Freeze Dried Meal Hack - Lighter, Smaller, Hot or Cold

[@Steven-f7v]

I love that you take two meals and make three. I can never get through two portions. So repackaging this way is genius.

[@Campology]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@Awesome_hikes]

Great explanation, and great step by step. Thanks for taking the time to share this.

[@Campology]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@michaelbutler1557]

Good idea for making the load lighter.

[@Campology]

You bet… thanks

[@cynicalrendering]

Love it: the last thing I want to do when I get into camp knackered is to boil water and then try to force down a whole BP meal. I reckon doing the cold soaking prep on the trail is least likely to attract bears than preparing hot meals at camp.

[@Campology]

Yep , yep and yep. Thanks

[@miken7629]

Nice tips. I repackage food in freezer bags then add boiling water to bag.

[@Campology]

That's a great idea!

[@jeffweber3295]

Possibly you could use a smaller paper bag. Good ideas

[@Campology]

Thanks

[@steveforsythe9264]

Great ideas thank you!!

[@Campology]

You are so welcome! It works for me!

[@hoser7706]

GSI Foons are great sporks that fold small. Why paper bags and not Ziplocs?

[@Campology]

GSI are good. Paper is biodegradable and a good fire starter

[@rolfvdbrink]

Thanks for he video. I’m just wondering how you know what amount of water to add? Experience or do you have a look at the amount of water that’s supposed to go in the regular packaging and adjust accordingly. Will watch the GDT series this winter.

[@Campology]

easy peasy... I just follow the directions on the package (sort off)... yet typically, I first put the food in the jar and they add water until it fully covers the food. That generally works too!

[@Cgh432]

Great explanation 👍

[@Campology]

Thanks so much, happy hiking

[@amywilquetswette3386]

Another great video!! I use way too many plastic bags when repackaging dehydrated food. I am definitely going to use the paper bags. I plan on doing some cold soaking in the future!! Still will want some warm foods!! Comforting!! How long ahead of time to you repackage your meals? Not sure what the time frame is for safety. In a previous video you mentioned putting supper into your container following eating your cold soaked breakfast. When out on a canoe trip my biggest concern is getting my dishes clean so that I don't get a stomach bug out in the wilderness. I was a Girl Scout ions ago; I no longer dunk my dishes into boiled water like taught, but I do wash and rinse them with boiled water. Hmmm? Just wondering what you do? It seems that reusing will cause germ growth, hardy germs at that!! So, what to you do so that you don't become ill on your long trips or I guess any trip? Anyway, thanks for your informative, interesting, and entertaining videos. I am once again glad that Kevin Callan had you on as a guest for his Fireside Whisky Chat.

[@amywilquetswette3386]

And a thought.....what about mixing scrambled eggs with instant rice, maybe so bacon bits and some red pepper flakes and dried cilantro flakes for a cold soak? Might that taste like fried rice?? I do like cold fried rice!

[@Campology]

Thanks so much Amy... plus lots of quality questions. I package them weeks and even months in advance, although I wouldn't recommend more than a few weeks to ensure "freshness".... I often use the "unwashed" jar for the next meal throughout the day, or perhaps overnight if I have no water source at camp to wash... although I share your concern re bacteria growth. Generally, it's super easy to clean (generally daily or after each meal if there is a water source)... simply add one drop of Dr Bronner's soap about 2 ounces of water, close the lid and shake vigorously (always discard wastewater far from camp or water source)... that generally does the trick... if not wipe with a bandana and repeat. Easy peasy... :)

[@Campology]

@@amywilquetswette3386 sound’s yummy 😋

[@tedscanoe]

Well done. A great way to break up your meals and get rid of extra weight. I've done similar by adding dehydrated veggies then splitting the BP meals. I like you idea better.

[@Campology]

That's a great idea! .... and thanks so much. I've been playing with options for years... the biggest issue for me was "what to do with the bags after dinner"... the bags are great but generally you have to bring them out. But the paper bags burn easy or pack smaller if you can't have a fire.

[@sundaymorninghikes6275]

It's always the obvious...I usually have to force the last few spoonfuls of food down, and have thought about splitting them up, but half wasn't enough. Divide two into three...genius. I usually repackage into freezer ziploc bags as I don't want to clean anything, but them I'm stuck carrying a few days of plastic bags with crusty food scraps in them. I'll have to try the paper bag - any issues with them getting wet in your pack/bear bag?

[@Campology]

Thanks... it has been working great all year, including 36 days on the GDT this summer. I put all the paper bag dinners into one x-large freezer ziplock and it was always good. I re-used the same ziplock (labeled with a sharper "dinners") the whole summer. The paper was used to start many evening campfires! It was an experiment for me... and I rate it a success and will continue! thanks for watching and providing comments! Cheers

[@sundaymorninghikes6275]

@@Campology Again, always the obvious! Thanks for the ideas. Looks like I'll be brown-baggin' it from now on! Cold soaking??? Only as a last resort. I use the Emberlit Fire Ant (titanium...3 oz) and the esbit fuel cubes.

[@Campology]

@@sundaymorninghikes6275 ... works for me... I love "my" Esbit tabs!

[@adventureswithfrickandfrack]

How long do the meals last in the paper bag? Great video!!

[@Campology]

Months! … yah I was surprised too! 😀

[@stylesraw]

The fact that these companies don't sell their meals in bulk has always baffled me.

[@Campology]

I can't speak to other companies or countries... but Backpackers Pantry Canada sells online singles and by the case... www.backpackerspantry.ca

[@stevenresendes5225]

You can’t eat 700 calories after a day of hiking lol come onnnn

[@Campology]

You are right on… add some other good stuff for lunch and breakfast…perhaps a bourbon too!?😂