Burner Unit, Portable Cooker Mk1, 1943

[Jordan Baker]

I thought you would find this an interesting piece of Canadian WW2 kit. I picked it up last week and got it working the other day.

Its the Burner Unit for the Portable Cooker. This unit was made by CLC in 1943. It has a 2 gallon pressurized fuel tank in it and a large cast burner plate. Once fuelled up pressure is added to the tank. The manual states to start off at 20psi until the burner plate is heated then bring the pressure up to 40psi. It runs on regular gasoline and burns about 4-5 pints per hour. The food trays were normally hooked up in a row of 5 units and would be used to cook and keep the food warm.

Years ago at a Caldwell Convoy BBQ, I was given one of the frying pans and food trays. Up until last week I figured I wouldn't see the burner unit.

If anyone has any of the trays and insulated containers Id be interested to hear from you.

This video is of the unit in operation while the burner plate is warming up. The flames are from raw gasoline being ignited as it exits the valve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq1gWS6XRfw

In this video the unit is now fully heated and vaporizes the fuel before ignition. Picture a very large Coleman lantern.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbsgmepasPg

Pictures L-R.
Manufactures stamping on the unit, complete setup that I have, boiling water, GSW stamp on tray, GSW stamp on frying pan