I use an east German mess kit and it has marks for 2, 4, and 6 cups in it.
Looks like this.
Attachment 43423
Inside the kit I have my stove, wind screen, measuring spoon, utensils, and fuel bottle. It can also be used over/in a campfire as well.
As far as alcohol stoves go I use one similar to the "cat stove" but I used a Vienna sausage can so that it can hold more fuel. Google "cat stove" and you'll be able to find instructions on how to build one. They are dirt cheap to make (30 cents) and weigh almost nothing. For fuel I buy the "HEET" in the yellow bottles. You can get it at any gas station or Walmart for about $1.50 for. 12 oz. My stove will boil 2 cups of water in 6 mins. I've used it at over 10K ft in below freezing temps and never had a problem with it. I agree with what was said before about knowing how to use one before you go out. I always make practice runs at home with new recipes and whatnot just so I know what to expect.
As far as using a foldable bowl or tupperware instead of ziplock bags and a bubble cozy. I don't think the foldable bowl would hold the heat in so it would take a lot longer to rehydrate the meal. If you could rig up a cozy for a tupperware bowl that would work but a tupperware bowl is a lot more bulky than a ziplock bag. I love using ziplock bags because the take up almost no space and are basically weightless. Just personal preference I guess
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