@@streetrider11 around $11-$12 for a freeze dried meal, so if you backpack 30 nights a year, it will still take a long time to recoup those costs. You also have to consider raw material food costs, the time, electricity, oil changes on the freeze dryer. Maybe buy one because you are a doomsday prepper first, and a backpacker second
I would say if you have a group of people who enjoy hiking, maybe split up the cost and let everyone use it? Things like this always seem expensive up front, but if you really are on the trail camping that much it will pay for its self.
My favorite camp meal is Rice & Refried Beans with Cheese & Fritos. I use Mexicali Rose brand instant refried beans but Sante Fe brand is good too. Recipe: 1/2 Cup Minute Rice, 1/2 Cup Dehydrated Refried Beans, ½ TBSP Tomato Bullion + ½ TBSP Taco Seasoning, 1 TBSP Cheese Powder . On Trail, add 10 OZ boiling water, let sit 10 minutes Add cheddar cheese and Fritos for additional calories and taste
I saw the thumbnail on the video and thought I’d recognized the soup but for some reason ignored it. Now that I’ve watched it, I have to hand it to you: I am all in in wanting to try this. I make a mean zuppa and the thought of taking it on the trail like this is just irresistible. I’m reading the comments and I can tell those who have never had this incredibly tasty soup. It’s also called Italian wedding soup and it’s one of those you just don’t see in store shelves. Well done, man. Until I can do this, you’re looking at an envious outdoorsman. 🙂
The biggest issue I have with dehydrated or freeze-dried backpacking meals is they are pretty much always soups, stews, or soggy pastas. Now if you can freeze-dry me a sub sandwich or a hamburger or a nice filet of fish, now we're talking! LOL
Check out Steve1989 it normally does MRE reviews but he did an episode where he freeze dried a whole Thanksgiving meal. I mean everything and he had pretty good success rehydrating again
Before tax & shipping the beak even point on the large dehydrator is 308 meals at $13 average cost per meal, retail. Again this does not include cost of the food, oxy absorbers nor mylar bags.
Great video. I've had my HR FD for about three years now and absolutely love it. Not only do i use it for camping but for work lunches and prep for when the power goes out which seems to happen every winter. Would you mind sharing your wife's recipe for zupa tuscana? I'm a huge fan of that soup. Thanks!
Most places I have to carry water anyway, So I don't do dehydrated. Cold stew out of a can is OK with me. The can may also be turned into a stove with a few tools, (or one Leatherman). So you just need a small pot or large cup. Pour the soup out into a pot, make the can into a wood, alcohol, or solid fuel stove. Hobo stove. When done, just smash it flat.
A lot of comments about the cost of the freeze dryer. Weight is always an issue, but perhaps for a 2 day trip you could reduce the soup to a kind of thick stew and pack it like that. Risk of spoiling, however with the salt and spices it's probably going to last a couple of days... maybe it will be fine?
This reminds me of brewing beer, you sit with 2000$ of equipment, fill the whole kitchen with it. Realize shit there is a shitload of work and cleaning involve and you occupy all the kitchen. And that you arent practically a cook or.chef in the first place. Then you buy a couple beers at the store, while selling your shit you buyed. And comment like yeah, sure. But Im glad i can buy them at the store.
I hope you weighed how much the trays were BEFORE drying, that way you know about how much water to add! Too late for the affiliate link. I’ve already got my freeze dryer on layaway. I opted for a Large, because I also have Scouts to prep for, since anyone with dietary restrictions can’t use commercial backpacking food AND it doesn’t have all the garbage that comes in the commercial stuff. Remember that high fat foods don’t freeze dry well at all, but if you are drying just before you take it on trail, the fat won’t get rancid or cause issues as it would if you were planning the item for long-term storage.
Yankee greens. What morons decided that was supposedly to be delicious and put on a plate instead of decorating the salad bar? It's like they've never heard of collards, mustards, or turnips.
I just pack real food when camping/rucking, like potatoes, rice, peppers,(cheese or meat in colder weather), cabbage, bread, all that stuff can last for weeks without refrigeration especially potatoes and rice, but I’m also not a lightweight backpacker I’m normally carrying 40,50,60lbs even more in winter and I’ve hiked 10 plus miles with that stuff, I’m no big person I’m only 120lbs if I can do it, I don’t see why others can’t, it will only make you stronger
@wyomarine that’s my point I’m little but still managed a lot of weight, I’ve carried 80lbs in the winter just because I wanted to, I know I have an ego that’s from taking care of myself, you would think ex military would be proud that a young person does those things, I’m sure you where young and proud, I’m so ignorant that I don’t even use government benefits, I forage for my own wild medicine in the mountains and gather spring water too like our ancestors, that’s why I’m proud
I always think freeze dry a whole watermelon will be great. Imagine a whole watermelon will be rehydrated on the trail. Go to some research. You scientists.
haha no, unfortunately. I don't think Brea (Tayson's wife) would appreciate having to cook so much of that delicious soup in order to sell it! We just wanted to highlight that there are other great options for ultralight & good-tasting food on the trail besides just buying pre-packed backpacker meals.
