Tent Review (UK)

Camp cleanliness: washing up (Part 2)

"... a good deal of the unpleasantness of the task can be avoided if it is set about in the right way.

The foundation of easy washing-up is plenty of hot water and a sufficiency of cloths for drying ..."

Hot water will always be essential to remove grease properly. Cloths are generally only useful for short camping trips; they just get too dirty. Shaking the water off and leaving dishes to dry naturally (or remain a little damp until the next meal) is preferable.

The next section contains a string of tips referring to natural products that can be used for cleaning instead of relying on the usual soaps. Of course, the availability of some of these, and your own standards for hygiene, may affect your choice. The responsible wilderness camper might certainly learn a trick or two:

"Sifted wood-ash is splendid for cleaning pots and pans and the ashes from the fire should be kept in an old box for this purpose, close to the washing-up place."

"Lemon. or a little vinegar, will remove stains from knives and a raw potato, dipped in wood-ash, will clean rusty knives."

"For washing plates and dishes nothing is necessary but hot water, with a little wood-ash to remove grease, or some washing-soda in the water."

"Dirty mugs, after being washed, should be further cleaned by dipping the rims in boiling water."

"After using cooking vessels fill them with water, place them on the fire and bring them to the boil, so that they are thoroughly scalded. Expose them to the sun whenever possible - for sunlight is a great cleanser - and do not keep the pots one inside , or on the top of each other, when not in actual use. They should be laid on their sides."

That's a great tip about using sunlight (presumably the UV element) to sterilize pots but the other comments cannot really apply to today's lightweight, backpacking style of camping.

Fuel is often limited and so boiling water unnecessarily is not an option. That's not to say that you can't boil up water for a hot drink after your meal and sterilize, or scald, your pots that way.

Modern pots are often designed to fit inside each other to minimize the space occupied. If you do use these then at least be aware of the principle expounded above. Fitting the dirty outside of one pot inside another clean one will negate that cleanliness. Think whether you need to wash pots again before cooking.

The last section looks at "Burnt Cooking Vessels"

"Never fill a burnt dixie with hot soda water to clean it, as this, though it will take off the burnt places, makes them likely to catch again. Instead, put in two handfuls of salt to a dixie full of water and leave till next day; then bring slowly to the boil, when the burnt parts come of easily and leave no after effects."

"If a smell of fat, burnt or otherwise, hangs round any of the cooking vessels, some tea leaves, boiled in them, will take it away."

Best to use a low heat, watch your pots carefully and stir as appropriate so as to avoid burning the contents in the first place. You can also help yourself by choosing not to cook foods that burn easily.

All quotes from: Camp Cooking and Catering by J.T. Gorman, Late Commandant Army School of Cookery for India - Second Edition 1933