Mess Kits and Canteen Safety?

[yra3000]

On the What Price Glory website, they mention it is unsafe to eat out of the tin British mess kits. Are there any other concerns about canteens or mess kits that reenactors should be aware of?
onlinemilitaria.net/shopexd.asp?id=1415&bc=no

I know some of the older canteens have lead solder. Are these safe to use under normal conditions? What if you boil water in them?

What about original and reproduction canteen cups. What if you are using them to boil water and/or cook food? I realize these are made out of aluminum and so are soda cans, but I don't put a soda can over a hot flame/stove either.

I would appreciate others input, thanks!

[Corporal J. Kuligowski]

WPG might make their mess kits with different types of alloys to allow for production costs to stay low. I can not give a finite answer about their products. Most of the mid to later WWII mess kits and canteens are made out of stainless steel. All I do is wash them with boiling water. The first time I used my canteens, I swished some metal BBs and soap in the bottom to knock out any debris and dirt.

Some of the WWI mess kits and canteens and some early WWII production runs are made of aluminum. Test have shown a link between using aluminum cups and cookware to causing Alzheimer's disease. I would be careful using these canteens and mess kits. If you used them only once in a blue moon, I dont see any real threat to your health. But if you plan on using these aluminum canteens and mess kits at every reenactment, you be safer going to stainless.

We dont want you losing your mind out on the battlefield

[Corporal J. Kuligowski]

I do use my mess equipment as a skillet for the food I "commandeer" over my field stove. BTW Only do it like 3 times a year, so i dont think it will cause any long term problems to my health

[Lynn Kessler]

Jun 9, 2012 23:20:41 GMT -5 yra3000 said:

On the What Price Glory website, they mention it is unsafe to eat out of the tin British mess kits. Are there any other concerns about canteens or mess kits that reenactors should be aware of?
onlinemilitaria.net/shopexd.asp?id=1415&bc=no

I know some of the older canteens have lead solder. Are these safe to use under normal conditions? What if you boil water in them?

What about original and reproduction canteen cups. What if you are using them to boil water and/or cook food? I realize these are made out of aluminum and so are soda cans, but I don't put a soda can over a hot flame/stove either.

The problem with the early war British mess gear is the tin plating might flake off under normal (for us) usage. So WPG should be heeded.

I have been using postwar British mess gear (which is identical to wartime gear except for the manufacture date) for years with no problem over a hot flame. Same with US gear that is produced post 1918.

[twhigham]

US mess kits are fine to eat off of. If you're concerned about the safety of your canteen, drop about 4 tablets of Efferedent denture cleaner into the bottle and let it fizz away your worries. Just make sure you rinse it out well.

[yra3000]

Thank you for the replies.

The canteen and cup I have from WPG, are both made out of aluminum.
onlinemilitaria.net/shopexd.asp?id=3582&bc=no

I only use them about six times a year, so I guess I can assume I am safe. My dad is starting to show signs of forgetfulness, so that has gotten me more proactive when it comes to things like this.

Would boiling water in an aluminum canteen cup up the risk for Alzheimer's any? Were the original late-war canteen cups made out of stainless steel? If so, would the 1944 dated cups be safe or only the ones made in 1945?

Thank you.

[GramlingMan]

Your most recent query may be answered with this:

www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_myths_about_alzheimers.asp

And if you come back say say your father is getting forgetful at 40, I am going to insist that is probably normal!

Ron

[cco23i]

Hell I' 46 and forgetfull, BUT I have a GOOD excuse JP-8 jet fuel causes memory loss, where am I? LOL

[yra3000]

Jun 12, 2012 7:22:52 GMT -5 GramlingMan said:

Your most recent query may be answered with this:

www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_myths_about_alzheimers.asp

And if you come back say say your father is getting forgetful at 40, I am going to insist that is probably normal!

Ron

Thanks for the link. That makes me feel better about cooking in my canteen cup. No, my dad is well past his 40's.

Thanks again!

[hhpsm]

I assume that none of you folks drink soda or beer packaged in aluminum pop-top cans.

[1stofthefirst]

Jun 14, 2012 11:49:26 GMT -5 hhpsm said:

I assume that none of you folks drink soda or beer packaged in aluminum pop-top cans.

It's not the aluminum but the heating of the aluminum. It leeches chemicals into the food or drink.
Plus, when you pop the top of the can, you are supposed to pour the beer out immediately because leaving it in the can exposes it to oxidation from the moment you pop the can top. They say, that over time, that oxidation can cause problems with the brain.

Either way, I have been drinking and eating from my mess kits and canteens for years and I have experienced no issues (BIG DOGS! BIG DOGS! LANDING ON MY FACE! AAAAGGGGGGHHH!)

[MARNEPUPPY]

Jun 14, 2012 11:49:26 GMT -5 hhpsm said:

I assume that none of you folks drink soda or beer packaged in aluminum pop-top cans.

Those cans are also lined with a thin plastic / polymer, so the contents are not directly exposed to the aluminum.

[gijills]

I never believed that beer should be left in a can for any length of time. I never really used a glass either though.

[Lynn Kessler]

Jun 14, 2012 16:28:18 GMT -5 gijills said:

I never believed that beer should be left in a can for any length of time. I never really used a glass either though.

My beer is never left in ANYTHING for ANY length of time.

[cco23i]

Jun 15, 2012 7:29:18 GMT -5 Lynn Kessler said:

Jun 14, 2012 16:28:18 GMT -5 gijills said:

I never believed that beer should be left in a can for any length of time. I never really used a glass either though.

My beer is never left in ANYTHING for ANY length of time.

ME TOO!!