Opinions on BCB Crusader Cup/canteen kit?

T

tholiver

Joined
Feb 22, 2003
Messages
3,513
Been looking at the BCB Crusader Cup/canteen kit lately. Been really interested in these fuel tab/gel type cooking setups. And i like the relative compactness and kit aspect of the BCB setup. Prices seem to vary from Canadian $60 -ish (from U.K sellers) to $120 (Canadian seller) for the complete set. Anybody here own/use this kit? Do you like/loathe them? Anything out there you think is superior and/or cheaper and/or more bang-for-your-buck than the BCB? Or even any tinkerer's do-it-your-self versions that you think are better/cheaper or at least as good?
All opinions, pics, links etc. are welcome!
:)
 
Not my kind of thing. If it were I'd be sure to get the detachable rubber lip for the mug.

That pattern of bottle is widely copied on the civilian market so picking up a cheap one should be easy Here's a mug. I'd run that with a Trangia burner or one of those cola can jobs in preference. I don't like solid fuel. Actually, I'd probably use an MSR Pocket Rocket with it.
 
I have the original and the copy. The original (in the link by Baldtaco II) is much heavier gage metal and the handle opens and locks together nicely. The copy, at half the price, has the handles on the opposite side and don't lock as well. I have had to bend them get them to even try to lock. The original, being thicker, has a few "waves" in the side where the cup was stretched to shape. Either will work although I have only boiled water in them. A little awkward in shape unless you use a suitable canteen. If buying now I would get the original because of the handles.
 
Thanks yeah if i buy it i think i will buy the original BCB over the copy.
I already have my old school trusty PEAK 1 for a fuel stove, its not high tech but i trust it.
So am really looking into the fuel tab/gel type cooking setups ala the above mentioned BCB kit.
Anybody else use or own this BCB setup?
 
This is a shameless thread "bump" because i'm sure some others here most have some experience with this kit.
 
I looked into it and decided to go with a Brunton Raptor canister stove and Brunton IB coodset - I got both for $50 - search the internet for a site having to do with optics I think.
 
If memory serves, the BCB crusader kit is simply a NATO canteen kit. If you're a canteen/cup type of guy, then IMO the Nato kit is the best out there. Its well made, and holds more water than the USGI canteens. If you're not a canteen guy (nalgene, water bladder, etc) then you might prefer what you are using now. However the quality is milspec so they have to build it for the most bassackwards private out there, i.e. its bomb proof.

I have mine and love it. Word to the wise. I would avoid the teflon coated cup. Somewhere I read that there were some issues with flaking. Cant remember where, but teflon chipping/flaking is pretty common for all sorts of cookware. Get the stainless and be done with it.
 
I've seen a little portable stoves here that work with the chafting dish/fondoo pots. I've always wondered how well they did and there is part attraction to those little canister gels that can be resealed. Used as a candle, small stove, emergency heat (hand warmer) or smear the gel on wood for instant emergency fire.
 
kgd said:
I've seen a little portable stoves here that work with the chafting dish/fondoo pots. I've always wondered how well they did and there is part attraction to those little canister gels that can be resealed. Used as a candle, small stove, emergency heat (hand warmer) or smear the gel on wood for instant emergency fire.
Click to expand...
That sounds interesting.
I bought one of those $10 folding fuel tabs stoves at Canadian tire recently.
Thats what started me on this line of inquiry.
That and i think it was mistwalker? who recently did a thread where he used the U.S issue canteen cooker kit.
I'm pretty happy with my old Peak 1 fuel stove but when i played around with the coughlan i saw the merit in this other way of cooking.
And the kit aspect of BCB nato style seems pretty compact and well though out.
 
STAGE 2 said:
If memory serves, the BCB crusader kit is simply a NATO canteen kit. If you're a canteen/cup type of guy, then IMO the Nato kit is the best out there. Its well made, and holds more water than the USGI canteens. If you're not a canteen guy (nalgene, water bladder, etc) then you might prefer what you are using now. However the quality is milspec so they have to build it for the most bassackwards private out there, i.e. its bomb proof.

I have mine and love it. Word to the wise. I would avoid the teflon coated cup. Somewhere I read that there were some issues with flaking. Cant remember where, but teflon chipping/flaking is pretty common for all sorts of cookware. Get the stainless and be done with it.
Click to expand...
Cool!
Yeah i will definitely avoid the coated one thanks!
:)
 
kgd said:
I've seen a little portable stoves here that work with the chafting dish/fondoo pots. I've always wondered how well they did and there is part attraction to those little canister gels that can be resealed. Used as a candle, small stove, emergency heat (hand warmer) or smear the gel on wood for instant emergency fire.
Click to expand...

I've got a swiss army emergency cooker (M 71) around somewhere. That is just a resealable can of alcohol gel with a metal ring that serves as pot stand and windshield. Quite good to keep in the car in hot conditions where other fuels do have their problems due to the pressure they can develop when they get warmer. Good thing is: the metal ring fits standard chafing dish gel fuel tins.
 
I need to chime in, but can't post pictures right now. I have the NATO canteen and Crusader cup. I also have a nice custom lid and one fugly one I made that keeps the cup covered; both to increase boiling temps and keep the floating ashes out if used directly over the coals.

As a system, I really like it. The canteen has a larger mouth than the USGI canteens and the canteen cup is slightly larger and more robust than the USGI cup. Additionally, the secondary plastic cup gives you another container in a very compact, versatile package.

I also have one of the folding stoves. I've used both solid fuel (trioxane) and have an older Vargo Ti/Triad stove that actually fits in the small center of the canteen cup stove stand...this works as a great solid fuel alternative that easily boils a full cup of water and is much less messy.

I paired this system with an older Maxpedtion Toadstool pouch...it can be carried as a shoulder pouch or strapped to a MOLLE/PALS compatible pack or even placed directly on a waist belt system. Along with the canteen, two cups, lid, and stove stand, I have a added a pouch to house the mini Vargo alcohol stove, 4 fl ounces of alcohol, a few trioxane bars, bottle of polar pure, a dozen Katadyn micro pure tablets, folded aluminum and a cravat. I think I have some tea and coffee singles bags in there as well. Overall, for a solo-system, it works quite well for me.

ROCK6
 
STAGE 2 said:
I have mine and love it. Word to the wise. I would avoid the teflon coated cup. Somewhere I read that there were some issues with flaking. Cant remember where, but teflon chipping/flaking is pretty common for all sorts of cookware. Get the stainless and be done with it.
Click to expand...

I have both the complete stainless GI and teflon Nato kits. I have used the teflon Nato cup extensively for a year and I have had no sign of flaking. I don't know if this matters, but I usually use it to boil water for dehydrated foods and coffee. The teflon coating does not appear to be the same as stove top cookware. It is not nearly as smooth and slippery with food, so I don't see any significant advantage over the stainless for cooking or cleanup. I prefer the Nato cup, because it is slightly wider than the GI cup and stays more secure on my Olympus Nova stove.

For me, the Nato BCB lid is frustrating, it is difficult to grab when hot and I usually leave that at home.
 
razcob said:
For me, the Nato BCB lid is frustrating, it is difficult to grab when hot and I usually leave that at home.
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree...in fact the one I have got a little too hot and melted:eek: The UK Bushcraft forums had a member that made lids which I was able to snag...quite nice; aluminum with a little folding ring on top that you could use a stick to lift it up with. I made my own (a much more crude) copy that is functional and works quite well if you get past the looks:D Regardless, it's a much better upgrade to the BCB lid!

ROCK6
 
Sorry to dredge this back up, but here's some old pictures of my Crusader/NATO kit:

NATOCanteenKit.jpg


Here's the Vargo alcohol stove in the center:

StandVargo.jpg


The lid:

Lid3.jpg


Lid1.jpg


Kit1-1.jpg


Comparison with a USGI Canteen Cup:

Cup-2.jpg


Cheers!
ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
Sorry to dredge this back up, but here's some old pictures of my Crusader/NATO kit:

NATOCanteenKit.jpg


Here's the Vargo alcohol stove in the center:

StandVargo.jpg


The lid:

Lid3.jpg


Lid1.jpg


Kit1-1.jpg


Comparison with a USGI Canteen Cup:

Cup-2.jpg


Cheers!
ROCK6
Click to expand...

Great pics thanks!
:thumbup:
Nice to see more detailed pics.
Pet peeve/rant- Why can't the retailers/sellers of these products (or any products) post pics as good as these?
Pics on forums have convinced me to buy more products than any of the manufacturers pics. That goes for knives/guns/camping gear etc.
The only manufacturers who seem to know the value of good pics are the auto companies.
Rant finished-lol!
ROCK6 I definitely like the look of your lid better!
From what i've read here and elsewhere the BCB plastic lid seems to have a lot of melting mishaps,lol.
 
Thanks. I got a cup that nests with a larger nalgene bottle, but I am unsure if I go for nalgene or for steel. I'm somewhat tending towards steel ...
 
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