Army field range question

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I have an Army field range with most of the pots and things, my question is How does the steam kettle work?  I have looked for the FM TM and haven't found any reference.  I have been using this set up for canning works really well everything outside other than packing the jars.  No  heat and little mess in the kitchen.  Hoping the steam kettle would allow me to do gallons of tomato sauce at one time.

[SeabeeCook]

Hi:

I have 20 years experience working with the M59 field range and M2A gasoline burner. I have the same unit in my garage and am going to covert the burner to a 30K BTU propane burner one of these days.

What do you mean by the steam kettle? The field range outfit doesn't have a "steam kettle" as such. The two pots (10- and 15-gallon each) can be arranged as a double boiler for sauces and delicate items. That's the only thing that I can think of.

Did your field range come with a M2A burner? The burner was a large rectangular (I always called it an over-sized Coleman burner) gasoline-fueled burner. It could be placed in the bottom or middle slots on the field range.

If you have the burner, please don't use it, especially if you don't have the expertise. They were very dangerous in their day (the Army no longer uses it). Plus spare parts are very difficult to locate.

Work with your local propane dealer for rig a commercial propane burner in the Army frame.

[snaplink]

Thank you for your reply,  I was taling about the double boiler 15/10 gal pots.   I have the gasoline burner actually 2 one is brand new and can get another brand new.  I worked at a place that made them before the Army changed.  So i think the older guys may have some answers to any questions.  I have tried to track down any army cooks in my area could get any answers.

I have used the burners keeping a very close  eye on the pressure guage it it got out  of the  green zone I would shut it down.

The question I have is how much water would I put into the big pot to use it?  I have the pot rack so it makes it easier.

Again thank you for you reply

[SeabeeCook]

In a double boiler, you usually keep the water level in the larger pot under the smaller pot. You don't want boiling water to touch the smaller pot. Instead steam surrounds the smaller pot. Heat is then transferred into the food being cooked.

Do you still have access to generators for the burner?

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the burner units have 3 tubes that go across the flame., only one used at a time  I think this is the generator.   I'll ask if there are any more at the place that built them.  A friend has a burner unit still in the box I'm gonna try and get it from her.  Another place about 100 miles had brand new cabinets the M59 surplus they also have the roasters soup pot and griddles and most of the other stuff. 

Thank you again I think I'm going to try and make tomato sauce in the double boiler.

Are you located in Diamond Springs CA. I used to live outside Pollock Pines a few years ago

[SeabeeCook]

Thanks ... I drove through Pollock Pines every week to my summer job, plus we worship in the next town to the west, Camino. It's a nice area, one we've enjoyed for over 15 years.

I'm looking for a 10-gal. pot to complete my range. I have the 15-gal. pot and the baking and roasting pan with lid (we called it a steelhead or squarehead in the Seabees). Does this place have any? Eventually, it'd be nice to acquire an extra pot set as well.

[snaplink]

Hi again.  I think they may have a complete set plus the soup pot with the smaller cover on the big lid.  They have a web site Coleman's surplus go to the camping cooking section they may have what you need.  They are located in Pa. a little over 100 miles from me.  The only thing I am missing is the baking racks, but if I see what they look like I will make my own.   

I got the double pots , wisk, ladle, serving spoon, strainer, and the pot rack from where I worked asked one of the owners and  he gave them to me.  I had to buy the roasting pan. Thinking of getting the soup pot next. 

Problem I see for you is gonna be shipping.   Check with Greyhound bus lines they used to carry freight and may be cheaper.   Let me know I'll see what I can do from this end.   I'll weigh on the bathroom scale to see how much the pots weigh approx.   

[snaplink]

Here is what they have http://store.colemans.com/cart/double-boiler-15-gal-us-gi-p-687.html

[SeabeeCook]

Thanks ... I purchased my squarehead from Coleman's. Yes, you're right about shipping. I'll check the website. Contact me off-line please. I believe my email is posted to my profile. I'd love to see some pictures of your field range in action, plus a report for my blog.