British Military - Portable stove cookers, And Accessories
A friend had this book stolen at a show. If you happen to have a copy of this book then let me know, so we can see about getting it copied.
Now if you know the whereabouts of this book that was stolen from a cooking display at The Overlord Show, the owner would like it returned asap. The book had only been owned for less than 24 hours, and was going to be used to share information to relevant groups.
The owner would just like it back, so please send to
Ministry of Stoves, c/o Barns Green village stores, Chapel Road, Barns Green, RH13 0PS
I got curious about the numbers of the military cookers, and why there's a gap between Number 7 and Number 12. So I started putting this web page together.
If you're interested in Stoves, or would like to ask any questions about any stove - do visit this very helpful and informative forum.
A rough guide to British Military field cooking stoves.
A work in progress of the British Military portable stoves and cooking equipment.
British Military Stoves.pdfI've made a growing playlist of other people's videos on the stoves listed on this page.
Click on the link below.
This video shows the individual cooking stove of WW2.
This VAOS from 1939 is like a parts price list and C.E.S. for Nos 1, 2 and 3 stoves, the Soyer Stove, along with the Cooking trailer and accessories.
Vocabulary of Army Ordnance Stores 1939 section J2 Portable Cookers S.pdfThis wonderful Pathé News film from 1934 shows a range of Field kitchen stoves.
I think that the steaming equipment behind the judge, at 1 min 25 is a Warren cooking apparatus steamer stove.
Electric vehicle cooking
POT cooking electrical
The HWR, or HW&R stands for Heater, Water and Rations.
The first British vehicle to feature the HWR was the Centurion tank, which dates the HWR to around 1945. The Centurion was in development in 1943. The HWR allowed tank crews to produce hot food and drink whilst within the protection of the tank, and allowed to prepare the food whilst on the move.
Commonly called the BV, for Boiling Vessel, it is felt by troops to be the most important piece of equipment.
Electric Boiling Vessel No 2 Mark 1
Circular, metal with detachable lid. Main body of vessel has hinged handle and electrical element inside. Manufactured by the Cannon Company. Label on lid states 'VESSEL, BOILING, NO.2. MK.1. FV 159910 H.E.A. LID ASSY. ONLY FV 159912'
The original BV had an exposed element, and loose lid. Pouring lip on one side of vessel. The cable connector is by the handle hinge.
28 volt boiling vessel. 7210-99-811-6909
As fitted to certain vehicles to boil water or cook rations.
Whilst many vehicles still use the BV type above, a more modern version was released.
There is now a third option, which will cool items - to offer cold drinks in hot climates.
RAK 15 7310-99-991-1710
The new RAK15HC can chill or heat liquids and food in 20 minutes, depending on power rating.
Note the body is taller, with the air intake grill at the bottom for the cooling of the unit.
Sold fuel cookers
Soyer Stove
French chef, Alexis Soyer demonstrated his cooker to the British Army during the Crimean war (1853-1856). The Soyer stove revolutionised catering provision in the British Army.
Their simple and economical design proved so successful that variants remained in use for more than 130 years.
They have been used continually until the 1980s, when the vast majority of the British Army stock was lost in the sinking of the Atlantic Conveyor - during the Falklands War.
Capable of boiling 12 gallons of liquid using any available solid fuel, they are simple and efficient. The original specification was that two, together with wood for fuel could be carried by a mule.
One sealed unit could provide food for 50 men in all weathers, using a fraction of the fuel required by open fires. The stoves also served as space heaters.
The Soyer stove was adopted as standard by the Civil Defence organisation during WW2. Examples staffed by the Woman’s Voluntary Service were used to provide emergency food in the bombed areas during the Blitz. After WW2, large numbers were put into storage in event of a nuclear attack.
Soyer stoves are 12 gallon cookers. They consist of
Body.
Boiler (a 12 gallon pot).
2 handles (to lift the Boiler pot out).
Elbow, piping, and hood of the chimney.
Pot, fire.
Rake.
It would appear that in 1941, Lieutenant J. B. Sabin, of the Royal Army Medical Corps designed a Steamer, to fit into the top of the Soyer Inner Pan.
No. 4 Triplex
The No. 4 has been seen in use in photographs of WW1, and continued through WW2. It is a solid fuel burner, which heats pot stands - with the heat being drawn through the over and up the chimney.
Instructions for the No. 4 (Triplex) field cooker.
No 4 Triplex Field Cooker instructions.pdfThe Operational Ration Heater (ORH) is designed for individual use in field conditions, and consists of a folding stove
Tommy Stove
These are from the 1960s
The Hexi stove 7310-99-883-3123
Apparently, the law changed in 2023.
Hexamine tablets are now a controlled substance, and possession can lead to 2 years in prison.
The modern Fire Dragon tablets are of course safe, they being made from a different product
HEXAMETHYLENETETRAMINE also known as Hexamine and Hexi.
This produces toxic and corrosive gases including formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen oxides
The Hexi stove is a small folding cooker, that fits inside the mess tins for transporting.
The Hexi fuel gives off toxic fumes, including cyanide - and must be used outdoors.
BCB Firedragon 7310-99-587-4226
The Hexi stove has been superseded by the BCB Firedragon.
The Operational Ration Heater (ORH) is designed for individual use in field conditions and consists of a folding stove and a detachable windshield. In terms of fuel source the ORH is not supplied with fuel tablets, however each 24 hour fuel pack contains 6 fuel tablets, additional fuel tablets can be demanded separately.
Inside the folded, closed cooker, 3 fixed FireDragon blocks can be stored. A windshield included in the scope of delivery also finds a place inside the cooker for compact Transport.
Foldable multi-fuel cooker with windbreak
Stainless steel - Reusable and durable
Many liquid, gel and solid fuels can be used (no petrol)
3 FireDragon blocks and the windscreen can be stored / transported inside the cooker
Size: 11.5 x 7.3 x 2.6 cm
Weight: approx. 110 grams
Cooker is supplied without fuel (please order separately)
BCB Firedragon fuel 9110-99-426-2694
Unlike other fuels, Firedragon fuel burns with virtually no harmful or toxic fumes, and is odourless.
100% natural, sustainable fuel (bio-ethanol)
Use in all weather conditions
Easy to ignite
High performance and efficiency
500 ml of water boils in about 5 minutes
Burn time per block: 8 - 10 minutes
Constant flame temperature
Odourless - Non-toxic for the environment and food
Low smoke and soot development
For indoor and outdoor use
Blocks can be portioned
Can be used as waterless hand cleaner
Long and safe storage
Weight per block: 26 grams
Size per block: approx. 5.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm
Fun facts from BCB
Blocks can be extinguished with water to save fuel, and then relite later without drying.
Blocks float. They can be put in water, and whilst floating, lit. They will float and burn.
Some information on bio-ethanol can be read here.
Due to the design of the BCB Firedragon stove, it can be used with some liquids and gels - but never petrol.
One example of fuel being Firedragon's Gel firelighter.
Petroleum spirit cookers
Benhgazi Burner
An improvised stove created by punching holes into a metal box or similar. The petrol being mixed with sand or similar to reduce the speed of burning of the petrol.
No. 1 burner 7310-99-125-1847
Basic User instructions for the No. 1 burner.
No 1 Burner.pdf1945 Operation and Maintenance manual for Nos. 1, 2 and 3 portable cookers.
No 1 2 and 3 1945 Portable Cookers Operation and Maintenance S-W-O.pdf1962 Operation and Maintenance manual for Nos. 1, 2 and 3 portable cookers.
Retyped for easier reading.
No 1, 2 and 3 1962 Portable Cookers Operation and Maintenance-S-W.pdfNo. 2 Portable 7330-99-125-1802
A single burner stove.
Service card for No. 2
See Manual for burner No. 1.
The stove safety card is reproduced below.
No 2 Portable stove.pdfNo. 3 stove 7310-99-125-1750
A double burner stove.
No. 2 & 3 User instructions off No. 2 case
See Manual for burner No. 1.
The stove label is reproduced below.
No 2 and 3 stoves.pdfUnnumbered Cookers, Trailer of the 1930s. Item number JA 7039
In the 1939 edition of the British Army's Vocabulary of Army Ordnance Stores - it lists a Cookers, Trailer, Hydra type.
The entry on the VAOS of 1939 states:-
Consisting of 2 Ranges, each with 3 Burners and an Oven with 1 Burner; Cabinet tank and control, and the accessories, etc.,
This suggests to me that the ovens had their own fuel supply, similar to the American M1937 ovens
The spreadsheet below shows that at least 20 Kitchen trailers were made in the early 1930s.
I believe the images below show an example of JA 7039, Cookers, Trailer, Hydra type - with one range as listed above on each side of the trailer.
No. 4, (Mk. 1) Gasoline trailer
7360-99-209-9498
No images or documents yet. But the Mk. 1 is very similar to the Mk. 2 trailer.
This small sample from MERLIN shows some of the NSN, Asset codes and Contract numbers associated with cooking trailers of the British Army.
It should be remembered that MERLIN computer program wasn't started until 1986, and back dated to anything that was in service in January 1984. So anything cast (disposed of) before 31st December 1983 does not appear in MERLIN
The Documents before AESPs included:-
Army Code 40197 - Cooking Equipment Complete Equipment Schedule.
Army Code 31224 - Complete Equipment Schedule.
Army Code 14510
This appears to be the Hydra No. 1 fuel source for the Cookers, Trailer, Hydra Type listed in the 1939 VAOS.
An image from 7360-J-100-201, showing the Hydra 4 outlet burner. So an early AESP.
It had a Hydra burner stored on both sides of the trailer. Giving a total of 8 outlets.
No. 4, Mk. 2 Gasoline & LPG trailer 7360-99-130-5642
No. 5 stove 7360-99-132-2518
A 4 burner stove.
No. 5 cooking outfit
No 5 Cookset Mk5 document 7360-G-100-S-W.pdfNo. 6 stove 7310-99-138-3660
A single burner stove
No military documents yet.
The stove label is reproduced below.
No 6 stove Label J&F P.pdfNo. 7 stove 7310-99-139-1623
A single burner stove
No military documents yet.
The stove label is reproduced below.
No 7 stove label.pdfThe No 7 appears to be a Optimus 80 petrol burner.
No-7-stove-Optimus-80-1971.pdfThere doesn't appear to be a Number 8 to Number 11 cooking item.
No. 12 burner 7310-99-252-7439
A single burner stove.
No 12 7310-B-100-S-W.pdfAssociated items
This image shows the following being used together with a No. 1 burner.
Yellow - Pans, Frying, Large Mk. 2
Blue - Dixie - 3 gallon.
Red - Container, Cooking - 6 gallon.
White - 2 gallon Water container.
Pans, Frying, Large.
Mark 1
The Mark 1 Pans, frying had folding handles
Mark 2
3 Gallon dixie
Heavy Duty Aluminium Dixie 3 gallon / 13.5 litre cooking pot. They can be suspended above an open fire with the bucket type handle. They are great for stews, currys and soups etc.
The lid is robust enough to be used as a frying pan.
Dimensions
• Length 34cms
• Width 23cms
• Height 25cm
• Weight
6 Gallon cooking / transport pot
6 gallon rectangular Stainless Steel cooking pot with splash lid
• Length 35.3cm (15")
• Width 25.3cm (10")
• Depth 26.4cm (10 3/8")
• Weight 6.5kg
Field Kitchen No. 3 Field Oven
Field Kitchen No. 5 Field Oven
Hydra cooking stands for Number 1 burner
Typical use of the Number 1 portable cooker when in the field, was to dig a trench for the No. 1 burner
No. 1 Portable cooker being used on hard standing. It is in position for heating five 6-gallon pots.
Below - a 2-container cooking stand and a 3-container Cooking stand.
Norwegian Mark 1 - 13 litre insulated liquids container.
NSN 7330 99 122 8825.
Insulated, and ideal for transporting hot or cold drinks, or liquid food.
• Captive tops - one breather, one to pour
• Length
• Width
• Height
• Capacity 13 litres
I've been told by the design company that :-
The bracket section on these 13 litre containers were used with carrying straps along with a back-pack cage effect structure in which Soldiers were meant to carry on their backs.
Norwegian - Mark 2 - 18 litre insulated liquids container
NSN 7330-99-300-7605
Insulated, and ideal for transporting hot or cold drinks, or liquid food soup, stew, porridge, etc.
• Captive tops - one breather one to pour
• Length 38.5cm
• Width 23cm
• Height 47cm
• Capacity 18 litres
Water container 7240-99-120-7251
• Captive tops - one breather one to pour
• Capacity 20 litre approximately
• Length 13”
• Width 6“
• Height 18.5”
Haybox - transport box
BRITISH MILITARY " HAYBOX " THERMAL SLOW COOKER.
These were used for keeping food warm or slow cooking and are heavily insulated, which makes them useful for all sorts of things.
NSN 7330-99-120-3466
6 Gallon 7330-99-125-1784
They were designed to hold the 6 Gallon cooking container. The spring strips were to keep the hot or cold container away from the sides of the Haybox.
Dimensions
• Length 54cms (21 inches)
• Width 38cms (15 inches)
• Height 46cms (18 inches)
• Weight Heavy box, 35kg
Hotlocks
Hotlocks used Hot charcoal briquettes, charcoal, or coal to keep the unit warm. They were often used for Meals On Wheels.
Light the charcoal in a metal tray, and allow it to reach the white stage - then its ready for use.
Put this charcoal into the Hotlock tray, and close the box about 20 minutes before putting the food in.
Hotlock 6 7330-99-127-7356
Dimensions - Approximately
• Length 48cms (19 inches)
• Width 21cms (8.5 inches)
• Height 30cms (12 inches)
• 12 aluminium meal containers
• Weight Heavy box, kg
Hotlock 12 7330-99-127-7357
Dimensions - Approximately
• Length 56cms (22 inches)
• Width 30cms (12 inches)
• Height 42cms (16.5 inches)
• 24 aluminium meal containers
• Weight Heavy box, kg
Military Catering Cook set utensils :-
Utensils include:-
7330-99-129-0311 Large Ladle
7330-99-129-0803 Perforated Spoon
7330-99-129-0805 Small Serving Spoon
7330-99-129-0997 Small Ladle
7330-99-129-1016 Serving Spoon
7330-99-129-1469 Fish Slice
7330-99-129-8350 Small Perforated Spoon
7330-99-943-8738 Small Balloon Whisk
Ladle, 7330-99-129-0311
Length 40cm (16 inches)
Spoons, 7340-99-129-1016
Length 40cm (16 inches)
Aluminium Mess Plate 7350-99-129-0956
8 Inch plate/bowl
Serving tray
Possibly 7350-99-129-8311 or 7350-99-129-8312
• Length 47cms (18.5 inches)
• Width 34cms (13.5 inches)
List of NATO stock numbers (NSN) for British Military Catering items
Catering NSN numbers 7310-99 7330-99 7340-99 7350-99.pdfTrucks converted to Army Field kitchens
An unknown vehicle, showing how the containers were restrained for cooking on the move.
The vehicle below is a GMC ACKWX-353 6x6 truck, but it shows how some Mobile Kitchens were laid out, with a frame to hold the No. 1 burner and frames in place.
Yellow - Fold up table.
Purple - Stowage for 6 Water cans per side.
Blue - "Insulator" hay boxes.
Red - Stands for cooking pots.
Green - Hydra No. 1 burner, with cover on.
Hurlock WW2 Stove files
Dinky 1930s Cooker trailer
In 1937, Dinky released a number of military sets. These were based on the modern mechanised army of the 1930s. A number of these sets were called the Royal Tank Corps Medium Tank set, and incorporated a water bowser and Cooker trailer.
Coincidentally, in the 1939 edition of the British Army's Vocabulary of Army Ordnance Stores - it lists a Cookers, Trailer, Hydra type.
If you have any photos or documents of British Army Cooking trailers from the 1930s and WW2, please drop me a line.
And the actual trailer.
British army Ration Pack menus
As can be seen from the menus listed below, there are a range of variants which are designed to meet the religious and cultural requirements of the modern, diverse nature of the British Military and the climate in which they operate.
24 Hr General Purpose
24 Hr Vegetarian
24 Hr Kosher
24 Hr Halal
24 Hr Sikh/Hindu
24 Hr Enhanced
24 Hr Cold Climate
8 Hr Single Meal
10-Man
Emergency Survival Rations
Ration menus British army 2022.pdf