Tommy cooker
The Tommy cooker was a compact, portable stove, issued to the troops of the British Army during World War I and World War II.
After World War II, "Tommy cooker" was alleged to have been used as a derogatory nickname for the M4 Sherman tank, but little to no contemporary evidence exists.
The British Army continued using compact solid fuel stoves until recently when they were replaced by stoves powered by alcohol gel.
Fuel
Tommy cookers were fuelled by a substance referred to as "solidified alcohol"World War I
During World War I, some soldiers regarded the Tommy cooker as ineffective. One soldier complained that it took two hours to boil half a pint of water. A variety of commercial or improvised alternatives were in use.WWI variants
;Kampite Trench Fuel Blocks;Anglo's Trench Fires
;Tommy's Cooker
;Tinned Heat - solidified methylated spirits
;Canned Heat - Sterno solidified alcohol
WW1 Manufacturers
The British cookers were made by Tommy's Cooker Co., Limited, The Little Kitchener Co. and the "Pals" Cooker by Matthias Jackson & Sons.- "ThePALS" Cooker. The name "ThePALS" is our registered trade mark. "ThePALS" Kettle or Pan rests is our registered design. - Solidified Spirit Pocket Stove for the "Pals" at the Front! - Far away the BEST STOVE Made. - Hot water and food quickly and easily prepared by using "THE PALS" COOKER! Superior quality. Clean and powerful. A new design. Compact and handy. A welcome gift. - "The composition of this solid spirit is a new and exclusive preparation."—COMPLETE STOVE RETAILS at 1/- EACH. REFILLS RETAIL AT 1/- and 2/- PER TIN. - Sole Manufacturers: MATTHIAS JACKSON & SONS, Shepley Street Works, London Road, Manchester.
- Tommy's Cooker. - A Marvel of Simplicity & Utility—Is the most welcome gift to soldiers in the trenches... Give him one before he leaves for the front....For preparing food out of doors it is perfection. - Used by the British, Belgian and French Army in the Field, and the Red Cross Society. - Price, 1/- Refills, 2/- ADVANTAGES.—1. Wind does not blow it out. 2. Composition unaffected by weather or climate. 3. Stand carries heavy pots or pans. - Tommy's Cooker Co. Ld. - Works 31 Carburton St., London, W.
- Little Kitchener Trench Cooker—Blackie Brand Always Best—Jelled fuel "Blackie Brand" Patent Tommy Cooker that has seen use from the Sudan of the 1880s. - Sole Proprietor Robert Blackie of London
World War II
Refined versions of the Tommy cooker remained in use during World War II, and were still generally known as Tommy cookers. They used gelled fuel in a tin can; a steel ring fitted to the can supported a mess tin.WWII Variants
Tommy cookers came in a number of different forms. The two most popular designs used were:;Blackie
;Hexi Cooker
The instructions inside are like a newspaper cutting and say the following;
- DIRECTIONS FOR USE
- 1. Remove stand from this container and open out legs equally.
- 2. Place on level non-inflammable surface.
- 3. Remove metal disc from this container and fix on stand immediately above hinge so that the three slots cut in the edge of disc lock firmly on legs of stand.
- 4. Place one fuel tablet on metal disc and ignite with match, lighter etc.
- 5. To extinguish, tip tablet off stand and cover with lid.
- 6. If greater heat required, break tablet into two or more pieces and stand these upright on the disc. If less heat required, break off small piece and use instead of whole tablet.
- NOTES
- It is essential to shield cooker from all draughts, using box, tin etc. or heating may be carried out in a shallow trench.
- If used in a covered accommodation, allow adequate ventilation to assist combustion and to remove fumes.