Retrobike Touring.

[Trebz]

If you are using a gas can and mini cooker unit do what I do, buy a Zebra Billy Can and put all your cooking kit inside it.

One of the best things I ever bought: Link to Zebra Billy Can

The camping gas cans fit perfectly inside and there's room for the screw on cooker unit and some additional odd's and sods. I've been camping, hiking, cycle touring and rough camping since 1987 and this is probably the best cooking system I have ever had. Second place would be military mess tins with a hexamine burner. the Billy Can is tops for me as you can hang it over an open fire on a stick or just place it in the fire itself, it's stainless steel so it can take a beating. I do just tend to make a fire out of wood etc and put the billy can on it nowadays. Really depends on where I camp, if it's a clean site I'll use the gas can, if I'm out in the sticks I just knock up a fire with wood and hang it over the fire or place it on top. One other thing I would advise, buy a titanium spork.

 

[hamster]

Army mess tins...eurgh. Horrible to clean the corners, shallow so stuff always runs down the sides, too big to get an even heat.
The Zebra looks nice, I have an aluminium set that's similar. The only problem is pouring, I much prefer a Trangia-style gripping handle.

 

[vcballbat]

I've been using a Vango Compact Stove for my wild camping trips back in the summer. Using a cheap mess tin and mini expesso maker I found at a car booty...Lavazza Rossa kicks me into action. My Swiss Army knife has the four essentials.. corkscrew, sharp blade, tin and a bottle opener, plastic spoon does the rest...all packed into a plastic tub that fits into the mess tin. ☺

 

[hamster]

+1 on the Espresso maker!
If using a stove like that, a circle of heavy foil (like a single-use roasting tray) is worth packing as a windshield - it saves loads of gas. Then you can get away with the small Jetboil-style gas cartridges.

 

[hamster]

Found this, which looks rather good. Never seen one for real though.
https://wildbounds.com/products/hal...S4QtHhjs1n2txet-HKJBQbO8iFOqrS0hoCl4UQAvD_BwE

 

[vcballbat]

I've been using 240g Coleman gas only £4 from Halfords, lasts for a few trips as the stove will do a shot of espresso in about a minute. Sweat off the onions with the Chorizo before adding the tin of Ravioli is my quick and easy breakfast and dinner.. maybe three minutes. . been using panniers as windbreakers, will have to check out the baking sheet.

 

[Joe_Rides]

^^^^^^^^^^ Brilliant!!!

I use an Alpkit Brewkit for a cooker, but I've not used it enough to review it in any detail. It's nifty though.

 

[widowmaker]

Keep the pictures and info coming everyone this is awesome !!

 

[vcballbat]

Just thought I'd mention that after a hard day in the saddle in beautiful peaceful countryside trying to stay off road as much as possible there's nothing worse than ending the day at a campsite full of screaming kids, barking dogs and music blaring.. serious brain damage.. I find Church yards are a great spot to wild camp as they usually have an outside tap for the flowers and your fellow camper's are always dead quite. On washing mess tins etc I use water with handfuls of grass which act as a scourer and the enzymes brake down any grease...no need for detergents.

 

[widowmaker]

A further question in my search for the perfect overnight cooking set up.

Can a small gas canister eg coleman 100 fit inside a trangia kettle. Measurements of the canister are 9 x 7 cms, and pretty sure it can fit but can anyone confirm ?