UL cooking platform

[Shane S.]

For my first post, I thought that I would contribute.
I decided I needed a stove platform to help keep things off the ground while cooking, but have been unsatisfied with off the self cooking platforms. So I made my own. I went to an art store and found a sheet of corrugated plastic for $5.00, I choose this because it is light weight and fairly ridged and seems that It will stand up to numerous trail adventures.
I cut an 8”X8” section, just big enough to cooking on and keep my spoon and other things off the ground while it still fits in the pack nice, I store it the hydration sleeve of my backpack. It weighs in at exactly 1oz.

[Michael Davis]

Shane, that's a nice find! How ridged is that plastic? I'm wondering if it is ridged enough to serve as a frame in a frameless backpack? A larger piece would be required but, it could then be double duty!

[Shane S.]

I don't think that it would be ridged enough for a pack frame. For that I would use Kydex plastic sheet of which can be thermomoled.

http://www.kydex.com/dimensions.asp

[Michael Davis]

Thanks Shane

[todd]

I have no idea which forum I read it on, but someone successfully used this plastic, in the form of a "Vote for __________" sign, for a frame in an UL pack. While it isn't Kydex, I don't see why it won't do very well.

Todd

[Steven Evans]

Micheal, that was my first thought when I saw it – perhaps it could be combined with a thin pad as a frame sheet – either way, nice idea for a platform. Looked at the sheet, I am guessing it is more rigid in one direction then the other?

[John Whynot]

Check out the GoLite Infinity Backpack review on this site. Golite uses the same corrugated plastic, reinforced with thin metal rods, as a framesheet.

[Shane S.]

Yes, It bends fairly easier along the grain, but riged enough or my cooking platform.

[CW]

Golite uses the same corrugated plastic, reinforced with thin metal rods, as a framesheet.

Reinforce with tent stakes. Hehe.

[Sarah Kirkconnell]

Bamboo sushi mats work well as a prep mat/clean area for cooking I might add. They roll up small as well.
Another are the "disposable" cutting boards sold nowadays – they are wafer thin and fit in a pack (very UL) and last quite a few times – recyclable as well.

[Denis Hazlewood]

That materiel has been used for a MYOG frame sheet and posted about 3 years ago. The sheet may have small diameter brass tubing run through the corrugations and then "formed" by bending to match the "spinal" curve of your choice.

[Mark Hurd]

Sarah,

Do you have a source for the "disposable" cutting boards you mention. I don't think I've seen them anywhere and I would be interested in looking at one.

Thanks,

-Mark

P.S.- Love your "Freezer Bag Cooking" Book. It has absolutely changed the way I eat on the trail.

[Sarah Kirkconnell]

Mark, I have seen them at box stores like Wal Mart and in grocery stores.
Also, my favorite outdoor food online source has a version of them:
http://www.packitgourmet.com/Flexible-Cutting-Board-p94.html

PS: We are in final editing on book 2. I handed off the final manuscript to my husband last night :-) Very excited!

[Jim Colten]

PS: We are in final editing on book 2. I handed off the final manuscript to my husband last night :-) Very excited!

Probably not on a timeline that'd work to be included in a Christmas list?

[Jim Colten]

How ridged is that plastic? I'm wondering if it is ridged enough to serve as a frame in a frameless backpack?

I've seen that idear on the G4 Pack yahoo group … with a pair of small diameter brass tubes inserted in the channels … and then bent to conform to the wearer's back

[Lynn Tramper]

>I've seen that idear on the G4 Pack

Yup. Poster board can do quadruple duty as a pack frame, cooking board, choping board and under leg sleeping insulation. In an emergecny it also makes and ideal splint. Wonderful stuff.

[George Matthews]

Grinder said: I decided I needed a stove platform to help keep things off the ground while cooking

Why? I've never used a stove platform. I might try a small cutting board in the future if I try a Roger-cheese-bread-great-walk-in-France trip.

I'm not saying you should not use it and you've come up with a light and innovative solution. I'm just curious how you made the decision.

[Sarah Kirkconnell]

"Probably not on a timeline that'd work to be included in a Christmas list?"

We are hoping on January! We will be doing a pre-release to those on our site's mailing list though with a special deal ;-)
Just need the final fleshing and go to proofs. Then to print!

[Mark Hurd]

Sarah,

Thanks for the info on the cutting board.

Also, great news about the book 2. I'll be looking for it.

-Mark

[Lynn Tramper]

>Why? I've never used a stove platform.

I find them invaluable when cooking with a canister stove on uneven ground or snow, or in the tent (not recommended).

[Shane S.]

For me, I like the extra stability that the platfrom provides for the stove and a place I can put my food covered spoon other then a rock, a log or on the ground that will pick up less pine needles and grit.

[Sarah Kirkconnell]

Oh totally! On non UL trips I have been known to bring my GSI table. That thing rocks. (And is as heavy as a rock!) hehheh

[George Matthews]

Here's my non-UL kitchen

Looks like I need to go get help from
http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/

[Lynn Tramper]

>Here's my non-UL kitchen

I would have thought that was an incredibly UL kitchen since (presumably) YOU don't have to carry anything…not even yourself.

[George Matthews]

no rest for the wicked 'cuz I aint got no horses

[Author]

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