|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 494
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 494 |
Good evening,
I have an upcoming hunt that will involve backpacking-in for no more than 2-3 days at a time. Some (possibly a lot) of my camping will take place next to the truck.
I am looking at MH packets, as I had a great experience with these back on my 2013 hunt in AK. However, the 10# cans look much more cost effective and there is no sense in buying these packets if I have the can handy (insert needing the can after MH joke) for daily usage or access them every couple of days.
What experience do you have with the MH cans for a situation like mine? How do you prep it for consumption? Would a big ziplock bag work just like the packet, especially for those 2-3 day pack-ins? I would assume just using Tupperware at the truck would be easy.
Let me know what you've done in this department when it comes to penny pinching, please.
Thanks!
Last edited by kscowboy01; 07/16/17.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,953
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,953 |
Just be sure to get the dehydrated ice cream.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27,091
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27,091 |
Always mixed and match to make them better.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,083
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,083 |
Don't screw around and worry about saving a couple of bucks. Get the dinners for two and be done with it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 619
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 619 |
I've done the math on cans and I wouldn't save enough money for the hassle.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,597
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,597 |
If you are going to break the cans down into meals, you'll need to vacuum seal the separate meals you make.
A Zip-lock (most of the time - 99.9999%) will leak a bit over time, and you'll draw moisture into the meal.
Not an issue if you plan on eating every one of them in 2-3 days, but it will be if you have leftovers.
However, I think the posts above are spot-on, unless you get a killer deal on the cans, the cost to repackage isn't going to save you much...if any.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,454
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,454 |
You must be very careful with Mountain House this year. This year the west is at the top of the cycle for the dreaded Rocky Mountain Barking Spider. They are attracted by Mountain House. You probably won't see them but you'll hear them around camp at night after Mountain House draws them in. Some of those [bleep] are small and squeaky while others let loose a full on battle cry which can be most disturbing. Unlike normal spiders who have a venomous bite, Rocky Mountain Barking Spiders kill with a noxious odor.
So far as Mountain House itself, I think the packets are the way to go. You can have 2-3-4 different kinds instead of being stuck with a single flavor. If you're cooking at the truck, it might be worth taking bowls to dump them into after they reconstitute, makes eating easier. Salt and pepper, garlic salt, maybe even a little vegetable oil or butter, and if you get the Italian flavors, a small amount of ground parmesan can turn them from ok-ish to pretty damned good. There aren't any of the dinners I don't like. Breakfast eggs with bacon is good .. personally, I drink whatever water didn't absorb rather than pour it out. Mid-day, the granola is good 'cause y' just add water, no heat needed, and you can eat it immediately. Biscuits and gravy is bland.
But .. do watch out for those "spiders".
Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,969
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,969 |
Don't screw around and worry about saving a couple of bucks. Get the dinners for two and be done with it. True. The 10# cans include a lot of stuff that you don't need like peas, pasta, etc. I like Chicken Fajita Bowl, Breakfast Skillet, and Italian Style Pepper Steak. BTW dinners for two only feed two midgets or children. I take a dinner for two and eat it all myself. Oatmeal, Cup-O-Noodles, beef jerky, sandwich crackers. Breakfast cereal and powdered milk. Take some tortillas. Dried fruit & peanut butter. Tang & cocoa. KC
Wind in my hair, Sun on my face, I gazed at the wide open spaces, And I was at home.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,554
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,554 |
Check out Alpine Aire, Backpackers Pantry and Good To Go, you get more selections and the food is pretty damned good too.
That's ok, I'll ass shoot a dink.
Steelhead
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,023
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,023 |
Personally, I wouldn't want to make a habit of pouring boiling water in a zip-loc, letting it sit ten minutes, and then eating out of it.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,554
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,554 |
Personally, I wouldn't want to make a habit of pouring boiling water in a zip-loc, letting it sit ten minutes, and then eating out of it. Freezer bags yes, Zip lock no way, it will be melted and your food all over the ground in about 10 seconds. lol
That's ok, I'll ass shoot a dink.
Steelhead
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,023
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,023 |
I don't think I'd want to do it with a freezer bag either, soft plastic has some nasty sh** in it and hot water might leach it out.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,564
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,564 |
I still want to hurl at the thought of the MH eggs. Tried it twice. No glory.
Stews, chicken and rice, etc. AOK
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 968
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 968 |
For me the cans are not worth the hassle. Just get your flavors in pouches or the pro packs if space is at a minimum. I really like the chicken breast and spuds. It is like real meat!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,136
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,136 |
Don't screw around and worry about saving a couple of bucks. Get the dinners for two and be done with it. True. The 10# cans include a lot of stuff that you don't need like peas, pasta, etc. I like Chicken Fajita Bowl, Breakfast Skillet, and Italian Style Pepper Steak. BTW dinners for two only feed two midgets or children. I take a dinner for two and eat it all myself. Oatmeal, Cup-O-Noodles, beef jerky, sandwich crackers. Breakfast cereal and powdered milk. Take some tortillas. Dried fruit & peanut butter. Tang & cocoa. KC The meals for two are just right. I don't consume a lot of calories but when hunting I throw down more. I am gluten intolerant but find the MH ones like the chicken fajita bowel great and a few others. I tend to use just a little over half the water recommended for the meals to thicken them up. Tortillas don't spoil, good call. I like the jar of Justin's Honey or Maple Almond Butter over peanut butter, not only is it not affected by heat as much but you eat a couple tables spoons for breakfast and you'll park a dry-docker the length of your arm ASAP. Might help when eating MH for three days.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,969
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,969 |
Check out Alpine Aire, Backpackers Pantry and Good To Go, you get more selections and the food is pretty damned good too. I'm not so sure I would characterise any freeze-dried food as "pretty damned good". Just my opinion. Yes, AlpineAire and Backpackers Pantry offer some other options that are not too revolting and some are quick and easy. But make sure that you read the cooking instructions because there are also some that require complex procedures, simmering, etc. Mountain House just needs boiling water and patience. BTW wait about 1 1/2 longer than the package recommends when you are at high altitude because water boils at lower temperature and therefore it takes longer to properly rehydrate the food. I'm not familiar with Good to Go. KC
Wind in my hair, Sun on my face, I gazed at the wide open spaces, And I was at home.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,856
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,856 |
Chicken al a King Breakfast Skillet
Don't see any advantage to buying in bulk. The packages are very easy to eat out of and it's too easy to puncture Ziplocs in a pack.
I retired from the Johns Manville asbestos pop tart factory in ‘59, and still never made the connection.—-Slumlord
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,180
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,180 |
I could go a week alternating between beef stroganoff and turkey tetrazzini
Might need an enema after two weeks but you'll survive!
Anyone repackage bulk in food saver bags? Seems like they could take boiling water but I haven't tried it.
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. --Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice. --ironbender
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,969
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,969 |
Might need an enema after two weeks but you'll survive!
Crack me up.
Wind in my hair, Sun on my face, I gazed at the wide open spaces, And I was at home.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 743
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 743 |
I like the pro packs, better portion size for me, and takes up a little less space in the pack. Beef Stroganoff and Chili Mac are my favorites. They will stop your azz up after a few days though.
God Bless America!
|
|
|
|
56 members (14idaho, 3dtestify, 6mmCreedmoor, 10gaugemag, 406_SBC, 11 invisible),
1,843
guests, and
780
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,191,387
Posts18,469,727
Members73,931
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|