Esbit Stove: What do you use to clean your pot?

Hi Tony,

When using Esbit, I just rub my pot in a circular motion in dirt/sand.

Todd

Hey Tony

I get the esbit grime off with a combo of H20 and sand/dirt or just use my trusty bandanna.

Justin

Yup. Dirt, sand, water, then into it's cozy to keep any residual grime off my other gear. Of course, the inside of the cozy gets pretty dirty over time…I just make a new one occassionally.

I bring a tiny square of SOS pad since I might be hiking in snow or mud. Once home, I've found a blowtorch makes quick work of any remaining residues.

Hey Tony, Just like everybody else– just use stream or pond sand, small pebbles and even pine needles do the trick. It really works.. BPL used to sell a tablet that left no residue on the pot- I have a few left but can not find them any where online.

-Jay

wetting the pot, rub it with dirt and sand, then rinse.

Thanks everyone.

I should have been more specific…I meant cleaning at home.

I did use sand/gravel and water, which cleaned a good amount.

I also used a plastic bag to wrap around the pot to keep it from getting things inside of my pack dirty.

When I got home, I found that by spraying the bottom of my MSR Titan Kettle with an oven cleaner, it dissolved everything in about twenty minutes and just washed away the residue.

-Tony

For home use, I've used oven cleaner and a propane torch. The torch is far more fun and less stinky :)

Torches can have the side effect of leaving a cool blue color to your pots….

If at home, I just use hand power and dish soap. Takes it right off.

Using sand to clean a pot! What are we? Pioneers? Mountain men?

Au contraire mon ami, Sacre Bleu!

I use biodegradable "Camp Suds" and water with a Scotch Brite scouring pad, mainly because I can't use sand due to the corrugated "Flux Ring" on the bottom of my 1.5 L. Jet Boil pot – and because using sand is SO undignified (and it ruins , positively RUINS my nails).

Eric

It's probably best not to clean the residue off the pot directly in the pond or stream. Please do this away from the water source.
I find snow works pretty well and is my preferred method of field cleaning the pot.

> What do you use to remove that black oily film/mess that sticks to the bottom of your pot?

I find a canister stove gets the bottom of the pot clean … and keeps it that way :-)

Cheers

Roger, I have a shiny green mug and hate it getting mucked up. I just stick a thin piece of tin foil between the flame and mug. :) Ali

Disclaimer:
The following contains a non-answer, but perhaps a solution none the less.

I don't clean the outside at all!

With my Ultralight Outfitters Beercan stove, it doesn't matter. When used as a double-wall coffee mug, the can with the grunge <-(scientific term for esbit residue) on it is slid inside the wind screen. The esbit tray is slid up to cover the bottom. You don't see the grunge.

When carried, it is in a small stuff sack. Pack stays clean.

When it gets SO bad that it becomes embarrassing, I sacrifice another 3/4 liter of Fosters to my septic tank and have a new pot.

> …I have a shiny green mug…

Snazzy! What is it made of?

Titanium Duhh, I was threated that I would be kicked off this site is I didnt have at least one piece of Ti in my pack and I just cant do the spork thing. :) Ali

I'm cool then. I have that BPL long spoon.

I've never seen a green ti mug.

http://www.rei.com/product/708072 I dont know how to link it but here it is. It also comes in Kewl blue. Ali

if you're carrying it, put a little soap on your finger and rub it on the bottom of the cuppot. When you're down the soot will wipe right off.