On 12/20/2010 7:30 AM, Chemiker wrote:
> On Sun, 19 Dec 2010 11:35:58 -1000, > wrote:
>
>> On 12/19/2010 10:45 AM, Omelet wrote:
>>> In >,
>>> > wrote:
>
>> S may have an ambivalent pride in being able to cook in a coffee can but
>> in my way of thinking, being proficient in this is not an indicator of
>> anything, except maybe a past that's somewhat shady. I used to heat
>> sardines in the can - not because I'm smart* or resourceful or even any
>> kind of a cook - mostly, I was a lazy *******. Anyway, it's not
>> something I'd like to disclose to the wife and kids... :-)
>
> during the depression years and part of ww-II, some boy scout troops
> taught the scouts how to make their own cook kits. Two necessary
> things were 1 lb coffee cans, and some tool to use as a handle. The
> latter is still available, I think, for backpackers. I used a pair of
> Channel-lock angle head pliers (worn out but still useful for moving
> cans about the campfire.
>
> Also made "ovens" out of 2 lb coffee cans, with holes punched around
> the base with a churchkey can opener. fill with a few pieces of wood
> and charcoal, place your cooking vessel on top. Made "skillets" out of
> larger cans, cut into a shallow pan with a piece of the side folded
> down to make a handle. Crisco cans, I think. 1 Lb coffee cans were
> turned into pots with coat-hanger wire for the bails.

I used to read Boys Life in the 60s - they sure were a resourceful
bunch. It was probably a little different from the scouting in the
thirties. Those scouts probably could have used a wok!

It was pretty cool that you could bake stuff by putting coals on the lid
of a dutch oven.

>
> Alex