When you go off somewhere for two or more days at a time and you know you won't be able to buy food along the way what do you pack? Which sorts of food have the best space/weight/energy/nutrition ratio?
I know that you can buy ready-made camping meals from outdoor shops but they're really expensive. I'm sure there are much cheaper alternatives which pack just as much energy which you can put together yourself from common supermarket ingredients.
And what cooking equipment do you take? It's something that I severely lack (as in, I have none). Oh actually I think I have a plastic spork somewhere. Other than that though, I don't have mess tins or a stove or whatever else there is out there now.
I know that you can buy ready-made camping meals from outdoor shops but they're really expensive. I'm sure there are much cheaper alternatives which pack just as much energy which you can put together yourself from common supermarket ingredients.
And what cooking equipment do you take? It's something that I severely lack (as in, I have none). Oh actually I think I have a plastic spork somewhere. Other than that though, I don't have mess tins or a stove or whatever else there is out there now.
I've only ever used a trangia stove due to DofE regulations- they're absolutely indestructible and its fairly impossible to accidentally set the grass alight with one, but they're definitely not the smallest and lightest going!! and probably not particularly fuel efficient either. as for food, we just ate quick cook pasta for most meals :')
Nice one, Rees! Out of interest, what the are DoE regulations for camping stoves? Is it so that DoE kids don't end up burning down a forest?
Does anyone have a JetBoil? I know they were the big thing a few years ago and I was wondering if it's because they're branded well or if they're actually superior to something similar but cheaper.
They do look pretty cool though. There's no denying that!
Does anyone have a JetBoil? I know they were the big thing a few years ago and I was wondering if it's because they're branded well or if they're actually superior to something similar but cheaper.
They do look pretty cool though. There's no denying that!
when I started bronze about 6 years ago the regulations weren't that tight and you could get away with a jetboil style thing (I think we probably used decathlon's own brand version though...) but by the time I got onto gold it became a choice between trangia (gas) or trangia (meths)! I think they had a few grass/tent fires or something?
Bloomin' typical. A handful of dumb kids burn down their tent and everyone else gets regulated. Mumble grumble.
I have a Jet Boil and it is a nice little efficient package. It definitely is a quality piece of kit(efficient/durable titanium) and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. The only issue with mine is that the electric spark igniter doesn't always ignite the gas but I always carry lighters with me so that isn't an issue. Also the lid on top doesn't stay on as tight as i'd like.
Yeah, Wex, a couple of my friends have got JetBoils and they swear by them. It sounds like you might have a slightly faulty one rather than that its design is flawed.
I like taking the packs of hot dog sausages from sainsburys, they come in a packet but don't need to be in a fridge so you will find them in the tinned food section...lightweight and you could always take those small sandwich thins that are a lot easier to pack than proper sliced bread...hotdogs on the peaks :-)
Also the pouches of Snack Stop wet ready meals are only £1 in my local Superdrug and pound world shops......just the same as the wayfarer meals and cost way less.....they do a few choices..pasta bolognese,chilli con carne,beef meatballs etc.
You can always mix one with a pouch of rice if you can carry the extra and your starving ;-)
Also the pouches of Snack Stop wet ready meals are only £1 in my local Superdrug and pound world shops......just the same as the wayfarer meals and cost way less.....they do a few choices..pasta bolognese,chilli con carne,beef meatballs etc.
You can always mix one with a pouch of rice if you can carry the extra and your starving ;-)
'Look What We Found' meals are amazing www.lookwhatwefound.co.uk/ Around £1.69 each in Tesco. You can boil in the bag and boil up the same time as some boil in the bag rice. Hearty portions ideal for a decent meal. Anything in that style of packet can be boiled in the bag even though it doesn't say so on the cooking instructions written on the packet. I've also used Mug Shots pasta meals. Noodle pots are really tasty, go for the Korean/Japanese ones (Nissin Soba Teriyaki are totally lush) rather than going for Pot Noodles. Flat bread wraps, tortilla style are easily packed.
As for stoves... I've used a Trangia for years. There's loads of lighter weight options though www.alpkit.com/products/brukit is one alternative to expensive Jetboils.
I have just been in the Fultons food store and all the Look What We Found meals are £1 each...time to stock up :-)
Haha, good old Fultons. What's the salt content like in those things? 50%? :P Not so bad if they're for when you're hiking but imagine eating them for normal meals every day...
Doesn't look like they're packed full of salt, certainly doesn't taste like it and I'm pretty sensitive to salt because I don't add it to any meals.
Well then, I'm going to have to damn well check them out!! And maybe even end up living off of them, regardless of whether I'm hiking or camping :P
If you see the cheap snack stop wet meals in the pound shops they are made my the same company in Leeds who make the look what we found pouches...I have also seen the snack stop pouches in the Savers shop on the high street for £1 each ;-)
As above, I highly recommend the "Look What We Found" range. Excellent quality, taste & price. However they are a bit small, especially after a long day hiking, so I always bulk them up with 2 minute boil rice (plane, egg fried or added veg) & a couple of tortilla wraps (flat, light easy to pack).Yum.
If going self sufficient for several days then weight is paramount so invest in some quality dried meals. Rehydrate with stream water & boil.
As for cooking. Well, there is so much choice. A few aluminium or titanium pots, Military style solid fuel tin, micro gas burner & small tin of butane, liquid fuel primer type.... it just goes on & all have been recommended by someone at some time. Some work better at altitude, some are lighter, some are tougher... Your preference, your choice. Play & have fun. (Then share on this forum with your results).
If going self sufficient for several days then weight is paramount so invest in some quality dried meals. Rehydrate with stream water & boil.
As for cooking. Well, there is so much choice. A few aluminium or titanium pots, Military style solid fuel tin, micro gas burner & small tin of butane, liquid fuel primer type.... it just goes on & all have been recommended by someone at some time. Some work better at altitude, some are lighter, some are tougher... Your preference, your choice. Play & have fun. (Then share on this forum with your results).
