Camping food storage combined into cookware?

[MCtree]

I have this idea for pre-making foods like chili and packing them into single serving metal containers for camping trips but I can’t find the ideal container.

My thought is that the container is in the cooler (or fridge) and is safely sealed and won’t leak.
Then when you want to eat it, you remove the lid and can heat them up directly on your camping stove (while stirring).
And then since cleaning up is a pain when camping, you can put the lid back on and because it’s securely on, just pack the dirty dish away and clean it when you get home.

But I can’t find anything designed for this.

I can find stainless steel Tupperware on Amazon, but nothing says if I can or can’t put it on a flame.
It’s stainless so I would guess it’s fine, but worry about a plastic lining or something that they don’t mention.

So… does anybody have any experience with anything like this?

 

[mudgudgeon]

Search stainless steel "bento box" on Amazon

 

[MCtree]

Yes. I saw those bento boxes in my searches.
But unless I missed it, none say anything about putting them on a flame.

But like I said, if they a stainless, I presume they are fine for flames. Just I would feel better if the descriptions directly said it.

Also, and I’m nit-picking here, a round shape is better for heating something up instead of that rectangle the bento boxes come in.

Oh.. wait… sorry. I see that “bento boxes” come in different shapes.

something like this might work.

But again, it doesn’t say anything about heating it on a flame.

 

[x8o8drifter]

Think you're gonna be SOL with the heating part cause it doesn't look like any actually tries to do that for some odd reason.
Only thing I know of that even comes close is a military mess kit and those don't seal.

I usually just toss em in a ziplock. Then if just me single serving toss it in my canteen and heat it up.
Have one of these.

 

[MCtree]

Yeah. I’m thinking I am SOL here.

And yeah, I’ve been doing what you do but I’m looking to streamline a bit.

It just seems that using the zip lock has drawbacks.
1. You gotta double-bag because they always leak.
2. It’s wasteful.
3. You end up with two dirty things you gotta pack up instead of 1 unless you want to wash things while camping.
4. It’s more work in getting the ziplock, emptying it into the pot and then dealing with the dirty bag and dirty pot.


And yes, I know that none of these are big issues (or really “issues” at all). But like with so much on this forum, we like to obsess and tweak until it’s perfect!

 

[kirvesmies]

Question for ya, why not get their cheapest one n test it? Oh, n report back

 

[MCtree]

Hmmm. While this last post is undeniably formed as a question, it sure seems more like a suggestion!

But it’s a good suggestion. I will do so!

 

[MCtree]

I just ordered this one from Amazon.
I’ll report back.

 

[aztoyman]

Thanks for posting this. I like the idea. I never heard of a Bento Box. I would think the pot itself would be fine on a camp stove. It's the lid seal that you would have to protect. Looking forward to your feedback.

 

[kirvesmies]

Hmmm. While this last post is undeniably formed as a question, it sure seems more like a suggestion!

But it’s a good suggestion. I will do so!

Yup, n it was unusually diplomaticly worded

 

[mudgudgeon]

Oh.. wait… sorry. I see that “bento boxes” come in different shapes.


But again, it doesn’t say anything about heating it on a flame.

Provided they aren't insulated / double-wall vacuum flask style I'd have no hesitation putting them over a flame.

I've had very similar light duty stainless steel pots/ dishes as camping cookware in the past and had no issues heating them on a gas burner or alcohol stove.

A little trangia pot grabber makes then super versatile and keeps them compact.
With the grabber, you can or then on/off a flame or hold the pot while you eat out of it

Not a big investment to experiment

 

[MCtree]

Oh! I hadn’t thought about a pot grabber like that. I think I might even own one already (if I can find it).
I was thinking about bringing a pot holder (like the cloth type) but wasn’t liking that solution.
So thanks!

And the bento box that I ordered and should be arriving tomorrow says it is oven safe. So hopefully it can take an open flame too without warping. At least not when full with something I’m heating.

And yeah, @aztoyman, I too assume the lid would be the weak point. I will have to remember not to put the lid on it while heating the contents.

 

[mudgudgeon]

So hopefully it can take an open flame too without warping. At least not when full with something I’m heating.

If its going to warp, it would be a problem when it's empty, not full.
When full, the contents will help disperse the heat evenly

 

[mudgudgeon]

And yeah, @aztoyman, I too assume the lid would be the weak point. I will have to remember not to put the lid on it while heating the contents

Hadn't thought about a seal. Interested to know if the seal is removable

 

[MCtree]

Okay…
So I purchased, received and now tested out my Blockhutte 40oz metal lunch box (pictured in post #8 above).

I filled it full of water and shook it around and left it on its side overnight. No leakage.
Then I boiled water in it on my stove and tested for leakage after it cooled to see if it had warped any. Still good. No leaks.
Then I froze water in it in my freezer for a couple of days (to see if freezing something inside of it would cause a warp). Then allowed the water to thaw and then boiled it. Still no leakage.
Finally, I put cold spaghetti with bolognese sauce into it and reheated it over my jetboil Sumo stove (using a jetboil pot support). This was a bit tricky in that the flame that comes out of the jetboil is pretty concentrated. And with the very thin wall of the lunchbox, I had to be carful not to let anything sit directly above the flame for too long.
The pot holder that you, @mudgudgeon, suggested was essential here. Both in moving the pot around a bit so as to not have the flame only in one spot but also to hold the pot while I stirred fairly constantly.
I also added a bit of water to the sauce. It boiled off quickly but helped avoid any burning.

And while I say it was “tricky,” it really wasn’t a bother. The food heated up quickly and easily. And if one had a more liquid meal, it would be even easier.

In short; I’m calling this experiment a success!
I am going to be buying a second one of these “lunch boxes” for my camping expeditions.
And do recommend them to anybody who wants to bring Tupperware that can also be used as a pot when cooking.
And then sealed back up for cleaning when I get back home.

 

[aztoyman]

Dang! The company should pay you for that test and review. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

 

[MCtree]

Dang! The company should pay you for that test and review. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

Ha! Thanks!

As I was typing it, I was wondering if such a review would be useful on Amazon (where I bought the pot).

Guess I’ll paste it there too.

One thing I will say for the company is that I reached out to them for a question; The box came with an extra seal. The seal that was pre-installed into the lid of the box is grey, but the extra is green.
I asked if there was a difference.
And after an auto-response in German, they very promptly responded in English letting me know that there was no difference beyond the color.
So kudos to their customer service.

 

[mudgudgeon]

As I was typing it, I was wondering if such a review would be useful on Amazon (where I bought the pot).

Guess I’ll paste it there too.

Yeah, a review like that is helpful.

Sure beats "I just opened the box, haven't used it, but its shiny, so I highly recommend this awesome POS product"

I might grab a couple myself for work. I have a little butane camp stove. This combo would make a nice hot lunch easy on a cold construction site.

If they supply a spare seal, i fires that means the seal could be removed if you're heating stuff with the lid on

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Okay…
So I purchased, received and now tested out my Blockhutte 40oz metal lunch box (pictured in post #8 above).

I filled it full of water and shook it around and left it on its side overnight. No leakage.
Then I boiled water in it on my stove and tested for leakage after it cooled to see if it had warped any. Still good. No leaks.
Then I froze water in it in my freezer for a couple of days (to see if freezing something inside of it would cause a warp). Then allowed the water to thaw and then boiled it. Still no leakage.
Finally, I put cold spaghetti with bolognese sauce into it and reheated it over my jetboil Sumo stove (using a jetboil pot support). This was a bit tricky in that the flame that comes out of the jetboil is pretty concentrated. And with the very thin wall of the lunchbox, I had to be carful not to let anything sit directly above the flame for too long.
The pot holder that you, @mudgudgeon, suggested was essential here. Both in moving the pot around a bit so as to not have the flame only in one spot but also to hold the pot while I stirred fairly constantly.
I also added a bit of water to the sauce. It boiled off quickly but helped avoid any burning.

And while I say it was “tricky,” it really wasn’t a bother. The food heated up quickly and easily. And if one had a more liquid meal, it would be even easier.

In short; I’m calling this experiment a success!
I am going to be buying a second one of these “lunch boxes” for my camping expeditions.
And do recommend them to anybody who wants to bring Tupperware that can also be used as a pot when cooking.
And then sealed back up for cleaning when I get back home.

What "pot holder" are you using?
I found this one

Amazon.com: Qiyuda 2 Pcs Pan Gripper with Bottle Opener, Anti-Hot Detachable Handle Replacement Pizza Pot Grabber (Not Applicable for Thicker Pans): Home & Kitchen

Online Shopping for Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets from a great selection at everyday low prices. Free 2-day Shipping with Amazon Prime.

www.amazon.com

The square bento boxes may be the shiZ for a fridge.