Boiling the Billy..............when you dont have one

Submitted: Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 12:33
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Folk lore, bush yarn or campfire myth?

Now if you arrive at your campsite and find that you have forgotten to pack the Billy, saucepan or anything else what can hold more than a mug full of water( I know that is unlikey but), how would you boil the water?

Get a good fire going and burn it down till you have glowing coals

Scrape the coals into a flat, level position and fan them so that they stay alive

Take a Woolies(Coles, Foodland, IGA, whatever) plastic bag and fill it 1/2 full with water. Make sure bag doesnt leak water.

Tie a large knot at the top of the bag so the water cannot escape.

Place the water filled plastic bag in a gentle but firm(one movement) manner on to the coals.

When the water starts to boil remove the plastic bag(remember to wear cooking gloves on your hands) in one swift movement.

Loosen knot and pour water into mug for coffee/tea/or whatever.

It works.......Try it!
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Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 12:45

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 12:45
Willem, I have done similar with a brown paper bag, (back in '74) so I know it can be done, never heard of using a plastic bag tho. Have to try this next time camping.
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Follow Up By: Willem - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 12:51

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 12:51
G'day Mate

Showing your age (and experience) there....lol

I haven't seen it done with a paper bag though. There is always something new, eh?

Its a tad cooler here today am but still hiding in the house with the aircon running flat out.
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 13:23

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 13:23
Just looked thru a loose plan for a look at the Simpson in April along the French line, back thru Oodnadatta, Marree, Hawker and Peterborough, keep the aircon running!
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Follow Up By: Willem - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 13:34

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 13:34
Going over to the west last week of April for a couple of months.

April should be OK if it doesnt rain. Should be bearable weather by then.

I'll keep a spot open in the back yard for your rig
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Reply By: Lone Wolf - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 12:55

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 12:55
We're gonna be knackered when they eventually phase out plastic shopping bags!

Don't reckon the Go Green buggers will do the job.......... sigh............

I can just picture it.......... when I'm a Grandad, sitting around the camp with my grandkids......

"When I was a little tacker, we used to heat our water up in little plastic bags......"
" Grandad, what's a FIRE? "

Fire, Ice, Water.......... and Plastic!

Wolfie
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Follow Up By: Willem - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 13:02

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 13:02
Hahahahahahaha!
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Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 12:56

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 12:56
Used to do this with the scouts about the same era, we used to boil water for a cuppa tea in a 1 litre milk carton, it works , steady as you go is the secret!
Raining steady hear at lunchtime saturday willem, almost need a jumper.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Willem - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 13:03

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 13:03
37 here and clear skies, Pesty. Just shows you what 400km does in distance.
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 15:15

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 15:15
37 here too, Willem, with aircons set on 24! Haven't been outside, except to get the required tools etc, to change some tap washers, and o-rings. And now the tennis is on!

What about the 8x8? Thought you would get the A-frame completed, at least.

Regards
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Follow Up By: Willem - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 20:26

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 20:26
Hi Bob

The 8x8. Well we will have to see.
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Reply By: kesh - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 15:37

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 15:37
Willem, did that with the brown paper bag many moons ago. But dont like plastic (anything) so dont think will put that one to the test. But what a mate and self did do (also many moons ago) was to dam a creek (we were alluvial gold mining) using (I think from memory) 5lb. brown paper sugar bags which we filled with a dry gravel/cement mix (we had loads of washed gravel!) built the dam (about 50ft. across x 8ft high) leaving an opening at the bottom (initially) to let the creek flow through. The wall was about 4ft.thick at the base, tapering up. When we reckoned things were under control we blocked the hole and as the water rose it soaked the bags and set the cement. It took about 4 weeks to build,nearly a ton of cement, a hell of a lot of bags (we bought a shop out then ordered heaps more!) but we then had nearly 2yrs. of sluicing before a gully raker took it to blazes! Thems were the days!
the kesh
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