Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Me too... but only to make a big batch of jerky...


Slicing begins

One of two bags, marinating overnight, dehydrator tomorrow.

 

Oh yum! I've got that on my calendar for next month

 

What kind of dehydrator are you all using?
I'm pondering the idea of getting one eventually. That way I'm not eating those ones like Mountain House etc. Way too much sodium in those things!

 

I have an Excalibur and love it. Has both a temperature setting and a timer. (Not all their models have that).

I love the taste over mountain house and other freeze dried foods. I buy seasonal fresh foods for drying and storage. I buy frozen or canned veggies for backpacking foods.

 

While talking about food prep, what vacuum sealers have you folks had success with? We are looking to replace a very old Hamilton Beach model that really sucks - pun intended - in the vacuum portion of the process.

 

I'm using a bare bones Open Country unit I scored from Bass Pro on sale for practically nothing, (less than $30.00). I have added a couple more racks to increase capacity.

 

I'm still using a basic Seal@Meal basic unit, (I kinda wish it'd mess up so I could buy a nice one).

 

Foodsaver.

 

$92 NESCO VS-02 Food Starter Kit with Automatic Shut-Off and Vacuum Sealer Bags, Black 18.25 X 5.25 X 11.5

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IUAK39A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

this guy has been pretty darn good. Im sure its about the same as any sealer, minus all the bells and whistles. it has the option to do canisters too if you want to.

 

I haven't ever bought a new Foodsaver.
I buy my Foodsavers used and clean them up. About 3-5 dollars each. So many people bought them didn't use them, and donated them later.
I have not tried the new FoodSaver FreshSaver handheld ones.
I use the old style handheld to seal mason jars and canisters. The ones they used to make, I get them on ebay for 15-25 dollars.
Like this one from this source.

 

I like that a lot. I haven't actually seen one that seals mason jars. that would definitely help me steer clear of plastics when I can.

 

It started with weevils in flour many years ago. Now the vacuum keeps lots of stuff fresher.
Vacuum bags for camping and road trips, but the jars and canisters for most of the home stuff. I can buy bulk then.
Another great idea for storage is the Gamma Lid (7-10 dollars) put on regular 3 and 5 gallon buckets I get from the grocery store bakery for free.

 

that's an idea! yea I had things get into my grits one time and god knows how long it was till I noticed... now I have to make sure everything is as sealed as it can get. nothing worse than scooping out some flour or grits to look down and see it moving...

 

Just some extra protein

 

im not bear grylls and I sure as shit aint in survival mode hahah

 

X2

 

We had them flying around.

 

I guess I caught my bugs before they reached that stage thank goodness. now im always super paranoid about flour, sugar, and stuff like that. I thought the container I had the grits in was fairly well sealed...

 

The handheld sealer I showed above is long discontinued. I have no idea why, it is a great device. I keep a search on ebay to always look for them, and have gotten a couple new in box for a reasonable amount of money. The preppers like them, too.
It takes up a lot less counter space than the bag sealer, but I have the bag sealers set aside for when I need them.

 

Foodsaver for bulk items that I freeze. And for backpacking meals.
Mason jars for dehydrated foods not yet made into meals.
Lock n Lock containers for household stuff to keep bugs out. (Fancy Tupperware is all it is)