U.S. Military canteen, plastic or metal?

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Loosearrow

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Apr 14, 2008
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Which do you use? I have both I have used the green plastic ones but bought a metal one the other day. Figure you could boil water in it and put in your sleeping bag. A downside would be that it is cold and may be more inclined to bust when frozen up. I also use the canteen cup and the cooker that wraps around the cup. Don't hear much mention of that piece of gear. Throw in a triangia stove and it is a quick set up for woodsbumming. Comments? Regards, Loosearrow
 
ive always liked the plastic over the metal. I had an old metal one (aluminum i think) and i could always taste the metal. ICK! I think the plastic w/ the canteen cup and issue stove that goes on the bottom are great! My motto is if it works for our boys and girls in the sandtrap and other places of ill repute then it is good enough for me. YMMV.
 
I prefer the plastic. If you want you could put pretty hot water in it and slip it in your bag.
 
I feel the same way as the Edge, thou i do have both types as well. Never liked the metalic taste of the water from a metal canteen. As far as it feeezing and bursting, in cold weather only fill it 3/4 of the way, it will have room to expand, so no bursting. :)

But I pick the plastic and metal cup over the metal canteen. I have to admit, I kinda like the hot water bottle idea, never thought of that. :)
 
Plastic for me. The metal tends to take on the flavor of what was made in it. Like the Kool Aid packets from MREs that soldiers sometimes put in the canteen. They are old surplus, and getting harder to find now. Plastic canteen, cup, and cover, are a great piece of gear.:thumbup:
 
I have two of the Nalgene copies of the GI canteen. They jive with the GI cup, the canteen cover, and the little stove that slips over the cup. Add a couple of cubes of boullion and I'm good for a hike even on a cold day!
 
I use the plastic canteens and stainless cup.
Although I am looking for one of the elusive stainless canteens that are in good condition.
 
I have a stainless G.I. canteen that works fine for me. No taste that I can detect. Have used it to heat fluids a couple of times (had to take care of plastic cap).
 
Can someone post a picture of plastic canteen with cup and stove? I remember my green plastic canteen from the army along with the metal cup that held it inside my pocket or canteen holster on belt. But I never herd of this stove that goes with it.
 
DrivebyTrucker said:
Can someone post a picture of plastic canteen with cup and stove? I remember my green plastic canteen from the army along with the metal cup that held it inside my pocket or canteen holster on belt. But I never herd of this stove that goes with it.
Click to expand...

Some call it a canteen cup stand...others call it a stove...either way here it is. throw esbit or other flammables in there and viola...instant cuppa soup coffee etc

us_cup.jpg
 
The plastic is good for me.I have used BG ARMY aluminium canteen and there was some metal taste.I think,that a stainless bottle would be best.Stainless steel should take no smell.
 
I have the kit with the plastic canteen replaced with a nice new german one but no stove.
Anyone know a good place to get one?
 
I've hiked extensively in all seasons using both plastic and aluminum military canteens. I have found that the contents of the plastic ones tend to freeze in inconvenient ways on extremely cold days while the metal ones merely form an ice plug in the neck that is easily dislodged. Also, using iodine water purification tablets in aluminum alloy canteens isn't recommended while they are safe for use in plastic canteens. The ability to heat liquids in a metal canteen certainly has merit so in the end my inventory contains both.
 
"Plastic":D
NALGENECANTEENS.jpg

I have been using the canteens and cups for ages but these canteens are the berries!
I would love to find one of those little "stoves."
 
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