Questions tagged [cooking]
Questions about preparing meals during outdoor activities, such as camping or survival.
84 questions
32
votes
7
answers
11k
views
Can/Should I cook in my tent?
When camping in bad weather I'm always asking myself if it is a good idea to cook in my tent with a gas cooker. Obviously there is the danger of fire. But how dangerous is this really? Can you easily ...
- 3,239
27
votes
2
answers
42k
views
How much does a full/empty jetboil canister weigh?
I have a bunch of partially-full Jetboil canisters from various trips, and I'm trying to figure out approximately how much fuel is left in each of them.
How much does a full canister weigh (fuel + ...
- 6,879
27
votes
4
answers
25k
views
What's the difference between white gas, propane, kerosene, and gasoline?
How do I know what type I should use when I'm planning a camping trip?
- 8,238
27
votes
1
answer
28k
views
What are the advantages and disadvantages between gas, liquid and solid fuel?
It seems you can get fuel for stoves in either gas form (butane, propane, etc.) liquid (methylated spirit) or solid fuel tablets.
What are the particular advantages and disadvantages with each format,...
- 22.6k
26
votes
3
answers
15k
views
Can you boil an egg in dirty water?
I'm going on a one day hike, and I want to cook an egg whilst on it. I'd like to avoid carrying excess water, and the route goes past a couple of waterfalls and several streams, so there is no problem ...
- 363
22
votes
8
answers
5k
views
How to cook meat with no equipment?
Our ancestors have cooked and eaten meat for thousands of years with only primitive equipment (no pots, pans, etc). In a survival situation or when traveling with minimum equipment it may be useful to ...
- 7,089
22
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Selecting backpacking cooking pot – teflon, aluminum, steel, titanium, or cast iron?
What are the relative advantages / dangers of different cooking wear? I'm a one-pot gourmet that has been using the same stainless steel pot for 15 years, but am considering an upgrade.
Some things I ...
- 19.1k
22
votes
2
answers
19k
views
Is titanium cookware safe?
There are one or two other posts on cookware, which covers those made of titanium, but this post is in regards to its interactions with the human body. I haven't been able to find any academic/peer-...
- 1,411
20
votes
3
answers
13k
views
Eating ash in Soviet Union
My Polish grandfather in early 1950's was sent by communist regime to a gulag. People were starving there and malnourishment was common, so they came up with idea of burning some kind of trees and ...
- 575
19
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Stoveless/fireless hiking food suggestions
In light of the recent forest-fire qualms that have arisen all over the globe (not to imply that any of y'all are irresponsible enough to have the capacity to start any, and hopefully that same would ...
- 191
18
votes
9
answers
15k
views
How can you make a MSR WhisperLite stove simmer?
MSR WhisperLite backpacking stoves are ubiquitous, but they lack a key function: the ability to simmer easily. How can you set a WhisperLite to simmer without having to constantly watch the stove and ...
- 19.1k
18
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Diet for Long-Term Camping
I will be camping and commuting to work for some undetermined number of months. During this time, I plan to do a lot of working out as well, and I'm wondering what healthy camp-friendly mostly non-...
- 191
17
votes
3
answers
619
views
Where is the optimal place to do dishes in the backcountry?
I just came back from a backpacking trip in an alpine area. I was cleaning some kitchen items (pot, spork, pan, etc) with some remnant food particles that were coming off. I use a very small amount of ...
- 2,138
16
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What are the Pros and Cons of No-Cook Backpacking?
While perusing my gear this morning, it occurred to me that I hadn't bothered to buy or make a stove for backpacking. On the whole, I'm not a big fan of hot food, even when I'm a mite chilled.
What ...
- 1,211
15
votes
7
answers
11k
views
What are some good gluten-free foods for backpacking?
I have quite unfortunately found out several months ago that I'm gluten sensitive. Nearly all my meals I've planned and eaten on the trail have included wheat, and thus gluten, in some fashion. I'm ...
- 5,595
15
votes
1
answer
985
views
How does the Esbit stove perform in cold & wind?
I was on a group trip this weekend where a fellow hiker brought an Esbit stove which uses hexamine fuel tabs. The temperature was not what I would consider extreme. Temperatures in the high 30s to ...
- 32.2k
14
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Stove/fuel setup for harsh conditions
We already have topics on fuels here and here which give quite an overview. Also REI gives some info how to choose your stove and fuel properly.
Still I would like to know what are the best options ...
- 12.2k
14
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What is the true risk of suffocation from different combustion sources in a tent? (CO2, CO)
Aside from risk of fire (which for this question we will assume has been fully mitigated) what is the real risk of suffocation if one were to use a stove, lantern, or candle lantern in a tent?
There ...
- 19.1k
14
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Are Trangia and MSR fuel bottles inter changeable?
In other words, could I purchase a 1 litre Trangia fuel bottle and the MSR Dragonfly liquid-fuel camp stove and use them together? Or would the smaller, slightly more expensive MSR fuel bottle be the ...
- 345
13
votes
1
answer
433
views
The re-hydration time for deydrated foods
I've got a lot of backpacking trips lined up this summer, including one multi-week one. I'm considering picking up a dehydrator because:
It probably would be more cost effective than buying freeze ...
- 2,138
13
votes
1
answer
9k
views
Is it safe to add boiling water to Mylar?
Many pre-packaged meals are designed to cook in the pouch by adding boiling water. If I am making my own meals with mylar pouches, would it be safe too cook them by adding boiling water to the pouch?
...
- 32.2k
12
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How do I light a spirit (ethanol) stove when it's cold?
I am very happy with my starm-proof spirit stove (similar to this model, but older. When others are struggling to find a place outside the wind, I can cook wherever I like — provided I can lighten my ...
- 27.5k
12
votes
4
answers
11k
views
How can you tell if roadkill is safe to eat?
In some places in the US, it is legal to take roadkill home and eat it while in other places the meat is donated. If it was legal where you are, how would you tell if the meat is still good?
- 69.4k
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Group Trips: 1 Large cook group or smaller cook groups of 3 or 4?
On trips I lead, we always split up into smaller cook groups, yet I did have one occasion a long time ago where we cooked as one large cook group. Long enough that I don't remember if it worked well ...
- 5,595
12
votes
2
answers
15k
views
Cooking by pouring hot water into plastic bags?
Recently I came across pour and store bags. They seem a bit similar to the bags for trekking freeze-dried meals like Travel lunch. That gave me the idea of preparing the meals myself beforehand and ...
- 5,013
11
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Preparing rice and mashed potatoes with warm instead of cooking water
For a one week trip in a dry region I need to conserve water and weight. My idea is to bring precooked "instant rice" and pulverulent mashed potatoes. I´d warm a bit of water to about 40 - 50° C and ...
- 383
11
votes
6
answers
773
views
Baking with backpacking stoves
What are strategies for successful baking on the trail where wood fires are not allowed? I am particularly interested in
Pizza
Cookies
Pies
Corn Bread
- 1,704
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What’s special about a winter gas mixture? Why does it work better?
There’s a special “winter” gas mix available for gas stoves. How is it different from the usual propane/butane mix and why does it work better in low temperatures? (Does it work better in lower ...
- 5,013
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to clean cookware?
When going camping on a multi-day trip, how do you clean metal pots, metal silverware and plates (for metal or ceramic)?
The solution that came to mind was to bring dish soap and a sponge. However:
...
- 311
11
votes
4
answers
15k
views
Where to buy ethanol in Canada?
I have recently moved from Sweden to Canada. In Sweden, I always bought ethanol for my trangia ethanol stove at petrol stations. Where can I buy such ethanol in Canada? Is it sold at petrol ...
- 27.5k
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can you boil water on top of Everest?
We recently had the question Can you get burned by boiling water on everest? and not to long ago the question Why aren't there any electric stoves that can be used for cooking where you can't ...
- 30.5k
11
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What kind of stones should not be used to grind food?
I found a pink slab of stone with a nice dip in the middle and thought of using it as a mortar for grinding spices.
Are there any stones whose makeup could potentially leach toxins?
- 113
10
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Suffocation while cooking under an umbrella?
I was recently backpacking in Olympic National Park. I didn't have a tarp with me (was being cheap. Bought one shortly after the trip) but had a $5 umbrella. It rained a bit during one the mornings ...
- 4,073
10
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Is it safe to carry Butane canisters bought at sea level up to 5500m?
I am planning a trip to the Everest Base Camp in a few days.
I am planning to carry with me a portable stove and 4 Butane Canisters, to make soup and stuff.
About Butane Canisters:
These are bought ...
- 103
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can you get burned by boiling water on everest?
At sea level, pure water boils at 100°C. In my hometown, water boils at 97°C, and being at a higher elevation we always had to boil or cook our food longer than the recommended times given in recipes. ...
- 53.7k
10
votes
3
answers
432
views
What is the most suitable cooking equipment to use for a long duration in central asia countries?
I'm about to go on a 2 month trip from England to Mongolia via Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakstan to mention a few far flung countries. Ideally I'd want a gas stove top such that refuelling the ...
- 345
10
votes
2
answers
270
views
Easiest way to preserve a fishing catch - with cooking or pickling
I'm looking for the easiest way to cook or preserve fish at the river or lakeside with as minimal preparation or cooking involved so they can be eaten later. Mainly trout, pike or walleye. Ideally I ...
- 111
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How to manage the risks of sleeping and cooking in a camper van?
There is a significant proportion of individuals who enjoy the Great Outdoors that also travel to the wilderness in vehicles converted for camping (RV, Vans, some boats etc).
For those living an ...
- 2,889
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How do you smoke salmon in the wild without a smoker?
How do you smoke salmon in the wild without a smoker?
I am going camping with a few friends and we would like to try smoking any salmon we catch during our time in the wild. How do we safely smoke ...
- 9,609
9
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Cookware: Why not Copper instead of Titanium, Aluminium or Stainless Steel?
Currently there are three major materials for hiking/lightweight cookware ruling the market:
Aluminium
Titanium
Stainless Steel
Each of those materials has several advantages and disadvantages:
...
- 221
9
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Which fuel burns the cleanest? Can I use E85 for an MSR stove?
Does anyone have experience on which burns the cleanest, and would work best with the MSR?
Kerosene
Unleaded Gasoline / White Gas
Alcohol ( isoprpyl, ethanol, methanol )
others? Naptha?
I am ...
- 293
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Which types of wood will make food taste bad?
So other than toxic burning wood, which types of wood are safe to use for cooking fires but will just make my food taste bad? I live in the Southwest, and all types of woods that I have cooked over ...
- 6,232
9
votes
1
answer
786
views
What precautions should I take when cooking smelly food in an area with bears?
I'm planning an overnight hiking trip and want to try cooking fish. We will be camping at an established backcountry site on the trail, which has a spot for a tent near a fire ring.
However, this is ...
- 1,146
9
votes
2
answers
862
views
Recipe for baking bread/cake on the trail
I cooked a couple of times but I was just aiding a colleague that also brought all the ingredients and had the know-how. And I have a poor memory, obviously.
How do you cook yours? What recipe do you ...
- 1,549
9
votes
2
answers
307
views
Will gelled fuel work in a cat can stove?
Recently a friend suggested using gelled fuel in a cat can stove instead of liquid alcohol. Since a cat can stove works by using pressurization to create the "jets" it seems flawed, but has anyone ...
- 32.2k
9
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Buying Campingaz in Eastern Europe
My boyfriend and I are currently a month into a 3-4 month trip in Europe and are finding it quite challenging to find suitable gas refills for our van. The gas runs both the cooktop and the fridge.
...
- 91
8
votes
6
answers
3k
views
What is the easiest way to remove creosote from pots and pans?
I just returned from a five day trip during which we used a friend's Solo Stove (wood burner). My pots are now covered with a thick, sticky, black layer of creosote.
I've tried steel wool and soap, ...
- 1,813
8
votes
5
answers
1k
views
How to improvise or make pot grip / pot handle
How do you deal with handling hot pots / cups without using a pot grip (see the picture for an example)?
It's inexpensive and rather light-weight, but why add gear if you can use what you already have?...
- 1,790
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What water is fit for cleaning hands & gear during a visit to the Great Outdoors?
I am looking to setup dish and hand washing stations for a group of folks in a fairly-wild woodland, in a car-camping summertime setting, for 2-5 days (depending on the occasion). Is stream water fit ...
- 4,013
8
votes
2
answers
343
views
Road Trip food on the cheap
I'm planning my first road trip with a friend. We're going from UK through France, probably Germany or maybe Belgium to Denmark and over to Sweden, back down to central France and then back home.
We'...
Becca