BWCA repackaging freeze dried meals - how far out? Boundary Waters BWCA Food and Recipes
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      repackaging freeze dried meals - how far out?     
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9th Bearded Infantry
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06/07/2013 08:45AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hi everyone,

Putting the finishing touches on our menu for our 6/21 trip. Only 2 weekends between now and then. I'm going to be booked solid next weekend so was looking to get as much together this weekend as I can. I'm going to repackage all of our mountain house meals into zip locks because they just pack smaller. Being freeze dried, I assume everything would be fine until the trip as long as the baggie is zipped tight. Right? (side note: I know I'm overthinking a lot on this menu but it's the first time I'm prepping a full weeks worth of food for 6 guys so I'll be the one everyone eats first if I screw this up)

Thanks!
 
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06/07/2013 05:07PM  
im going to wait until a couple of days before we head up.
 
06/07/2013 08:56PM  
I don't know, but it's a question I've wondered about. If you find a definitive answer, let us know.
 
06/07/2013 10:16PM  
i split them before a may trip i had to cancel because of a death in the family. packed them for my september (same year) hunter island trip....they were terrible. i think yould be fine repackaging them now.
 
06/08/2013 07:52AM  
I'm not sure about zip-loc bags, but I've repackaged MH meals in vacuum sealer bags for months without any noticeable loss of quality. When repackaging foods, always do your best to make sure that the food stays as sterile as possible and minimize exposure to air and moisture. I've found that avoiding exposure to light helps as well. I always thoroughly wash my hands and use food handling gloves, then store all of my camping food in an opaque plastic tub.
 
06/08/2013 08:10AM  
Cleared out my cupboard of old packed single meals and ate them on my trip with Pete. Year old Beef Stroganoff with Noodles Chicken Teriyaki wih Rice 2year old Lasagna with Meat Sauce. Had one each left over this year and they tasted like new! I separated the meals linked into 3 solo meals and vac-bagged them right after purchase.
I try and keep a small supply in the house for impromptu camping adventures, grab and go!

butthead
 
luft
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06/08/2013 12:11PM  
So from what I am reading it seems like the vacuum sealing is the key to longevity for repackaging meals.

I usually just bring in the original packaging but this year we are traveling for longer time periods and I need to break down the meals so that they pack more efficiently. I think I am going to use the vacuum sealer to repackage the meals into single servings and let the kids choose their own individual dinners for the trip.
 
Swampturtle
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06/08/2013 06:04PM  
If the meal comes with a desiccant pouch, make sure to include that when you transfer it. Include any directions or measurements needed in/on the new packaging. You can never over think this stuff, you learn as you go along.
Some meals benefit from being placed into a ziplock with the top cut off, roll it closed like a burrito. Vacuum seal the whole thing, this can prevent the little dry bits from getting sucked into the machine. Works for more powdery stuff like biscuit mix or tang.
 
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