Has anyone tried these new Ziplock Vacuum Bags?

Compared to normal storage bags, they are a little expensive. But they have some sort of valve that you place a special pump over and suck the air out of the bag. What I THINK I like about that is the result is a firm package that I'm thinking will help protect breakable foods from getting crushed, not to mention minimizing the space needed for your food bag. But I haven't tried these on the trail yet.

The pump is less than 2oz, so it seems small and lightweight enough to carry along in the food bag.

For those (like me) who don't like instant coffee but do like Starbucks VIA, Folger's now has a similar product.

It's called Folger's Fresh Breaks. Taste is pretty good and cost is about half of VIA.

Just wondering what you guys or gals like to do in the trail, hang food or use a bear container? I normally hang food have never had a problem with an animal getting to my food (i don't use a steel leader like some have mentioned in the past). I met a old timer who uses a bear canister and he just finds a nook and places it in there and says its the best thing going.I have light weight gear so a pound or two wont hurt me just wondering.

If you have the Publix grocery stores in your area, they have Starkist Chunk Tuna (2.6 oz) on sale 10 for $10. They also have Tyson Chunk Chicken (7 oz) packets on sale, around $2 each. I'm always seeing people having a hard time finding the chicken packets so thought I'd give the heads up!

Hey, just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to eat a bit healthier than the general thru hikers diet while on the trail. I realize it to be harder to do but am hoping to try my best at staying away from a lot of processed foods.

I'm wanting to dehydrate some lean ground beef and some chicken. I've never dehydrated meat before and I will be storing it as best I can but in wretched conditions: in vacuum sealed individual portions in the trunk of my car over a month during the summer.

Is this just stupid? Will it go rancid regardless of how thoroughly dehydrated, rinsed and tightly sealed?

Hi All! I am doing a 3 night hike in the Appalachia's and do not have the time/ability to dehydrate food. I do have a food sealer and was considering sealing certain canned items to make them light weight and easier to pack out. Some canned items I plan on food sealing are canned beans (Bush's Grillin' beans), canned chicken, and canned sausage. Only thing I'm concerned about is the spoiling of these items without refrigeration/dehydration. Can anyone tell me if these items are safe to eat if they have been sealed up for 2-3 days? Thanks all!

I'm waiting for my new feather fire stove like a little kid on Christmas eve waiting for Santa, but are they worth the weight to cooking time? I currently use a pocket rocket or my cat stove and I like the fact that I can cook with the rocket and not just boil. I've read good things about the feather fire but I have yet to see anyone actually use one, I hike pretty light I usually come in at about 12lbs for 3 day hike and I'm always looking for ways to lighten my load. So if anyone out there has seen or owns one of these your experience with it would be appreciated, good or bad.

Hello! I'm wondering if any past thru-hikers were vegan on the trail/stayed vegan, and how much I might expect to rely on food drops.

Any advice?

Just did a 3 day camping trip and used it as an opportunity to refine my cooking system. I'll start by stating I'm a newb so this could be user error. I built a pepsi can stove and it works just swell. But I had some problems! It was gusty and it blew my wind screen into the stove, which tipped it sideways causing a small fire on picnic table. For that reason I'm a bit concerned carrying it as my go-to cooking method.

All that said, I just want to be able to carry one cook meal for each night and not necessarily have to rely on building a fire in the rain. I carry fire steel for survival purposes but I'm thinking a propane can system may be better for me. Because the canisters have a solid flat base and are sturdier. For those who have done long hikes, can you give me input on whether to find a way to prevent the super light stove from getting blown around, or pros/cons for going with small propane canisters? What I see immediately is you can't tell how much fuel is left in the propane cans, and the aluminum stove + can weight a few oz more. I could live with that if it means I'm not on the news for burning the Smokys or Shenandoah to the ground. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Has anyone tried these? What do you think of them?

http://www.rei.com/product/813475/pe...-squeeze-pouch

It's from a jar, dehydrated to brittleness. Will it keep for 3 months in ziplock baggies or is there a risk of mold?

I have a circular tray dehydrator, not one with a fan. I put some mashed sweet potatoes on parchment paper on the trays yesterday afternoon. I guess there wasn't enough air circulation and this morning I noticed a very light white growth of on some of the potatoes on some of the trays.

I've washed the trays and set them outside in the sun to dry and put the parchment paper with the potatoes in the oven at 200 degrees but I'm not sure if that will do the trick or if the food will end up tasting funny or if it's just a total loss and I should just toss everything out. What do you think?

I have a supply of green tomatoes. Before I give it a try in the dehydrator, and perhaps waste my time and my tomatoes, I was wondering if anyone has done them.

What were results? What did you use them for?

I was wondering what food you guys think is best for a day hike. I brought snickers for a short day hike and after about 6 miles had leg shakes. There is much differing information on the internet on food and hikes, and just wanted your opinion if better or different food (something carby and salty like pretzels) would help.