Seth McGinn introduced his CanCooker, indoor/outdoor steam cooker in 2009. The story goes that as a boy, McGinn helped brand cattle at his Grandparent’s East Nebraska ranch. Before work began it was customary to fill a cream can with meats, vegies and spices, then set it on a fire to steam cook while the branding and vaccinating commenced. When lunchtime rolled around, they cracked open the can and enjoyed a hot, hearty homemade meal, cooked to perfection while they worked.

Cream Can cooking has been around for many years and it is not specific to Nebraska. But McGinn added a few useful features to improve performance over a stock cream can, such as an insulation strip around the lid rim, clamps on the can to hold the lid tight, and an optional stainless steel rack that lifts foods off the bottom to prevent burning and make cleaning easier. McGinn and team have also expanded their product line to include:

The Plank, a fold out cutting board. (left)

And The Multi-Fuel Cooktop (right), a portable gas burner with adjustable heat settings and electric ignition that runs off 8 oz. Butane or 16.4 oz. propane canisters.

CanCooker holds US and Canadian patents. It is readily available for purchase online and at many retailers catering to outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts. Consumers seem to be attracted to the straightforward simplicity of CanCooker’s aesthetically appealing, utilitarian design.