Using this bowl is a breeze. First, simply open it up from its collapsed state. It'll stand at 5.8 cm high and is ready to use. You can use it to hold your hot food as it helps keep it warm. If you need to measure ingredients, just use the moulded graduations on the bowl. When you're done, collapse it down to 2.4 cm high and put it in your pack. As for maintenance, wash it with mild soap and water after each use. Make sure to dry it thoroughly before storing. Avoid using abrasive cleaners as they can damage the nylon and silicone material. And there you go, enjoy your backpacking with this great bowl!