Trekmates Flameless Cook Flask

For some time I have been trying the Trekmates Flameless Cook Flask. This consists of a metal cup that sits inside a plastic outer casing with a protective sleeve. The idea is that you cook without the use of gas or other heating implements. They also make a Cook Box for cooking whole meals.

The cooking is achieved by the use of a special sachet that reacts when it comes in contact with water. This produces the heat that heats up the liquid. To initiate the reaction the sachet is removed from its waterproof packet and placed inside the plastic casing. By pouring on the specified amount of water the reaction is initiated. The metal cup is then inserted, the cap fitted and the liquid inside it will heart up.

So far I have used this in the Lake District, Cairngorms and even on long distance train journeys. This particular flask can be used to make hot drinks or the pasta snacks that require hot water. It is great for heating up something when you are out on the hill, especially when you don’t have access to a stove. On the train you do get some odd looks but it is better than the usual fare they offer. The heat sachets work out at about £1.40 each so it is not necessarily that cheap but its flexibility outweighs this.

Certainly as an emergency heat source it is invaluable, but there are a variety of self-heating meal packs coming on the market that could fill this niche.