First off I would like to say I have been away from this website for a long time,two years? It's good to be back and I hope to be taking part on a regular basis again. Does anyone out there have the swedish army training manual for the the above subject stove? That stove is my hands down favorite! As I said in my profile I think the alcohol stoves are the way to go. As much as I've used the swedish military stove I feel I am "missing something" with regards to how they intended the kit to work. The bail and hook on the large pot is for what? Is there a way that the stove and large pot can be hung while cooking? There is noting to hold the kit together for transport? It just comes apart in your pack. I am not asking for opinions on the use of this kit. Been there,done that. Has anyone got the army instruction/manual for this? Joe
I imagine the bail and hook scheme would allow you to use a wood fire if you had an extended patrol and ran out of spirits. This would also explain the neato rings on the smaller pot to allow you to hold it over a fire from a distance with a stick. The extra little bend in the bail Is so the hook can be tucked into the windscreen when packed. I've never had a problem with the set coming open in the pack but maybe mine aren't as used as yours. The only thing I don't like about this set is the lack of a simmer capability. Has anyone come up with a halfway professional looking home-made simmer ring? I love how simple and cheap the set is. Every boy-scout should have one. Or six. Sorry, I have no manual.
A manual would be interesting. These Swedes get a rave thread here from time to time; I agree with the raves; who can complain at the price? I bought two more at the Duffle Bag a month ago for $7.99 apiece.
Hi Joe They are a nice bit of kit, popular with bushcraft campers in the UK. The hook and bale are for use over an open fire; and you could I guess rig up a home made hanging system from wire. You can use a small flat stone or triple folded foil as a simmer ring, both work well. A good stove/noodle boiler, but a slower boiler than the civilian Trangia 25 or 27 and make sure you insulate the burner from cold ground with a bit of cardboard or bark etc or you will wait an age for a brew.
Hi Funny how these things happen, I've been working on a simmering device for these sets this week. My eldest daughter (she's still only 9) likes hers but burns her soup a lot. I'm up to mark 3. I'm working on restricting air flow as that seems the easiest way to do it. A tuna can with top and bottom removed fits between the burner and the bottom of the pan leaving a small gap, I used a step drill to put various sized holes in the side of the tin. I pop rivetted a small handle on the side also so it can be lifted into place once the contents of the pan have reached the right stage to be simmered . This is working quite well in the garage but is yet to be field tested. Sorry no pictures.
I ditched the whole burner and repowered it with an Trangia item mit wonderbar simmering, sorted They are about NZ$30 or so new here, where we too are confused by The Hook. The only other mod is an oval of thin aluminum that doubles as a hot plate for coffee perks, small pots etc, or the lid for the fry pan.
QUESTIONS I have a few of the Swedish Army mess kits and I think they are great. The price is right and they really do work quite well, unless you are in a stiff breeze. Here are my questions 1. Did the Swedish Army really use these things ? If so, during what years. None of the samples I have looked at ever had a year of manufacture stamp. 2. Was it really cost effective to have each soldier running around with his own little cooking apparatus ? 3. The ones I have examined are either stainless steel or aluminum. I am assuming that these metals were chosen so as not to affect magnetic compass readings. Can this be true. Thanks, Ken H.
These were used before the magic of self heating MRE's (ugly to us, but pretty to the military mind) I don't know why they used different metals. The Stainless ones are easier to clean by far. (if you burn something) But even the aluminum is kind of heavy as a solo cookset. I thought it would be neat if someone made a small nesting kettle for this set. It's nice, it's simple to use, I wouldn't want to use it in winter though...
Gee, that was fast! Thanks to all of you for answering my post,and Thank you Ed for the welcome back. I think the comments on the pot bail and D rings on the Sm. pot handle are probably correct, they are for use over a fire. I always use water in the lg. pot and heat food pouches or cans of food. I Make a brew of coffee at the same time that I'm heating the food. I'll give the "simmer ring" problem a go also when I get a chance. Could someone send me the link on the previous disscusions concerning this stove? I did a search but I don't think I turned up the previous post that was mentioned? I am currently working on a mod for the alcohol/woodchip Swiss Ranger Canteen/Cookstove ($3.97 Ea.). I'll post some photos when I am done. If anyone knows how to get their hands on the Swedish Army Cookset instructions pls. let me know. Your all a great bunch! It's good to be back! Joe, aka "Pop"
Joe Please let me restate a few of my questions regarding the Swedish Mess Kits 1. Can anyone show concrete evidence that these things were in fact used by the Swedish Army ? Photographs, or documentary evidence, not just opinion. 2. What years where they used. Again, concrete evidence, not opinions, please. 3. Could this have really been cost effective ? Now the mess kits do resemble those used by the Germans in World War Two except that those were curved somewhat to fit the soldier's hip. Did the German mess kit have a heater of some sort ? I know the Germans used a Nesbit pellet heater ( Hexamine tablet ) but I am not really knowledgeable of what all went into these mess kits. Thanks, Ken H.
There is noting to hold the kit together for transport? It just comes apart in your pack. I am not asking for opinions on the use of this kit. Been there,done that. Has anyone got the army instruction/manual for this? Joe[/quote] tried putting a carabener through the slot in the handle? it'll keep it from coming apart.
Sorry,but I don't know what you are trying to say? The wire bail does not snap into or in any way secure the kit together. Yes,I use a "D" ring w/an opening just a litte wider than the width of the protruding loop. We all have our ways to make this kit work better but the question is how did the designer intend for it to work. KAH Good questions you ask. I don't know the answers but I would like to. Joe
After 30 seconds of internet research, I found the answer... The kit was not carried IN the pack, it was carried ON the pack, hence the loop for a strap... Obvious, when you think about it http://www.grantsmilitaria.com/militariaphotos/militaria_images.asp?key=105
Oh yes, they are used by the Swedish Armed Forces! Have been since the 1940?s and they are still in use. My father used it, I used it and my son has. I?m not sure about my grandfathers; they could have been using an older model then the ?Kokk?rl M/40? (mess tin model 1940), most likely the one Steve found. In the cold war period about 900?000 men would have been called up in case of war and most of that equipment have been sold off by now. The two different models ?Kokk?rl M/40AL? (aluminium) and ?Kokk?rl M/40RFR? (stainless steel) booth appear in huge numbers. I can?t really tell why there are two models. It could bee that the steel one is the oldest, and since they are pretty much indestructible, they are still around. Most of them have been lying in storage anyway. They were manufactured by different firms. For example, I have burners marked ?SVEA? and ?Trangia?. I send along copies of the two product sheets. I also found a modern picture on www.mil.se. Stefan
YES! \ Thank you, Stefan ! Exactly what we were looking for! Can you explain how to use the handle and hook ? Is there a copy of instructions ?
bajabum Nice work! I have spent HOURS on the internet looking for info on this stove/cookset! I guess that's what networking is all about. Ten minds are better than one. Good Job! Joe stejar Thanks you added a lot to the info on this set. I had thought that the stainless steel replaced the Aluminum. Here in the US the military replaced all it's aluminum food service gear because aluminum was found to be a health hazard. Nice photos!
Now what is this about Aluminum cookware being a health hazard? Please give more information. Thanks, Ken H.
