Freeze-Dried Meal Hack

I like freeze-dried meals a lot. They are simple, easy, and tasty. I do have 4 issues with them, and I will "fix" 3 of them with this hack.
Issues with Freeze-Dried Meals
Portion Size - Most meal packs claim to be a complete dinner for 2, I find they generally don't have enough food for two, yet too much for one.
Weight - The packaging is generally designed to be tough and durable in order to protect the contents and to double as a bowl to prepare and eat your food. The packaging is bulky, heavy, and totally redundant if you already have a pot.
Clean Up - The packages are difficult to clean or burn.
Garbage - You have to pack out used packaging. An extra 32 grams packing in, plus excess food and water packing out.
Expense - it is what it is ... this hack does nothing with the expense issue. Compared to Ramen they are expensive, but oh so much tastier, and a complete "balanced" meal.
My Hack
I created a video to demonstrate my hack which is linked below. The principle is simple.
I take 2 identical Backpacker's Pantry (BP) meals, combine the contents and then divide it into 3 equal portions. I then place the contents into 3 lunch-size brown paper bags. The bags are only 6 grams each, they pack smaller and can be used as a fire starter when you are finished your meal. WATCH VIDEO
Take two identical Freeze Dried meals and divide the contents into 3 equal portions.
4 Backpacker's Pantry packs make 6 meal "right sized" meal packs.
Video - Freeze-Dried Meal Hack - lighter, smaller & easier
Hot or Cold
This hack will create easy-to-carry and prepare meals packets for either hot or cold meals.
On my recent Great Divide Trail adventure, I prepared all my dinners this way in advance, and then mail-dropped them to strategic locations for the 5-week trip. On the trail during my first 10 days, I prepared my meals hot as the manufacturer's directions, and then after my stove failed, (I actually lost it on trail) I prepared the remainder of the meals cold soaking. Frankly, I enjoyed the meals just as much cold as hot and it was easier and faster! Diner's choice!
Why Cold Soak
It's hard to convince a hardcore "Stovie" that going stove-less is a good thing. There are definitely times where a stove is better, but stoveless has lots of advantages and has been my first choice for most of my backpacking trips in the last 5 years.
Firstly cold soaking is definitely good for the lazy! It's easy, fast and there is almost no clean-up. Cold soakers will be feed, cleaned and food hung for the night, long before the average "Stovie" even starts to eat!
The second is it's much lighter. No stove, no fuel, and no pots... the average "Stovie's" kitchen kit will be 500-1000 grams heavier.
Finally... with no fossil fuels burnt and nor any recycled canisters used... means cold soaking is much friendlier on Mother Earth!
Please check out the original post >> Cold Soak 101 ... it shows my favourite jars, food, recipes, and tips!
The meals are great hot or cold. No need for the manufactures packaging. L - cold soaking jar. R - hot soak in same pot you boiled water.
Preparing hot directly in cooking pot with insulation bag by Gossamer Gear - Meal: "Three Sister's Stew" by Backpacker's Pantry with harvested wild onions.
Cold Soaking in 500 ml Jar by LiteSmiths - Meal: "Three Sister's Stew" by Backpacker's Pantry, one of my favourites!
My Choice
I've been using Backpacker's Pantry (BP) Freeze-Dried meals for decades and have had great success. It is my brand of choice.
It's important to note that there are many other quality options available, however, for me, BP is tried, tested, and true. They work, are loaded with quality calories, and taste great. When I test other brands I am often underwhelmed. It's so very true that other brands will likely do all the same things, yet I don't have the energy nor time to test and compare all the competitors. So for now it's BP with confidence!
Cold Soaking Jars L-R: Talenti & Garage Grown Gear (16 oz), Peanut Butter, CNOC, Vargo BOT, HumanGear Click, LiteSmiths.com (12 & 20oz versions)
Links
- Cold Soaking Jars - LiteSmith
- Secret Weapon :) - Backpacker Pantry Canada
- Spoon - Human Gear GoBites Click
*many borrowed from www.litesmith.com