snatched kidnapped from his duties on forest borders to russia is now being interrogated by fsb kgb in moscow about your underground tunnels and defence systems strengths placements etc over 400bincursions of nato or eastern european airspace in last few months stockholm had problems with russian divers and sub f16s have been intercepting russian bombers over baltic states turkey portugal czech republic slovenia poland ukraine all reporting major activity in ukraines case invasion along their border frontiers?
so my words of friendly advice to you fine sir is to be very aware very alert very cautious when you patrolling your forest frontiers because that latvian or estonian military officer has not been returned yet?
after his interrogations possibly even intimidations or torture? the russians under putin are becoming imperialistic pigs? again empire builders putins economy is on the skids from sanctions hes not wanting to lose anymore eastern bloc nations to west or nato or usa influences you could well be in the immediate futures firing line of any russian advances or invasions?
so join nato quickly so that we can help you if russia does invade you its going to be quick when i defended uk germany from russians in 1984-5 period expected battle period was 5.5hours whoever was most dominant after this period was side who was going to win russians have spent more on their eqyipment tanks aircrafts in last 20years all is improved upon they have very rapid tactics to take ground
tanks dont like trees though so get close and fire quick then escape because i think things may yet just happen between east n west its going to get bad very quick
Thanks
I use mine on canoe trips and found it is the best all around kit
I can make stews from fresh items of boil in the bag meals.
I love the smell of the Alcohol as she gets going.
Yep, great item to have in your kit.
Thanks for the comment
Good video, i have a standard trangia set i bought 30 years ago. still gets used now and then but the honey stove has taken its place now and the crusader burner for quick brews on lihgt kit
Nice video. I use the same pouring method as you but the way I keep the handle away from the flame is to hang the hook on the handle of the lid, either way works though.
This was a good video. A few of questions; first, my mess kit did not come with a plastic cup. Any idea where I can get one? How much alcohol is too much when filling up the burner? Lastly, when done cooking, will the burner go out by blowing it out or is there a specific way to do it?
Cheers,
Pablo
Thanks for the review/lesson. A friend who lives on your side of the pond just bought one of these and gave me a link to your video. Always interested in how other countries military gear works/looks like. I've got my own set up that I'm satisfied with, but wondered 2 things in case others are doing the same: how much water does the billy can(?) hold, how much water did you use and with the alcohol stove, how long did it take get to boiling temperature.
Hi, sorry for delayed response. The main billy will hold a little over 2 pints, but 2 or less is preferable, to avoid too much spillage or boil-over.
Boil times can vary greatly on the environment. On a warm day, in a sheltered area (almost zero wind/breeze), while using the lid to contain the heat, it can boil 2 pints of cold water in around 15 minutes, but conditions aren't always this favourable. In average conditions (mild temperature, with a little breeze) it can take 20 minutes to boil the same 2 pints, and if you're in deep winter temperatures, with a strong wind, it can take 30 minutes or more, depending on just how much heat is being taken away. The key is to shelter it as much as possible. The heatshield can only help so much on it's own. Boiling less water will obviously aid a great deal. It's not often you will need a full 2 pints. Boil times for 1 pint are usually just under half the time, for the relevant conditions.
I should add, that although it make take some time to boil under certain circumstances, it still remains quite efficient on fuel, compared to some of the other alcohol stoves available, and the added benefit of being far quieter than propane (or equivalent) stoves.
Hope that helps a little, thanks for watching.
Thanks for your time . I enjoyed your video. I just would like to have a stainless version but will take either.
I am more of an armchair bushcrafter, my son is the one that goes back packing every year. How long would the fuel in the storage container last? yes I realize the more often yo use it the quicker it goes. Would it last for a week trip? That is how long he goes for. Just wondering if I went with him some time and needed a stove to heat water. Thanks for the demo and information.
Nice trick with that hook. Great tip.
It is a great kit, arguably the best for for personal use. I was going crazy to get a stainless version but have you ever tried frying an egg in a stainless pan, it's not recommended. The aluminium version is very good for all kinds of cooking and you can even bake in it. Drop on one of these for around a tenner and you can camp out in your own back garden for a bit of practice !!
Thank you for that upload. It seems that I have a poor copy of this sold by Mil-Tec. I don't have that hook on the bale arm or any Kuksa and the pot stand doesn't fit snugly to the pot so I have to hold them together in transit with rubber bands. Why did you stop uploading 4 years ago?
great vid Adam i have 1 of these i keep my 2 knifes 2 spoons 2 forks my flint fire starter plus small lighter 2 dishcloths and of-course my full and stove all in my pot its a squeeze but it fits plus my 2 cups hang on a small bit of paracord from the hook on top it keeps it all together.
thanks man, nice tip for the trick with the handle
Adam Savage:
IST fascinated set from Swedish army,
apreciated very mu h your esplanation how can used.
my greeting from South America in Chile to you swell.
Thank very much.
nice video, well presented, good tips
Thanks mate.
Thanks Red Devil. I haven't used British mess tins for a while, but they always did what I wanted them to. I like the fact that the U.S. kit is stainless, but the size is a little limiting. The Swedish kit seems to cover most of the bases, apart from the easy to eat from part lol.
The German kit is pretty similar to the Swedish isn't it?
Anyway, hope you have a great time in the Sierra.
All the best
Adam
I really liked how to spot the genuine kit section, would get one tomorrow if meths was`nt so expensive, more expensive than super unleaded petrol (thats gasoline to the old colonies), have subbed, keep `em comming
A friend gave me one of these (no plastic cup though.) Though a neat package, I thought it was too heavy to carry and just used the Trangia stove with my old billy pot. I still have it somewhere, might have to hunt it up to see if mine has the crowns.
Why didn't you demonstrate the "stick through the 2 D rings handle" on the top?
Bail handle trick! Good job!
superfluities Thanks. It doesn;t always work if the bail handle has been bent though, so can be tricky
Great Video.
hi thanks for the video this has changed my mind on my hexamine and rushed out to buy a swedish mess kit surplus of course they are going on ebay cheap 40 year old stainless steel ones .. got a question is there any other fuel you can use like parafin for burning
Good video....keep them coming!
Clever Swedes :) nice video by the way mate.
Nice Video :) I have a cook set like this one and i always had a bit of problem with the poring. And i always wonderd what the second notch in the handle was ;) . Thanks for clearing that out for me and providing me with the right way to use that thingi ;D Have a nice one m8 .
So beats the German one that it has its own cooker, nice! :D
Defintly on my to buy list
Thanks for asking buddy. They are simply for sliding a stick into, giving a longer, heat resistant handle. Nothing very technical about it, but it works :)
I used this kit many times during my time in Swedish military service. We had to try and be very silent while using it. And after being used we cleaned it with snow. This was back in 1993
Great. I do have the SS version as I'm not concerned about weight. Thank you for your reply. Regards from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Laura
No problem Stokie, glad you found it useful
The good stove I took round Dartmoor with you, Martin and Jack!
(This is Kieran lol)
Like the video's Adam... Don't suppose you got any photo's of the camp that night?
Thanks Mark. These are much easier to get in the UK than other countries (except maybe Sweden lol). Military mart has some good stuff at reasonable prices. Useful store.
Nice video, I got nostalgic trip back to my service time :)
Nice video. Straight to the point. Can you boil water in the main chamber and heat up the top cup at the same time?
Thanks Lordbrega. The heat transfer to the top cup/pan is very slow, and it doesn't heat up a huge amount. It's ok for keeping something warm, while you're boiling water in the main pot, unless there's a strong breeze, which takes the heat away pretty fast. Some people have drilled holes in the cup/pot/lid, and used it to steam vegetables, but then you have no cup, unless you buy another set and use the cup from that. It's often easier to make a stainless steel mesh container, that sits inside for storage, but can be turned 90 degrees, and sat on top for steaming.
Hope that helps answer your question
Adam Savage Sweet! I like your idea of a steel mesh container. Provided I have enough fuel to spare your mesh idea sounds like a good idea ( kill two birds with one stone). Is there any way you can make a video about your idea? I have my own idea but I would like to see yours in action.. What would you use as a top or lid to keep the steaming veggies or what not hot. I guess your idea of turning the top cup 90 degrees works in a pinch. I will search my local surplus stores this weekend for a kit. Any ideas for one online? Prices are everywhere online.
I'll see if I can make a quick video at some point, but have lots of projects on the go at the moment, including several knives, a camera crane, and a camera slider, plus a load of prop building for a short movie.
The mesh container for steaming can be quite simple. Just make an oval cylinder that slides inside the large pot, cut an oval section of mesh for the bottom, and either use stainless wire to "tie" them together at the base, or use a couple of rods, or tent pegs poked through the sides of the mesh cylinder, that the base sits on. These rods can also be used to sit the steamer on top of the pot, and as it's designed to fit inside, you could use the standard lid to cover the top, and keep the contents warm :)
Cool. Now all that I need to do is find one of these mess kits. I'll scour the local surplus stores here in my city. Amy place online that you trust?
I bought mine at a surplus store, about 18 years ago lol.
If you're in the UK, military mart has pretty good service. If you're not happy with a product, they'll send you a return label, and either replace, or refund, as soon as they receive it back.
They have the aluminium ones in stock at the moment, but not the stainless, which are generally harder to find.
Cheers mate, that was very Informative, Could you let me know what the 2 "D Rings" on the handle are for, they have me stumped for a long time now, Many Thanks ...Tony