I'm going camping. Can I heat vegetables, beans, etc. in the can they come in?

Question

Or do I have to take them out of the can and put them in a pan and heat them over the stove/fire?

Answer 1

Yes, just pierce the can and put in water and boil, the hot water can then be used for a hot drink etc.

Answer 2

Cut most of the lid first, leaving perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 inch in place. This will keep the contents from boiling over or spilling out in case the can tips over. Mostly everything packed in cans has enough liquid in it, so you shouldn't need to add any water, unless you are cooking condensed soup -- but you should then use a pot instead. DON'T put the can directly over the hottest part of the heat source -- keep it to the outside of the burner. This will heat the contents and prevent the can seams from weakening.
Be very careful when you remove the can from the heat. If it is too hot you will wind up with a nasty burn for the rest of the trip.

Answer 3

A good rule of thumb is to empty the contents into a pan and heat them that way. Most canned vegetables and meats are in cans made from tin and zinc, as well as some steel. The problem is these cans are coated on the interior lining with an adhesive plastic coating to prevent the contents from coming in direct contact with the metal. Boiling the open can in water won't melt the plastic lining but putting the can directly onto the coals will. Not to mention if left unstirred the bottom contents of the can will burn and you wind up losing part of the contents of the can. Military LERPS and C-Rations don't come in plastic lined cans so they are safe to heat any way you choose. Commerical canned goods are lined 95% of the time. You choose. I choose not to take that chance......

Answer 4

I always remove the top fully. I was winter camping once and a guy forgot to open the can of beans. he was using the stove inside the cabin. There was a great boom and beans and pieces of the can were everywhere. the heating caused pressure inside the can and then the explosion. the results were two fold: 1. that person never got KP on camping trips again and 2. the cabin and everything inside smelled like beans the rest of the trip!

Answer 5

I know people who do it, but I wouldn't myself as the cans aren't manufactured for that purpose. If you do it though, open the top of the can and place it in a pan of water. Make sure you stir it well or the bottom will burn and the top won't be hot!

But if you have a pan to do this it's better to use it to heat up your food. After you dish out your food add water to the pan and it should clean up fairly easily.

Answer 6

I agree with NJGuy. You can, however, nestle the can in the hot coals of what used to be your camp fire. (Don't bury the can) Doing it this way, you will need to leave the lid attached but, pushed back down to cover the can contents so no ash gets in the food.
For removal, I just use a cheap ($2.00) pair of leather work gloves that you can pick up almost anywhere.

Answer 7

a favourite of mine on camping trips is beef stew, cooked right in the can. i use my large camp knife to pierce a few holes in the can lid, peel the label off and stick the can right into the ashes. heats up quickly and doesn't dirty any dishes. we usually eat it right out of the can, too. just be sure to remove the label completely or your food will have an icky burnt paper taste. i am sure this method would work equally well on any canned food.

Answer 8

I wouldn't because cans have seams that are sealed with something (used to be lead) that could melt when heated and get in the food.

Answer 9

I don't know if you should however I always have and never have gotten sick from it I don't know the long term affect it might have though.

Answer 10

I do all the time. no need for any holes in the can or any boiling, just turn the can often.