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Cook pot cleaning


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Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 34 total)
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  • #1333167
    Scott Kilcoyne
    BPL Member

    @scottx

    Locale: Indianapolis

    So, what is every ones go-to way of cleaning their cook pots/utensils after use on the trail. Just interested in knowing what others do.

    #2230598
    Tipi Walter
    BPL Member

    @tipiwalter

    I use a MSR titanium kettle and use a brillo pad—steel wool—to get it ready for the next trip. Ample rinsing helps as the pad probably removes a miniscule amount of metal from the pot but I can get all the black soot off and the inside is like new. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap residue and possible brillo parts.

    #2230622
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    Same as washing up at home: hot water and a drop of detergent, plus a sponge. Mind you, we cook over a canister stove and don't burn the dinner. Cheers

    #2230629
    Tony Wong
    BPL Member

    @valshar

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    I use esbit fuel, so I generally have a sticky layer of soot on the bottom of my MSR Titan Kettle. I find that spraying the exterior/bottom of my Kettle with oven cleaner and letting it sit for 15-30 minutes works wonders. Rinse clean and give a slight sponge and soap scrubbing to remove any residual chemical does the trick. Good ole sponge and soap for my Ti Spork does the trick. That's it. Tony

    #2230631
    Scott Kilcoyne
    BPL Member

    @scottx

    Locale: Indianapolis

    My wording was a bit off, what I mean is, how do you clean after cooking WHILE ON THE TRAIL. :)

    #2230634
    Paul S.
    BPL Member

    @pschontz

    Locale: PNW

    I carry a small scrubber (no sponge part, just the rough section) and a single rubber kitchen glove. My cooking is only pouring food into my pot, like the FBC method but using my pot instead, so I don't have to worry about food getting cooked to the pot so cleaning is very easy. I realized the worst part for me about cleaning pots, etc. is the cold water on my hands, so I bring a kitchen glove. Totally waterproof, unlike most WP/B gloves and very light and cheap. :) Edit: The glove+sponge weighs 1.2 oz.

    #2230636
    d k
    BPL Member

    @dkramalc

    Scrape out everything possible,rinse with water, scrub with a piece of plastic netting (the kind they pack melons in, great for not getting food particles stuck in), then finish up with a drop of Camp Suds if it's greasy. All washing and rinsing far away from water sources, of course…

    #2230646
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Muddy moss from a stream bank or sand and small pebbles from the margin of a lake. Works as well as any commercial product, leaves no environmental contaminants, costs nothing, and weighs nothing in your pack. The moss-mud combo is particularly effective.

    #2230648
    W I S N E R !
    Spectator

    @xnomanx

    I'm with Tom. Keep it simple and natural.

    #2230676
    jimmy b
    BPL Member

    @jimmyb

    We just add a little water to the pot and work the residue off the sides with our spoons and drink it down. Usually a couple times will due the trick. Pot comes clean, no need for soap, scrubbers ect. In cold weather another burn follows for hot drinks and that will take care of anything missed the first few times. Keep in mind we are rehydrating meals in the pot, not actually cooking raw foods.

    #2230677
    Justin Baker
    BPL Member

    @justin_baker

    Locale: Santa Rosa, CA

    River sand works the best.

    #2230718
    Dean F.
    BPL Member

    @acrosome

    Locale: Back in the Front Range

    I'm also with Tom- sand or something like it, when I can find it. And bare hands and water from the creek. You don't have to worry about getting sick since the next time you use the pot you will BOIL it again. If I'm out with my daughter and thus carrying separate bowls I bring half of one of those sponges with a scrubby pad on one side, and use clean water and Doc Bronners.

    #2230719
    Bob Moulder
    BPL Member

    @bobmny10562

    Locale: Westchester County, NY

    In the winter, snow works quite well.

    #2230893
    monkey
    Spectator

    @monkeysee

    Locale: Up a tree

    Same here, sand, mud, a handful of dry grass, basically anything natural; would never even think of bringing detergent on the trail. The trick is to clean straight away.

    #2230921
    Lori P
    BPL Member

    @lori999

    Locale: Central Valley

    Nothing. I do add-boiling-water meals only. In the past, I have had meals that required some cooking – I used river sand, as it was an uncoated pot (the only kind I will get – no Teflon for me). Moving to the rehydrate/cozy method removed the need to do dishes, which is part of why I go out in the first place – take a vacation from chores.

    #2230932
    Bob Shaver
    BPL Member

    @rshaver

    Locale: West

    I carry a tiny dropper bottle of dish detergent, and use a drop if needed. I cook pasta and other actual food in the pot, so there is almost always a need to clean the pot. I carry a 1" x 2" square of dish scrubber, and one paper towel per meal, for wiping down the dishes. I pour the dish water into a hole in the ground, or toss it (dispersed)a distance from camp. Having tasty food is worth the hassle of clean up to me. Generally, when cooking for two, its like this: put two cups of hot water in the pot, and scrub down with the scrubber. Put any bowls into the water, and scrub down. I don't add soap at this point, as the point is to get most of the food off the pot and into the dishes. Dispose of the wash water. put two cups of really hot water into the pot, and add a drop of soap if the food was cheesy, pasta, or scallop potatoes. Scrub down the pot and the two bowls, and put the spoons in to sterilize them. Dispose of water. Put two cups of boiling water into the pot, swish the bowls and spoons in it, to rinse and sterilize, and dispose of water. Wipe dishes clean and dry with a paper towel.

    #2230935
    David Thomas
    BPL Member

    @davidinkenai

    Locale: North Woods. Far North.

    Beyond any burned-on food that needs to be scrubbed off, I put everything (utensils, plates, pots) through the dishwasher when we get home. Biodegradable soap and warm water on the trail does pretty well, but a caustic detergent in very hot water in a dishwasher really removes grease and stains much better. I put it all in the next load of dishes, then they go back in a labeled box in the garage until the next trip.

    #2230937
    David Thomas
    BPL Member

    @davidinkenai

    Locale: North Woods. Far North.

    Oh, "WHILE ON THE TRAIL." Multiple, small-volume rinses, rubbing and scrubbing as I go. Then a small-volume bit of hot soapy (e.g. Campsuds) water followed by hot rinse water. Takes a bit more fuel, but we usually have our two kids sometimes some other kids, so (1) the soapy water and rinse water get used for a long series of dishes and (2) the doctor along would be really upset if someone get sick on the trip, so in the interest of marital harmony. . . .

    #2230963
    Sean G
    Spectator

    @gnawvreau

    Locale: Detroit

    I add a little water to the pot and then use my spork to scrape all the bits off the bottom and sides and swish the water around a bit to get all the bits into the water. If there are really tricky bits or any oily residue I'll use my finger to scrub it. Once all the bits are loose and sitting in the water I drink the foodwater. Then I use a small microfiber towel to dry it. LNT, ya'll.

    #2230978
    David Thomas
    BPL Member

    @davidinkenai

    Locale: North Woods. Far North.

    #ERROR!

    #2231003
    Jesse Hutchinson
    Spectator

    @hutchy

    Sand works great. If it is greasy, a drop of dish soap.

    #2231384
    Nick Smolinske
    BPL Member

    @smo

    Locale: Rogue Panda Designs

    Hot beverages, with or without the addition of alcohol. AKA "Dinner Tea".

    #2231402
    Ito Jakuchu
    BPL Member

    @jakuchu

    Locale: Japan

    People do that at home in Japan too, add some tea to your rice bowl and drink to not leave a grain of rice uneaten (of course then it just gets washed like all the other dishes).

    #2231493
    Katherine .
    BPL Member

    @katherine

    Locale: pdx

    The GSI pot scraper leaves my HA pot immaculate. I love it. I tried to shave .5 oz my bringing a small silicon spatula head, but it didn't do a complete job.

    #2232789
    Alexander S
    BPL Member

    @cascadicus

    Sand and gravel. Simple. Supply is unlimited.

Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 34 total)
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