Well, having made it, i took the Mini Cook Kit out on a
night ride the other day. Boiled some water, made some black tea. It
was a bit windy that night, but no problem getting the job done. Though not a perfect score, but i'm pretty pleased with the way it has worked out & of course, there's always room for improvement.
The highlight of the ride... A fresh cuppa black tea in the dark.
The only thing missing is a campfire to go along with the tea.
But at some point, the artificial
light sparked up an idea in my mind...
For some reason, i'm always drawn to the idea of using natural fuel
for cooking/boiling when i'm out and about. A wood burning stove, for
instance, eliminates the need to buy/carry
fuel. Although cooking with wood burning stove can be time consuming
compared to alcohol stove. A wood burning stove is more fun to play
with, the fire provides light to see in the dark, a sense of security
& most important of all, the smell and sight of traditional outdoor cooking with wood fire. So with this in mind, i decided to take the thought a little further,
adding a Hobo Stove (wood burning stove) to the kit for more fun & versatility.
Here's the outcome after another week of fun cracking my head...
Now i can have the best of both worlds!
The DIY Hobo Stove fits like a glove... Lightweight, packable & compact... like it should be.
The signature binder clips
Again, those multi-purpose binder clips from the kit can be used to raise the stove
off ground for a cleaner & more efficient burn.
Simple yet effective
Pot support made from old wire cloth hanger.
Meet my friend, FRED
An old friend almost forgotten dug out from my old camping tool kit. A long-time mate since 1989 from the Royal Australian Air Force, nicknamed “Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device”
FRED consists of a can opener, a bottle
opener & a spoon. It
can also come in handy for striking the firesteel, lifting a hot pot, cleaning mud from
the tread of boots and much,
much more. All in a package that weighs virtually nothing and folds up to virtually nothing too. For your information, FRED's real name is Field Ration Eating Device.
A classic "10 Sen Knife" added for some nostalgic feel
A standard cutting tool next to a Parang in those days. A little knife that reminds me of my wonderful childhood & i'm happy to say that i got a deep cut scar on my finger from the knife, slicing bamboos for kite making when i was a kid. A little knife that holds so many stories of my childhood adventures...
When it comes to "fire lighting"
Obviously my choice was the lighter with LED over Doan magnesium bar.
Ranger Bands
Cut from old bicycle tubes for so many different uses.
E.g. Fire starter, a cup insulator & many many more...
My little assistant with mini kitchen
All together... Say cheese!
Finally... A fun packed Mini Cook Kit is ready for another great journey...
