View Full Version : Billy Can
giancarlo
06-10-2003, 15:09
I'm on the hunt for a decent Billy now.
Saw these on RayMears.com and they look great, just wondering if there's anywhere else / any alternatives that people have seen or used?
Zebra 14cm Billy (http://www.raymears.com/shop_item_desc.cfm?id=224&itemType=Accessories)
(Can't seem to find this one anywhere else, sure it's about though)
I was thinking of getting the "Swedish Mess Kit" (http://www.bushcraftuk.co.uk/community/viewtopic.php?t=141) like Raz is going to use to make his Hobo Stove.. about £8.50
(good bargain for a quid Raz :) )
Any Ideas?
Cheers :)
Carlo
If memory of my travels serves me correct... zebra stainless steel cookware is from thailand.... they do billy cans... not sure if they are the same company as the ones on Rays site.....
The swedish mess tins are ok, but mine are aluminium..... I prefer stainless steel.
I have a Tatonka Kettle - 1.0 Litre on order from http://wiggle.co.uk/ from their cookware section.... have a look, they have quite a alot of good cooking pots.
:-D
Ed
giancarlo
06-10-2003, 16:01
Cheers Ed,
Looks pretty good that, Nice price too.
Tatonka Kettle (http://wiggle.co.uk/v2_product_detail.asp?ProdID=5 360007885)
Only thing is that handle looks a bit "chunky", but that's probably a good thing.
You'll have to give us all a review when this comes down :)
You're probably right about the Zebra ones coming from Thailand, can't seem to find them anywhere on any UK online shops.
Cheers :)
Carlo
Only thing is that handle looks a bit "chunky", but that's probably a good thing.
Yep... your right... The handle is chunky (and not a thin wire type) as it locks in place which makes it easier when pouring.... :wink:
Ed
I can higky recommend the swedish mess kit It“s cheap and durable. Gere in sweden you can buy them for less than £3 and if you want he hole kit it cost about £8 and it comes in both stainless and aluminium.
A pictue of a comple mess tin
http://www.soldf.com/images/s_enmanskok.jpg
bigjackbrass
06-10-2003, 20:52
Zebra: definitely from Thailand. These have a very similar handle to the Tatonka, by the way. The only places I have seen wire handle billies in any quantity are America and Australia, but then again it's not a mammoth task to fit one yourself. Personally I'm very happy with the Tatonka, which also has a frying pan for a lid. The locking feature on the handle is very useful when pouring.
If you are up for a home made alternative, you can buy stainless steel coffee/tea/sugar pots at TK-MAX for abour £3, then its just a matter of fitting them out with hangers and a handle for the lid.
:-D
giancarlo
07-10-2003, 10:02
Cheers for all the help fellas,
looks like i'll be going for one of those Tatonka's off Wiggle.
Already emailled them to make sure they're going to take the VAT off for me, yum yum :)
::Update::
"Unfortunatly we cannot deduct VAT as we are not setup for this at our end."
Bah! have to find it somewhere else...
or I might have to break my "not going to order from anywhere online unless the remove VAT for me" rule! :)
Cheers
Carlo
Another thing to consider.
Then using/buying cookware try to steer clear of Alumium as this is linked with Altshiemers disease. Also another down side of Ali is it can be burnt through.
Stainless steel should always be your first chioce as it is safer and more hygienic as well as being more robust. Top tip for billy cans - TK Max stainless steel coffee cans @ £5 all you need to is attach a handle.
giancarlo
09-10-2003, 14:34
Given in!
Can't find it anywhere else, so taken the plunge and got a 1.6 from Wiggle..
Still cheaper than the Zebra one, so can't complain.
Thanks for all the help guys :)
(it better be good!, grrr)
Cheers ;)
Carlo
My Tatonka Kettle turned up this morning... First impressions are very good. Well made and a realy good handle on the pan lid (which surprised me). I'll let you know more when I've taken it out and given it a good use.
Ed
giancarlo
15-10-2003, 14:33
Nice to see yours has turned up.
Did you order it on Oct 6th when you posted? that's a fair few days..
Was worrying about mine, but i ordered it on the 9th so i guess i've got a few days to go then :(
Glad you still think it's good now you've got it, re-assured :)
cheers
Carlo
They have only just got them back in stock.... there is a backlog aswell.. but should only be a few days till yours comes through.
It seems a popular item... I can see why.
Ed
I use both the swedish army cook set mentioned here and the swedish army 'volcano flask' pictured here: http://www.allthingsmilitary.co.uk/ishop/800/shopscr1174.html
you get a small water bottle, cup and stove/holder, very useful and flexible bit of kit, but remember to remove the cork before you start to boil the water in the flask, mine flew off into the undergrowth and scared the s^%$ out of me....
can cook with the cup in the stove or just warm on the handle etc....
no fuel need either, just ram it full of twigs etc
giancarlo
20-10-2003, 13:02
Wahhay,
My Tatonka Kettle is finally here!
looks good, not going to be able to test it for a while though :(
Thanks everyone for all the help / links / advice.
Cheers ;)
Carlo
wow i just found this thread so i signed up, would seem there are a number of us on the same search, i was wondering if you were includeing duthch ovens in this catogry, as i have a few links for them, though they are cast iron and heavy i would guess??
Actualy I wouldn't mind a cast iron dutch oven.... please post the link :-) ummmm whole rabbit in a stew. As for the weight being cast iron, probably not the best thing for us light-weighters but great for camping or just in the back garden.
oh... and welcome to BCUK, glad you joined up and I hope you find something of interest to keep you here.
:-)
Ed
Coleman makes a great cookset called the Outfitter with a nice set of nested billies. Cost can be really reasonable if you shop around. I think I bought the whole set for around $40 here in the states, IIRC. Probably $60 is closer to the normal price. Mears used/uses? the same kit. It's pictured in his book "The Outdoor Survival Handbook" on p. 17. I used it all last summer and it was excellent.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/ma/tak/tak_5.jpg
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/51/48/72/i514872hz02.jpg
Actualy I wouldn't mind a cast iron dutch oven....... As for the weight being cast iron, probably not the best thing for us light-weighters but great for camping or just in the back garden.
Well get an aluminium one then!
http://www.survivalschool.co.uk/acatalog/Cooking_Equipment.html
and for some recipes and advice about dutch ovens,
www.scoutingresources.org.uk/downloads/ cook_dutchoven01.pdf
bothyman
10-12-2003, 09:23
For Dutch Ovens try
>> http://www.unbeatentracks.com/john-muirden/index.htm
They seem to have a good selection.
Roving Rich
10-12-2003, 11:51
Anyone seen those oval dutch ovens for sale anywhere?
Rich
Rich try John Muirdens web site 'off the beaten track' he has them.
The two i had in the uk were trek direct http://www.trekdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Outdoor_Cooki ng_9.html
(which seems to be the same as servival school but in different colous)
John Muirden http://www.unbeatentracks.com/john-muirden/index.htm
before i stumbeled on these, i found loads of them in the US (where it would appear no house hold is without one) and i looked at gettin one shipped over, but its expensive as they are heavy and funny shaped!
Think I'll start a new thread on Dutch Ovens coz we're kinda going off track here, and I'ld like to know more...
Just what we have been waiting for, Zebra billys cheaper than Rays.
RM's prices are as follows:- 12cm £24.00, 14cm £26.00, 16cm £28.00.
Survival schools prices :- 10cm £14.95, 12cm £16.99, 14cm £19.95, 16cm £21.95.
They also have a new folding pocket cooker for £19.99, I love it and cant wait to order one. All of these prices are including P&P. :-P
http://www.survivalschool.co.uk/
ditchfield
23-01-2004, 22:32
Thanks chopper. Good find. I've been on the site loads of times but never noticed them.
Does anyone know the weights of any of the zebra billy's? I am espessially interested in the 10cm one as I have been looking for a small, lightweight pot that can be suspended (i.e a billy :roll:) Would this do?
I know that the TK max billy DIY tutorial is coming soon and I can't wait :-D.
Weight“s Billy Can
10 - 1lbs
12 - 0,5 kg
14 - 750 g
16 - 1 kg
Look closer on http://www.survivalschool.co.uk/ and all info is there =)
The weights are on the Ray mears site...
12cm = 0.550kg
14cm = 0.750kg
16cm = 0.950kg
They look pretty heavy to me (that 16cm can is the same weight as a GrannyB SFA), especially when compared to the Tatonka kettle mentioned earlier (0.335kg combined weight for a 13.5cm pot and a frying pan.).
ahh, looks like viking got in before me. :)
qweeg500
30-01-2004, 05:37
I'm also in the market for a billy can.
Has anyone got one of the Vaude billy cans? I'm wondering how they may compare with the zebra cans.
The copper bottoms are obviously a nice feature.
Check them on:
http://www.tamarackoutdoors.co.uk/index.htm
Just been to TK Max and they have 2 sorts, One stainless steel biscuit barrel with a see thru lid in stainless for £3.99 a pop or there is another smaller container again with a see through top for £5.99 They are both similar in shape but the biscuit barrell one is slightly larger (probably about 3.5 ltrs capacity. Which one is the one worth having ?? :shock:
Went to TK-Max last night and got this SS Can.
http://mgosling.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Billy/image_00138.jpg
The steel was really difficult to drill so it should be very long lasting. Added some Wire coat hanger and set it on fire :yikes:
http://mgosling.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Billy/image_00147.jpg
For 3 squid it seems to be really good value and should last for a long time. Oh and it's got quite a tight fitting lid that would be difficult to open when hot, which is why it's just balanced on top.
The lid is quite large and would make a good dish / cup or used in the embers for smaller stuff or as a very mini wok :o):
Sorry for the poor photo's... camera phone...
Oh and it's got quite a tight fitting lid that would be difficult to open when hot, which is why it's just balanced on top.
Try putting the lid on upside down ;-) thats what I do.... even used it like this with the upturned lid for making chocolate rice-crispie cakes :-)
Ed
Markg,
can you give us the dimensions and capacity of your billy, I recently got a couple of SS biscuit barrels and tea and coffee caddys from Poundstretcher for a fiver they were all at half price or less. With a some minor modifications they make great billys.
Cheers
JFW
I've just made it to tenderfoot yeeha.
Markg thanks for the assist - I forgot to mention that I like the look of this billy and for a few quid you can't really go wrong, I'll need to get one.
JFW
Not sure about the dimmensions as I dont have it with me here but it holds about 1.5 litres
Tone,
Is your billy can a home-made one?
http://www.bushcraftuk.net/photopost/data/504/5nettle_soup_and_fish_038-med.jpg
I've not seen one with a handle like that before. Is it just plaited wire?
I saw another thread where a smaller inner tray from a zebra billy was used in conjunction with a large billy to make an oven. Exellent idea, but I don't have another billy to use as the inner shelf. I tried the pans from my trangia and found that the inner pan in the two pan set fits very snugly into a 14 cm billy, and the lid is also a very snug fit. This gives the option to cook two things at once in vaster quantities, the little tray that comes with the zebra is a tad on the shallow side.
Mine is on the cooker at the moment with mixed beans in the trangia pan and rice in the bottom, the sausages are under the grill and it's cowboy food for dinner tonight. What's that Mungo, the sausages are burning? Right, I'm off!
Minotaur
02-08-2005, 00:33
I can higky recommend the swedish mess kit It“s cheap and durable. Gere in sweden you can buy them for less than £3 and if you want he hole kit it cost about £8 and it comes in both stainless and aluminium.
A pictue of a comple mess tin
http://www.soldf.com/images/s_enmanskok.jpg
What make and where did you get the green cup at the bottom of the picture, please?
I have been after something like that since coming accross an old copy of Survival Weaponary and techniques.