Cheap-ish billy can?

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
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Anyone got a lead on a cheapish billy can? I'm looking for something easy to hang over a fire, fairly inexpensive, steel (not aluminum), with a lid (preferably lockable). I've seen the Zebra stuff and it's on the 'ponder' list.

Thanks for any thoughts folks!
 
I may break down and do that, I was looking for a more 'substantial' pot for the long haul. But not a bad idea!
 
I used a milo tin and those things are amazingly strong.

Come to think about it I dont even think you guys know what milo is...
 
You could go with the Swedish Mess Kit.

They come in both Stainless and aluminum. I am not sure which one the one I linked to is, so you might want to check into it first.

Just be aware, the stainless version is thick, and IMO heavy. Much heavier than a zebra or similar type pot.

Brian
 
Spooky,
consider screwing around with a stainless 2 quart pot from a resale shop or discount store. Set up your handle, use one of the pot-gripper pliers, and Bob's yer uncle. Inexpensive, durable as hell, and easily replaced.

Have fun.



Kis
 
Guille said:
Milo is a chocolate drink.. really good. And yup the cans are really sturdy. :D
Click to expand...

Yep thats it!
The good thing is that they have different sizes from cans as small as a cup to several liters.

The bigger ones are corrugated so its more rigid. This also helps to pick up the can with two samplings if you dont use a bail.
 
I have a Zebra brand SS pot. Its a good quality pot with a bail handle, lid and an inset plate. You can google them or find them on Ebay and BensBackwoods. I would link but don't want to get yelled at.

Looks like this.
4828_1_349_1.JPG


Just saw that you are already looking at them. They are pretty good, the only negative is the handle. It doesnt stay up/vertical when cooking on a stove so it can get pretty darn hot. I found out hte hard way.
 
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go to the walmart cooking section and you will find a couple of different items that are stainless steel and can have a bail attached easily, i found a couple of large stainless items that work well.

alex
 
orrey45 said:
I have a Zebra brand SS pot. Its a good quality pot with a bail handle, lid and an inset plate. You can google them or find them on Ebay and BensBackwoods. I would link but don't want to get yelled at.

Looks like this.
4828_1_349_1.JPG


Just saw that you are already looking at them. They are pretty good, the only negative is the handle. It doesnt stay up/vertical when cooking on a stove so it can get pretty darn hot. I found out hte hard way.
Click to expand...

I have a Zebra pot with side handle and lid. Pretty nice but a little heavy, which I guess means sturdy. I thought about the pot pictured but I wasn't sure what those little white things by the handle are. Are they lid clamps? Would they melt on an open fire?
 
If you're going to cook in a Zebra Billy you'll need to remove those white clamps. They will melt.

To keep the handle from getting too hot you can use a small y-shaped stick and prop the handle straight up. Just put the "Y" under the bail and set the opposite end of the stick in the lid depression.

The 10cm is good for a solo hiker/camper but the 12cm is probably better for longer term as you'll be able to boil more water for drinking with little weight penalty.

Among all the mess kits/cooksets I've purchased over the years the two at the top of my list are the Trangia pots and the Zebra Billies. Both are inexpensive, tough, and can be used with a burner, over an open fire, or on coals.

B
 
Zebra is actually a pretty decent brand that is quite sturdy. I have a few pieces and one being the billy pot that orrey45 has shown. My complaint is similar to his and I've emailed the Zebra company and recommended they also make the handle stiffer to stand straight up and also a little taller so it could fold up under the pot for a more compact size for packing. A little re-engineering with the handle and you wouldn't need those plastic tabs either.

briangandrews also mentioned those Swedish/German surplus mess kits. I have both the aluminum (picked them up at Buckshot's Camp online) and the steel versions (the ones from Sportsmansguide with the alcohol stoves). Both are great, but the steel ones are of course heavier, but have a decent bail and would be great in or over the fire. Budget-wise, the are probably the best option without doing any modifications.

ROCK6
 
You guys rock, tons of good info and ideas. :thumbup:

orrey45 said:
Just saw that you are already looking at them. They are pretty good, the only negative is the handle. It doesnt stay up/vertical when cooking on a stove so it can get pretty darn hot. I found out hte hard way.
Click to expand...

I hadn't heard that, that's too bad! Seems it would have been an easy fix in R&D. Still might be the best option so far.

DOC-CANADA said:
Hey Spooky, why not just use a Guyot? Kevin posted that he cooked all one weekend in one.

Doc
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I've actually got a Guyot and may use it more for this role, but it's hard to get down in it if you're making something like oatmeal or just using it as a frying pan.

Brian_T said:
If you're going to cook in a Zebra Billy you'll need to remove those white clamps. They will melt.

To keep the handle from getting too hot you can use a small y-shaped stick and prop the handle straight up. Just put the "Y" under the bail and set the opposite end of the stick in the lid depression.

The 10cm is good for a solo hiker/camper but the 12cm is probably better for longer term as you'll be able to boil more water for drinking with little weight penalty.

Among all the mess kits/cooksets I've purchased over the years the two at the top of my list are the Trangia pots and the Zebra Billies. Both are inexpensive, tough, and can be used with a burner, over an open fire, or on coals.

B
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice on the size! I wasn't sure which one to opt for if I go that route.
 
Brian_T said:
If you're going to cook in a Zebra Billy you'll need to remove those white clamps. They will melt.

B
Click to expand...

I forgot to mention why the handle falls down. It was because I took the little white melted things off.
 
I didn't mention these the first time, because they are either hard or expensive to get a hold of.

But, I have a set of Tatonka pots that I like quite well, even better than the Zebra's. I prefer the shorter and fatter dimensions of them, and the lid can be used as a skillet.

IMG_8093.jpg


In reference to the handle falling down, the Tatonka's have a neat little feature to keep that from happening. It locks the handle in the downward direction with the weight of gravity, and locks in the other direction when you pick it up. It helps having it locked when pouring hot liquids.

IMG_8182.jpg


Problem is, they are not easily available in the US, and having them shipped here is usually more expensive than the pots :D I am currently trying to work it out with Tatonka to have quantities shipped to me so that it will cut down on the shipping charges and make them affordable to us here in the US.

Brian
 
That thing is awesome looking, Brian. Cool find. Here's hoping you are able to get some stateside to share!! :thumbup:
 
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