What to put in a bear canister

So i realize the obvious thing is food but what else is necessary?

Trash that contained food, and hygiene items. Wet wipes, medications, anything with a scent at all, including fish bait or hooks that had bait on them recently. Your deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap...

what about a well cleaned cookset?

I only boil water in mine, so never bother to worry about it. I don't think I'd worry either way - I always leave the pot sitting out and a bear could easily sniff and decide there's nothing there. Or take a few licks - I'll wash it again in the morning if I notice it's out of place.

I have a small cardboard Pringles canister that used to hold my fishing tackle that has a neat tooth-shaped indent on the side. He figured out pretty quick it had nothing foodish inside.

To what extent do you think food smells transfer to things that are around while you're cooking or eating? Like.. would the clothes that you were wearing while cooking pick up enough food smell to attract a bear? Or if you eat dinner in your tent and maybe spill a bite, then clean it up, is that dangerous? Am I being too paranoid? We don't even have bears around here, I am just curious in case I do end up in bear country some day.

If we only knew how well bears can smell. You can stealth camp if overly concerned about bears. I slept with my food for years, had more trouble with mice, although they met their maker shortly after. Assuming you are more concerned about scents from dinner, eat somewhere, then move camp to sleep a mile or so from there and of course use your canister or what some have done is use a tight sealing can like a gallon paint can. A member was selling them here a few years back. What he was sellng may have sealed off scent better than say a used paint can you recycled. If in an area where canisters are not required, you can hang your food if you know the technique. Years ago here, there was discussion over quality/quantity of scent versus just a scent, like say a empty candy wrapper. Was it worth the bears energy to track down the scent of a empty package versus a whole package or box. The bear could discern the difference.
Duane

If I'm in California, I don't worry about it. The bears here aren't dangerous to people, really.

If I'm heading into grizzly territory or going to alaska where the black bears have been known to stalk people, I'd worry about it - I'd probably stop early to eat dinner a few miles before camp, and keep a really clean camp.

In serious bear country, eating dinner in your tent is a really bad idea. Separate cooking/eating areas from sleeping spots...

Since this is a beginners post, perhaps we should also specify what NOT to put in a bear can. Although it is tempting, do not fill the can as it empties with clothing. Anything put in the bear can will pick up food smells. The only clothing I put in the can is the last day, when dirty socks go in. On the same note, anything that will go inside the tent stays out of the bear can. It is frustrating to have all that wasted empty space that is not usable. I do put cook pots inside when they fit. Then I stack the pots AWAY from the tent at night. Same with the stove. I also put the pot cozy inside. These things end up smelling of food anyway. In serious bear country it is good to have two ditty bags- one with the smellies that goes inside the bear can, and another with non-smellies that you prefer to keep inside the tent at night. Do not forget that smelly handkerchief that you wipe your mug off with!

I was told that anything you consume or put on your body should go into a bear canister. Obviously food & drink (powdered drink mix, alcohol, etc), as well as toothpaste, sunblock, chap stick, etc. Tobacco and other less legal substances that some people indulge in are included.

I have packed in grizzly territory a hand full of times. I have seen a mother grizzly and her cubs, as well as seen plenty of black bears (none while trekking) but I have only ever hung my goods. I am going to Olympic National Park this summer and they require a bear canister and was told they see bears regularly in some of the areas we will be going. I have always hung anything with scent but never really gave a second thought to dirty clothing as some people have mentioned here. I mean, I smell worse than my clothing possibly could Also I usually use some type of spray on deodorant on my body cause I sweat ALOT, and with no showers it is just layering up on me. SO am I just making myself a big smelly treat for a bear?

On a separate question... I have never hung my alcohol, I usually bring grain, or something strait and not sweet with high proof to mix with a dry mix. Now ya got me wondering, will the bear come for my secret night cap? I do not want to get bears drunk. Me thinks they might wax more on the side of an angry drunk