There are a few pieces of cooking equipment that are essential to the hiker. This equipment need not be expensive. With a tin can, some wire, and a pair of tin snips, several handy articles can be made. These tin-can utensils do not stand up as well as aluminum, but they are easily replaced. If they are made properly, they will last several seasons.

The essential pieces of cooking and eating equipment for the hiker are as follows: small frying pan, deep plate, billy can (for heating water, stewing fruit, etc.), cup, knife, fork, and spoon.

If one is buying a cooking outfit, it is best to secure one made of substantial aluminum. If the pieces fit into each other, they take up less room in the pack. It is convenient if the knife, fork, and spoon will fit inside the cooking kit. The accompanying picture shows a cooking set such as this. This kind can be kept clean, is durable, and fits easily into the pack.

As for making your own equipment, or assembling it in the five-and-ten-cent or hardware store, here are a few suggestions.

Frying Pan

A small, iron frying pan can be purchased for a few cents. Maybe your mother has one around the house that you can use. This pan should be carried in a cloth sack or it will blacken everything with which it comes in contact.

Deep Plate

A deep plate, preferably one that fits on top of the frying pan so that it can be used to cover the pan and make a small oven, is best. This can also be secured at little cost. As it is essential to keep the plate clean, one with a rounded bottom is to be preferred because a rounded surface is easier to clean and scour than a flat surface with square corners.

Billy Can

Here is a piece of equipment that can be made for a few cents. A good heavy tin can that holds about one quart is suitable for a billy can. Short ones are better than tall ones because they tip over less easily and heat water more quickly. Make two holes about a half inch from the top, opposite each other. You can make them with a nail. A piece of wire through these two holes makes a bail. The billy can may be bent slightly along the top rim, as in the illustration, to make pouring easy.

Cup

In finding a suitable camping cup one should look for durability and usefulness. Aluminum cups are not very satisfactory because this metal conducts heat so readily that while the cup will often be so hot that it burns the lips, the liquid will be quite cool enough to drink. A good enamel cup, about medium-sized, seems to be about as good as any. One with a rounded bottom is easier to keep clean than one with straight sides.

IMPROMPTU GriLL and toasting FORK

Homemade Cooking Equipment.

Knife, Fork, And Spoon

Eating implements that are short fit into small places. Implements that rust should be avoided.

Old silver that has seen better days is usually good enough to take on a hike and need not cost the hiker anything.