BEST Military Mess Kit?? - BCB Crusader Mk2

[@orraman5427]

A common mod to the mk1 and mk2 stoves is to put fibreglass rope in the dish in the base which makes using liquid alcohol easier and safer. I honestly prefer the mk1 over the mk2, the cup's smaller and the whole set up is heavier but it does pack away a little smaller.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

I have the Dutch version of this set up, minus the plastic cup. Its actually a really nice solution because of its simplicity, compactness and versatility. You basically have a little package which contains your water, an all-purpose metal cup for cooking a noodle or warming a brew, and it all packs away nicely. It has become my default cooking set since the first time I used it. Its simple, basic, but gets it done without having pots clanking around. I like the fact the BCB has an extra cup so you can have a hot drink and food at the same time, but be warned .... the problem with a virtually identical plastic cup is that sooner or later, you might stick it on the cooker by mistake. Thanks again.

[@georgecooke5639]

Bcb gel blocks are used usually

[@davehumpleby3440]

I was surprised to hear this is the first time you've come across a BCB kit. SRO Pathfinder kit is ubiquitous over here in the UK so I assumed the same applied to British kit in the US. These kits have been widely used by bushcrafters, preppers, wildcampers, scout groups, and all manner of outdoor folk for decades here in the British Isles. I have a Mark 1 kit that's still in excellent condition after 35 years of rough use. As you say, if you really wanted to break the cup (by driving a vehicle over it, say) you could, but under normal use, it's incredibly robust. The same goes for the canteen. The lid is an after-market addition made by an independent manufacturer. BCB do make a lid, but it is plastic and fiddly to use by comparison. It's the one component that has always let the kit down (which is why there's a demand for the after-market lids), and I've never understood why BCB haven't addressed this. Otherwise, it's a brilliant, reliable system that's stood the test of time and still widely used in the British military. Great to see it being aired in the States.

[@browsman2328]

Oh Ernie you don’t know how happy it made me to see this review. One of my greatest pleasures in life is to make coffee on a day hike. I immediately ordered this from American Amazon using your link.

[@Defunct91379]

My absolute favorite as well ernie. Happy trails - EDC

[@siriuskybernetikcorporation]

I use this with the MK1 Crusader-Cup. THIS thing is indestructable! Instead of filling the bottom with fibre or stonewool I modified the original Trangia solid fuel "burner". It is rather a aluminium box and you can put graphite material into it. Then it soaks with alcohol and works pretty well even in cold condition. You can remove it easily so it will provide more flexibility. And finally it will not leak when turned sideways by accident. An issue appears, if you use the normal Trangia burner: sometimes it is hard to turn it off! Because of the heat the burner works, even if you use the lid to turn it off. Greetings from Germany

[@BrokenBackMountains]

I have the bcb. An American GI cup will fit as well. The lid might be for the metal cup for faster boiling rather than the plastic one. You have to source the lids yourself. Oh and you can also use esbit. Many people will put fibreglass or carbon felt in the bottom for holding meths. I dont use mine much as I have better, lighter systems. I do chuck it on the back of the motorbike sometimes though.

[@simonpowers286]

Had my set for years, use it when I am fishing, the gel cubes work well with it!!

[@alanlansdell7533]

Worked great with the fire dragon alcohol blocks. You can get metal crusader cups shaped to replace the plastic one directly. I have used this kit a lot, nice basic brew setup.

[@rickybritton7212]

Outstanding ideal Brother, can you let me know where to Buy the crusader holder's

[@alanlansdell7533]

@@rickybritton7212 yep, type "bcb crusader metal cup" into Google or e bay, they are widely available, at least in the UK.

[@matthewsmom010902]

@@rickybritton7212I just researched this. A few sites mainly from the UK and eBay. Hope this helps.

[@simplefieldcraft]

Here is a bit of history for you. The bottle and plastic mug has not changed shape from the day it was created with the 1958 webbing system and, to me at least, is known as a 58’ bottle. When I served in the mid to late 80’s a company called survival aids made a metal mug the same shape as the plastic mug as a replacement and to cook in. Before that you bashed up a 44’ pattern mug to fit the bottle if you could find one. As all things the private market found a solution to a problem then the military made a heavier more robust version and issued it. That’s what led to the mark1 crusader cook system then the lighter mark2 version. You can see this in the webbing and backpacks that all originated from the private sector.

[@Mohdock]

I was in 75 - 90, I had a 44 alloy mug. We put a strip of masking tape around the lip of the cup to avoid burning our lips. Meant we could dispense with our mess tins.

[@StevenKeery]

I have seen this set up a number of times. Simple yet effective. It has to be when soldiers are using it, as it will be thrown around alot with their kit. I think I have also seen it supplied with a metal cup, instead of the plastic cup. The black colour of the plastic is supposedly to prevent the growth of bacteria in the water caused by light getting to it. Simple and robust, I often see them in army surplus stores.Any time I have seen them being used, it has been with a Trangia type alcohol burner stove. It has the added benefit of being quiet.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

You are correct mate. I have the Dutch version of this and its a similar concept, only with different dimensions. Mine is just a NATO 750ml plastic canteen, a nesting stainless steel cup, and it fits in a standard canteen belt pouch. It really is a little gem if you want to cook and travel light. The cup is really robust and Ive cooked on open fires with it. A stout brillo pad and some soap and its good as new in about 10 minutes. FYI the Dutch version and the other "copies" are much cheaper than the genuine BCB, but you have to kinda decide early which route you are going to take because they are all different dimension and not necessarily compatible. My best advise is have a think, decide what is your price point and buy the job lot in one go. Nothing worse being left with a random stainless steel cup and no way to find a compatible water bottle. All the best.

[@Simple_But_Expensive]

The black color prevents algae growth. Bacteria don’t need light to mess up your day. A squeeze bag type water filter can fit into the canvas bag to help with this. Anybody who has hiked the southern part of the Continental Divide Trail can testify these types of filters get the bacteria out.

[@davefloyd9443]

People need to be.mindful that the Mk1 cooker isn't tall enough to fit a Trangia burner under the cup. It does fit in a Mk2 cooker as it's taller.

[@jasongair6780]

I have one of these the metal lid is for the crusader cup you can buy a clear plastic lid for the plastic cup great kit I've also got the pot hanger for the crusader cup as well

[@kamilklein2880]

Hi! I own one of these. It's OK but has some cons: - the stand gets super hot - this heat makes the alcohol boil in your burner and evaporate quickly - it's hard to snuff the burner inside the hot stand with the metal bars folded down. It's just dangerous to handle that hot thing IMHO. This is why I put myself the Mk I kit together. I like it much more although the Trangia doesn't fit inside the smaller stand. And I like stainless steel better. Best regards, K.

[@markperry222]

Nice to see this. I wish we had had those when I was in the British Army in the 80s. We had the canteen and cup. Along with that we had the old 2x rectangular mess tins, and on of those rectangular folding hexamine stoves. This is a really nice upgrade. I don't know what is standard British issue these days, but this would be really good. I used to hate the taste of hexamine coffee :-(.

[@waynepugh7844]

Hi Mark, in the UK in the 80s, a company called Survival Aids in Euston London did a nonstick metal cup with a plastic lip guard, I used to use the old 44 pattern bottle & metal mug, I've had the BCB for about 4 years now and it is my go to bushwalking stove, I do switch between alcohol & hexamine.

[@markperry222]

@@waynepugh7844 Ah yes. I remember the survival aids catalogue very well. A favourite read for a lot of servicemen.

[@waynepugh7844]

I knew a Mark Perry from 562, would you be him? @@markperry222

[@alexwbanks70]

Looks awesome! I need to go back and watch your other Mess kit videos. I think I've seen them all and every time I want to get one. But I don't, lol. Now I have bought several stoves that you've covered.

[@peterdd4994]

I would love to see 'a shoot off' between this and the Pathfinder kit.

[@ROE1300]

👍 Very good demonstration. I have had this same kit for sometime and in many ways find it superior to the USGI version. For a few months I bounced back and forth between this BCB system and the SRO stainless steel canteen cup system. The advantage of the BCB is that you get a cooking pot and a drinking cup, plus you can store an alcohol burner within the kit. I know some folks get all twitchy about the bottle and cup not both being metal, but I have never had a situation where that became an issue. There is also an aftermarket bale for the cooking vessel in the BCB system. A while ago Dave Canterbury gave a peek in a video of a cup that can be added to his stainless steel canteen cup set by resting on top of the canteen in the BCB fashion. However, when I asked when that cup would be available for sale I was told no time in the near future. If SRO made that cup from plastic similar to the BCB cup that would greatly improve their kit IMHO. But, still no way to carry an alcohol burner within their system.

[@davefloyd9443]

I was taught drink from the plastic cup, cook and eat with the metal cup. Means you always have something clean(er) to drink from.

[@lsimmons4767]

I've replaced the plastic cup with the stainless steel Mark 1 cooker then you get 2 excellent cookpots.

[@shaunmorrissey7313]

My "mugs" are Aluminium , I got them from a friend who is in the military, the canteens leak, lots.

[@michaelnasser8697]

Yep, bought this set up a couple years ago and do like it. Has everything you need basically.

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

I really like the look of the kit. May be in my future if I can find the $$

[@paulcontursi5982]

Looks like you could also use twigs in a pinch if you run out of fuel.

[@tonylastname6468]

I'm try to remember to send you a 📸 of the Canadian kit.

[@tonylastname6468]

Sent via email.

[@anndebaldo7381]

Enjoy your reviews! this mess kit packs away nicely and is a simple design - like that it can use a Trangia style alcohol stove. Thanks!

[@tracker5849]

Have this kit and love it! Yes to the stove rope in the alcohol bowl. MK1. I got rid of the canteen and replaced it with another type

[@darthblade2016]

Looks like a very solid mess kit! Thanks for the review!!

[@stewartrv]

I've had this kit for several years now and love it. As far as I know you can buy the Mk1 Metal cup separately and then change the plastic one for it. That way you would have two metal cups but more weight. You can also use the firebox with solid fuel tablets or even use it as a stick burner if you want. Obviously it's very small but it works if you build up some coals.

[@awatt]

You can get a plastic lid for the mark 1 crusader cup that expands and locks solid at 80°c which is hot enough to sterilise water. Not sure if that's why it was made that way but that's how it works

[@paulmckearney4945]

80C will sterilise water but you need to leave it at that temperature for longer than say at 100C. Pasteurisation starts at around 63C or around that, but need to be at 63C for around 30mins.

[@awatt]

@@paulmckearney4945 I totally agree that sterilisation will take longer at temperatures below one hundred degrees but not as long as you suggest According to the UK NHS "It is also reported that a 99.999% kill of water borne microorganisms can be achieved at 149°F/65°C in five minutes of exposure." So eighty degrees will be fine considering it's too hot to drink so by the time it is quite some time would have passed.

[@paulmckearney4945]

@awatt OK but there will be actual scientific values that should be relied on for guaranteed safety.

[@paulmckearney4945]

@@awatt I bring it to boil and don't get in a hurry to take it off. Has never failed.

[@awatt]

@@paulmckearney4945 Better safe than sorry.

[@paulmckearney4945]

Hi Ernie, yet another stove, yet another great video. I'm a UK viewer and have had ghat mk2 crusader cooker for a couple of years and used it on hiking and bicycle touring trips. I'm not a military person but I don't think the UK squaddies get given that...more like the £3 folding cooker. Also that mk2 model is NOT windproof. It needs some shelter. The holes in it allow it to avt as an effective wood stove. It is galvanised aluminium and can withstand wood burning. I've tried that and it is effective. Those holes mean it is vulnerable to the wind. The mark1 version of the kit is steel and far more robust! Extremely robust. The mk1 cooker is shallower and does not fit the trangia-style burners. Uses gel/gel cubes/esbit cubes/alcohol. Some use alcohol with fire rope in the recess. The Crusader cook system is a rabbit hole for stove enthusiasts. That aluminium lid is not standard issue it's an extra £12 done by dome guy on eBay. The BCB lid is some plastic crap, they had a silicon one in development the last time I looked. I use a cheap Chinese steel canteen cup that came with a lid. It's not as robust as the mk1 steel crusader cup but that reduces boil time too. Keep up the good work. I look forward to more of your videos over the holidays.

[@tomnoyb8301]

Nice windscreen design with handle folding-in to form pot stand. Much better than loose tent-stake designs. If folks aren't happy with airflow, they can always dremmel-out bigger holes.

[@maximusssmith6017]

Ibproper love my kit and have used it for many many years and have done the fire rope hack and works really well thanks ernie loves ur vids

[@whelenshooter]

I have the older version of this set. I can tell by looking at the new set you have that it is NOT designed to be used with a real Trangia burner! There isn't enough ventilation with this new set. If you try to actually cook in the metal cup (not just do a quick heating of water) the heat will build up and boil off the alcohol in your Trangia burner in a very short time (much shorter than a Trangia burner in the relative open of most Trangia stoves). Try it yourself. Fill your Trangia burner full of alcohol, light it, then put a cup full of water on the stove and see how long before the burner runs out of alcohol. Keep filling the cup with cold water as it boils away and see how long the alcohol lasts. Then try the same trick in a well ventilated Trangia stove and see how long the alcohol lasts in it. That nifty ring in the stove is there to use with either the gel fuel or ordinary methylated spirits. It holds enough methanol or denatured alcohol to boil the metal cup full of water. The design of the stove and the sloping walls of the metal cup works to very efficiently heat water in the cup. It uses much less alcohol than it takes to heat a U.S. style canteen cup full of water. It was NEVER designed to fit a Trangia burner. That was a coincidence.

[@gavinmiller690]

We wee taught to have 3 large steel nails, metal cup, water bottle and pack of hexamine blocks. It would at as lightweight suvival cooker in webbing. Everyone ditched the plastic cup and purchased steel mug bak in 90s when werren't issue.

[@zeros_knives_and_bushcraft.]

I have a mk1 kit. I love the mk 1 metal cup soo much I picked up two more. I use mine all day every day for coffee and any other drinks. I don't like aluminum so I never went for a mk2 kit though I like the stove design more than the mk 1

[@matteotamberini2152]

I have exactly the same kit Can use wood, gel, alcohol all the options But I have the stainless steel cup and stainless steel custom lid

[@aaronwilcox6417]

These are commonly seen in the US. The closest thing i have is an Swedish mess kit and trangia but it doesnt have an water bottle incorporated.

[@davidjacobs828]

The bcb crusader mk1 kit Has thee best STAINLESS STEEL cup ever made ..( this mk 2 one is crap aluminium) The mk2 cooker is excellent and the bcb fire dragon fuel is superb.. The osprey canteen and osprey plastic cup are great ... My kit comprises of the mk 1 steel cup ( with heavy cover lid ) The mk2 cooker and the osprey 58 pattern canteen and mug ... FAR SUPERIOR to the mk2 kit shown here .

[@lsimmons4767]

Absolutely

[@davefloyd9443]

Yep. Mix and match the best bits. Mk2 cooker better cos you can fit a Trangia burner under the cup which you can't with the Mk1 cooker.

[@davidjacobs828]

@@davefloyd9443 Correct... extremely versatile mk2 cooker .. Thanks for replying.

[@mikeweatherley9793]

The cup lid is to the cooking vessel

[@mikemullins8020]

Be forewarned Many of the kits are coming with the mk1 cooker and the trangia burner sits too high for use. If you want to use the trangia burner, make sure your kit is coming with the taller, with more vent holes version. Mine came with the smaller mk1 cooker and it was so tight on the bottom of the pot that I had to pry it off with a screwdriver. Seller said they sent what they received prepackaged from the manufacturer. Do your research before you buy.

[@kurtsteiner8384]

Good bit of kit, the crusader they are up to a mk 4 now. Same idear. Not all uk military get them depends what you do.. I just got the folding stove. They work well for a brew. There is another type of bottle, that has hose attachment when using gas mask and hose, bit like usa version. You can use all variants of fuel, liquid, trangia burner, wood, fire dragon gell, and blocks like hexamine etc options are endless I was navy but our royal marine used all of that in most variants. Hope it helps only really for a brew or light meal not full meals

[@ajb7876]

At 11.20,ditch the plastic cup and replace it with the stainless steel cup from the mk 1 crusader set, its a little bigger than the plastic cup but it will fit on top of the water bottle reasonably well although you might need a slightly bigger pouch to hold it all together ,but you get two metal cups to cook in.

[@BinManSays87]

Them lids for the cups are made by a guy on eBay who sells them, I think they're about £15-£20

[@lesdavidson9594]

The lids are £9.95 I'm the guy from eBay that makes them....

[@puma1304]

I studied it and found it very functional, so I ordered at my local provider, BUT it came with another much cheaper bag than the one that was announced (Osprey BM), I protested and nothing was solved, so I returned it. Otherwise the BCB Mk2 is a sound piece of equipment, although the upper cup`s retention to the canteen could be better. Gel is equally effective as the alcohol burner. I also find it a little pricey, nevertheless If not for the provider`s poor service I would surely have the BCB still with me. But it was easy to replace with a Trangia triangle and burner + a 750ml ti cup + a 1L Nalgene bottle (my current set). I carry it in a similar bag as the shown here (Cordura), or in an old Swiss-Army gas mask bag ("salt+pepper" waxed canvas).

[@vespasian266]

I always feel this one is missing from my small collection of cook sets and stoves. I've hovered over that buy button a number of times on amazon. even watching this vid I had a rush of blood and opened up amazon as I watched. perhaps I should put myself out of my misery and just buy the damned thing already.

[@michaelnasser8697]

Buy it, you won’t regret it!

[@pet-gp7xf]

One of the good things about the bcb canteen is that you can change the lid and replace it with a built in water filter made by PURE HYDRATION so you can put dirty water inside in an emergency situation and directly drink from it.

[@jamesharvey44]

I took the Boundless Voyage burner from that bad Ti stove set; it works much better in the Crusader.

[@Conan3145]

Agree, it’s a compact and durable system. The Mk1 system is the better mug: strong non coated SS. To complete the kit: 1. Add a Mk2 cook base which accepts gel, tablets, and lifts the mug up a bit to aid ventilation for cooking, and will fit a Trangia. 2. Add a SS lid from the Pathfinder Cook System which fits the Mk1 mug fairly well.

[@Mohdock]

Anyone know of an alloy mug that fits the Nalgene Oasis bottle which I understand takes the US GI size mug, not the UK Nato mug. Being in the UK most of the alloy mugs I come across are sized for water bottles issued in the UK or elsewhere in Europe.

[@Motorhawk2]

I own one that I use for festivals.

[@martinerhard8447]

You need to check out the X-Boil alcohol stove and X-Fire titanium wood hobo ernie

[@MichaelR58]

Good review, thanks for sharing YAH bless !

[@tckoppang]

Honest question, but why this canteen-style form factor over the round form that's the norm with gear from the backpacking world?

[@orraman5427]

When carried on your belt the canteen shape sits against the body better than a round bottle.

[@awatt]

I use rectangular pans such as the trangia mess kit as it packs better. Round stuff always leaves awkward spaces.

[@orraman5427]

@@awatt The French mess kit and the mess tins used by the British and Dutch armies are more robust than the Trangia mess kit.

[@awatt]

@@orraman5427 True. I have a french mess kit and it's quite heavy but it packs a lot better than round stuff. I use both depending on what I feel is important at the time.

[@tckoppang]

I appreciate all the replies. Thanks!

[@tonylastname6468]

I see you found all the leaves from summer. Lol.

[@Gstrowes]

Mk is an abbreviation for mark. That’s the mark two, mess kit.

[@Curlew-Corner]

Did you buy an X-Boil let to test?

[@scrum5atk1]

Enjoyed the video as usual, The mk stands for mark As in Mark 1, mark 2 I think Osprey is the designation not the manufacturer, happy to be corrected

[@jamesmcgee2447]

👍🏻👍🏻 I sure like my kit.

[@jefferydoty5141]

I am trying to order this BCB Crusader kit. It seems that I can not order it. It tells me NO Delivery available?

[@trinovantian1]

Hearing that sup of Joe was funny.

[@Marco-yi4bl]

Nice kit, good review. But uhm no offence man, using an open flame in an obviosly dry vegetation?

[@robinj.9329]

Two of this set are of molded plastic???? That's not going to last very long under rough field/combat conditions.

[@Tom_Bee_]

You'd struggle to break them accidentally.

[@brethren4life152]

Mk2 is made from inferior material compared to the mk1 and the mk1 is smaller, the down side is that the mk1 is slightly heavier but who cares, were outdoorsMEN, extra weight is good for us.

[@sgtg4600]

Not “MK”. MK = Mark. Mk1 or Mk2. Version 1 or 2 etc.

[@LeopoldElwes]

HAHAHA😂 i have this one and the mk1 is much better! 😂 the plastic stinks! 😅

[@elizabeththompson4424]

that's a bit pricey! the scAmazon stove base is different, NO vent holes -- a CHINA CRAP CLONE...?

[@browsman2328]

I ordered one from American Amazon and I did notice the base and cooking cup In the American Amazon picture look a little different than the one Ernie has. But American Amazon states it is made in the UK.

[@GreybeardWanders]

When making a pour over coffee isn't one supposed to have a "man bun", use a special kettle with a long thin spout and talk utter nonsense about roasts and grinds whilst pouring? I am British though, so a cup of strong tea would be lovely thank you! Loved the video but please stop reviewing stoves, it's costing me a small fortune!

[@DieLuftwaffel]

No thanks on the plastic crap

[@jeffccr3620]

Very nice even tho i dislike NATO 😅