Freezer Bag Cooking

[Honuben]

I wanted to get some input on freezer bag cooking. I am going to give it a try on my sobo thru and had wanted to see what others did. How often do you change out your bag or do you carry multiple ones and buy new ones as you resupply? I am trying to keep my pot free of food so i figure this is the best way to keep it clean.

[Rocket Jones]

I pack each meal in a ziplock (use a brand name, not generic cheapie) and use it for FBC. At the end of the hike I can rinse and reuse bags for storage, although I don't reuse for FBC.

[atraildreamer]

Go to the source:

http://www.trailcooking.com/

Sarah has written a great book on the subject!

[rustmd]

+1 for www.trailcooking.com, i use that website all the time, as well other sites. i will reuse my brand-name freezer quality ziplock baggies if i can, such as when i pour my meal into another bowl; otherwise, i sort of rinse out the baggie and save it for home if possible and reuse at home.

i dehydrate most all my food for hiking, use a vacuum sealer to preserve the meals, and follow FBC on the Trail. it's wonderful!
.com

[Leanthree]

Use winter hat for coozie.

[slbirdnerd]

Use winter hat for coozie.

I do this, and to eat I fold the sides down making a "bowl" for my freezer bag--keeps my food warm too. Be sure to put it in your bear bag at night. I use Ziploc Freezer Bags, they work great. And trailcooking.com is the place to start! I also have tried to turn things I like to eat at home into FBC meals, just experiment at home first but use the supplies/coozie you will be using on the trail.

[RangerZ]

I

Use winter hat for coozie.

You have to use a cozy. I made one from scrap thin foam and it makes all the difference. Mine is too tall, you only need less than half the height of a quarter zip lock. I add Nido and TVP, about half the water Knott calls for. Let it sit 10 min, add tuna, Spam or bacon and let sit for another 10 or so.

[Honuben]

Thank you for the replies. Trailcooking.com was the right start and got got some great info from the site. I will work on a coozie and do some test meals.

[Damn Yankee]

a car sunscreen works well for cozies and cost much less than reflectix

[Rocket Jones]

+1 on the car sunscreen. You can make a usable cozy out of bubble wrap sandwiched between heavy duty foil. It'll last a season or so.

[Farr Away]

+1 on the car sunscreen. You can make a usable cozy out of bubble wrap sandwiched between heavy duty foil. It'll last a season or so.

Unless you have a leak, then your cozy will smell like tuna fish or whatever. The second time that happened, I made a washable cozy out of the leftover materials I had from making my overquilt.

-FA

[Rocket Jones]

Very true! That's why I don't recommend using a hat or spare clothes as a cozy. Leaks can happen, and then you've got a delicious smelling article of clothing.

[rocketsocks]

a car sunscreen works well for cozies and cost much less than reflectix

here's one I made out of a sun screen for freeze dried meals. It'll hold two at a time.

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[rocketsocks]

Two...cause sometimes I'm real hungry, and want a red beans and rice with a side of chili mac.

[sarbar]

If you make your cozy the right size, you can jam in two bags of food ;-)

[AfghanVet]

So wait, you just cook your meal and then freeze it in a standard freezer? O_o

[rocketsocks]

If you make your cozy the right size, you can jam in two bags of food ;-)

good point. July is that you?

[Hikes in Rain]

So wait, you just cook your meal and then freeze it in a standard freezer? O_o

Other way around. Put your food in a freezer bag, add boiling water and insulate. The heat in the water rehydrates and cooks the food. No mess, no fuss, no cleanup.

[rocketsocks]

Other way around. Put your food in a freezer bag, add boiling water and insulate. The heat in the water rehydrates and cooks the food. No mess, no fuss, no cleanup.

easy like dat!

[AfghanVet]

Wait, wait. So you cook non-perishable foods then and don't have to freeze them for storage? Just leave them cooked or do you put them in a dehydrator? I'm a new and ignorant sort so you have to forgive me and preferably (though it isn't required) exercise a little patience I'm just wondering how does the food not spoil if not dehydrated or frozen and what's the shelf life?