Graniteware / Enamelware.

Graniteware, more commonly known as enamelware is a process that fuses a layer of powdered glass on to a base, usually metal, the result is tough, easy to clean and fairly light.  The earliest pieces were of solid color and since enamel colour cannot be mixed we also have the swirls and speckled pieces that we know.  Graniteware owes its roots to St. Louis Stamping Works owners William and Frederick Niedringhaus.   During a trip to Germany in 1865 the tin kitchen utensil manufacturing owners noticed enameled utensils in a store display and ultimately ended up purchasing the process.  Upon his return to St. Louis the brothers began working on manufacturing enamel coated utensils.  The Niedringhaus version of enamelware was coated with ground granite.  Graniteware was featured at the 1876 Philly Expo.  Like so many things, graniteware has become the "generic" term for most enamelware.  True graniteware would have it's origin in Granite City, Illinois.   How many people still use some pieces of graniteware?  Which pieces?  I still use a couple mugs for water, The colours that they come in are incredible, and stay so bright after so many years!  Great pieces of old style camping equipment that unfortunately has moved to the way side, but still makes it into the homes of people looking for that nostalgic look.

National Graniteware Society.

A Field Test: Coleman Exponent F1 Lite Lantern.

This year I was looking for a small portable backpacking lantern. Something more to bring than just our headlights we typically use. Something that could brighten the campsite during the shorter days of Fall camping. A lantern that I could just throw in my pack and not notice its there. I had a couple “requirements” for this piece of gear.

1. Lightweight

2. Compact

3. Easy on gas

4. Not a lot of moving parts that could break in the field

I saw some of LED lanterns, while really nice require batteries and could not be used to give heat as well. Candle lanterns are classic, but don’t throw the light like I would prefer and alcohol lanterns are basically non-existent. Coleman makes a smaller white gas one, but they are still two big and breakable with the glass globe. I finally found a model, the Coleman Exponent F1 Lite Lantern. Though it has been discontinued you can still find them online no problem. The F1 is a wickedly small isobutane/propane-burning lantern. Instead of the typical glass globe, Coleman has replaced it with a stainless steel mesh. This mesh with a match hole on the side is very durable and breaks some wind if it needs to. Years back we bought a MSR pocket rocket and have about a half dozen canisters floating around, so I thought for the $30 I would give it a whirl and use up those canisters. One of the benefits of a canister lantern I found was that canisters are small, and can be recycled if punctured correctly. The lantern measures about 7.5” tall with regular size fuel canister. Coleman states that the burn time is 9hrs on high, again with regular canister. That’s pretty good for me, as I usually hit the sack fairly early while camping. It comes with a great carrying case lined with a medium duty hard plastic shell to protect the mantle and lantern. The case also has a tight drawstring to keep it all closed. I was quite surprised how much light it threw, filling up my moderate sized back yard with a bright warm light. The lantern is almost silent which is nice compared to the old Coleman lanterns I'm used to, that sound like locomotives. The stainless steal globe and body heat up plenty that you could definitely warm a shelter with it (never use lanterns in your tent etc). For the price and size of this lantern, I was kind of surprised it was discontinued. There are not a whole lot of small gas lanterns on the market. If you feel like you need or possibly want a backpacking lantern instead of a headlight, then I suggest you use your Google machine and find a dealer. I think you will be just as surprised as I was.

Bannock.

If you are looking for a treat to make while camping that can fill you up, warm your body, and make your taste buds thank you, look no further. Bannock. Simple bread that has been eaten by the First Nations, explorers, and adventurers for centuries. This bread originated in Scotland, possibly taught to the Aboriginals by early settlers. It is a favorite now to backpackers and canoeist looking for fresh treat on the trail. When I make it I typically make enough for two in one zip top bag, all ingredients (except water) ready to go. You can cook it on a lightly oiled pan or pot, on a hot rock against the fire, or my favorite is wrapped around a green stick and held about 8" above the fire. The first time I had bannock was a trip up to Moose Factory, at the bottom of James bay. It was cooked by a very old Aboriginal woman in a tipi, and it had raisins in it. I will never forget the setting and the smell of the smoke in the tipi!

Here is my recipe for two bannock loafs

2 cups all purpose flour
2 tbsp of baking powder
2 heaped tbsp of fat
1/4 tsp of salt

Optional:
a handful of raisins
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 tbsp of brown sugar

Mix together the flour , salt, and baking powder and pour into a large zip top bag.
Cut the fat into the mixture. The fat used can be any fat source and is what gives the bannock its tasty calorie kick. Lard is a popular and traditional source but you could also use unsalted butter, vegetable oil or margarine. Cut the fat in till well blended, press out the extra air and seal the zip top bag.

When ready to make the bannock, pour small amounts of water at a time into the zip top bag and knead well...keep adding water till the flour mixture forms into a dough consistency, its a good idea to practice this at home to get a feel for how much water to add. Then cook any way you like it... Typically wait till its brown on one side till you flip it, usually to cook the whole bannock is 12-15 min. Remember to play aroudn with the recipe, add blueberries, or fruit, make a bannock grilled cheese, or pizza! Try it if you haven't, I can guarantee you will love it.

Bill Mason: Patron Saint of Canoeing.

Any person who refers to themselves a paddler has learned some of their skills from Bill Mason. Often referred to as the "Patron Saint of Canoeing", he had done more for bringing the knowledge and joy paddling to the masses then anyone other person has. Along with canoeing, film making, writing, and being a fine artist, he was just as talked about for raising environmental issues. Born April 21, 1929 in Winnipeg, Bill enjoyed the water from a very early age, building his first boat at the ripe age of 12. Working as a canoe guide and camp counselor for Manitoba Pioneer Camp in the mid 50's and an animator in the late 50's Bill when met and married Joyce, his beloved wife and soul mate. They would later have two children Paul, and Rebecca, both are still very active in the art and paddle sport community. Bill made 17 well known films. The three that I know best is "Path of the paddle", a series of films that show the viewer methods of paddling in flat water as well as white water. "Song of the paddle" is a beautiful film showing Bill and his lovely Family on a canoe trip. My favorite part of this film is the conversation Bill and Becky have regarding his Pancakes. Camp pancakes just don't turn out pretty like at home!. The last one that I am have seen multiple time is "Waterwalker", a film showcasing Bill on a solo trip around Lake Superior area. Bill Also wrote a "Path of the Paddle" book which is a companion piece to the film of the same name, also he wrote "Song of the Paddle" which goes into detail the knowledge of wilderness camping. I remember being 5 or 6 and my Father borrowing the reel film version of Bills movies from the Library and watching them projected on the living room wall. Then Later in life having to ask "what were those camping movies" then finding them on VHS. He was a Traditionalist, being out in the bush / water from thaw to freeze over. Always in plaid with his Woods Pack and Bakers tent, which a lot of people now refer to as the "Bill Mason" tent. His red Prospector Cedar Canvas Canoe is at the Peterborough Canoe Museum for all to see. And I will say they when I went to look at his canoe, it gave me goose bumps. The energy in that Canoe is something that one can truly feel. Bill passed away Oct 1988. I would have loved to share a story and a laugh with Bill, however watching the legacy in film and print of this great man is fine enough. So please pick up one of his books, and a DVD of his films, or a print of his art. All of the above can be purchased at www.redcanoes.ca, as well as Becky's and Paul's Artwork.

The "Bill Mason" Uniform (from Ebay and Etsy):

Filson Summer Packer Hat.



Red Bandana, Made in the USA.




Pendelton Wool Shirt



Vintage harness leather belt with brass buckle.



Levis big "E" cut off shorts.



Kodiak wool socks.




Woods Canada #200 canoe pack.

Alcohol Stoves.

As a child, camping with my Father involved his old Coleman Peak One. A white gas, single burner stove that filled the early mornings with a roar. Then in my late teens as I started canoeing and camping with my soon to be wife, the Coleman single burner was my first choice for back country cooking. After a couple adventures and a wife who did not like the foot high start up flame of the Coleman, I had to find something else. Something that nestled, easy to light and lightweight.



With all these requirements I came across Trangia stoves. A Swedish Alcohol stove that was simple in design, no moving parts, zero pressurizing, windproof, and worked fairly well in the cold. Trangia has been making alcohol stoves since 1925, and is still in 2011 a top name in camp stove industry. When I started using alcohol stoves, the first thing I noticed is the silence. After all those years of roaring Coleman's and the almost locomotive sound of my Svea 123, the complete silence of the Trangia was how outdoor cooking should be. We go out to the bush for quiet retreat and the alcohol stove can deliver. These super reliable stoves do have a couple small downfalls, cooking time can be a bit longer ( but what's the rush?) and there for require more fuel, preheating is a must in freezing weather as the evaporation rate of alcohol drops in the cold. These few tiny inconveniences are nothing compared to the pros of these simplistic beauties. For the past 5 years have used a alcohol for every adventure I have been on, from week long canoe trips in Algonquin, to a hot lunch at the local Conservation area. Though my Dad's old Coleman served up plenty of memories, it's taking a much needed rest on my shelf and letting my Alcohol stove make new ones.


My first Stove a "Trangia Mini". This tiny little thing is my morning hike/stop for coffee stove.


My number one go to stove. A Swedish Army stove in harder to find stainless. Scoop them if you see them! At one time Ebay was basically giving these away. I think this was like $20. Note that all pots are equipped to be used on open flame as well.


This is a 1940's Vulcano 232E stove. Still burns great! This is my car camping stove.


This is a Tatonka "Multiset", full stainless steel. Basically a Trangia 27. I got this beacause Trangia does not offer Stainless versions of there cookware (which they should!).


All three compact stoves put in there nestled positions.