BWCA Hormel Compleats Boundary Waters BWCA Food and Recipes
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02/26/2016 04:15AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I read about some people taking these along on canoe trips so I decided to get a couple and try them. They come in two sizes, a 7.5 oz. size and a 10oz. size. I got two 7.5 and one 10 oz. size. I got the chicken, gravy, and mashed potato, one turkey, stuffing, and gravy and a chicken and dumpling and gravy. Simple cooking, throw them in a pot of boiling water and wait till they get hot, about 10 minutes or so, tear off the top and eat. Wash the spoon and pack out the top wrapper and the base container. They didn't taste too bad at all, with a little pepper aboard.

High salt content but not too bad on the taste buds, my cardiologist would probably have a fit but unless she wants to paddle solo with me, she will never know. The 10oz. size was about $2.60 each and the 7.5oz. size was a little cheaper. I'm sure not about to carry enough of them to last 10-12 days on my late fall solo, but probably take along a couple for midweek "treat" meals. FRED
 
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Jackfish
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02/26/2016 06:52AM  
On a canoe trip? To each their own, but if I brought something like that, our guys would make me snapping turtle food.
 
billconner
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02/26/2016 07:42AM  
I guess if there were " our guys" there it wouldn't be solo would it? I think there are some menu differences between solo and group. To each their own.
 
02/26/2016 10:34AM  
Know of many who claim to like MRE's, Hormel Compleats are civilized versions for the general consumer market. Same good (easy prep long shelf life), same bad (individual taste preferences, wet weight, trash disposal).

I'll probably add these to vehicle based camp gear (keep a few microwave stews in the bag now). For trail packed food they are not my preference.

butthead

PS: It is funny how good commercially prepped food tastes after a week in the bush, must be the preservatives! bh
 
02/26/2016 06:50PM  
Well, I think they are really good, especially the beef tips with taters and gravy. Some of the other ones are good too. Can't remember which ones at the moment, but one may have been beef stew or pot roast.

I too just boil some water and heat them up that way. So simple, and no muss, no fuss. All I have to do is clean a fork or spoon.

I don't think they weigh all that much more than freeze dried, plus the portion is just right for a soloist, unless you are a big eater.

As I recall, the BBQ pork I rated as "fair". I don't think I have ever had any of the chicken ones.

Tomster

 
billconner
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02/26/2016 07:58PM  
Well, weight wise, I compared Hawks Vittles beef stew to the Compleat Dinty Moore and the Hawks Vittles is about double the serving size and calories but a half the weight.
 
02/26/2016 08:06PM  
The new MRE's are really pretty darn good - they even have breakfast ones! Anything gets old after weeks of eating - but can't complain at all - would not take them on a group trip - but sure would be good in a pinch!
 
luft
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02/29/2016 11:17PM  
quote billconner: "Well, weight wise, I compared Hawks Vittles beef stew to the Compleat Dinty Moore and the Hawks Vittles is about double the serving size and calories but a half the weight."

I am a whiner when it comes to carrying heavy packs so the weight would deter me from taking the Hormel Completes on a canoe trip but I would certainly use them car camping.


 
03/01/2016 07:15PM  
I tried several when I first heard about people doing this, but they weren't to my taste. I decided that I had better options for me whether it was canoeing, backpacking, or car camping. But tastes vary and the only way to find out for yourself is to try some.
 
ObiWenonahKenobi
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03/01/2016 09:36PM  
I actually did take something very similar on a 12 day/11 night solo. The weight was not overly much. But I did double trip every portage. If you are a one trip across portage animal these would definitely be out along with almost any food at all. LOL
~
 
jfinn
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03/04/2016 06:27AM  
Sorry, but no Hormel products will ever be bought again by me. There are other options from better companies This video shows abuse and regardless of how you feel about that, it also shows the sick animals being processed. You are what you eat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPGIMCmpfxU

There are other options for me, thanks Bill for the Hawk Vittles-I'll need to check that out. Again, sorry to jump in but it sickens me to see Hormel.

John
 
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