I'll be testing some freeze dried food soon. Food storage questions.

[rich_t]

I use Mountain House Freeze dried Hamburger in every day cooking. I've stretched it out six weeks with no problem. I live in a fairly humid environment. Just keep it dry and the lid snapped on and you would be OK for 2 months in my opinion.

I am a bachelor. I nuke all my cooking. I add the hamburger to Kraft Delux Mac n' Cheese dinners, to spaghetti sauce, to rice and cheese, to instant mashed potatoes. It's great! 2/3 cup Hamburger in a paper bowl, add water, nuke for 1:45. Drain the excess water and eat. You would not know the difference between this and home cooked burger, the taste is the same.

You guys might laugh at me but for my style of cooking its great!

Thank you.  That is exactly the sort of info that I was looking for.

[rich_t]

For those that are planning on food storage to get you over the hump in a short term disaster...

Might I recommend alternate heating sources?

A coleman stove with several bottles of propane, a gas grill with spare bottles of propane etc?

You won't be able to run a microwave when the electricity is off line.  Even those of us that have NG powered stoves won't be able to depend on the gas coming down the pipe.

Don't forget to store enough bottled water as well.  When the grid goes down, you won't be able to depend on tap water being available/clean.

[Mr Mannn]

http://www.amazon.com/Santa-Fe-Bean-Southwestern-7-25-Ounce/dp/B000FI701Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353810370&sr=8-2&keywords=freeze+dried+refried+beans
This is the beans. $15 for a packet of 8. each packer is the equivalent to TWO cans of refried beans.
I made a dip with 16 oz of sharp cheddar cheese and a cup of freeze dried beef, (nuke till the cheese is all melty and stir real good) and it was a hit! (at home I will mix in some Taco Bell sauce packets)

Here is a review from Amazon

I think a few reviewers have gotten carried away (or maybe they just never had anything but canned before). These beans are a good value and definitely taste better than canned, but they're not going to change your life. The light packaging, long shelf life, and simple preparation make this a good product for camping or emergency supplies.

It's not easy to tell from the picture, but the bags are zip-lock type so you can make a portion of the package and reseal the rest. However, the instructions only cover the amount of water appropriate for the whole bag, so you're on your own to measure for a portion. Hint: start conservatively because it's easy enough to add more water later.

Overall nutrional values are better than average. I like to mix both cheese and salsa into my beans, but the result is fairly high in total sodium. Sodium level of the bean mix itself isn't too bad, but I wish they added less salt because anybody can easily add salt if desired, but you can't take out what they've already added. Since many people like to add things to their beans anyway, it would be ideal for the beans to start out with as little sodium as possible.

[J P Sousa]

My biggest concern is storing water. Bottled water has a relatively short shelf life so I have been looking for any long term solution. I found this http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_WS%20P600_A_name_E_Canned%20Drinking%20Water

They say it can be stored for 30 years. As I'm new to this I wonder if anyone else has looked into this.

.

[LC EFA]

For those that are planning on food storage to get you over the hump in a short term disaster...

Might I recommend alternate heating sources?

A coleman stove with several bottles of propane, a gas grill with spare bottles of propane etc?

You won't be able to run a microwave when the electricity is off line.  Even those of us that have NG powered stoves won't be able to depend on the gas coming down the pipe.

Don't forget to store enough bottled water as well.  When the grid goes down, you won't be able to depend on tap water being available/clean.

When I refitted my kitchen - I got a gas stove installed and plumbed out to behind the house. I "plug in" the 9kg bottles of LPG - go through one every 6 months or so. The same fitting is used for the outdoor gas BBQ. Three 9kg gas bottles (one for the BBQ and 2 for the stove inside) and you're sorted for at least a year - two if you're frugal.

The "grab and go" kitchen box has a 2 burner Priums stove , and a single burner cartridge stove. Get an adaptor for the primus stove and it uses the same gas bottles mentioned above.

As for drinking water - If at all possible install a rainwater tank. "Free" water. I've got 1000litres out in the backyard which is more than enough for a short term situation.

[DumbAss Tanker]

My biggest concern is storing water. Bottled water has a relatively short shelf life so I have been looking for any long term solution.

Just because they print an expiration date on a bottle of plain water, it doesn't mean anything changes in the water inside.  Basically the labeling and the bottle oxidize a bit over time and the label tatters or comes loose, and the bottle isn't up to as much rough handling as when it was new.  As long as it's been sealed, there really isn't anything in it that can go bad.  The expiration dates on bottled water are almost entirely for purposes of forcing stock rotation and for the legal protection of the bottler.

[Bad Dog]

Just because they print an expiration date on a bottle of plain water, it doesn't mean anything changes in the water inside.  Basically the labeling and the bottle oxidize a bit over time and the label tatters or comes loose, and the bottle isn't up to as much rough handling as when it was new.  As long as it's been sealed, there really isn't anything in it that can go bad.  The expiration dates on bottled water are almost entirely for purposes of forcing stock rotation and for the legal protection of the bottler.

We use 2L soda bottles.  The water picks up a taste from the plastic but if you pour it into a open pitcher the taste goes away in a couple of hours.

[J P Sousa]

Just because they print an expiration date on a bottle of plain water, it doesn't mean anything changes in the water inside.  Basically the labeling and the bottle oxidize a bit over time and the label tatters or comes loose, and the bottle isn't up to as much rough handling as when it was new.  As long as it's been sealed, there really isn't anything in it that can go bad.  The expiration dates on bottled water are almost entirely for purposes of forcing stock rotation and for the legal protection of the bottler.

I had a couple of bottles of Tonic Water sitting for a few years, don't know exactly how long (didn't mix as many drinks as I thought), but some brownish-greenish stuff was floating around in it so I threw it out. I know Tonic Water has things other than plain water, but it made me cautious about storing water for a long time.   
.

[rich_t]

I think that distilled water will store just about forever.

[LC EFA]

Pure water is fine to store for thousands of years.

Any contamination will come from the decomposition of the container or impurities - both organic and inorganic - that weren't removed prior to storage.

[Mr Mannn]

I ordered a sampler pack of Pleasant Hill canned meats. a sample can of belga canned cheddar cheese (I already own a case, but I don't want to open it yet), a can of bacon, and a can of pork sausage.

Should arrive after Christmas is my guess.
I forget who, but someone here said they have stocked up on Pleasant Hill canned meat. The freeze dried stuff is going way up in price.

My concern is if I like this stuff, I'll eat up my stock (especially with the canned bacon).

[Mr Mannn]

My Christmas gift to me. I bought this today. After talking about it for a long time, I finally took the plunge and got my Rocket stove. It will be here in a few days, and then I will have to wait for Spring to test it out.


I have a backpackers mess kit, but I suspect this will take full size pots and pans.
I've got two little Esbit stoves with solid fuel tabs. So I can actually give a comparison test.
Now of course I have to do some REAL cooking. Won't be the same apart from a microwave. and freeze dried packets where you just heat water will be a waste with an elaborate set up like this.

any good outdoorsman cookbooks? Cooking over a fire ought to be the same with any camping stove.

[Mr Mannn]

Pleasant Hill Canned meat sampler pack arrived today. Ground Beef. Beef Chunks. Boneless Chicken. Boneless Turkey. Pork Chunks.

Also in the box were the canned bacon, and pork sausage.

Tried the ground beef for dinner. Its packed in gelatin, not water. Didn't smell right, but that was likely the gelatine.
Its pre-cooked, so I added it to a bed of rice and cheese. simple basic. done it before.

The beef is OK. Nowhere near as flavorful as the freeze dried ground beef. But its OK.
Pleasant Hill said the can was tuna fish size. Nope, it's TWICE the size of a tuna can. so this would feed two people. Its a decent amount of beef with NO wasted space in the can.

for ground beef, my choice will be Mountain House #10 cans. I can cook as much or as little as i want.
If you have ordered the canned bacon, let me know. I'm gonna test it on Saturday.

[Mr Mannn]

OK, here is the links to the Stovetec site for my Christmas gift to me:

The stove
http://www.zentg.com/stovetec/deluxe-wood-or-charcoal-metal-lined-2-door-stove/dp/4

The super pot
http://www.zentg.com/stovetec/stovetec-stainless-steel-super-pot/dp/8

The water pasteurizer
http://www.zentg.com/stovetec/stovetec-stainless-steel-water-pasteurizer/dp/3

The main site: http://www.zentg.com/stovetec/

[Mr Mannn]

Belga canned cheese is wonderful! I ate half a can!

Made in Australia, its a white cheddar cheese. Packed in a tuna can you won't have the storage problems of a whole block. Just open both sides of the can and push the solid cheese through. Its not packed in water, it fills the whole can! Better than any cheese powder, or fake cheese substitute. I can survive zombies in style now!

This is probably the most pleasant surprise of my taste tests. You can order a single can to try it out yourself. I have a half case of 18 cans and just ordered another half case.

If you have tried it, post here and let me know how you like it.

[LC EFA]

You mean Bega - not Belga.

[Mr Mannn]

Yes! Bega.

[J P Sousa]

Mr Mann, have you tried any powdered eggs ?

.

[Mr Mannn]

Not yet. In fact, I've never tried them.
and for the record, I've never had powdered milk either.

I suppose I should do so. Any favorite brands in you pantries people?

[J P Sousa]

Not yet. In fact, I've never tried them.
and for the record, I've never had powdered milk either.

I suppose I should do so. Any favorite brands in you pantries people?

These have some very good reviews but I have not as yet tried any myself.

http://www.campsaver.com/whole-egg-crystals-12-eggs-pouch

Reviews on Amazon;
http://www.amazon.com/OvaEasy-Powdered-Whole-Egg-4-5/dp/B00408XID4/ref=pd_sim_gro_3


One complained about the experation date so they purchased from manufacturer;

Manufacturer; http://www.nutriom.com/

.

[Mr Mannn]

Yoder Canned pork sausage. I opened the can and it smelled awful. It looked raw. Packed in gelatin.
I just threw it away. Maybe I got a bad can...but I'm not trying pork sausage again.

[Teri]

We just bought some powdered eggs and canned bacon...they were both good.  The can of bacon was surprisingly good in fact.  It's sliced really thin, but cooked already.  All you have to do is heat it up.  The powdered eggs, were good too.  One cup of powder to one cup of water.  I made omelets, scrambled eggs and even tried it with French toast, it all came out good.

We also tried some powdered butter, milk, cheese and a bunch of other stuff.  It's amazing how well it reconstitutes.  If you prepare it right...it's very tasty.

[J P Sousa]

We just bought some powdered eggs and canned bacon...they were both good.  The can of bacon was surprisingly good in fact.  It's sliced really thin, but cooked already.  All you have to do is heat it up.  The powdered eggs, were good too.  One cup of powder to one cup of water.  I made omelets, scrambled eggs and even tried it with French toast, it all came out good.

We also tried some powdered butter, milk, cheese and a bunch of other stuff.  It's amazing how well it reconstitutes.  If you prepare it right...it's very tasty.

What brand eggs and bacon did you try ?
.

[Teri]

What brand eggs and bacon did you try ?
.

We get ours from Emergency Essentials.  The guy that owns that business is a VET.  He actually hand wrote a personal letter of thanks to us for our purchase too.  They've got just about everything anyone would want and quality goods.

http://beprepared.com/default.asp?&SID=GOOGLE&EID=GLB200703015&gclid=CKqE8buy27QCFUbf4AoddhcAKw

[Mr Mannn]

Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce. Very good. Has some meat in it, but I added a half cup to freeze dried ground beef anyways. one serving like this almost filled me up. It would fill up a normal person. I ate a few crackers to finish it off.