Mess Kit Hack

[@caseyoutdoors3897]

That is like my old military kit. US military has pretty much had field Kitchens on Frontline so we used to put the handle under the plate to get served. And then we would dunk our plate and frying pan in a big hot trash can full of water to wash it with a big wooden handled brush LOL

[@HikeCamp]

It is old like it's owner but it still works... The owner a little less so...LOL Thanks Casey!

[@marzsit9833]

the usgi mess kit is a set of portable food trays for eating food served in a military field kitchen, they are not designed for or intended for cooking. yes, you can use it to cook but being stainless steel it conducts heat poorly, food burns and sticks and there are so many better options that weigh a lot less. i have a few usgi mess kits and the only thing i use them for is when i go to a potluck camping dinner, which is an appropriate use for them. the one nice thing about the usgi mess kit is that it does pack down flat, so it's easy to carry and store unlike most of the european mess kits that are big and bulky.

[@HikeCamp]

I had to see what it could do... Yes not the best by any means.

[@clivedunning4317]

Think if you do some historical research you'll find that the pan was designed for frying bacon !

[@coleparker]

@@clivedunning4317 You can use it for that, but historically, WWI kits, and WWII kits, especially the WWII ones, were never carried by the frontline troops. They were usually given over to the field kitchens and used as serving trays.

[@clivedunning4317]

@@coleparker Cole , you are absolutely correct in what you say. However, I was referring to the period before the First World War, when the "meat cans" were first introduced and troops fried their own bacon. I still my 1945 dated frying pan when out on trips, don't find much use for the two segment dish. Happy Trails.

[@coleparker]

@@clivedunning4317 Happy trails to you too. BTW I saw a WWI kit in an antique store. The difference from that period to WWII is that the pan is shallower, and the other dish is not segmented.

[@burningsandsexploration3711]

I have a couple of those mess kits. I think I have used them once or twice. They are in my bug out prepper bags. Good hack demonstration. Thank you!

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Cindy.. It is an easy hack for an otherwise troublesome handle.. 👍😀

[@TheWasatchGearReview]

I have that same pan and use it all the time. That's a really great idea! Thanks Maximus!

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks for checking it out.. I appreciate it. 😀 When did you change your channel name?? I like the logo... eye catching.

[@LarryWGrant-dw6jo]

Very clever! I remember my old mess kit from my scouting days. Much like the one you have. Great video!

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Larry... I was only in the Cub Scouts and I don't remember ever having one.. Mine is stainless. The aluminum ones are light but the handle bends to easy..

[@thomas-i5o7h]

I have the U.S.G.I. stainless mess kit that has been in my gear for many many years. When I was a kid, my dad and I would go camping. We took our mess kits and cooked with them. We each put a stick on our pans and it always worked out perfectly.

[@HikeCamp]

Yes i had my fathers old mess kit but some how over the years it got misplaced so I bought a new one and that little hack with the dowel works wonders.. Thanks Thomas!

[@ronaldrose7593]

Clever and useful hack, thank you for sharing this one, my friend, stay safe out there. 😊

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you Ronald

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hope that you are able to make it to the mountains many more times.

[@HikeCamp]

I do as well... Thanks Ronald

[@tchoatchoa2367]

Tell me why I didn't think about that before,you're smart man. Merci Monsieur from France.

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Tchoa... I only had the thought of it once I dumped my food on the ground because of the handle design... Lol Thanks for watching.

[@Joseph-u3t2n]

I have one of those plus I have the military knife, spoon and fork that fits inside wrapped in a dish rag. I've used it quite a bit but now it's in my emergency pack.

[@HikeCamp]

Wish i had the utensils for it but alas do not.. Good little kit. Thanks for checking it out.

[@unpavedexplorer338]

Hello Max, Nice hack. Take Care and Keep Exploring The Outdoors.

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks for checking it out UE 👍😀

[@Haphagurd]

Gotta love those kits. They remind me of scouts. Looking forward to seeing you out soon!! Take care

[@HikeCamp]

Oh man...Scouts... So long ago...😟 Thanks Hagg... 😀

[@WaltRevenJr]

I have one, rarely ever use mine too lol. Interesting and very easy hack, my uncle did this to one of his kits! It works great too!! Thanks for showing us Max, have a great weekend buddy

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Walt... It is easy... Took me about 5 minutes to cut the dowel and notch it with a dremel tool ... Done!

[@WaltRevenJr]

@@HikeCamp Your welcome!

[@agesadventures]

That's a great hack! I don't have one of those mess kits but they look like they could be useful.

[@HikeCamp]

I suspect they are still available in surplus stores or even on Amazon /E-Bay... If you do get one the aluminum ones suck but the stainless are quite sturdy.. Thanks AA

[@FernTheCamper]

Doctor release! YAYS! Looking forward to seeing you FREE and in your natural habitat. Love the mess kit, good add to the kit!

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you Holly. The Doctor told me to get out and walk and I have been.. but he said to stay off the snowshoes until he released me... Well now the snow is so deep around here that you need snowshoes to get anywhere.. So here is to hoping 🍺

[@FernTheCamper]

@@HikeCamp Here's to hoping!

[@MartysCrewOurFamilyAdventures]

Now that's a very cool and easy hack, Max! I don't have one of these kits, but I'm tempted to pick one up just to try this out, lol! Hope the Doc has good news for you, my friend. Would love to see you out and about again!

[@HikeCamp]

I do think these kits are quite cheap now days... I do suspect I will get released next week so maybe I can get out more... I am not a big fan of winter but I am going crazy sitting around the house... Thanks Marty & crew. 😎

[@健康达人]

This is a great idea, very handy, I have a pan with metal handle and it is hot when I cook sometime and not easy to hold, I’ll try this for fun! 👍🏼😊, wish you a wonderful new week!

[@HikeCamp]

Even with this hack there is still metal on the bottom so don't throw away your gloves...LOL Thanks for watching.. 😀

[@LivingFree365]

That's an awesome hack! I still have my old Boy Scout mess kit.

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Shu! 😀

[@PADDLECAMPFISH]

Cool hack, that would be great for car camping I bet! I got the ole boy scout one, I think I've used it a few times, It worked great for a plate out on the river. Thanks again for sharing!

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks PCF!! It worked great and just posted a video making some Spam and eggs with it... Worked well!. 😀

[@terryw.milburn8565]

Seen these mess kits on the tube, Can't locate 1 here, Love to find 1, Great Hack Max ! Continued Prayers For Your Recovery, Friend ! Happy Trails From The Frosty Maritimes In Canada ATB T God Bless

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Terry... The knee is pretty much recovered just the doc does not want me on snowshoes til he gives the OK... Snow is getting deep here and very difficult to get anywhere without them.. 👍😀

[@terryw.milburn8565]

@@HikeCamp I Hear Ya, Friend !

[@HikeCamp]

Did you try Amazon... Thought I saw them on there awhile back?

[@ValDKemp]

Cool hack Max, thanks for sharing. Looking forward to see you in the outdoors👍😉!

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Val... I hope to get out soon if my doctor and the weather permits 😀

[@coleparker]

I have a number of them and have had some for over 40 years. One I found out in the field when I worked at Fort Irwin. I even have one of the stainless steel ones made in 1943. I am retired now but when I worked in the field, I used them quite a bit. While you can use the pan to fry things, it will discolor or bend along the bottom depending on how high the heat source. The pan was not really meant to be a frying pan, but simply a container for the main meal.

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks for the info!

[@sperrinoutdoors7642]

Hey Max I do love little Hack videos really handy. Hope you get the OK for the hills

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks my friend... Much appreciated! 😀👍

[@Surmise_This]

Dang papa, you burnt the heck outta that bad boy dowel with that Dremel 🤣

[@HikeCamp]

Yep, sure did... LOL Thanks!

[@arctodussimus6198]

I had forgotten this hack. Thanks for bringing it back to me.

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Arctodus! Unfortunately the dowel is just a bit long to go inside.

[@arctodussimus6198]

@@HikeCamp That’s what I figured. But it’s not too difficult to make one in the field when needed.... I just have to remember to do it! lol

[@HikeCamp]

@@arctodussimus6198 Indeed! LOL

[@thefucrew9865]

Nice hack ! You can do it with a branch out in the woods too !! Keep up the great work !!

[@HikeCamp]

Indeed you can.. I first saw this done long ago from a friend of mine who used a tree branch but only tried it recently because I did not want to have to by a frying pan... Thank you my friend! 👍😀

[@MidTnOutdoors]

Pretty cool trick there Max. Should work.

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you Patrick... Saw this years ago from a friend of mine but never tried it. Glad I did because now I don't need to buy a frying pan...LOL 😀

[@Shastavalleyoutdoorsman]

That is slicker than goose grease! A guy could always so kiss stick for a minute if he's got the fire going a little high. That is great!

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks my friend... Learned that a number of years back from a friend of mine. Just never tried it til now.. Go figure.. 👍😀

[@SmellNRoses]

That’s a great tip. I’m one of the few people who does not own the American style mess kits. Never fear though I do have several European mess kits in my collection and I rarely ever use them! LOL!

[@HikeCamp]

I never used this one because I did not want to carry it.. But now I have to give it a try when the weather warms up... Thanks Roses!!! 😀

[@dronecamper4905]

Good review of the mess kit and all it’s uses. Hope you can get out soon👍🏼

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks DC!! Glad you checked it out! 😀

[@GazianoOutdoors]

Nice hack mate, hope you have a nice weekend, all the best 👍

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Gaz... It was a fun one... Took all of 10 minutes...LOL 😀

[@KonradKealeysIreland]

Great hack my friend , hopefully you get released to the snow very soon 👌😉👍👍

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you Konrad... The knee is doing well but the doc has nixed the snowshoes till he says so. My hope is this next visit.. 😀

[@dreamcreationsadventures]

Now that’s an awesome hack 👍🏻 Just cooked in my mess Kit last evening. Thanks Max 🙌🏻

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you very much Dream C&A

[@FLStelth]

Nice hack!

[@SeniorHiker77]

You are right everybody has one. Nice hack Max.

[@HikeCamp]

I kind of figured everyone would ... Thanks 77! 😀

[@clammi]

Cool Hack my new friend, thanks for sharing

[@HikeCamp]

Yeah the handle is pretty useless with out the wood... Thanks for watching. 😀

[@TRPufnStuf]

Cool hack. I don't have one of these. But if I get one I'll do this for sure.

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Erobin... Cheap frying pan and super easy hack... 👍😀

[@BeCCaWhere2GoNext]

Hey Max, that looks so handy and useful, i don't mind carrying extra ibs! thanks for sharing!❤❤❤

[@HikeCamp]

I don't think I will use it much but it is a definite improvement.. Thanks Becca! 😀

[@Sam2sham]

I have one of these and a boy scout type. The boy scout is more useful, but the gi type is a great storage pot for spork and rations.

[@HikeCamp]

The can be handy even in modern camping... Thanks Sam

[@bootlegbushcraft9953]

A little disappointed Max!!! Looks pretty clean, I was looking forward to seeing a mess. Great video brother. All the best. Rod

[@HikeCamp]

Ha! Good one Rod... Nope... a mess in name only...Till I try to cook with it...LOL 😀

[@sinister6116]

Nice tools , big like .

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you very much !

[@Plain-Ole-Chuck]

All of my mess kits have flat lids.. not sure how the handle is mounted... I'll have to dig one out and check.. neat idea.. thanks for sharing

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Chuck... If it works with your kit show us your hack... 👍😀

[@Outdoors4adventure]

Great information. 🙂👍

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks for taking a look! 😀

[@brokenenglishhiker]

I am no cooking in out door, but just watching what you are doing and support 😅 hope you could go out soon 💕🌳🌳🌳

[@HikeCamp]

Just had a bit of a hike in the mountains Suyeon... It felt great even though I got run off by thunder storms... and then it snowed up there again... Thanks my friend.

[@shaneslone7077]

Pretty cool 👍👍

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Shane... 5 minute fix...LOL

[@BackpackerDiaries]

Like you said that does look like a heavy mess kit. Maybe this would be a useful car camping item for some? I hope you get clearance to get out on snowshoes soon Max

[@HikeCamp]

It is stainless so it is about a pound.. I am going to try it out at some point... I do hope the doc says ok because I need to get out even though snowshoeing is not my favorite thing...cabin fever has set in.. Thanks Amos! 😀

[@EatTravelHappy]

Very cool! Great hack!👍😁 ❗️👍👍👍

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks ETH... It worked out well!😀

[@onemanandhiszebra]

I just use a pan grabber. It’s always in my Bergen anyway and lighter/smaller than a bit of wood.

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks for taking a look.

[@AdventureSonick]

amazing

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@remirez2k3]

another really easy idea would be a tiny magnet between the point where the hand and the pan meet

[@HikeCamp]

Not a bad idea at all.. 👍

[@JohnAmes]

Hello my friend well done buddy 👍👍

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks John!😀

[@tomconway8881]

Nice video thanks

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks

[@benterwellen]

Great Hack

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you!

[@ozzybwild]

I am all for hacks and thank you for the video Sir, but isn't it easier to simply slide the contents of the pan out of the front (0°) instead of the side (90°)?

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks ozzy. The hack was simply to make it a more solid cooking device not necessarily better.

[@mikehound8315]

Nice! Thanks!

[@HikeCamp]

You bet! Thanks for checking it out!

[@rimvyd]

Good hack man 😄💪👍

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you rimvyd! 😀

[@drewpifer6082]

Awesome !

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you very much!

[@DesmondsDonders]

Neat easy fix. Brit mess kits do not have the problem LOL It is worse when you squeeze the handle it falls off LOL. Similar fix will sort it.

[@HikeCamp]

Well at least the Brit kits will lock sort of...LOL Thanks David. 👍😀

[@jamesbowen5573]

Too bad it does not work on the WW1 aluminum version. Mine was made in it 1918

[@HikeCamp]

Mine is stainless... Thanks for commenting. JB

[@jamesbowen5573]

@@HikeCamp i have one like that somewhere, haven't seen it in years. If I ever find it, I'll sure try your hack.

[@HikeCamp]

Many thanks JB... Stay safe.

[@beebeesfuntasticadventures6110]

That is a cool pan. I have joined your channel #545, let's be friends.

[@HikeCamp]

Thank you!

[@clinnyboy]

Or you just spoon the grub from pan to plate or eat straight from the pan.

[@HikeCamp]

Indeed

[@clinnyboy]

@@HikeCamp Sorry, I don't mean to come across as being rude and can understand if others here think I am but I see so many videos of people back packing to a spot and then tying some fancy knot around a tree with a toggle to hang their pack from rather than just breaking a branch off and hanging the bag from the grab handle. Then they carry a saw blade in and go thru all this cutting and bending and notching etc to made a saw frame when a whole folding saw weighs little more than the blade itself. The same with making tent stakes rather than carry 6 lite weight aluminum stakes. The weight savings of both those items is likely less than their fancy foldable stove they can't live without. I mean if you somehow lost your stakes then fine you make some, break a stick to length and put a point on it, wham bam done. Not something I need to see to figure out. But to make a saw frame when there are so many convenient folders especially as I see people doing this in winter conditions so cold numb hands make a knife accident more likely just doesn't make good sense. Too often the execution of the hack is more work than the hack eliminates. I did however watch a guy make popcorn in his German mess kit and that's something I never thought of and tried it and it works great! So I guess now it's time for people to flame me for this rant.

[@HikeCamp]

@@clinnyboy No flame... I would not have the comments active if I only wanted like minded comments...

[@ronaldmoon6567]

Cool thanks iloveyou brother shalom

[@Frigorific12]

Thanks, good video. Good channel. like Natalie.

[@HikeCamp]

Thanks Natalie! It was fun to do! 😀

[@LezleysAdventures]

when you started mentioning the tools you used all i heard was blah blah blah lol ive just seen your snow shoe video bet you were glad to get out, I'm catching up in reverse order lol

[@HikeCamp]

LOL... A Dremel is just a small hand held rotary cutting tool... It was awesome to get out. Can't wait fo the snow to go away! 😀

[@trynsurviven2440]

It’s not a frying pan.

[@HikeCamp]

There be truth... LOL