Cooking direct in tin can?

[Attack Warning Red]

Sorry, I know I've posed this question on the previous forum - but I'd just like to get people's opinions again.

Is it possible/advisable/edible to cook a tin of food (just opened - not an existing tin-can cooking vessel) direct over a fire/stove?

I'm trying to cut down on gear and combine GHB elements into my EDC. I'd like to have a tin of food in my rucksack, along with a mini titanium hexi cooker, but minus the mess tin. I've heard that some canning chemicals can leach out during cooking - is that correct?

Advice/opinions anyone?

Cheers!

[hobo]

Dunno, but weight wise go for an MRE in a self heating bag?

Hobo

[itsybitsy]

I don't know, I haven't read anything about adverse effects caused by cooking in the can - I don't believe that it is wise to actually store food in the can once it's opened, however.

Could you perhaps carry carry some aluminum foil in your BOB? You could then make a 'pouch', decant the contents of the can and cook in the pouch? This might work better on a camp fire I guess?

[Attack Warning Red]

Itsy - actually, foil did cross my mind, but I'd be worried about it tearing and losing my dinner all over the stove in a big, beany mess!

I'm starting to think about cold foods now. It's just food to get me home if SHTF in London...

[lone wolf]

Yes you can,

I tested this a year ago whilst out in the Scottish highlands, certain food is better then others,

tinned potatoes in water work well, so does soups and in fact anything liquid really.

The trick is if your going to use an open fire then you have to heat the tin slowly with a small hole pierced in the top, so stand the can upright, unfortunately it takes a while to heat the tin this way so as not to burn the contents which will happen if its to close to the heat

Also you have to keep the open fire going for a long time so its not something that you can do quickly,
This method of heating food in a tin is not a cost effective way if your using a gas stove as it may take while on low heat

The other way is to put the can into a pan of water and heat it but then of course you may as well put the food into the pan to start with

it worked for me, but weight is the problem obviously

Lone Wolf

[Carrot Cruncher]

Is it possible/advisable/edible to cook a tin of food (just opened - not an existing tin-can cooking vessel) direct over a fire/stove?

I never heard any health issues from heating the contents in the can but I had a look on the web and found some information that said the inside coating of the can may pass into the food when it was heated. I looked on the FSA website and they have found

Overall, the results from this project demonstrated that there was no increase in BPA migration associated with heating the food in the can, damage to the can or extended storage of food cans where the food is consumed at the end of its declared shelf life

.

Link to the Report http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research ... 03035proj/

[itsybitsy]

Itsy - actually, foil did cross my mind, but I'd be worried about it tearing and losing my dinner all over the stove in a big, beany mess!

I'm starting to think about cold foods now. It's just food to get me home if SHTF in London...

Just have enough tinfoil to double it up and strengthen the pouch - but if you only need it to get home I personally woulnd't bother with tins, I'd just get something in the BOB that is light, can be eaten while on the go and contains slow release carbs.

[diamond lil]

Wouldnt you be better with something like a storm kettle with attachments ? If you're going to carry something as heavy as tins of beans then best go for one of these with the cook kit. Then you can pack dried soups, tea bags, pasta or noodles and have a banquet

[Attack Warning Red]

Thanks all! A lot to think about.

A lot of options. I might try the tin foil method. All needs to be tested when I get a chance at home...!

[diamond lil]

Sorry meant to post link and forgot -
http://www.eydonkettle.com/stormcookkit.html