Bob,

Me and Sempek tried to figure out a way to cook C-rations but never could come up with the right idea. The closest we got was a rod with a craddle on the end to hold the can near the exhaust of the engine. The trouble we had was most of the metal we used would either melt or get to hot to hold on to.

The best was still using the the small cracker tin and putting three or four holes in it with a church key,(beer can opener to those who didn't grew up before pop-tops)a couple of pieces of C-4 and instant hot chow. You would know when the food was ready because the plastic spoon that came with the c-rats would start to melt as you stirred your meal. That and some pre-sweetened kool-aid in warm water from your plastic canteen and you were all set. My one gunner Jeff Dana would mix kool-aid in club soda in the morning to cure his hang over. I tried it once. That's why I didn't drink over there.