This is my submission into Puckmugger’s second write-off. He wanted us to write about a new sport or outdoor activity that we needed to try. Well I decided to one up it and discuss a tool that can do multiple things. So I will be addressing several sports including competitive eating, competitive fly swatting, and competitive bubble blowing, just to name a few.

What type of hanger do you need?
It has to be a bare metal hanger. There can be no paint and no plastic, unless you like the smell and taste of plastic. It is also best to have a thinner piece of metal, nothing fancy. I think aluminum is going to be the most common metal you will find, which means they are light weight and easy to bend.

Tools you may need
Strong wire cutters or sheet metal cutters. (a sharp axe can also work in an emergency)
Pliers
Aluminum foil
Fish line or dental floss
Duct tape
Disposable pie pan
Soldering iron

Preparing the Hanger
For most of these activities you will cut off the top hook of the hanger, including the spiral area, to make it easier to bend. Wire cutters do a great job. Then bend it into a straight shaft or whatever shape you need.

Competitive eating.
I am quite sure this is one of Charles Barkley’s favorite sports of all time and would anoint anyone in this sport as a true athlete. To be a great athlete in this sport one must have an iron stomach, will of steel, intestines lines with silver, and taste buds that work as well as a Ford Pinto. Yes ladies and gentlemen, these are the finest athletes Johnsonville can buy.

But in order to eat the food, it must be cooked. This is where are handy dandy clothes hanger comes in handy. The simplest way, and admittedly boring way, is to straighten out a clothes hanger and stick food on it. You can also make sis kabobs the same way.

A far more ingenious device is the solar cooker. Yes, a solar cooker. Using the infrared energy of the sun to heat precooked food to a lukewarm temperature that only a child would love. That my friend is good eats. All you need is a shoebox, straight hanger, and foil. First put a sheet of foil, shiny side up, inside the box. The foil should make a half circle shape and the surface itself should be as flat as possible. Crumples foil will not work. Make two small holes in the side of the box and slide the straight hanger through the first hold. Skewer the precooked food and slide the hanger through the second hole. Then slow rotate the food so it evenly heats (or be lazy like me and take a nap.) For added heat you can put some plastic wrap or glass over the top of the box and push dirt up the side for added insulation. This is a great activity if you have younger campers with you but it can only be done in the middle of the day.

Another cooking tool is the disposable baking oven. Just wrap 10 packages around 3 clothes hangers carefully shaped into a rectangle (leaving an opening of course) and setting it over some coals or another heat source.

After that long hard fought battle it is nice to be able to wipe your face and clothes off. A paper towel holder is a must in this case. And what better object to hold those paper towels than a metal clothes hanger. This idea is actually more common in the camping arena than one would think.

Competitive hanging
Now forget about roasting marshmallows over an open fire. There are many more uses for metal clothes hangers than that. You can use it as a hanger. Yes I know…a hanger. It just doesn’t get any more exciting than this. If your boots are wet then hang them in a nice breeze, they will dry faster. Wet clothes are another major problem in the outdoors when Mother Nature is sad. Or even make your campsite more homely by hanging a bird/hummingbird feeder or even a wind chime.

Competitive swatting
One of my absolute favorite sports has to be the famous fly swatter design. This is an ancient sport designed for the young ones. Especially the really energetic ones. Just keep in mind that swatting a reclusive animal, like the sleeping father, may shorten the life span of anyone playing this fascinating sport. But for the most part it is a fairly save sport to play and provides hours of fun.
To make just bend your wire into a square shape and tie fishing line/dental floss around it until it is dense enough that the fly will not fly through. You can use duct tape but you will want to poke holes through it so it flows more freely thought the air.

Competitive bubble blowing.
Another sport made famous by a mysterious hiker in zion, is bubble blowing. In this sport the idea is to make several large bubbles and force the young ones to run around and pop the unsuspecting prey. Just make sure you don’t pop any endangered bubbles while playing this game. You may also want to check with your local ranger about the permits and hunting conditions at your location.
To make one you may want to have some pliers on hand to make it easier. You also will not be able to make the ring as small as the small plastic wands most of us are accustomed to. For small bubbles you may want to use a small plastic ring made from a cut plastic lid or the ring on the top of a 2 liter bottle. Just bend the wire so it createa a complete circuit and both ends are connected (a soldering iron is an option.) Don’t worry if it is not a perfect circle, it will still work. In fact to trick you kids make a triangle or square and have them guess the shape, but it will still turn out into a circle.

Another idea
Make a radio antenna- I have actually made an antenna with these and it did work. In fact is worked surprisingly well for the price. If you look online you will find several plans on how to do it if you are interested.

Problems
There are a few problems with this creature we call the hanger. There is one major problem man has encountered. If you leave two of them together in a closet then they will multiply. I do not believe the closet one uses matters, but I’m pretty sure you need at least two, maybe more. Scientists still do not know how this happens but they believe the phenomenon is the same phenomenon that afflicts the key species. I for one feel it is an affliction that will never be solved.

Basic information For anyone who was actually looking for a real review.
The metal clothes hanger is your standard clothes hanger that has been used for quite a few years now. It is a staple in the clothes hanging world. But the problem is that this hanger is not very strong. It will bend easily if too much weight is place on it. It will not hold a heavy leather jacket without some bending but light clothes are just fine. I also find they are harder to use than plastic hangers. If I have the choice I will always use the plastic hangers, not these metal ones for hanging clothes. Besides these have so many uses outside of the closet.

Dimensions & Weight
Weight: 1.25 ounces
Height: 8 inches
Width: 15 3/4 inches
Diameter: 3/32 inch
Force it can handle before bending on the bottom: 6N
Full length if extended: 41.5 inches

I would like to thank openroad for playing along. Also, I would like to thankMcMaster for giving me the inspiration for this article. And of course, I would also like to thank Puckmugger for hosting this write-off.

Authors note
This was meant to be a combination of useful information and outright lunacy (and in keeping with tradition.) By having read this review you automatically agree to not hold me liable for any damages incurred from reading such review. If you feel nausea, headaches, or down right confusion from read said review, then you may need medical attention. If you want someone to blame then please go here and paint him chartreuse, tar and feather him, or just give him beer. (or you can even play along.)


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): free