Packing and Storing Food. Tips to Keep Food Fresh and Organised in Camp and on Backcountry Trips.

In this video, I will be going through my preferred ways of transporting and storing food while out backpacking, canoe camping, wild camping and on vehicle based camps. There is a huge and varied variety of different meals and food stuffs available that are ideally suited to camping - some are shelf stable and easy to store, others require careful storage so that they do not spoil.
From bags and pouches, canisters, barrels and jars through to insulated bags and cold boxes, I will show you what I have found works well for me in different situations.
I hope you enjoy the video.
Thanks for watching!
Links
Kevin Ride - Backcountry Eats
books.friesenpress.com/store/...
David Friars - Handmade Bags and Pouches
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DavidFri...
Nalgene storage jars
www.addnature.co.uk/nalgene-w...
Petromax kx50 Cold Box
www.petromax.de/en/px-produkt...
Contact me at:
[e-mail]
Or by mail at:
Simon, a bloke in the woods
PO Box 384
Diss
Norfolk
IP22 9DB
UK
Facebook - Simon, a bloke in the woods
Simon-a-blok...
Instagram - simon_a_bloke_in_the_woods
simon_a_blo...
Music:
Doctor True By Jinglepunks
Pluto By Topher Mohr and Alex Elena

[@mbecker163]

Simon, if you want to extend the use of coolers, take along a white towel large enough to cover the cooler. Wet the towel and cover the cooler. The white color will reflect the sun rays while the evaporation of the towel will help keep the cooler cold for a much longer period of time.

[@SweeneyTTodd]

That is a fantastic hint , excellent

[@simonhopkins3867]

I like that thanks.

[@mbecker163]

I've used it for years for my 4 day canoe trips (locally we call the float trips). 90+ weather and I always had ice left over at the end.

[@derekmcmanus8615]

Great tip!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Superb tip! 👍👍👍

[@joyceb5864]

As a 76 year old woman, I do my camping in a travel trailer, but your videos are fascinating. I've been watching for about a year and although I won't be backpacking or canoeing, I love your content & enthusiasm. Once in awhile I pick up a tip that can even be used in a camper. Love your videos!!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you Joyce!

[@cassandrahughes649]

That's awesome to know

[@raskusdrotti]

Love that Petromax box...

[@jjudy5869]

When I was a kid, Mom would pack 2 coolers. One was for drinks, milk, eggs, bacon (cured meats). The other was strictly for meat. All the meat was frozen and block ice was used in it. The cooler was opened only once a day to retrieve whatever was for supper. The frozen meat cooler would last 2 weeks of camping in 90+ degree heat. The drink cooler's lid did a lot of fanning and the ice was replaced every three or four days.

[@allengrant]

Ahh yes!!, summer in England... my favourite day of the year !

[@ifyouvote.5005]

Legend has it he's bringing a complete Tesco into the woods next.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

😂😂😂

[@deansch6089]

Suggestion - if you're using a cooler, skip the ice packs. Once they aren't cold, they're dead weight. Instead I make block ice in quart, half gallon, and gallon jugs and I pack that. As the ice melts I have cold water to drink, and the jug can be crushed into something small and of negligible weight when it's no longer keeping things cold.

[@thizizliz]

Here's a tip for use in the coolers; For a multi day trip, freeze chili or stew in a block and in a waterproof container. It will keep your other food cold and on the last day it's an easy meal to just heat over the fire or the stove. Great tips all around.

[@jameslashley3970]

Simon , on your Coleman cooler , take your top drill two holes on the side of the top , on two different sides, then put that form in One side when it comes out the other side let it set up , now your Coleman top is insulated .

[@gordeng4001]

I learned several good tips from your video, Thanks for sharing!

[@bridgetmarden7224]

Thank you Sir for all of your tips, tricks, and knowledge ❤ I just love you and Andy from Kent Survival ❤

[@craiglake6091]

Thank you Simon for braving the heat. My hometown in California hit 120F (48.88C) yesterday so I'm living vicariously through your videos.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

🥵🥵🥵

[@romelnoviriska8729]

😳 it gets THAT hot in America?? Damn i thought that's an asian problem!!

[@grantc5587]

From a plate too small for the epic meals he cooks to the biggest cool box ever!

[@simonfreer7950]

Funny was thinking the same thing

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Hahaha - yes, some adjustment needed!

[@johncotton7053]

😂😂👍

[@STYLEHUAHINONAIR]

Very nice.

[@CairnOfDunnCroftPermaculture]

I used to go 100% dehydrated when backpacking, but that's changed recently. I use a double thickness pot cosy made from closed cell mat foam. I fill my pot with individually wrapped portions of meat, freeze the lot, then pop the meat out of the pot and put it in the cosy just before leaving. 3 days in, when the fresh meat runs out, I can go back to using it as a cosy because I don't need it as a cool box any more. This system lets me have bacon sandwiches 3 days into long trips. You should see the looks I get in remote bothies tucking into sausage and bacon when everyone else is eating freeze dried junk!

[@gregsanderson2470]

We'll have to try that. Currently we use reflectex bags to get our fresh, off the dock, fish home. Thankx for the idea.

[@CairnOfDunnCroftPermaculture]

@@gregsanderson2470 my pot cosy works so well, I put my dehydrated dinner into it as soon as I've set up camp. It can be an hour later I choose to eat, it doesn't matter. It's still red hot. It's a great piece of kit.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Great idea - love it! 👍👍

[@mshirey2799]

I love that you gave @KevinOutdoors a shoutout!! I ordered his book and can’t wait to get it, because the backpacking meals of his that I’ve tried off of KZbin have been STELLAR

[@thebiggerbyte5991]

Baked bean 'peanut brittle' is something I now want to try :)

[@GoJoe7]

Is anyone else here getting advise for this summer's adventures? haha - thanks for the content, very helpful! 🏕

[@jasonlund6770]

Favourite time of the week 🤙

[@SonofChurchill]

I use a Two wheel fishing trolley round a score from Dec#thlon. Works well in woods as has large chunky wheels. Bungy box barrier or backpack on it. Look after your back!

[@seantowlson7051]

Thanks Simon. I use a South African Expedition Cooler similar to what you have there. They require experimentation to find the sweet spot. The last time I used it I easily achieved 4 days and still had frozen food stuffs and temps were in the 30 to 34c range during the day. I usually ''prime'' it with sacrificial ice about 12 hours before packing it. It cools the insulation layers reducing the need for the food temp to chill the surrounding space. The foam camping mats can be cut to form an internal lid which helps in trapping cold air inside when the cooler lid is opened. Its quite easy to rummage around inside for an item by just opening a small flap area to put your hand in and it doesnt allow a significant amount of cold air to escape like the lid would. Additional insulation can be achieved using those silver car windscreen shades, cut and stitched to form an inner lining, allowing for frozen food one side and chilled items the other. Enjoying your channel, thanks again

[@RickshawMunky]

Champion video, thanks chap 👍

[@DS-ej6du]

Cold beer and a custard tart; all food groups covered. Great video, thank you 😊

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

😉😂👍

[@mikeks8181]

Another Amazing Simple and Helpful Video! Thank You

[@jasonborn2598]

A channel I got a good tip from Steve Wallis he camps and uses soft taco wraps. You can eliminate the dishes, saving weight.

[@bluejay4950]

Hunker down! Love Steve Wallis & Crazy Neighbour

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

Carbs are evil.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

I’m a big fan of tortilla wraps too - anything to reduce the washing up!! 😂

[@martinoutdoors6941]

Some good ideas there and some epic cool boxes

[@martystacey4429]

As ever Simon, a belter of a video. Cant wait for the big trip north vid.....

[@jjjvclub]

Great tips, thanks !

[@cgriggsiv]

Awesome 👍 So many options to choose from

[@michaelmcfarland3300]

Thanks for the tips Simon! Great video!

[@ysgolgerlan]

Thanks for the great video, loved the cracked Coleman coolbox.

[@okinawaorion5631]

Lovely video. Nice music. Watching this brings me joy. Cheers!

[@elywhitley7327]

another brilliant, informative video about the basic stuff that nobody ever talks about. thanks again Simon. I love the effort you go to and the thought you put into these.

[@deborahhoch2662]

Love the tips

[@colinhunter4915]

Excellent thanks, saved the links also

[@TR-sk8hf]

Great vid Simon,as always.

[@monikawritingcomeseasier2637]

Love it thank you

[@ramblynrocketeer]

Fantastic ideas 🌿💚

[@MHarenArt]

That big green cooler was gorgeous! Thanks for all the information! Cheers Simon!

[@mistastabs5840]

Another great video, great content and info... Thanks for sharing.

[@troybranaman316]

Love your video Simon !! Great information and great ideas for food storage! Thank you ! Take care and stay safe my friend!!!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

The green Coleman Oscar cooler! I have two of these and two of the smaller orange "Lil Oscar" coolers. One pair of which has been in my family as far back as I can remember into the early 80's. and the other pair I picked up just a year or so ago so that if I wore out the first pair i'd have a New Old Stock pair to fall back on. So many memories of trips to the farm, family get togethers and trips to the lake, and later sporting events for my nephew. Dad was always a big fan of the Coleman brand. And maybe it's mostly nostalgia for me but I am as well. In regards to camping food I've relied on MRE's fairly heavily. My Girlfriend's brother gets them for her all the time because he's in the service. Menu #2, Chili is still my favorite. But with lack of those I like to have ramen noodles, SPAM, and am going to try some Mountain House dehydrated meals that I found at my local big box store since you seemed to have good luck with those in Sweden. Do you prefer to transport whole eggs in their shells or to crack them into Nelgene bottles for transport? If memory serves me right i've seen you do it both ways.

[@RoughTimba]

Good tips mate, thank you

[@jodyregier6176]

Rather than ice, frozen bottles of water work way better. They don't melt into water that transfers more cold to the bottom and sides of the cooler, no soggy food and you have clean drinking water when it melts. A towel or even better yet use the foil lined bubble wrap on top of the food and ice to help cut down the "lid wind" affect of opening the cooler too. Just passing on what I have learned over 5 decades of out door activities. Really enjoy your channel!

[@markcummings6856]

A lot of work put in to deliver these great tips. Thanks, Simon.

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

The new woodland looks great. Steak over hardwood coals. I can taste it now. 😋👍🙂

[@lindac7146]

Terrific tips and ideas. Thx for sharing your methods.

[@TheMudDiver]

Great vid!!

[@briancunningham9857]

Another good video, Simon. Full of good tips.

[@ShadowForce201300000]

Always great practical information. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about this new permission. Great video Sir. Cheers

[@kengarland2181]

Simon Thank you for the tips on transporting and keeping food/perishables. As always I really enjoy your videos.

[@bushlore21]

Excellent video and quality gear all around!! Very informative!!👍💯

[@Sanamononoke]

Grate work thank you

[@roymills2211]

Your maggie is the closest thing to a bear that you might encounter in the woods😄

[@chrisrobson8540]

or andy from kent survival (depending on the current beard status) lol

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

😂😂😂

[@ianmurray4081]

Instead of ice cubes, I use frozen 1 or 2 litre bottles of water. Less mess to muck around with. I also freeze some baby 👶 wipes and use them as insulation. The bonus being as they thaw out you yet a freshening cool wet wipe to wipe your a sweaty neck or a hot messy face. That's a part of my everyday summer time routine. Cool wet wipes... Ice ice baby 😎

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Love the frozen water bottle idea! 👍

[@RecklessRick]

Very important to keep that Beer cold L.O.L Many thanks

[@johnnybushman651]

Thanks for the tips Simon and thanks for my new word for a cooler , cool box , love it. Cheers and ATB .

[@YerluvinunclePete]

For Northern and mountain rivers, the bottom of the canoe will be cold. I put the food box flat on the bottom with a folded reflective backed tarp over it and everything stays cold. The butter stays hard during 25+ degree days on the river. If the nights are hot, I use the river as a fridge.

[@charliewilson4670]

Cracking video Simon and I always love seeing your kit it's second to none and always the best of gear if any one is taken up bush craft and you like decent gear your the one to watch excellent video Simon ☺👍

[@thomascraig7230]

Once again a great informative video sir. Well done.

[@monsterthemink5787]

Simon, thank you so much for all the inspiration, the invaluble tips you are sharing and of course for your stunning videos! I am going to adopt the embossing labels for the nalgene containers which is a brilliant idea, as always. Greetings from Germany and keep up the good work.

[@mickybetts7957]

Great vid as always! And the editing and music at the end was fantastic! Expertly done!

[@doctorpro5430]

New permission looks amazing! Looking forward to many adventures for you there

[@MrTowton1461]

Simon, he da man in da woods. Brilliant vids!

[@greetb9330]

Good tips Simon thanks for sharing, the UN blue barrels have many uses. great bits of kit to buy.

[@deetrvl4life875]

Love the guitar music!!

[@sdsi68]

Thanks Simon that helps out a lot 🤙🤙🤙

[@andrewforrest8938]

Thanks for a great video Simon that was really interesting and amazing for the storage boxes and bags, I'm going on a camp this weekend that was interesting for storing food.

[@hedgerowsandzeros]

That Petromax is a thing of beauty! Informative as ever. Thanks mate 👍

[@derekmcmanus8615]

Interesting and informative as usual

[@p3ggy80]

Going camping this weekend so you have given me some food storage for thought...

[@icba4907]

I have 2 norgie, one for food, one for drink, 2 for seating.

[@1willys]

I stumbled onto one of your videos a few months back and binge watched most of your old ones. I rather enjoy them great content, also entertaining! Thank you, and Cheers from New York. (state not city)

[@jgstevens5169]

Great job Simon, as always. Liked your clever ending effect. You have a good following of good people, some whom even have some clever tips. Thank you again!

[@iankearns]

I trek a lot less than I used to but I was always one for either putting food underground (lifting about 4-6 inches of turf/soil and then putting bagged food in there) or in water where available. Found this very handy for fresh food and also beers.

[@GraysOutdoors]

That PETROMAX is a monster. We have had a Coleman for 6 years - changes the dynamics of camping for the better. Good video. ATB Grays

[@kingrafa3938]

Great tips Simon 👍🇵🇭

[@Kathy_Is_Blessed]

Hi Simon. Loved the video. The new woodland is beautiful.♥️ Looking forward to lots of videos from there and canoe trips too. 😊

[@kenjohnson5498]

drill a hole and a release hole in the lid of that Coleman cooler and fill it with foam and it will work a lot better

[@dianejacklin4338]

Great comment Monica regarding empty plastic bottles. Another good video Simon

[@oddmanout98]

Great video Simon. Some fresh things I’ll take frozen too. Spare water is a good one. Frozen stuff helps keep other things cooler as you also mentioned. Thanks for sharing your wisdom once again.

[@sjwillis1137]

Very interesting . Actually for me a bit riveting. But I am tired . Going to have to come back to this . ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

[@patricksipeoutdoors6810]

Love the tips for food storage. You can also use the dry bag and submerge it in the river to keep it cool. Cheers

[@WyeExplorer]

Good thoughts there Simon. Thanks. I also make use of tubs and pots from a supermarket shop. Old herbal tubs etc - just collect em. All the best. Mark

[@magicdrshoon]

Really useful - thanks Simon. Another option for the blue blocks is use resealable bags filled with water and then frozen (double bagging just to avoid leaks). Makes the carry back not so bulky! Been curious about those bottles you use - now I know! Thanks again!

[@stuartlockwood9645]

Thanks Simon ☺ some great ideas there, stay safe mate, best wishe's to you and your's, Stuart.uk.

[@massivedynamic2339]

Useful info

[@stewartsetter3921]

Some great ideas there.. I've not tried any dehydrated food yet so they are next on my list.

[@robertspencer5219]

Great video, Simon. Camping in Florida keeping things cool is always a priority!

[@iamnobody9542]

Ahhh yesss!!! Carrying that big cooler counterbalances the backpack!! Fresh food for daze! Blessings, Jerry N.

[@whitetongueoutdoors]

Great video!! Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.atb

[@sarkybugger5009]

My top tip for lightweight camping is getting someone else to carry the heavy stuff. If I'm on my own, a large wheeled luggage trolley helps.

[@jonahtwhale1779]

Other people make excellent insect repellant too - as long as the insects prefer that other person to you!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Definitely!! Tom!!!! 😂

[@milesbliss3256]

Great video. Simple but useful information. I aways pick up a little something even though I have been camping for years. It's nice to see how other people do things. I remember when dehydrated food was hard to find and always had canned food with us

[@0Meka0]

❤❤❤HEY SIMON, HAPPY WEDNESDAY😊

[@jamescoffey5225]

Keeping beer cold. The most important factor of all! 😁

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Absolutely!! 🍻😁

[@DeeKayBrewery]

Great video. Thanks. Apologies if you've done this already and I've missed but I would love to see a video on camp cooking hygiene. Washing up, cleaning knives and dealing with raw meat juices etc...

[@garymilnes4851]

Dave, I use one of those pet training pads under my cutting board, it soaks up the blood from raw meat nicely and you can easily dispose of them by burning on your fire, or bagging them and carrying out when you leave.

[@jaykay8570]

When horse packing, we will wrap frozen steaks in dry ice and newspaper. Will be frozen for 4 days. I've even done it backpacking, when there won't be any fish to eat along my way. It's weight, but I'm strong. The carbs in mre's and freeze dried meals are too high for my diet.

[@campingselvagem9476]

Top vídeo my friend

[@tracyl1368]

I have a cool box similar to the Colman one u have and use it with ice packs for long journeys where we have the car ......absolutely brilliant! For days out i have an insulated bag with the ice packs.......a must for keeping drinks cold! We also have a mini fridge which we can plug into the car...... As you said depends on what your doing and the trip requirements.......you've given me a few ideas that i hadn't thought of......thanks! Hope Maggie, Tom, Miss In the woods and Mrs in the woods are all ok!

[@olejacobstalesen6558]

A video from you always brightens the week! I've just purchased a variety of Real Turmat freeze dried food, as the brand is widely available here in Norway(Norwegian company), in preparation for a trip up in the mountains above the family cabin. We mostly to what you would call glamping, and I have an heirloom we use - the almost 30 year old ammonia based three-way cooler that was the first fridge at the cabin. 4 degrees C, always. Perfect for beer! And food, obviously😁