Tinfoil

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
8,250
So I went out and bought the "Reynolds Heavy Duty" tinfoil this week and went about folding up a 1' X 2' piece to the size of my pocket PSK. This is one of the coolest ideas I've heard and was the perfect solution for this particular PSK in regards to water purification. So I fold it up to a size that would fit and then unfolded it and sculpted it into a bowl. The end result was a bowl that was double walled and when filled with water leaked. Just dripped away. Did I do something wrong or what?:confused:
 
It's aluminum foil not tin !! There is a limit to the amount of folding you can do without creating tears or holes in the aluminum. That's probably what happened.
 
I've been a little skeptical of the aluminum foil idea since I first read about it. I suspect that most of the holes form at the intersection of two creases. I've thought about folding the foil into a long strip so that you only have creases running one way. Then, using an altoids tin as an example, coil the strip into the tin around the edge. Then pack everything else into the kit carefully so that none of your other gear pokes holes in the foil. I hope I described that okay. I have no idea how well this would really work, but it might be worth a shot. You could also try rolling the foil into a tube and flattening it gently so that the creases aren't as sharp, but that would mean it would probably take up a bit more space in the kit.
 
I think having some foil in a kit is a cheap and easy addition, but I wouldn't have a lot of confidence in making containers that would hold up to boiling water. Google on "origami" for folding techniques to make containers. Orikaso is a company that makes folding plastic dishes for camping that actually work.
 
The tin foil in a PSK to hold water is definitely a weak link. Some folks use a mini baking pan instead or carry a small cup or pot.

If I am worried about just water purifricaton I try to carry plenty of MP1 and a platypus 1 liter folding bottle or a nalgene; with a few extra large ziplock bags as backup.

If I am worried about staying warm and hydrated I will probably add at least a metal cup or cookpot to heat water over a fire.
 
I don't think of tinfoil as a way to carry or boil water but as a means to cook food. I have cooked lots of fish and small birds wrapped in tinfoil and it works very good, better than on a stick over the fire IMO, much better with a little garlic, butter and lemon.;)

For water carrying duty an oven bag is what I chose, I don't know if you can boil water with it but it's worth a try. For water purification I think a small bottle of potable aqua or other chemical means is the best for a small kit. Chris
 
runningboar said:
I don't think of tinfoil as a way to carry or boil water but as a means to cook food. I have cooked lots of fish and small birds wrapped in tinfoil and it works very good, better than on a stick over the fire IMO, much better with a little garlic, butter and lemon.;)
Chris
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TinFoil cooking, like this?

 
I dont know if many of you saw the little test I did on a sheet of it I had in my psk. In the end, fold up a pile plate.
 
Yeah this was mainly for a super small PSK that would go in my pocket(smaller than altoids tin.) I'm going to explore metal cupcake cups but more than likely end up with an oven bag and a little creativity with the potable aqua. This is what it was going in.http://www.rei.com/product/492598?vcat=REI_SEARCH I'm mainly using it for first aid(basic bandages and meds etc.) for urban carry.
 
Shotgun said:
Yeah this was mainly for a super small PSK that would go in my pocket(smaller than altoids tin.) I'm going to explore metal cupcake cups but more than likely end up with an oven bag and a little creativity with the potable aqua. This is what it was going in.http://www.rei.com/product/492598?vcat=REI_SEARCH I'm mainly using it for first aid(basic bandages and meds etc.) for urban carry.
Click to expand...

Try a Platypus bladder for compact water carrying. Iodine doesn't work as well as chlorine dioxide for treatment. Aluminum foil cupcake cups are really thin and will melt easily. One good buy I've found for PSK pots is the Olicamp space saver cup/pot that is made to fit a Nalgene-- about $6. Titanium cups are much lighter, but run more like $25 and up. This MSR steel cup is the best for the money, but still a little heavy
 
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