View Full Version : Swedish Army Mess Kit Tutorial
TheViking
03-10-2004, 17:37
There seems to have been some confusing on the SAWK so I thought I'd better post a little tutorial. This is how I use it. :wink: This tutorial could especially be useful for newcomers or for those who have just bought it.
Excuse the images. They are a little bad, but I had to take some of them with one hand on camera... :roll:
This is the kit when it's put together compared to an army canteen.
http://img8.exs.cx/img8/4132/DSC254.jpg
Screw the lid off the burner and turn on the burner by setting a match or lighter into the burner.
This is how the windshield should look like. Hit out the 'arms' which is in it and put it on top of the burner so it fits.
http://img8.exs.cx/img8/3049/DSC00200.jpg
Set the cooking pot in the windshield so it 'rests' on the 'arms'.
http://img8.exs.cx/img8/2905/DSC258.jpg
Put the lid on top of the pot, to save fuel. You can also put the lid in the windshield and cook in that. :biggthump
http://img8.exs.cx/img8/9913/DSC00203.jpg
When you have to put out the flame, just grab the lid for the burner and set it on. Be careful! The burner is very hot. Let it cool down and screw the lid on.
http://img8.exs.cx/img8/4152/DSC259.jpg
Cheers, :uu:
Well done mate!! :biggthump :You_Rock_ :super:
I've made a bookmark of this thread on my computer: could come in handy when / if I decide to buy a Swedish Army Cookset - still not sure what kind of cooking set I'm gonna use :?:
Cheers!!
:uu:
Good one little Viking.
Although there are many other ways of using the kit too.
When you put out the flame with the burners lid, be sure to take away the rubber ring inside first.
TheViking
03-10-2004, 20:49
When you put out the flame with the lid, be sure to take away the rubber ring inside first.
Thanks. I've never done this and have never melted the ring or anything but, I will from now on. :biggthump
A question for SAMK experts. The bail arm for the billy has two notches in it. One is upward pointing, top dead centre and the hook stis in it. The other is offset to one side and point at 90 degrees to the other. I cannot for the life of me figure out a use for this notch - but it must have one. All the kits I've seen have this notch on the bail arm. So, SAMK experts, what is the purpose of this notch?
TheViking
03-10-2004, 21:40
A question for SAMK experts. The bail arm for the billy has two notches in it. One is upward pointing, top dead centre and the hook stis in it. The other is offset to one side and point at 90 degrees to the other. I cannot for the life of me figure out a use for this notch - but it must have one. All the kits I've seen have this notch on the bail arm. So, SAMK experts, what is the purpose of this notch?
I've also been wondering this. :roll: What's it good for?
Danceswithhelicopters
03-10-2004, 21:44
Central notch is for hanging without slippage and the off set notch is the storage position. With the hook in the offset notch the nose of the hook goes neatly into the opposite side. Use an strap to hold it all tight and non-rattley.
bothyman
03-10-2004, 22:24
So what is the best way to light it without burning your fingers??
It always seems to light better if it goes out half way through and you have to refill it.
I presume it is because the second time you light it the the burner is warm?? :roll: :roll:
Great Pebble
03-10-2004, 22:43
Having singed myself many times over the years when attempting to light a Trangia I have found the solution.... Turbo flame lighter, does it every time. And hexy, damp tinder, small aluminium shavings....etc.
Central notch is for hanging without slippage and the off set notch is the storage position. With the hook in the offset notch the nose of the hook goes neatly into the opposite side. Use an strap to hold it all tight and non-rattley.
Bingo, thankyou. :biggthump
So what is the best way to light it without burning your fingers??
It always seems to light better if it goes out half way through and you have to refill it.
I presume it is because the second time you light it the the burner is warm?? :roll: :roll:
Ferro rod!
Scrape your firesteel and shower some sparks down the central chamber. Those white hot lumps of ferrocerium do the biz every thime for me. Can light it from 12" away. Though I find the mill-spec burner much more stubborn at times than the commercial Trangia, which I now always use as first choice.
Central notch is for hanging without slippage and the off set notch is the storage position. With the hook in the offset notch the nose of the hook goes neatly into the opposite side. Use an strap to hold it all tight and non-rattley.
Sone right you donīt need a strap to hold it tight and non-rattley.
Great job M8y.. i always thought these things looked horribly complicated (i have no idea why), now i see that they are not!! Wheres the best place to be me mits on one?
Paganwolf
04-10-2004, 06:37
Bearclaw does them :wink: give Gary a shout... :biggthump
bothyman
04-10-2004, 08:07
Cheapest I've found .
>> http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr521.html
also get a couple of flexi cups to fit inside it, put " flexi cups " in the search box
Danceswithhelicopters
04-10-2004, 10:19
I have the green aluminium version and I see unpainted jobs coming up on eBay. Is it worth clearing the paint off or leaving it alone. Black pans transfer heat better but is plain Alu easier to clean?
I have the green aluminium version and I see unpainted jobs coming up on eBay. Is it worth clearing the paint off or leaving it alone. Black pans transfer heat better but is plain Alu easier to clean?
Does not matter, they will get black sooner or later anyway.
If used over a fire they get black real quick!!
I think the paint also helps retain a little heat too so I wouldnt bother - over time a lot of the paint will wear off just with normal scrubbing and use.
TheViking
04-10-2004, 13:40
Turbo flame lighter
I turn on mine with a cheap turbo flame lighter. :wink:
Great Pebble
04-10-2004, 13:57
only way to do it :-P
And by a long way the most commented on item of kit I own.
Gary, do you have these in stock? Yor site says your out, when are they due in buddy?
Sorry guess I should PM that question.
PM on its way.
So what is the best way to store them the? Should the bail arm push into the handle of the lid as it won't fit into mine?
Does any one sell the proper case for it and is there any sort of manual showing all of the functions?
I guess the loops on the handle of the lid are to put a stick in to ?
TheViking
05-10-2004, 21:32
Does any one sell the proper case for it and is there any sort of manual showing all of the functions?
I don't think there's a proper case. The proper case is just the windshield. :wink: I think you make up the functions yourself as you use it. If you're cooking on a steep slope then you find a way anyway of using it. :wink: Or else Viking or/and Gary could enlighten all of us more on this fantastic bit of kit? :-) :biggthump
is there any sort of manual showing all of the functions?
Not yet, there might be a light version of a manual here later on :roll:
Ridge Runner
17-11-2004, 19:53
Central notch is for hanging without slippage and the off set notch is the storage position. With the hook in the offset notch the nose of the hook goes neatly into the opposite side. Use an strap to hold it all tight and non-rattley.
Exactly!!!!
I no you all love your swedish army cookers but has anyone had expireance with this http://www.libertymtn.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=WM16664&aid= i was thinking of just usstainless with a stanless billy can what do you think
TheViking
18-11-2004, 16:45
I no you all love your swedish army cookers but has anyone had expireance with this http://www.libertymtn.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=WM16664&aid= i was thinking of just usstainless with a stanless billy can what do you think
A bit expensive isn't it? :roll: It looks as having too 'sharp' edges IMO, I mean the stand. :shock:
Hi viking i no what your saying, but the army one is a bit bulky so i only really want the burner and a wind shield and stand for a billy can any Suggestions.
beachlover
18-11-2004, 18:02
I have tried using the burner and stand from a trangia mini set and one of the MSR 500ml cook pots with lid. The whole lot fits inside the pot perfectly. As for a windshield, I use my rucksack or a good chunk of bacofoil repeatedly folded to form a windshield. The foil can also be unfloded and used to cook in if I use an open fire too and have been lucky with fishing or snaring.
I have to say tho' that for most of the time now I use the crusader cooker, mug and bottle and just pour meths in the cooker, although it does mean filling the bottom as well as the little container in the bottom of the cooker. What a shame that someone didn't fit a small trangia type burner in the bottom of the crusader cooker!
Biggest flaw with all of these is the lack of a windshield. That is the original trangias greatest strength - without the windshield, a really good stove is turned into junk with the slightest breeze. The best I've seen is the clickstand, which makes a really good go of controlling airflow.
beachlover
18-11-2004, 18:11
Have to agee with you about the windshield, but Ģ25 before Xmas and a vigilant missus :nono:
Maybe in the New Year :cry:
doesn't the pot stand on the Mini Trangia act as a wind shield as well http://www.libertymtn.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=WM16670&aid=
beachlover
18-11-2004, 19:43
doesn't the pot stand on the Mini Trangia act as a wind shield as well http://www.libertymtn.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=WM16670&aid=
Not really, more of a support for the pot. That said, if you cant find somewhere or something that acts as a windshield you really are struggling.
BIG-TARGET
21-11-2004, 02:19
I have one of those swedish mess kits .
Thanks for showing how it all works!!! :You_Rock_
not used mine yet so thought i`d give it a try, but baffled already. i1ve got some methylated spirits but not sure how much to put in,should i just put enough in so it soaks into the small hole in the bottom or should i fill it and for my next stupid question if i light it with a steel does it matter if the big hole in the middle catches fire or should i aim it at the edge, :?:
please help
There's a place near me here in Germany that sells SAMK quite cheap. Here's a link, but it's all in german!
http://www.raeer.com/cgi-bin/katalog/c691172a018c07dc
bothyman
27-02-2005, 17:45
not used mine yet so thought i`d give it a try, but baffled already. i1ve got some methylated spirits but not sure how much to put in,should i just put enough in so it soaks into the small hole in the bottom or should i fill it and for my next stupid question if i light it with a steel does it matter if the big hole in the middle catches fire or should i aim it at the edge, :?:
please help
Trikey.
just pour the meths into the big hole till it is twothirds full, then light it in the big hole, flames will come out of the top, then when the inner chamber warms up the pressure forces it through the small holes, and makes the flames hotter.
Try this website the burners are the same.
>> http://www.trangia.se/
mickT
jake trg
27-02-2005, 18:39
TRIKEY you should add between 10 to 15% water to your meths it cuts down the smoke blackening you pans
bushbasher
28-02-2005, 12:13
I spent ages trying to figure that out myself. Eventually coming to the conclusion that it was there to help with pouring.
If you put the hook into the off centre notch and use the little bracket on the front of the pot to tip it up (Use your sleeve to prevent burning) It is really easy to pour liquids out of the pot.
I may be wrong about this being its primary purpose, but It definately works for me. :chill: