Guyot Designs Squishy Bowls
For weight- and space-conscious backpackers or car campers, the squishy bowls offer an alternative to old-school non-collapsible aluminum/stainless steel/titanium bowls. And while these food-grade silicone bowls won't stand up to direct fire, they are oven safe up to 500° F. They can be baked, boiled and frozen without ill effect, making them more versatile than the previously reviewed Orikaso campware and the newer Fozzils' take on that design.
Guyot’s bowls are entirely pliable, and eating out of a bowl without structural rigidity can be a strange experience the first time. Their flexing and bulging when holding liquids does take some getting used to. But I’ve never had a problem eating out of them. This amorphousness comes in handy when you want to slurp back the rest of your milk or finish off the end of your camp stew, as you can squish the side of the bowl into a convenient spout. It also means they sit solidly. They hold hot liquids well, and are insulated enough to prevent you from burning your hands when you hold them as commonly happens with a traditional metal bowl.
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Guyot Designs
Favorite (15)
Patrick Hall
How does this hold up with hot coffee and tea? I've been looking at this for my business travel ki. I keep a steel/porcelain cup, java juice, and an electric immersion hot water heater in my kit for hotels without decent coffee makers. Would love to swap out the rigidity of a steel mug.
Lance
I have been using these for quite some time on hiking trips. These things are AWESOME.
I use the small one for hot chocolate. They are not insulated. On a cold winter morning that feels great on your hands but your drink doesn't stay hot for long.
The best part about using them for hiking trips is they are pliable enough to stuff any place in your backpack.
c-dub
These really are cool. I have a set, and I greatly prefer them to both metal and the plastic origami alternatives mentioned. They make for a nicer cooking/eating/cleaning experience all around. (And Patrick, they hold up to hot (even boiling) liquids, but I'd be hesitant to put an immersion heater in one. I have an idea it might melt or scorch the silicone if they came in direct contact, but that's just a hunch.)
I also keep a couple in my studio for mixing up or dispensing small batches of plaster. The shape is perfect. After the plaster hardens, I just flex the bowl and the plaster falls away, leaving the bowl nearly completely clean.
Gabe
I have these and have used them backpacking/camping for the past 2-3 years.
I have deemed the cup too small for me, so I only use the bowl anymore. Holds hot foods well, easy cleanup as mentioned.
Patrick - I don't think the lip/sidewall would support the weight of your immersion heater as the upper is thinner and very flexible. You should try to find them locally for evaluation. Most big box retail sporting goods stores carry these now (Scheel's, Cabela's, Gander Mtn, BassPro Shop, Sports Authority, etc)
Food related Guyot product I'm a big fan of:
The Utensils - http://www.guyotdesigns.com/Product-Utensils
The Spork is larger and longer than any other, allowing easy access to the bottom of dehydrated meal bags. The bowl of the spork is large enough to function well in spoon/soup capacity and the center elongated fork tines are good for spearing meat/pasta chunks.
c-dub
I should also add that they demand a bit of care when using them with hot liquids or soups, especially at first. The sides tend to collapse if you grasp them too firmly, but you figure it out quick enough.
Sambo
My law of industrial design: anything that can be made out of silicone, will be, sooner or later.
Amy
I love these! If filling with hot fluids, don't fill more than half full until you are used to them, as it's easy to spill by squeezing the wrong way. There's a fine manufacturing line at the widest/halfway point. Also, microwaving with these is possible, but I think it causes something to come out of the silicone into your food, so I wouldn't recommend it. VERY easy to clean, as they turn completely inside-out. The cup is a bit small for a coffee cup, so if you can find the medium bowl, that might be better.
Davey
Does the picture show what comes in the $17 set?
elon
@ c-dub: Great alternate use!
@ Davey: One 16 oz. bowl and one 6 oz. cup come in the set. -es
Ry Sal
wow, thanks for the find!