After 3 decades I've come full circle and returned to using rectangular mess tins. We were issued them when I was in the British Army late 80s and early 90s, this was before our ration packs had retort pouch meals, instead we had small tins which we heated in water in the mess tin, and then used the water to make a hot drink or wash/shave. After leaving I had an aversion to the old issue kit and for years used various round pots and pans for camping, later on I used the old German mess kit. However a couple of years ago I bought rectangular mess tins, but the Dutch ones in stainless steel. Got a bargain as they've now gone up in price. I've now added a lid/frying pan which is a replica of an old one which existed somewhere on issue in the 80s but I never saw them. The advantages of the rectangular mess tins are that they take less space i.e. it's easier to pack gear more efficiently around them, and it's easier to efficiently pack gear inside them without wasting space; secondly they are ideal for reheating pouch MREs; and finally they can be used as a washbasin for ablutions or washing other utensils. Now my go to cookset is one of the 2 mess tins plus lid/frying pan paired up with a Dutch stainless canteen cup (same as the GI one with butterfly handles) with a Pathfinder lid.
Dave Canterbury incorporates this mess kit in his fire kit because of the internal storage it has. I love these kits also for the nostalgia aspect as well...
Well done review. I've been using one outdoors since the early 1980's. Because of how they come together, you can actually set up a small oven that doesn't allow the coals heaped on top to enter the meal. Mick
You are so excited about most reviews, man. This channel is enjoyable and informative. I love military surplus too; it is nigh indestructible, but generally heavy. The US military canteen cup is still the best general purpose camp gear ever. I drank coffee/water/whatever, shaved, cleaned oneself and dug holes with mine while training or deployed.
TheOutdoorGearReview If you get a change, one day can you review Dave Canterbury's designed Canteen Cooking Set. It seems to be an all new canteen, cup and stove. It isn't super cheap like surplus, but it is interesting. www.thepathfinderstore.com/canteen-cooking-set/
I picked up a French mess kit. Here are some of the modifications I made,I put in a trangia alcohol stove, $15, I added two sets of camping silverware,$7.92 and got a 100 round SAW pouch,8.00. The stove and the silverware fit nicely in the kit and the SAW pouch makes an excellent cover with Molle gear so I can attach the whole thing to my backpack. I love it.
Hey Luke, based on your review, I picked up two from the site you recommended (the best price I found). These kids are bomb proof, in great shape, and as you mentioned, will last a loooong time! Thanks! Craig
Looks like a good kit. I was going to get one but being as I'm not concerned about weight, I got a Dutch military mess kit instead. I think I'll pick a couple of the French kits for camping as back ups though. Nice video. Catcha later. Rikki
I like that this kit is so flat. I'm always looking for ways to carry a mess kit in the back of a fly fishing vest. Most are just too bulky. I think a kit like this might work. Good video. Thanks.
square? how dare they? the gods of all circular pans will release their wrath !! :P. Lovely mess kit. Add a good windshield/base, a trangia burner and you are on ;) Thanks Luke ;) -Jeffrey
A very well review , I like keepshooting for some gear and , I am going to pick those up for my treks, I wonder if the kits made in the 50s are thicker aluminum then ones made later? I did buy 4 french military mess kits from colemans surplus, and wow, what a great piece of gear , I use them all the time at home, and they are big enough to cook for at least 8 people, if you have not seen them look at them, so I'll couple the two together as one kit for cooking , the items I bought from colemans were like new condition, but a bit of oven spray and a soaking did the trick. Thanks nice close up look at these gems. I'll view more of your reviews.
Nice. I have one that the swiss military uses (volcano) type. I recently got a trangia cook set off ebay used for a good price. I have never seen a review for the french ones before. It does look well made, reminds me of some of the good roasting pans I have but smaller. Cooking in the field is still an interest to me as I used to be a cook in the marines. Thanks for the review of this.
This model replaces the mess kit used in the 1930s and was created in 1952. I used this mess kit when I was in the French army (infantry) in 1994-95. This mess was stored in the daily backpack F1 it must be completed by the bottle and an other canteen fixed on the belt This canteen is replaced by a new model since the end of 2000s
Luke how have you been my friend. I like all kinds of surplus also. I like the American round mess kit better. Thanks for posting stay safe your friend Andrew.
what about a lid? does the plate nest over the smaller pot? I noticed the tray/plate has an uneven bottom that looks like it will fit snugly on top of the pot. does this work?
Now, I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure this is completely true: If you try to cooking any "le repas" that contains "le ketchup" your french cook set will spit it right out of the pot and scream "Vous avez le cervau d'un sandwich au fromage!" On a bit of a serious note, eating and drinking from aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's and other health risks. Certainly not trying to disparage the cook set at all, but it might be worth taking a look at the information just to make sure you're ok with the choice to use an aluminum cook set. I personally do not use them because I've already got an incurable disease (boo hoo, right? It's cool. It's pertinent to the discussion or I wouldn't mention it. No need for any sympathy, I'm not THAT guy at all), but for others who have no serious health issues, it seems the risk is relatively low, but like I said, everyone may want to do their own research and decide for themselves. Cool kit. Cheap as heck, too! Take care, bro.
Hey there Zackary, Haha You're pretty funny. :) When it comes to aluminum, these are my thoughts on it. Virtually no risk at all for most people. The real risks comes from the food that we cook within those pots. Aluminum is everywhere around us all of the time. It is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust. You cannot avoid exposure to aluminum because it is so common and widespread in the environment.Exposure to the levels of aluminum that are naturally present in food and water and the forms of aluminum that are present in dirt and aluminum pots and pans are not considered to be harmful.Eating large amounts of processed food containing aluminum additives or frequently cooking acidic foods in aluminum pots may expose a person to higher levels of aluminum than a person who generally consumes unprocessed foods. So my thoughts, it's more about the foods.Cheers- Luke
Agreed about the abundance and inevitable interaction we all share with aluminum laced food and drink. As I said, for the most part people needn't worry about it, but just like HGH and several other relatively new additives, we're just now receiving long term research data. Is it safe? Very, even highly, probable. Is it safe enough for ambivalence? That may be where we differ, but only by the slightest of margins. Still a great kit. Light weight, compact, versatile - easily worth the small modicum of risk associated with the materials.
TheOutdoorGearReview I agree with all that you just said, but why not avoid it when there are better options. Like you said we are already exposed to it many other forms, but this one we actually have choice. Jason
They look like they would last a long time and even if they don't you won't remember it failed you, since you will probably have Alzheimer from the leached Aluminium, lol. Jason
primalarcher In most cases you'll be just fine unless you're buying something really sketchy. Look into how anodization/electro-chemically process work. Also if you're concerned about metals even stainless steel isn't recommended. Stainless steel cookware is made from a metal alloy consisting of mostly iron and chromium along with differing percentages of molybdenum, nickel, titanium, copper, aluminum, etc. Even stainless steel allows other metals to leach into the foods. The main elements in stainless that have negative effects on our health (supposedly) are iron, aluminum, chromium and nickel. Cheers. - Luke
TheOutdoorGearReview I understand anodization is suppose to make aluminium, ok, but that cook set I am sure is not anodized. Even if it is I am still personally going to choose to stay clear of it. Stainless steel definitely is not perfect but I still will personally choose it over straight aluminium, now that being said from my research Titanium is looking to be safe choice but I would like to do more research on it (would you please get a titanium cook set and do review, lol). One note though you should be careful not to scratch your stainless steel if you do it will be more likely to leach. Jason
primalarcher Stop the Presses!!!!!! What the hell just when I think I have a handle on something I find something out that makes me question myself, and this article on WebMD.com www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/controversial-claims-risk-factors has done that for me. So it looks like Aluminum may not be the evil metal we have been led to believe. Anyhow carry on, lol Jason
After 3 decades I've come full circle and returned to using rectangular mess tins. We were issued them when I was in the British Army late 80s and early 90s, this was before our ration packs had retort pouch meals, instead we had small tins which we heated in water in the mess tin, and then used the water to make a hot drink or wash/shave. After leaving I had an aversion to the old issue kit and for years used various round pots and pans for camping, later on I used the old German mess kit. However a couple of years ago I bought rectangular mess tins, but the Dutch ones in stainless steel. Got a bargain as they've now gone up in price. I've now added a lid/frying pan which is a replica of an old one which existed somewhere on issue in the 80s but I never saw them. The advantages of the rectangular mess tins are that they take less space i.e. it's easier to pack gear more efficiently around them, and it's easier to efficiently pack gear inside them without wasting space; secondly they are ideal for reheating pouch MREs; and finally they can be used as a washbasin for ablutions or washing other utensils. Now my go to cookset is one of the 2 mess tins plus lid/frying pan paired up with a Dutch stainless canteen cup (same as the GI one with butterfly handles) with a Pathfinder lid.
I agree100/100!
Dave Canterbury incorporates this mess kit in his fire kit because of the internal storage it has. I love these kits also for the nostalgia aspect as well...
out of stock everywhere it seems......
ben terwellen Yeah I noticed that as well...
I use my French Mess kit (1948 to 1969) as a container for a survival kit. I did remove the smaller pan to make room.
Sounds great my friend.
- Luke
Well done review.
I've been using one outdoors since the early 1980's.
Because of how they come together, you can actually set up a small oven that doesn't allow the coals heaped on top to enter the meal.
Mick
You are so excited about most reviews, man. This channel is enjoyable and informative. I love military surplus too; it is nigh indestructible, but generally heavy. The US military canteen cup is still the best general purpose camp gear ever. I drank coffee/water/whatever, shaved, cleaned oneself and dug holes with mine while training or deployed.
Thank you very much Charles for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it brother.
I agree 100% with you in regards to the canteen cup.
- Luke
TheOutdoorGearReview If you get a change, one day can you review Dave Canterbury's designed Canteen Cooking Set. It seems to be an all new canteen, cup and stove. It isn't super cheap like surplus, but it is interesting.
www.thepathfinderstore.com/canteen-cooking-set/
😆😆 brings back some memories..was i the French Troupe de marine back in 88..
i have had my french mess/cook set for about a year now its great one of my fave bits of kit i carry my solid fuel stove in it
Right on John.
- Luke
I picked up a French mess kit.
Here are some of the modifications I made,I put in a trangia alcohol stove, $15, I added two sets of camping silverware,$7.92 and got a 100 round SAW pouch,8.00.
The stove and the silverware fit nicely in the kit and the SAW pouch makes an excellent cover with Molle gear so I can attach the whole thing to my backpack.
I love it.
By the way I picked everything up on eBay.
Hey Luke, based on your review, I picked up two from the site you recommended (the best price I found). These kids are bomb proof, in great shape, and as you mentioned, will last a loooong time!
Thanks!
Craig
Gotta love military surplus! Thanks for sharing!
Oh yes, I certainly do love it as well.
:)
- Luke
Those French mess kits fix prefect in a US Army IFAK pouch.
One thing about surplus gear, It may not be lightweight, but definitely built to last. Cool review, thanks for sharing with us!
You're absolutely right my friend.
- Luke
Looks like a good kit. I was going to get one but being as I'm not concerned about weight, I got a Dutch military mess kit instead. I think I'll pick a couple of the French kits for camping as back ups though. Nice video. Catcha later.
Rikki
Hey there Rikki, I'll have to take a look at the Dutch Mess Kit.
Be well my friend.
- Luke
Just got this in the mail. Liked what I say in your review and bought it. Thanks.
I like that this kit is so flat. I'm always looking for ways to carry a mess kit in the back of a fly fishing vest. Most are just too bulky. I think a kit like this might work. Good video. Thanks.
Ive seen them before. I went to the site you recommended. and they're sold out
Pretty sweet deal for $8.00!
No doubt!
- Luke
just found this vid Luke ,Dave Canterberry made a real slick fire kit out of the kit couple weeks ago colmans military now has them two for under 20.
Looks a good quality piece of kit....I guess the big handle locks into a pressing on the opposite side of the pan....Cheers Luke...
square? how dare they? the gods of all circular pans will release their wrath !! :P. Lovely mess kit. Add a good windshield/base, a trangia burner and you are on ;)
Thanks Luke ;)
-Jeffrey
Awesome messkit Luke! :) -Mohammed
A very well review , I like keepshooting for some gear and , I am going to pick those up for my treks, I wonder if the kits made in the 50s are thicker aluminum then ones made later? I did buy 4 french military mess kits from colemans surplus, and wow, what a great piece of gear , I use them all the time at home, and they are big enough to cook for at least 8 people, if you have not seen them look at them, so I'll couple the two together as one kit for cooking , the items I bought from colemans were like new condition, but a bit of oven spray and a soaking did the trick. Thanks nice close up look at these gems. I'll view more of your reviews.
Have you seen any of these around lately?
Nice. I have one that the swiss military uses (volcano) type. I recently got a trangia cook set off ebay used for a good price. I have never seen a review for the french ones before. It does look well made, reminds me of some of the good roasting pans I have but smaller. Cooking in the field is still an interest to me as I used to be a cook in the marines. Thanks for the review of this.
Awesome brother!! That would make a good FirstAid/Trama field Kit. One of many possibilities!! Thanks for sharing bro.
Very true! Great Thinking.
- Luke
This model replaces the mess kit used in the 1930s and was created in 1952.
I used this mess kit when I was in the French army (infantry) in 1994-95. This mess was stored in the daily backpack F1
it must be completed by the bottle and an other canteen fixed on the belt
This canteen is replaced by a new model since the end of 2000s
pretty cook kit.
Could you use the mess kit when you camp.
Luke how have you been my friend. I like all kinds of surplus also. I like the American round mess kit better. Thanks for posting stay safe your friend Andrew.
Be well my brother.
- Luke
what about a lid? does the plate nest over the smaller pot? I noticed the tray/plate has an uneven bottom that looks like it will fit snugly on top of the pot. does this work?
Now, I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure this is completely true: If you try to cooking any "le repas" that contains "le ketchup" your french cook set will spit it right out of the pot and scream "Vous avez le cervau d'un sandwich au fromage!"
On a bit of a serious note, eating and drinking from aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's and other health risks. Certainly not trying to disparage the cook set at all, but it might be worth taking a look at the information just to make sure you're ok with the choice to use an aluminum cook set. I personally do not use them because I've already got an incurable disease (boo hoo, right? It's cool. It's pertinent to the discussion or I wouldn't mention it. No need for any sympathy, I'm not THAT guy at all), but for others who have no serious health issues, it seems the risk is relatively low, but like I said, everyone may want to do their own research and decide for themselves.
Cool kit. Cheap as heck, too! Take care, bro.
Hey there Zackary,
Haha You're pretty funny. :)
When it comes to aluminum, these are my thoughts on it. Virtually no risk at all for most people. The real risks comes from the food that we cook within those pots. Aluminum is everywhere around us all of the time. It is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust. You cannot avoid exposure to aluminum because it is so common and widespread in the environment.Exposure to the levels of aluminum that are naturally present in food and water and the forms of aluminum that are present in dirt and aluminum pots and pans are not considered to be harmful.Eating large amounts of processed food containing aluminum additives or frequently cooking acidic foods in aluminum pots may expose a person to higher levels of aluminum than a person who generally consumes unprocessed foods. So my thoughts, it's more about the foods.Cheers- Luke
Agreed about the abundance and inevitable interaction we all share with aluminum laced food and drink. As I said, for the most part people needn't worry about it, but just like HGH and several other relatively new additives, we're just now receiving long term research data. Is it safe? Very, even highly, probable. Is it safe enough for ambivalence? That may be where we differ, but only by the slightest of margins. Still a great kit. Light weight, compact, versatile - easily worth the small modicum of risk associated with the materials.
TheOutdoorGearReview I agree with all that you just said, but why not avoid it when there are better options. Like you said we are already exposed to it many other forms, but this one we actually have choice.
Jason
It looks that It's going to last forever
Nice
No doubt about it Juan.
- Luke
I have this set, robust, far better then the British mess tins, cheap and you can even use the two tins to make an improvised oven
Great point there Mack.
- Luke
That looks like it could be what I would like. You have any problem with it being made of aluminum?
I have no problem with it being made from Aluminum. Look through the comments where I address this in more detail.
- Luke
Can you say Thanksgiving dinner. Nice kit. Thanks.
Thanks Opal!
- Luke
$8.00 + Shipping = $15.55
Most places charge shipping my friend. Do some searching around and even with shipping this is one of the best prices you will find.
Cheers.
- Luke
You are right.
actually with a few holes could make a nice medical sterilazation kit 8)
Great point RN.
- Luke
if only it wasn't aluminum, Alzheimer's already runs pretty heavy in my family I don't plan on getting it early
They look like they would last a long time and even if they don't you won't remember it failed you, since you will probably have Alzheimer from the leached Aluminium, lol.
Jason
Hahahaha What are we talking about?
......
Aluminium Pots = Fine.
Aluminium in Food = Brain Problems.
Cheers!
- Luke
Aluminium pots leach Aluminium into food = not good.
Jason
primalarcher In most cases you'll be just fine unless you're buying something really sketchy. Look into how anodization/electro-chemically process work.
Also if you're concerned about metals even stainless steel isn't recommended. Stainless steel cookware is made from a metal alloy consisting of mostly iron and chromium along with differing percentages of molybdenum, nickel, titanium, copper, aluminum, etc. Even stainless steel allows other metals to leach into the foods. The main elements in stainless that have negative effects on our health (supposedly) are iron, aluminum, chromium and nickel.
Cheers.
- Luke
TheOutdoorGearReview I understand anodization is suppose to make aluminium, ok, but that cook set I am sure is not anodized. Even if it is I am still personally going to choose to stay clear of it. Stainless steel definitely is not perfect but I still will personally choose it over straight aluminium, now that being said from my research Titanium is looking to be safe choice but I would like to do more research on it (would you please get a titanium cook set and do review, lol). One note though you should be careful not to scratch your stainless steel if you do it will be more likely to leach.
Jason
primalarcher Stop the Presses!!!!!! What the hell just when I think I have a handle on something I find something out that makes me question myself, and this article on WebMD.com www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/controversial-claims-risk-factors has done that for me. So it looks like Aluminum may not be the evil metal we have been led to believe. Anyhow carry on, lol
Jason
Think I like the British mess kit better
Different strokes for different folks. :)
- Luke