Best spoon device?

I think that silicone would work better than silicon.

–B.G.–

I think you're right.

God feeds the previous poster by hand, but personally (and probably many others as well) I use a long-handled ti spoon.

what about bamboo?

+1 on long Ti Spoon.

Even if you don't FBC, it's great for eating out of keg can/foster can pots, or other tall receptacles. I agree that sporks are useless. Knife and spoon is the way to go. ;)

this funky plastic spork thing came with my gsi dualist set, i havent used it but looks about useless.

I just ordered the rei long handled ti spoon.

Andrew,

Check this out on Sarah Kirkconnells site. http://www.trailcooking.com/store/gsi-rehydrate

I've not bought one or used it, but it is not metal and may meet your needs. I don't cook on the trail, just heat water and pour on my FB meal. I use a long handled ti spoon from REI. It is .5 oz, so similar weight to Sarahs spoon, but much more $$. Also, maybe Sarah's site may have other options that'll work for you. Check it out. And good luck.

edited: I agree with the above on Sporks. Good in theory. But not a good in practice. The long-handled spoon keeps the knuckles clean when eating out of a FB.

Backcountry.com ti-long handled spoon runs $7.95. Done deal. I have one and throw it in the stretch pocket on the back of my pack every trip. We're only talking about a few grams, I'd just grab a dedicated pancake flipper for when you do need one, but in the meantime, get yourself a long handled ti-spoon!

I have yet to find any utensil that seems significantly better than another. Historically I have tried something new every year or so. This summer I switched to a MSR Folding Spork which I have been pretty happy with. I have been happy enough with it that I expect I will use it for at least 2 years. We will see after that.

What I like about it:

Lexan, so it doesn’t scratch non stick coating if I am using my Evernew pot
Folds small enough to fit inside MLD 850 pot which also fold UL Caldera, fuel, lighter
Easy to clean (some folders like the GSI) are harder to clean
Long enough to reach into those freeze dried make in the bag desert our kids ask for on father daughter trips.

–Mark

A long-handled Ti spoon allows reaching into the bottom of a foil dehydrated meal packet, although they have smallish bowls. Some cooking stores carry small wooden spoons that are light, won't burn while cooking or scratch your pots and are aesthetically pleasing– they are a nice match with chopsticks.

I've been using the Light My Fire Ti Spork, with a true fork on one end and a spoon on the other. It would scratch your non-stick pot though.

Orka makes small spoonulas with synthetic handles. They are better for stirring than actual use as a spoon. http://www.irawoods.com/Orka-A54140-Orange-Silicone-Small-Spoon-Orange

I just picked up the Sea to Summit Alpha Light Long Spoon http://www.rei.com/product/782241

I think it's a great piece of kit at 8.5" long and only .4 ounces… and for only $8. Definitely worth looking at.

A ti spoon or ti Light My Fire spork are both great options. I really like ti over any plastic since it's more durable and won't burn/melt like some plastics.

If you want a spatula like that go to the kitchen department, you can find plenty of options that are thin and light. Many with bamboo handles.

Long handled Ti Spoon, again.
Note that they are manufacturing two different ones these days. One is titanium and the other is aluminum. Both are pretty strong.

Two examples:
Ti:
http://www.rei.com/product/745318?preferredSku=7453180015&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-7453180015&mr:trackingCode=408B071B-81F9-DE11-BAE3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

Al:
http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/70

Plastic – leaches weird chemicals into your food

I use stainless steel spoon I found somewhere, cut off handle a little so it fits into my cookpot. Weighs 0.75 ounce

Ti spoon – 0.4 ounces for $9.50

Cost for weight savings = $9.50 / 0.35 ounce = $27 per ounce

That's a pretty expensive weight savings

Get a polished not the dark grey titanium utensils. Feels better in your mouth. I go back and forth with the long spoon and the S2S short spoon. Love them both.

+1 on the GSI rehydrate. Long handle spoon that works well for freezer bag cooking and eating from Mountain House pouches etc. Costs a couple of dollars.

Joe

Consider the REI long handled, BPA free, acetal, plastic spoon.

8.5" length lets you keep your fingers clear of food while eating and its advertised weight is 0.5 ounce.

At $2.00 per copy it made me put the REI long Ti spoon back on the rack at the REI store.

Party On,

Newton

A couple of times when I've lost or forgotten to pack my long-handled spoon, I've whittled chopsticks out of available wood….and they've worked surprisingly well.

I broke both of the Rehydrate long plastic spoons I had while stirring FBC meals. I picked up the Alpha Light long handled spoon. REI does have a little spatula I use when I cook in a pot.

Ryan

Thanks for all the responses. I've got a long handled ti spoon that I use with my small ti pot, but obviously that won't work with my other nonstick pot. I think maybe a small spatula carried only when I want to make fancy stuff like pancakes is the way to go.

Btw, if you want one just for pancakes and say fish…OXO brand makes a small one that is perfect. It is labeled for taking off cookies from baking sheets. It is designed with a shaped handle (ease of use) so it can get into small pots. It is also silicone covered and rated for heat.

I find it interesting that there's a market for long-handled spoons for reaching all the way down into freeze-dried dinner pouches. Why not simply seal the pouch, flip it on its back, and cut a nice slit in it with your knife? Now the impossible long bag is a short dish, accessible with any normal spoon.

Michael

Sure, I have done that with freezer bags often (cut the top 1/3 to 1/2) and it becomes a bowl. But…once you cut the bag or container it doesn't seal up tight anymore. If you use them as garbage bags afterwards….

Anyhow, long spoons are nice for bags – no food covered knuckles! :-)