In addition to its use in military service, the army bowler hat has gained wide popularity among the civilian population, namely, it is an excellent option for hiking, outdoor recreation, fishing and hunting. Compactness allows you to save space in your equipment, and versatility makes it possible to take a minimum of things for cooking.
In addition to its use in military service, the army bowler hat has gained wide popularity among the civilian population.
Design and use of an army bowler hat
The soldier's bowler hat has an oval shape, where one wall is oblong, for wearing on a belt. The second option is spherical in shape, but such pots are not popular because they are uncomfortable to wear on the body and compact transportation is difficult.
The item is equipped with a handle for carrying the product and hanging it over a fire or burner. The kit includes a lid that can be used as a frying pan for cooking porridge or heating main courses. The handle of the pot is designed to hold the container during cooking, as well as to tightly close the product. A hole in the handle is provided for compact storage of the spoon.
The item is equipped with a handle for carrying the product and hanging it over a fire or burner.
First way
For those who do not know how to clean soot from a pot, we can recommend using household chemicals. Their direction is very different. For example, some are designed for cleaning ovens, others for cleaning stoves. There are also products for working with enamel surfaces. According to experts, many of these household chemicals will also work for your camping pot.
You can get the cleaning products you need at the supermarket. Before purchasing, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the methods of use indicated on the packaging. When dealing with purchased household chemicals, it is very important to follow safety precautions. Therefore, also buy rubber gloves. How to clean a pot after a fire? Experts recommend lubricating the surface of the product with a cleaning agent and leaving it in a tightly tied bag for several hours. After this, you can begin to wash off the carbon deposits.
Characteristics of combined army bowlers
The Army Combination Bowler aims to make it easier for military personnel to equip. The main element with a flask inside can be conveniently worn on a belt or in a backpack. The multifunctional kit allows you to prepare a complete lunch or dinner.
Equipment
The set from a warehouse or store comes standard with:
- Pot with rotating handle;
- A flask with a tightly screwed cap;
- Podkotelnik.
The multifunctional kit allows you to prepare a complete lunch or dinner.
The factory set consists of a main element with a flask inside, which is inserted into the boiler compartment. The set can be placed in a case; it is purchased separately.
The aluminum army bowler is manufactured according to strict military standards. When assembled, it has dimensions of 180x160x90 mm.
Performance characteristics
All items in the set can be used to prepare a full meal, or individually.
Purpose of the main boiler:
- Container for cooking food in a standing or suspended state;
- Transferring liquid over long distances and transporting water to the cooking site;
- Product storage;
- Water collector;
- Technical needs.
Container for cooking food in a standing or suspended state.
Purpose of the flask:
- Liquid container;
- Metal option for making tea and other hot drinks;
- Like a sinker on hiking trips;
- Cleaning dirty water.
Metal option for making tea and other hot drinks.
Purpose of the sub-boiler:
- Cover for the main pot;
- Scoop for water, sand;
- Mug;
- Frying pan;
- Like a plate for prepared food.
The kit case also has an important purpose. In addition to the main protective function against contamination of the elements, it serves as an additional item for collecting berries and mushrooms. In difficult times of war or during a long hiking trip, the structure serves to desalinate liquids, collect rainwater, and melt snow.
Swedish army bowler hat M39
SHAK is an abbreviated name for an army bowler hat originally from Sweden. This set has gained popularity among the civilian population due to its versatility and compactness. The set includes: main pot, mug with lid, casing, alcohol burner and alcohol burner. The functional element is equipped with a handle with a hook for the fire, and there are also convenient holders on the sides.
The functional element is equipped with a handle with a hook for the fire, and there are also convenient holders on the sides.
Only alcohol can be used in the burner, as rubber parts will melt when they come into contact with gasoline. The casing reduces fuel consumption and is usually made of steel or aluminum. A plastic flask and burner will fit freely into the main pot. Spoon and mug are purchased separately.
Case for pot
A cover is needed for the pot because it will not be possible to clean it from soot after every cooking. To avoid getting your backpack and clothes dirty, it is advisable to put it in a separately purchased case. At the end of the trip, the cover can be washed and left until next time.
To avoid getting your backpack and clothes dirty, it is advisable to put it in a separately purchased case.
The cheapest option is a bag with a drawstring at the neck. They are available for both round and oval models. The bag can be easily attached to a backpack using the ties, or you can put it inside along with the container.
A travel bag with a zippered lid will cost a little more. It looks more solid, but practicality is questionable. It will be more difficult to wash it off from soot.
In the Russian Armed Forces
An army cauldron in the Russian Federation has standard dimensions: 150 × 100 × 170 mm, lid volume 0.5 liters. The pot is made of aluminum in accordance with GOST and painted green. This design was used during the 2nd World War. During military training, lunch is laid out in the main element, where the pot itself serves as a container for the first course, and the lid serves as a plate for the second course.
The volume of the USSR army pot was 1.3 liters, this size remains the same today.
During military training, lunch is laid out in the main element, where the pot itself serves as a container for the first course, and the lid serves as a plate for the second course.
The Russian Airborne Forces use another option, where the kit includes a bowler hat with a flask inserted inside. In the 90s, a boiler frame was added to the set, and the dimensions changed accordingly: 182 × 160 × 90 mm. The volume of the army pot is 1 liter.
In the American army
The American Army completely abandoned the use of field kits in the early 19th century. Since the 20th century, the United States has moved towards centralized food preparation, so employees were given a meal kit instead of a pot. The set included: a shallow plate, spoon and fork.
Today, American soldiers are given rations that include disposable plastic utensils.
Since the 20th century, the United States has moved towards centralized food preparation, so employees were given a meal kit instead of a pot.
Advantages and disadvantages of an army bowler hat
Like any product, a soldier's bowler hat has a number of pros and cons.
Positive sides:
- The army camp bowler is a universal set that is convenient during transportation and use;
- A minimum set of elements allows you to prepare a complete lunch;
- The soldier's bowler can be used on a gas and alcohol burner, on an open fire;
- Affordable price;
- The lid of the flask can be replaced with a plug.
The soldier's bowler can be used on a gas and alcohol burner, or on an open fire.
Negative sides:
- The flask is equipped with a rubber seal; during the process, the material absorbs and retains unpleasant odors. The way out of the situation is to replace the element with a cork version;
- The safety plug is attached to the container with an iron chain, which creates a certain sound when walking. The solution is to replace this element with a rope or elastic band;
- With constant use on an open fire, soot is formed, which is difficult to remove from the surface;
- Sand and earth get between the flask and the pot, making it difficult to separate them;
- The main element of the set is unstable, so it is recommended to carefully monitor the pot during the cooking process;
- The metal handles get very hot, so grab the handles with a rag.
With constant use on an open fire, soot is formed, which is difficult to remove from the surface.
The weight of the set is minimal, so it does not create discomfort while wearing.
You can also reduce the load by removing the firebox or cover, and replacing the flask with aluminum or plastic containers.
Materials
Everything is quite simple here. Typically, campfire pots are made from three types of materials: stainless steel, aluminum or titanium. In order to know which one to choose, you should consider each option separately.
- Stainless steel. The most budget option, which has a number of quite significant advantages. The stainless steel pot is quite light, convenient, easy to clean and does not absorb foreign odors at all. It has excellent thermal conductivity and remarkable resistance to all kinds of mechanical damage. If used correctly it can last for a very long time.
- Aluminum. Slightly more expensive than steel. In addition, it tends to deform over time and lose its attractive appearance. We must also remember that cleaning such pots with any abrasive means is not recommended. There is a possibility that during this process the special top layer will be damaged and harmful substances will begin to penetrate into the food.
- Titanium alloys. You'll have to spend a lot of money here. Moreover, titanium camping pots have recently been produced as a set. But if you are going to go hiking for more than one or two years, they will pay off. The durability of titanium alloys, their hardness and lightness will allow the products to be used for many tourist seasons.
Round aluminum camping pot
Preparation for use
The army kit arrives from a warehouse or store treated with grease. Therefore, before use, it is necessary to boil all elements in a soda solution. After complete drying at room temperature, the pot and other items are wiped with a soft towel. Wash the flask and the main container inside with alcohol or boiling water. After all procedures, the kit is ready for use.
Before use, all elements must be boiled in a soda solution.
If a soldier's bowler hat is painted, it cannot be used on an open fire. Experienced tourists and fishermen remove paint before going on a trip.
How to wear an army bowler hat on a belt
A soldier's bowler hat must be worn on a belt in a casing. There are two reasons for this: firstly, it is convenient, metal objects will not come into contact with the body, which will prevent damage to clothing, and secondly, during the cooking process, the product becomes covered with soot, which can ruin things.
And one more important point - the concave side of the military bowler is specially designed to be worn on a waist belt; it follows the ergonomic structure of the human body.
A soldier's bowler hat must be worn on a belt in a casing.
A soldier's camping bowler hat is an irreplaceable thing for hiking and outdoor recreation. The compactness and versatility of the product allows you to reduce equipment and prepare a complete diet for the whole day.
What do experts recommend?
The service life of boilers can be extended if they are properly cared for. Aluminum products are much easier to handle. It is enough to wash them regularly and keep them clean. It’s a little more difficult for owners of cast iron products. It is recommended to periodically calcinate such pots with oil.
For those who are interested in how not to smoke a pot over a fire, we can recommend doing the following. Kitchen utensils cleaned using one of the above methods must be put on fire. Next, vegetable oil or other edible fat is poured into the pot. At this stage, it is advisable to turn on the hood, as a large amount of smoke should be generated. A very small amount of oil is required so that it does not turn into drying oil. Next, the oil should burn out, and less smoke will be released. Now the pot should be cooled, and then this procedure should be performed several more times.
As a result, a non-stick layer is formed inside the cast iron pot, which will provide additional protection against rusting and burning. In addition, dishes prepared in such a vessel come out with a special taste and aroma.
According to experts, both cast iron and aluminum pots can be calcined. However, for aluminum products, low or medium intensity fire is considered acceptable. Overheating is undesirable for such boilers. Also, you cannot work with them with alkaline substances, since they corrode aluminum. After calcination, cauldrons cannot be washed with detergents. Just fill the container with water and bring to a boil.
