Anyone know how long instant potatoes, gravy and stuffing last once opened.

[saltysack]

I split up meals and trip was canceled. Once opened and put in ziplock any idea how well they keep?


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[Farr Away]

If you have the space, put the ziplocs in the freezer. They'll last indefinitely there. Or second choice, in the refrigerator.

Otherwise, the stuffing bread cubes will probably be the first thing to 'go' - they'll get stale. Maybe a month? That's just a guess; depends on the conditions in your storage place.

-FA

[Gambit McCrae]

When I decided to make my own meals for backpacking I got a dehydrator, and a vacuum sealer. If you have any want of a sealer, I would suggest splurging as I using mine on fishing trips, backpacking etc all the time. Even use it for sealing dogs food for hiking trips. I use it for sealing up flour, sugar, marinating meat overnight. I buy 12 pack of chicken at the store, seal them up 2 to a pack and freeze. It has paid for its self. As for a time frame, all of those things are dry and made to last. I would say use them next trip you'll be more then fine. Unless next trip is a year or so away

[Bronk]

A lot is going to depend on what's in them...just plain potato flakes would last just about forever, but these days they have all of these fancy flavors that may have more ingredients...anything with fat is going to have a shorter shelf life. But if its dry goods I don't see the shelf life being shortened just by taking it from a large bag into a smaller ziplock.

[Secondmouse]

When I decided to make my own meals for backpacking I got a dehydrator, and a vacuum sealer. If you have any want of a sealer, I would suggest splurging as I using mine on fishing trips, backpacking etc all the time. Even use it for sealing dogs food for hiking trips. I use it for sealing up flour, sugar, marinating meat overnight. I buy 12 pack of chicken at the store, seal them up 2 to a pack and freeze. It has paid for its self. As for a time frame, all of those things are dry and made to last. I would say use them next trip you'll be more then fine. Unless next trip is a year or so away

I'm glad you posted this as I was under the impression that, even though it's very effective, it was an expensive way to preserve food.

I have been paying to have my deer processed by a butcher simply because of their wrapping. this may be the push I need to go for it...

[GoldenBear]

I did a search with the term
shelf life 'food item'
where (if you can't guess) 'food item' is the specific thing you're curious about.
http://www.themodernsurvivalist.com/archives/761
http://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17322
http://www.eatbydate.com/grains/bake...piration-date/

And I'll say it again: food within an air-tight container will remain SAFE to eat for years (if not decades). It may LOOK awful, and might have lost some its nutritional value, but it won't kill you.
http://outdoorselfreliance.com/100-y...d-safe-to-eat/
The best test for food SAFETY is to simply smell the stuff you're wondering about. If it smells sour, rancid, or spoiled; then throw it away.

[Slo-go'en]

The Florida humidity might get to them, even in a zip lock. Put them in an air tight container and then in the refrigerator or freezer.

[tagg]

I had a pack-it-gourmet shepherd's pie that I had taken out of the packaging and put into a Ziploc, then finished the trip early and didn't eat it. It went in my gear box and I forgot it was there until a trip almost a year later. I ate it and it was fine. Just save it for the end of your next trip, and you'll be hungry enough that it won't matter.

[saltysack]

Thx...I wasn't sure shelf life after exposed to air...my collegiate loop hike got pushed back....SouthWest cancelled my flight this morning...hopefully will head out early sept so I put them in the freezer as recommended..I may try them out before as this is first time mixing all that crap in one ziplock...not sure if it will taste ok regardless.....


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[illabelle]

A lot is going to depend on what's in them...just plain potato flakes would last just about forever, but these days they have all of these fancy flavors that may have more ingredients...anything with fat is going to have a shorter shelf life. But if its dry goods I don't see the shelf life being shortened just by taking it from a large bag into a smaller ziplock.

I took a packet of instant potatoes to work for my lunch a while back. Got the water all heated up, opened the packet, and dumped it in. The coloring was off, kinda yellow, kinda orange, kinda brown - where I was expecting pretty much white. Found the expiration date - three years ago! Oh my! But I was hungry, and it was ready, and it was okay, and I'm still alive.

(It was just "aged" cheese.)

[Kaptainkriz]

If you don't see weavils, they're ok....actually if you do see weavils, they're still ok.

[saltysack]

If you don't see weavils, they're ok....actually if you do see weavils, they're still ok.

Extra protein!!!


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[saltysack]

I took a packet of instant potatoes to work for my lunch a while back. Got the water all heated up, opened the packet, and dumped it in. The coloring was off, kinda yellow, kinda orange, kinda brown - where I was expecting pretty much white. Found the expiration date - three years ago! Oh my! But I was hungry, and it was ready, and it was okay, and I'm still alive.

(It was just "aged" cheese.)

Its funny the garbage we eat and justify while hiking....it's only calories/energy......I ate like a pig last night thinking id need the calories!! I type this while climbing...........a damn stair machine at the gym.....not the workout I was hoping for.....off to the beach on the SUP afterwards.....wishing I was in the mountains.......restart the countdown!


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[MuddyWaters]

Ive eaten potato flakes out of box in cabinet..for many months. I wouldnt worry at all about those items. Ive eaten tortillas months later too.

[AfterParty]

I have had some stuffing in the fridge for 2 years and I'll eat it someday.

[Venchka]

If you have the space, put the ziplocs in the freezer. They'll last indefinitely there. Or second choice, in the refrigerator.

Otherwise, the stuffing bread cubes will probably be the first thing to 'go' - they'll get stale. Maybe a month? That's just a guess; depends on the conditions in your storage place.

-FA

For sure. Freezer first.
I'm going to wait as long as I dare to divide my food too.
Good luck.
Wayne


Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."

[illabelle]

I have had some stuffing in the fridge for 2 years and I'll eat it someday.

If this is going to turn into a confession of expired food consumption, I'll have to bring up the home-canned apples and peaches and tomato sauce that I can't bear to "waste." Some of it is from the 90's. Maybe the wildlife that wanders through our yard at night will want it?

[saltysack]

For sure. Freezer first.
I'm going to wait as long as I dare to divide my food too.
Good luck.
Wayne


Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."

I waited till about midnight morning of....no big deal....food is cheap..esp Idahoans, gravy and stuffing mix....


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[pilgrimskywheel]

As a rule I'm a sniff tester. I have lived on the streets and have actually eaten what other people throw away. (Garbage.) That freeze dried stuff in a zippie will for sure outlast you. You, long after your hike is finito bro. They came up with most of that stuff trying to outlast a 100 year nuclear winter so a couple days in your sack while your'e sweatin' to the oldies wont kill ya. I've NEVER pulled tortillas, cheese, or summer sausage out the bag and NOT gone for it either (I mean weeks plural.) - if it smells right or you can't smell it: chow. Eggs last a surprisingly long time too! If fish smells like fish on the other hand keep dumpster diving - there's half a pork chop down there somewhere!

[TD55]

I've had bad luck freezing dry foods after repacking them in baggies. The insides of the baggies got some moisture in them and some of the things, including jerkey had mold on it when I opened them weeks later on the trail.