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#137433 - 08/09/10 11:38 AM Enamel Mug
Howie Offline
member

Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 481
Loc: Canora, SK, Canada
I am toying with the idea of buying a large enamel coated metal mug from the surplus store. My idea is to use it as both a mug and a pot for heating water. It would serve a double purpose. I could hang it on the outside of my pack so as to save some space, and possibly there may be some weight saving too?? Has anyone tried this or is it a dumb idea? Would it perhaps weigh much more than simply taking an aluminum pot and a plastic mug? Thanks.

Howie

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#137435 - 08/09/10 12:18 PM Re: Enamel Mug [Re: Howie]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
I used to carry one (traditional blue with white speckles) but swapped it out for lighter things. I liked using it but found it slid off the slightest incline (bottom is slippery), it dents, and the enamel chips off. On the plus side it conveys a pleasant cowboy feel to the camp. I jumped to a spaceage feel with titaniun. smile

FWIW I like steel more than aluminum because aluminum burns my lips.

Cheers,
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#137512 - 08/11/10 12:36 AM Re: Enamel Mug [Re: Rick_D]
balzaccom Online   content
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
Metal does burn your lips. That's why we go with an aluminum pot and plastic mugs.
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#137514 - 08/11/10 12:43 AM Re: Enamel Mug [Re: balzaccom]
Howie Offline
member

Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 481
Loc: Canora, SK, Canada
I was concerned about that. I just figured I could cool down the lip of the mug with a cool wet cloth. Or, maybe I could come up with some sort of plastic device that I could slip on the lip of the mug.

One thing good about the enamel mugs is their easy clean coating. I plan on using Esbit this time around and I am told it blackens the bottom of pots. I think it might be easy to clean the black off an enamel coating.

Howie

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#137515 - 08/11/10 12:43 AM Re: Enamel Mug [Re: Rick_D]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
stainless steel cups were famous for burning lips, the Titanium is better, but plastic is cheaper and melts.
Jim
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#137519 - 08/11/10 01:04 AM Re: Enamel Mug [Re: Jimshaw]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I drink hot tea out of my titanium pot with no problems. For some reason, Ti is cool as long as you don't touch it where the hot stuff is inside. In fact, I can grab a pot of almost boiling water with my bare hands, as long I keep my hands above the water line.

That's undoubtedly why Ti is no good for regular cooking--it doesn't spread the heat. I rehydrate my home-cooked-and-dehydrated food in a freezer bag, so my Ti pot is used only for boiling water.

As a teenager, I found an enamel cup-one of those pretty blue speckled ones-next to a snowbank on Mt. Ethel east of Steamboat Springs, CO. I had the cup for many years!


Edited by OregonMouse (08/11/10 01:05 AM)
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#137540 - 08/11/10 03:15 PM Re: Enamel Mug [Re: OregonMouse]
ringtail Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Colorado Rockies
I have a complete enamel dish set in my car camping kit. They are aesthetically pleasing, but do not work as well as other options.


Edited by food (08/11/10 03:16 PM)
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#137559 - 08/12/10 08:28 AM Re: Enamel Mug [Re: ringtail]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Quote:
They are aesthetically pleasing, but do not work as well as other options.


I probably have the same kit and never use it because is doesn't transfer heat as well as aluminum or stainless. The coffee pot works well in campfires since it's already black.

Howie, you can buy an enameled steel kit at Walmart...it has two of the cups you want.
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#137565 - 08/12/10 04:51 PM Re: Enamel Mug [Re: Dryer]
Howie Offline
member

Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 481
Loc: Canora, SK, Canada
Thanks everyone. I have decided to scrap the idea. I'll stick to my present setup.

Howie

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#137665 - 08/15/10 10:58 AM Re: Enamel Mug [Re: Howie]
GDeadphans Offline
member

Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 382
Loc: Maine/New Jersey
I saw, and jeez I cant remember for the life of me where, someone using a metal mug for cooking, and when they went to use it they put a rubber band type thing on the mouth of it to keep there lips from burning...

I use a titanium Snow Peak 700 mug. I love it. It cools quick, has markers to measure liquids, and a strainer for pasta.
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