Homemade Measuring Cup

Did You know that you are already carrying the weight of a measuring cup in your backpack?

Project Time: 15 - 20 minutes

Items Needed: 

Before we start, shave some Utensil Weight (Optional):

1) While holding the utensil, see how low you can hold the utensil and still have the ability to eat comfortably. With the marking pen, mark the highest point on the utensil where it feels comfortable in your hand.

Note: Remember you will most likely only be using the utensil at 1 or 2 meals a day on the trail. However, don’t make it so short the utensil makes eating more frustrating.

2) Saw off the excess handle on the utensil and sand down any rough edges.

You are now ready to Make the Measuring Cup:

1) Take the measuring cup and fill the measuring cup to the "1 cup" line with water. Pour the measuring cup water into your cooking pot.

2) Vertically place your utensil in the center of the cooking pot (handle part down); with the marking pen, mark the height of the water line.

3) Fill the measuring cup with "1 cup" of water. Pour into your cooking pot, again marking with the marking pen the height of the water on the utensil...until you have as many cups of water that can fit into your cooking pot.

Note: 4 cups of water is all I ever mark on the utensil. No food I use requires more than 4 cups, and the water will boil over with any more water in my Walmart Grease pot.

4) Now take the saw and slowly indent the utensil at the marker points. I like to indent the sides of the utensil to make it easier to see on the trail.

That’s it...Simple wasn’t it?...and now you have one more idea to make your backpacking trip a PureBound one.

Project Weights:
Off-the-shelf Titanium Spork: 5/8 oz (0.625 oz)
Modified Titanium Spork: 3/8 oz (0.375 oz)
Modified Lexan Spork: 1/4 oz (0.25)