Characteristics and possibilities of using an army bowler

Materials (edit)

A walking pot can be made of different materials. Each has its own merits, and the choice depends on the frequency and conditions in which it will be used. Tourist campfire pots are:

• Cast iron;
• Aluminum;
• Anodized aluminum;
• Stainless steel;
• Titanium.

The cast iron pot has a significant mass. We can say that this is a man's bowler hat. For the fairer sex, it is better to choose lighter dishes. A cast-iron container with a volume of 3 liters weighs from 8 to 10 kg, and from aluminum - only 4.

Cast iron does not deform, heats up evenly, does not emit harmful substances, and is easy to clean.

Cast iron is a traditional material for cookware. It does not deform, warms up evenly, does not emit harmful substances, and is easy to clean. A round cast-iron pot is intended for a fire. The ability to keep warm for a long time is especially important in campfire cooking, since the flame does not remain constant, it intensifies, then weakens.

A tourist pot made of aluminum is a universal thing. It is good for any type of transportation. It is easy to carry, but an aluminum pot heats up longer than a cast iron one. It is believed that aluminum is dangerous to health and provokes Alzheimer's disease. But when using only utensils made of food-grade aluminum, 1.6 mg of the substance will enter the body during the day at a safe rate of 30-50 mg. But the metal does not rust, prevents food from burning, and can be easily washed.

It is easy to carry, but an aluminum pot heats up longer than a cast iron one.

Aluminum is soft and easy to bend and scratch. Anodized aluminum is free from these disadvantages. A durable protective layer not only protects the product, but also prevents metal from entering the human body.

Steel, including stainless steel, is lighter than cast iron, but heavier than aluminum. It is wear-resistant, less prone to deformation than the latter. However, food in a thin stainless steel pot burns easily, and if empty dishes remain on the fire, the bottom will go uneven. But steel dishes are the cheapest.

Steel, including stainless steel, is lighter than cast iron, but heavier than aluminum.

Titanium combines strength and lightness, but it is much more expensive. The purchase of a titanium pot is justified if it will be used frequently. The metal does not rust and practically does not deform even at a high degree of heating.

The metal does not rust and practically does not deform even at a high degree of heating.

The manufacturing method also plays an important role. Pots are produced by stamping, welding and riveting methods. Of the last 2, welding is preferable, since riveted ones often occur as a result of deformation.

It is better not to take steel bowlers for winter hikes. The relatively low thermal conductivity of the metal leads to difficulties if snow has to be melted to obtain water. The lower part of the cookware heats up, melting the adjacent layer, but in the upper part there is not enough temperature for melting. As a result, the bottom is deformed.

Bowler handle

A tourist's bowler hat should be not only comfortable, but also safe. The main condition for this is a secure handle. Cast iron cookware, designed for a fire, has a shackle that heats up over the fire. All classic-shaped bowlers are arranged in the same way.

The army also has a handle. With its help, the container is leveled on coals, removed from the fire. A bowler hat on a hike is a must-have item. It is necessary to make sure that the handle is securely fastened, that it fits snugly against the container when folded, and that the bow does not pop out of the ear.

Using a pen, the container is leveled over the coals, removed from the fire.

The same applies to the lid. It should fit snugly against the neckline and can be easily removed by the handle.

Attention to detail will protect you from injury on the hike

Requirements for materials

Cookware for cooking over a fire should be made of materials that are not afraid of direct contact with the flame along the entire outer surface. The metal must withstand high temperatures, not deform, crack, and not be afraid of temperature changes. All this applies not only to the body, but also to the coating, handles, lids.

Aluminum cookware

Food grade aluminum is the most budget choice. Aluminum cookware is not afraid of high temperatures, lightweight, quickly conducts heat. The water boils quickly, the ear and porridge are quickly cooked. Products made of anodized aluminum are more expensive. In this case, there is a film on the surface that protects against oxidation. The film recovers in air, so the pans remain safe even after cleaning.

True, after the first use, aluminum products lose their attractiveness, darken, and become stained. If the alloy is of poor quality, deformation of the case is possible. Do not leave cooked food in aluminum pots, especially if the soup contains acids. If anything remains, it is better to finish eating or pouring over.

Cast pots and pans are suitable for frying, stewing, pilaf, porridge. They are heavy and thick-walled (5-6 mm). Stamped pots and kettles are lightweight, suitable for cooking soups, vegetables, meat, boiling water.

In some cases, the inner surface of aluminum utensils is torn with enamel so that odors and fats are not absorbed into the pores.

Cast iron and its features

Cast iron fire pans are heavy. You won't be able to take one on a hike. But for stationary use in the country or in a country house, cast iron is almost ideal.

Due to its porous structure, cast iron heats up evenly and retains heat for a long time

Cooked food stays hot, which is especially important during the cooler months of the year when outdoor cooking is made more difficult by the low air temperature.

In cast-iron pots it is best to fry meat, cook pilaf, porridge, stew vegetables. As for the first courses, they lose here. Boiling liquids removes a natural non-stick layer - an oil film that clogs the pores. As a result, the food will start to burn when frying.

Remember: if you cooked the first in a cast-iron boiler, ignite it, as you did immediately after purchase. Recommendations are given here. They are designed for the stove, but many methods of ignition are suitable for a fire.

The main disadvantage of cast iron is fragility. Having dropped the cauldron, there is a risk of losing lunch and dinner for the entire rest, as it can crack. Another weak point is the tendency to rust. Do not leave the dishes damp; they must be wiped immediately and preferably greased with vegetable oil. You literally need a little oil to polish your pores.

Advantages and disadvantages of stainless steel

Practical tourist cookware made of stainless steel for a fire is also suitable, but it is important to remember about the low thermal conductivity of this alloy. Stainless steel is ideal for cooking and stewing, as it does not heat up even over a fire.

But not suitable for frying - the food will stick and burn.

For an open fire, it is important that the steel is thick, otherwise it will burn out very quickly. Moreover, the thickness of not only the bottom, but also the body is important.

The marking of durable food grade stainless steel starts from 18/10.

Blue steel

High carbon steel can withstand high temperatures and direct contact with flames. It is used to make dishes for frying on a fire and a stove. But for an open fire, a case thickness of at least 2 mm is required.

The surface must be well polished so that the food does not stick during cooking. Like cast iron, this material can rust, so pans should not be left wet.

To improve hygienic properties, the inner surface of pots and woks is covered with enamel. Enameled products are not afraid of moisture and are more resistant to acids.Handles can be made of sheet steel

It is important that the fastening is strong - screws are stronger than welding

Titanium cookware

Don't confuse titanium campfire cookware with titanium coated pans. Unlike the second type, the camping utensils are actually made of titanium. Its advantage is lightness and strength.

Titanium has high corrosion and chemical resistance. Food does not burn. The surface is not afraid of scratches and can be easily cleaned from soot and carbon deposits. But there is also a drawback - low thermal conductivity. Even less than that of stainless steel - three times. And if you compare with aluminum, then 15 times!

Titanium is used to make a lot of different dishes for tourism: pots, kettles, pots, mugs, spoons, bowls, food boxes. You can assemble a whole set without the fear of a heavy backpack. For example, a 3.5 liter pot weighs only 300 g.

Manufacturing material

Currently, tourist bowlers are made of aluminum, steel and titanium alloys. The cheapest option is to buy a steel container. Such models are quite weighty. However, this drawback is leveled by the durability and high strength of the product.

Touring aluminum and titanium bowlers are no less durable and at the same time lighter. At the same time, their cost is an order of magnitude higher compared to steel products.

Particularly noteworthy are the models made of anodized metal. Such material does not oxidize regardless of the degree of humidity and ambient temperature.

The best models of bowlers used by modern tourists and hunters

• The most common in the CIS is the Russian army bowler hat. This is a pot with a lid, which is a plate or frying pan (you can not heat everything in it, but it is undesirable to fry). The advantages of this model are the low price and a special hook on the handle for the fire. The water in the pot boils perfectly, but it is not worth frying in it, it will lose its appearance, the paint will peel off, and it will burn out; German field pot with a lid It differs from a domestic product in the quality of workmanship and the presence of an aluminum bowl that is included in the pot. The design of this bowler has not changed since the Second World War; the BW. Used by NATO troops and many foreign tourists. Due to the high price, it is not very popular with us; The Airborne Trooper is our version of the NATO flask. It uses thicker aluminum than conventional Russian military kettles. Disadvantages relate to the design of the flask, namely the shape of the cork.

Choosing a bowler hat for a hike is a responsible business. Choose the model that suits you best. If you prefer to travel by car, then it is better to buy a cast iron pot, and if you go on long hikes, take a look at titanium kettles.

Requirements for materials

A few decades ago, travel utensils were made from cast iron, steel and aluminum. The demand for cast iron was low, due to its high weight, because in 1950, few people had personal transport and had to travel on foot.

Nowadays, shop counters are lined with camping utensils of various calibers and qualities, and a car is no longer a luxury. So feel free to choose a container that suits your travel conditions.

Backpack weight is an important consideration when hiking. Let's take pots with the same capacity, from different materials and compare their masses.

Moving on to the choice of material.

Aluminum cookware

Food grade aluminum pots and pans are a combination of budget, light weight and excellent thermal conductivity. Aluminum cookware does not rust

Attention! It is better to refrain from using containers of old age - the material of the "early years" is oxidized, releases toxic substances

Disadvantages:

• not durable;
• quickly darkens, becomes covered with spots;
• cooked food should not be stored;
• food may burn
• sensitive to acids (do not add vinegar, citric acid, sorrel, etc.);
• short-lived (up to 3 years).

Durable, scratch-resistant anodized aluminum is more popular. The dishes heat up quickly, have a non-stick coating, which means that the risk of burning is minimal.

Disadvantages:

• the price is twice as high as that of analogs made of food grade aluminum;
• can only be used on the burner.

Cast thick-walled pots and pans for the preparation of second courses; light kettles and pans for cooking soups, boiling water.

Cast iron and its features

Meat is fried in cast-iron pots, second courses are prepared. Avoid cooking first courses: the boiling process destroys the non-stick layer, and subsequently porridge and other foods will begin to burn. Cons of cast iron - fragility, tendency to rust.

Advantages and disadvantages of stainless steel

Heavier and more expensive than aluminum, stainless steel is ideal for stewing vegetables or cooking fish soup, because it does not heat up even over a fire.

Sturdy, damage-resistant stainless steel cookware does not distribute heat well, which can cause food to burn quickly (this can be avoided with constant stirring). The exception is products with an aluminum layer, but they are not for cooking over a fire.

The fire option is a stainless steel with a layer of carbon steel. In such a container, the heat is evenly distributed and the food does not burn.

For open fire cooking, choose a cast rather than riveted product.

When choosing a container, look at the thickness of the walls and bottom, otherwise it will quickly burn out (strength from 18/10).

Disadvantages:

• not easy;
• expensive;
• burns without constant stirring;
• food cools down as quickly as it heats up.

Blue steel

The blue steel is resistant to high temperatures and open flames (the body of the travel cookware is no thinner than 2 mm). To prevent food from sticking, the surfaces of the pot must be polished. In order not to rust, they wipe dry after washing. To improve hygienic characteristics, the inside of the dishes is enameled.

Disadvantages:

• rusts;
• not resistant to acids.

Titanium cookware

Eco-friendly, durable and lightweight titanium heats up for a long time, therefore it is used only for fire cookware: pots, kettles, pots, mugs, spoons, etc. ... Titanium containers are covered with a special layer, protecting them from burning.

Food in such dishes cools very slowly. Material with corrosion and chemical resistance, does not burn lips, is easy to clean from dirt and does not scratch.

Disadvantages:

• expensive;
• low thermal conductivity.

Inspect the way the handles are attached to avoid scalding when the flimsy rivet burns off.

Burner utensils

Going to an area where it is impossible to light a fire, take a burner and a set of dishes for it with you. Sturdy containers with removable handles and non-spill lids fit easily into a shoulder bag.

The dishes are made of titanium, stainless steel or anodized aluminum with a non-stick coating and can be used for any dish. In terms of shape and size, "burner" products differ from campfire pots (the maximum volume is 4 liters).

Plastic

Impractical and uncomfortable plastic dishes do not retain heat and burn your hands while eating. But the unflattering characteristics apply to cheap, disposable supermarket plates.

High-quality tourist plastic dishes almost do not heat up, so it is convenient to eat from them. The plates are easy to clean and are practically weightless. Subject to the rules of operation, plastic utensils for a hike will last for several years.

Types of tourist bowlers

The words "campaign" and "bowler hat" conjure up a round black vessel hanging over the fire. Pictures in children's books, cartoons teach us what it is - a bowler hat, the shape becomes familiar.However, the industry produces other varieties of this necessary utensil, differing in shape and material.

Cooking in a classic trekking pot is very convenient. The hemispherical shape provides quick uniform heating of the food being cooked, however, such a dish is inconvenient to put, a stand is needed for the pot. Heavy cast iron campfire pots often have a sharp spike at the bottom or three legs. This allows the advantages of a hemisphere to be combined with ease of use. The hemispherical pot comes with or without a lid. The lid is equipped with a handle at the top or is a frying pan with protrusions for removal.

Cooking in a classic trekking pot is very convenient.

The army model has a different shape. It has an oval bottom and a bean-shaped side. This makes it possible to attach it to a backpack or roll-up so that it does not dangle. Military models are made of aluminum and coated with khaki paint. These campfire pots have a long-handled lid that is used as a frying pan.

The army bowler hat has an oval bottom and a bean-shaped side.

Also common are pots with a lid - a ladle that is used for frying or serves as a small saucepan. There are pots - mugs and cylindrical models with a flat bottom.

Also common are pots with a lid - a ladle that is used for frying or serves as a small saucepan.

All varieties have devices for hanging over a fire on a tripod. For most, this is a metal bow threaded into the ears - semicircular or rectangular with a bend in the middle. Others are designed for use on burners and have handles.

Types of tourist bowlers

Inexperienced tourists who are going on their first hike may shrug their shoulders in bewilderment, they say, what other types of pots, a saucepan is it a saucepan, the main thing is that it is convenient to place it on an open fire. This is the most common mistake. After all, you will have to carry it, and more than one kilometer. So the trekking bowler should not rattle, hit your legs and interfere during the transition.

Army oval bowler hat

• Oval army bowler hat. Ideal for solo hikes. The lid can be used as a plate, mug, or even as a frying pan. The only drawback is its shape. On the one hand, it is very convenient to carry - it does not bulge out the part of the backpack in which you placed it. On the other hand, it takes some skill to wash an oval pot well.
• Round bowler hat. Depending on the volume, it can be useful both in a solo hike and in cooking for a whole group of tourists. It is a little more difficult to port it precisely because of its configuration, but otherwise the thing is very functional.
• Convertible bowler hat. This is not even a pot, but a whole set of dishes, as they say, for all occasions. When not in operation, it can be folded into one tube, convenient for carrying. It makes it possible to cook for several people at once and two or three dishes at once.

There are also types such as cauldrons and different types of boilers, thick-walled and bulky. The utensils are very convenient for cooking not only traditional tourist dishes, but not at all intended for carrying them around. Thick walls and large volumes make it so heavy that it is better to take them with you only if you intend to travel by car, and you will have to cook for a very large number of eaters.

Aluminum cauldron

How to Choose the Best Touring Bowler?

A tourist pot will provide hot tea at a halt, and nourishing, restoring strength and energy porridge with bacon, and a fragrant ear from a freshly caught fish. So the question of choosing this necessary tourist attribute is far from last.

Tourist bowler hat on fire

Types of tourist bowlers

Inexperienced tourists who are going on their first hike may shrug their shoulders in bewilderment, they say, what other types of pots, a saucepan is it a saucepan, the main thing is that it is convenient to place it on an open fire. This is the most common mistake. After all, you will have to carry it, and more than one kilometer. So the trekking bowler should not rattle, hit your legs and interfere during the transition.

• Oval army bowler hat. Ideal for solo hikes. The lid can be used as a plate, mug, or even as a frying pan. The only drawback is its shape. On the one hand, it is very convenient to carry - it does not bulge out the part of the backpack in which you placed it. On the other hand, it takes some skill to wash an oval pot well.
• Round bowler hat. Depending on the volume, it can be useful both in a solo hike and in cooking for a whole group of tourists. It is a little more difficult to port it precisely because of its configuration, but otherwise the thing is very functional.
• Convertible bowler hat. This is not even a pot, but a whole set of dishes, as they say, for all occasions. When not in operation, it can be folded into one tube, convenient for carrying. It makes it possible to cook for several people at once and two or three dishes at once.

Aluminum cauldron

There are also types such as cauldrons and different types of boilers, thick-walled and bulky.

The utensils are very convenient for cooking not only traditional tourist dishes, but not at all intended for carrying them around.

Thick walls and large volumes make it so heavy that it is better to take them with you only if you intend to travel by car, and you will have to cook for a very large number of eaters.

Materials (edit)

Everything is pretty simple here. Typically, campfire pots are made of three types of material: stainless steel, aluminum or titanium. In order to know which one to choose, you should consider each option separately.

• Stainless steel. The most budgetary option, which has a number of rather significant advantages. The stainless steel pot is quite lightweight, comfortable, easy to clean and absolutely does not absorb foreign odors. It has excellent thermal conductivity and excellent resistance to all kinds of mechanical damage. If used correctly, it can last for a very long time.
• Aluminum. Somewhat more expensive than steel. In addition, it tends to deform over time and lose its attractive appearance. It should also be remembered that it is not recommended to clean such pots with any abrasive means. There is a possibility that during this process a special top layer will be damaged and harmful substances will begin to penetrate into the food.
• Titanium alloys. You will have to spend a lot here. Moreover, titanium trekking bowlers have recently been produced in a set. But if you are going to go hiking for more than one or two years, they will pay off. Durability of titanium alloys, their hardness and lightness will allow using the products for many tourist seasons.

Round Aluminum Touring Bowler

Correct volume

As noted, if you are going on a solo hike, one of the military hiking bowler options is ideal. The food on the hike is prepared at one time.

Firstly, it is inconvenient to transport it with you, hoping to warm it up at the next halt, and secondly, porridge or soup can deteriorate in the heat and then you can visit gastrointestinal problems that will turn your trip into a continuous torment.

Going on a multi-day hike with a group of like-minded people, it is worth calculating the volume of the pot at the rate of 0.5 liters per person.

And then multiply by two. In the sense that you will not get off with one bowler hat.

One pot for cooking porridge or soup, the other for tea, which you simply cannot do without during the hike. He will give strength and replenish the necessary microelements.

And just pleasure will give in the evening near the fire.

If the group is too large, and with the correct calculation, the bowler hat turns out to be such that even the strongest and most enduring member of the campaign will bend under its weight, it is better to take several bowlers. Here you can no longer do without special skills in constructing a fire pit, because food will need to be cooked in several vessels at the same time.

Form questions

Today, there are only two forms for a tourist bowler hat:

Standard scope

Its key advantages are:

• comfort of cooking and cleaning dishes;
• uniform heating over the fire.

There are also weaknesses:

• serious dimensions;
• inconvenience of moving.

Going on a hike, you can easily put some kind of cup or saucepan and other auxiliary utensils in such a pot. This significantly saves space in the backpack.

Oval

Products of this shape are easy to transport. They fit into a backpack without any problems. True, the culinary process in an oval pot is complicated. And the water in it warms up unevenly. Army products usually have a similar form. They were originally intended only for meals, and not for culinary processes.