Stowing Your Mess Supplies

Question

"Mess" as in "kitchen". Here are a few ideas we've found workable for us over the years and work especially well for longer trips.

We have a neighbor who bought a freeze dryer a couple years ago so they can get meats on sale and store their extra garden produce. I've struck a deal with him to freeze dry some of our food for camping. Once it's freeze dried it takes up less space so we can carry more. Looks like they're having a sale on them now and I might just get one for myself.

Another thing we do is use a vacuum sealer for food. It's great for evacuating excess air to keep things fresh and save space.

Note: freeze dried foods rehydrate well in many slowly cooked DO recipes.

johno02 · Answer

When we travel, we only carry food for a few days, which helps out in the storage problems. Some stuff vacuum packed in the freezer, smaller containers of condiments, and amaller containers than when at home.  As we are rarely over a few hours travel from a grocer, we just purchase and carry what we will need for a few meals.  pre shaped and frozen hamburgers, a few frozen dinners, prepared and frozen breakfast items. a small bag of potatoes, instead of a big bag of bakers, t-4 bakers instead of a bagfull, one or two onions, and so on.

magnusfide · Answer

We did that when younger. As we got older the processed foods became problems for Herself. Freeze dried doesn't add anything to the foods and gives my wife the freedom to have access to "clean food" that isn't available everywhere we've found in our years of travel. With campers who boondock freeze drying and vacuum packs extend the stay.

baraboobob · Answer

We carry a supply of basic food ingredients with us at all times.  This includes canned veggies, fruit cups, cereal, rice in pre-measured bags, beef bullion, corn starch, crackers, cheese, sausage, &amp; a few frozen burgers.  We cook simple but very tasty meals with ingredients and short prep times.  We have a tote under the bench of the dinette with all of our food.  We reload when we stop at towns.  We could easily go 7 to 10 days without feeling like we didn't have anything to eat.  Food doesn't have to be fancy to be good.

welove2drive · Answer

Great ideas Magnus. We don't have a freeze dryer but we use our vacuum sealer to save left overs (BBQ,grilled burgers, etc.). I stash them in the freezer for trips.

Forum Discussion

Stowing Your Mess Supplies

About Chefs on the Road

Related Content

Stowe Vermont this weekend things to do

Stowing Hitch Mounted Towbar

New Torklift Stow N' Go

WFCO Charger/Power Supply

Winnebago Minnie water supply pipe problem