Tidbit about the blue steel Coleman mugs

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

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Dec 13, 2005
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If you're much like me, you've probably got a couple of those steel Coleman mugs from Wally World that are blue and white speckled. Mine have been gifts (for some reason people think they're super-suitable for camping) and I haven't really ever used them. I was determined to find a use for them, and started wondering what water containers I had would fit inside. I'm was trying to imitate the nicer Alpine mugs that fit around a Nalgene bottle, but a poor man's version.

I really wanted something that I could use to heat up some tea or to boil some water if I was in a rough situation. I also wanted something that would fit together a more compact way than a full-on extra small pot. Again, that Nalgene/mug combo is sort of the goal here.

Eventually, I found that the 'larger' sized Jif peanut butter jars will fit. They hold probably ~650-700 mLs, which isn't too bad for a day hike or so. The fit into the mug is just about perfect, with only the slightest room for play. The jars are pretty hearty and I wouldn't worry about one breaking/wearing out. The lids have strong, thick threads and seal up well. Not bad for this purpose!

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So now I've got a bottle + mug/pot combo that is only composed of things that I was either going to throw away or never used. I'm going to bring it along on my next hike, but I think it ought to work out pretty well.

Kind of a silly little idea, but I just wanted to throw the idea out to anyone with these things sitting around the house, or who wanted a cheap way to stash such a combo into a 'bug out' bag type of setup.

If anyone else has any handy uses for items that are usually borderline refuse, post away!
 
There is an enamel layer on the outside, but I've used them a time or two for boiling. I'd guess the layer is too small to matter much. They are definitely not perfect for the role.
 
If it's the same stove-enamel as on mine (also a gift!), it appears identical to the enamel on a big skillet I have. That certainly doesn't mind the heat, and conducts well enough.

The enamel on the cup is much thinner though, so it would probably start to crack after a while if used for cooking. But at this price (free!), so what?

Rick.
 
Being a well known cheapskate, I love ideas that use freebies and cheap stuff.
Great idea, Spooky one!
 
Cool. Those are all over my Army Navy store here. Bueno.
 
What a space saver. Now we have to decide whether we want plain or crunchy peanut butter flavored water.
 
Hehe, I hope you get use out of it! :thumbup:

The only problem I have now is getting that nutty scent out of the jar! I'd hesitate to put one of these in the dishwasher.. Better keep letting it soak in the sink for a while longer.
 
i was just thinking...what if you cut off the handle and made a bail of heavy wire it would make like a small pot that took up less space without the handle and it could be hung over a fire from a tripod or something.
 
The wire idea is really excellent. I have thought about cutting off the handle, just because once you have put it into a fire, you can't really grab onto it anyway. The lid is curved downward at the edge, so it makes it easy to set up for hanging over the fire anyway.

Good idea!
 
magneto said:
What a space saver. Now we have to decide whether we want plain or crunchy peanut butter flavored water.
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My woman says crunchy might leave less oil in the jar and make it easier to clean.

What about a small eye-bolt through to lid of the jar? You could seal around it with food-grade silicone and be able to carry it on a sling, etc.

I'm a sucker for ideas like this, I danced all over the house when I discovered a 20-oz soda bottle cap fits perfectly over a mini-Maglite to protect the lens. :o
 
I wanted to double check that I wasn't giving some bad advice, so I tossed the mug (filled with water) onto the stove top. I got it to boil somewhere around med-high. Then I took it out to my little 'fire bowl' on my porch and got some embers going. I could only get it to steam heavily, but there were bubbles beginning to form at the side. I chalk the difference up to the crappiness of the fire from a metal bowl elevated off the ground. I'll check it again next time I get to go to the woods.

(PS- Anyone know what the internal temperature of the average campfire gets to? That would be handy info...)
 
GibsonFan said:
I'm a sucker for ideas like this, I danced all over the house when I discovered a 20-oz soda bottle cap fits perfectly over a mini-Maglite to protect the lens. :o
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You mean to tell me a 20 oz. soda nbottle top fits over a mini-mag lite lens!!!! :eek:
(goes dancing thru house looknig for 20 oz. bottle tops) :D


Spooky, nice job, that's some good improvising! thanks. :thumbup:
 
GibsonFan said:
I'm a sucker for ideas like this, I danced all over the house when I discovered a 20-oz soda bottle cap fits perfectly over a mini-Maglite to protect the lens. :o
Click to expand...
:thumbup:

2 ltr. top works as well. :D

Tops from 1/2 gal juice containers seem to be too loose. :(
 
Heh. Glad I could share that with you, gents. :D

You will soon find that turning the light on with the cap in place provides a dim but useful glow... for covert ops, don'tcha know... your choice of color depending on the soda you like ;)
 
GibsonFan said:
Heh. Glad I could share that with you, gents. :D

You will soon find that turning the light on with the cap in place provides a dim but useful glow... for covert ops, don'tcha know... your choice of color depending on the soda you like ;)
Click to expand...

I can see the Dark Ops ad for their new flashlight: With the cap in place, a dim but useful glow, unseen by satellites and enemy combatants, guides you through hostile territory. Allowing you to avoid the blood, bone, and gore you left on the ground as you fade into the night leaving them with the fear you could return at any time.
 
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