How do YOU cook on the trail?

[Another Kevin]

Thank you so much Another Kevin...I seem to learn something every day! Do you transfer the contents of the Knorr packets to freezer bags before you head out then? I assume you use the Quart size bag? How do you get the bag to stand up...or do you not bother?

Yeah, I usually rebag the Knorr stuff, and I usually add dehydrated veggies and seasonings when I do. If I'm going to add tuna or chicken or shrimp or dry sausage or jerky, that goes in a separate little package. The freezer bag cozy stands up pretty well just leaning it against a rock or something. Reflectix is fairly stiff.

[Drybones]

I use a Foster beer can for a pot and homemade alcohol stove, all cooking done in zip locks...I hate washing pots.

[Darwin Foltz]

For my section hike of Maine this summer I will use the Esbit Tabs. I used them while doing the John Muir Trail last summer and made the mistake of bringing on one per day in my resupply. I am going to bring 1.5 tabs per day and will be using Esbit's Fire Light stove combined with a windscreen that I made from an aluminum casserole dish. 1 Tab to boil 16 Ounces of water at night. 1/2 tab for Tea/Coffee in either morning or evening. I also use a AntiGravityGear 3-Cup Bowl Cozy to eat out of.

[Hairbear]

I prefer a small lightweight scraper to get the bigger part out first licking it off. Then the finger scrub with some water & drink it down. Think of it like frosting, you want every last bit you can get. If I packed something for miles you are darn sure I am going to eat every last bit I can.

Plus 1,ive had many a strange look using coffee to rehydrate my oatmeal then using coffe to wash the pan and drink it . Some have said they wouldnt drink dish water,I say its the same thing you just ate. It saves me the fuel of boiling coffe water too.

[Chaco Taco]

Cat can stove or any sort of Zelph contraption.
MSR Titan Kettle. Only pot I have ever owned.
Usually do some sort of dehydrated meal. I love the Enertia meals. Just makes things easier. If not, any sort of pasta and sauce, chicken, tuna or smoked salmon in a foil package. Usually boil water and add to bag, or cook in pot and wash out. My titan is really easy to clean out. Just got my wife the Snow Peak backpacking pot. Its very nice.

[rocketsocks]

Have my Coleman featherlight backpacking stove from the 80's (white gas, not duel fuel), a Sierra wood burning stove from the 90' w/the battery and fan...[JUX]...to white blaze and a alcohol penny stove I made as per instruction, and this x-mas got a Pocket Rocket, so I'm thinking most of my cooking will be in freezer bags for easy clean up, but not really sure which style will fit me yet. It's likely I'll switch things up as the task dictates.

[QiWiz]

There's no right way, but what is your strategy when it's dinner time? Everyone has their own method with its quirks. Cook it right in the pot? Ziplock it? Sit on it until it's warm?

I always cook in and eat out of my pot, usually after pouring off 2 cups of water for a hot beverage (tea at dinner, coffee in the morning). I use a pot cozy so that I save fuel (no simmering), do not bottom burn my food, and to keep it warm while savoring it.

[mainelydave]

Sharing an idea:
On our next trip, I'm taking a can of frozen OJ (I hope they still sell those at the grocery store....) I don't know yet if I'll add water to make a drink - that could be a little tricky. Maybe we'll just put the concentrate in our bowls and eat it with a spoon - like ice cream. Can you imagine how yummy that will be! I love orange juice!!

Why did the orange get fired from the juice factory? It couldn't concentrate.

[shelb]

Why did the orange get fired from the juice factory? It couldn't concentrate.

Cute!

Nice joke

[illabelle]

Why did the orange get fired from the juice factory? It couldn't concentrate.

I like that!

By the way, I tried out a taste of OJ concentrate at home - way too strong!! But we did take a small container of concentrate, and after adding water, it was a very refreshing midday drink on our trip. Wish we had more!

[BryceB]

20+ years of backpacking/hiking/camping and I dont think I've ever purchased the meals marketed to hikers. Tasted some that others have, but I was always to broke to buy those fancy meals and opted for stuff I coud get at the grocery store. Cup-o-soup, noodle/rice with cheese/veggie sauce packets...i used to take dehydrated meat and put it in a water bottle in the afternoon to rehydrate as we hiked to camp and then cook it. Dehydrated Home-made jerky, peppers and onions re-hydrated on the trail and fried up with some tortilas made for great fajitas at camp. The new foil packed meats (instead of cans) are great for tuna and chicen I still make dehydrated fruits and veggies at home.

I never ave a the chance to go for more than a week, so resupplying hasnt been an issue and I'll prep/dehydrate/rebag at home before an adventure.