Freeze-Dried Foods

[Heff936]

Thanks Dorf for the photo examples. It all looks tasty. I'll have to give that a try.


Heff

[paul]

One of the good things about pre-made meals like Mountain House is that they don't require any cleanup. You just pack out the empty package.

[Jen]

One of the good things about pre-made meals like Mountain House is that they don't require any cleanup. You just pack out the empty package.

That is exactly why I have never done my own dehydrating. I don't like to wash pans in the backcountry. With mountain house you can just lick your spoon clean and call it a day I think this year I am going to try the freezer bag cooking though.

[Heff936]

I agree with the no-cleaning required approach. You can buy stand-up foil bags like those used for freeze dried food. Those might work well for re-hydrating and eliminate the cleanup issue.


Heff

[Jen]

You can buy stand-up foil bags like those used for freeze dried food. Those might work well for re-hydrating and eliminate the cleanup issue.


Heff

Great idea Tim!

[pitamakan]

I'm definitely a little jealous of those who prepare their own dehydrated meals ... but I admit I've never had the energy to spend time on that kind of pre-trip prep. And knowing me, I'd probably screw something up during the dehydrating process, and not realize it until I was in the wilderness. The prepackaged stuff is easier at home and on the trail, and I can calculate calories and such very accurately before leaving.

This post really makes me think of my early backpacking days, before freeze-dried food was so readily available, and we actually had to do our own cooking in the out-of-doors! I kind of miss it, in a way, but I'd never go back to that exclusively ...

[sj in cal]

I don't remember Dorf cleaning any dishes!

[Pocketlint]

I don't remember Dorf cleaning any dishes!

You didn't notice dorf's long tongue on those trips to the Beartooth?


pocketlint

[dorf]

I don't remember Dorf cleaning any dishes!

Hell, I don't remember what I ate except for some pasta salad in a ziplock and pizza night. I do have a snippet of video from the 2008 Beartooth trip that could be helpful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfSvnJQYVIM forward to 3:35 for some helpful sanitation information

[isleroyaleguy]

Oh yeah forgot to mention the cost. For two people you could have a whole day of meals for what you spend on one meal of freeze dried. Whatever leftovers you have tonight can be dehydrated and vacuum sealed to use as a meal on the trail this season.
IRG

[Marmotman]

I'm a big fan of the Lipton pasta sides (now Knorr I believe). They are pretty tastey and only a buck. The cheesey broccoli rice and the Thai noodles are my favorites. BUT having said that, Costco now sells a case of 10 MH freeze dried meals that only run about 4 bucks each meal. Boil water, eat, throw pouch away, lick spoon, done. I have a case waiting for me this summer.

[Buck]

To the original question I live on the Mountain House stuff in Glacier for the convenience and zero mess......never had an issue Ref......maybe some crunchy rice once in awhile

[Heff936]

I'm working on a design that I hope will result in a commercial sub $ 1,000 freeze drying system. I'll let you all know how the testing goes.

Heff

[David R]

I'm a fan of MaryJanesFarm brand. Smaller portions, organic, burnable packets. Tasty but simple. At REI.