Tips for storing and consuming freeze-dried food while hiking

[Flynsmith]

Hi everyone,

I'm getting my gear ready for some long trips in my van and camping. I've seen that there are quite a few ready-to-eat meals and snacks available, but I'm wondering how best to store and prepare them so that they stay fresh and safe for several days.

Do you have any feedback on quantities to plan for, quick rehydration, or tips to avoid ending up with damaged bags or ones that lose their flavor? Even advice on how to organize everything in a small van or tent trailer, so I don't end up eating cold, mushy food in the middle of a trip, would be very helpful. Thanks in advance!

[robcaz]

Hi Smith,

We have a 40 litre Engel that fits nicely in the back of our Jeep. I made a sliding floor & shelf for extra storge https://www.robcaz.net/rear_draw.htm

The fridge is only used as a fridge. https://campertrailers.org/fridge_draw.htm

Carol cooks double sized meals the week before a trip & vacuum seals the extra in handy two meal packs. Mostly you only need to boil the meal inside the plastic bag using a little water. Google will tell you how long different types of products last, chicken is usually used first.

Hope this helps.

[Us & The Dogs]

Hi everyone,

I'm getting my gear ready for some long trips in my van and camping. I've seen that there are quite a few ready-to-eat meals and snacks available, but I'm wondering how best to store and prepare them so that they stay fresh and safe for several days.

Do you have any feedback on quantities to plan for, quick rehydration, or tips to avoid ending up with damaged bags or ones that lose their flavor? Even advice on how to organize everything in a small van or tent trailer, so I don't end up eating cold, mushy food in the middle of a trip, would be very helpful. Thanks in advance!

An esky( cooler) with ice, we have a portable 3 way gas. electric and 12 volt fridge, which we only use on big trips, and it is only used on gas mostly when away from power. When I go camping mostly myself with the camper trailer or car camping with a tent, as I have only a38ah gel battery and it is used mainly for lights and a portable dvd player, or my laptop with hot spot for movies, then I use an esky and ice, I get 14 days out of one block of ice in winter and 9 days out of one in summer, bags of ice you minus a couple of days. Put your food in sealed containers then put in esky otherwise the food WILL go mushy.