Mountain House vs Backpacker's Pantry

[Brock]

after my limited test will be Mountain House or military MREs (yes I started on the dehydrated pork patty of the 1980s...and LOVE the recent vacuum sealed variants comparatively. LOL)

if weight is not an issue would consider buying vacuum sealer and doing food in advance...chili, spaghetti, casseroles, etc...then just drop in boiling water to heat...then can use the boiled water for drinking when it cools or coffee and cocoa right away.  

[Steve H.]

I tried BPP but I won't buy them again.  A nasty after taste.

I suspect Preston Lay had a really awesome MH chef cook for him!

We have gone to our home made for canoe trips and Mountain House. The Backpackers Pantry kurry chicken is the closest thing to old tractor battery that I have ever tried to eat.

[Bivyhunter]

I did a taste test with 5-6 brands of freeze dried from a handful of different manufacturers. MH came out on top (8 testers participated). Try their chicken fajitas with bring your own tortillas....YUM!!!

[Stone Sheep]

I make all of my own dehydrated meals. There is a book ouy there called "Backpack Gourmet" by Linda Frederick Yaffe. Once you eat these meals you will wonder why you ever ate the store bought stuff.

[Kingsnake]

Stone Sheep...Thanks for the book title!  Several others in this thread mentioned making their own meals, but my dehydrator experience has been limited to deer jerky.  So, I really wasn't too sure how to do full meals.

My plan is to head into the mountains with bow, pack, tent, bag, and light foods, but switch to venison (or squirrel, or whatver else jumps up) as soon as possible.  Of course, no plan survives first contact with the enemy.  I will be sure to have enough prepared meals to get me through the week even without fresh supplements.

Kingsnake

[Matty]

So I've tried the dehydrating thing. And im not good. All these other packaged meals are Freeze dried. Which is different. I looked into that and boy is it expensive. Hence the cost of these things.  $7 for noodles or rice is a difficult to justify purchase. But I make it every year

[Zmonster]

Every brand has their good ones and bad ones. Before I tried the BPP, I researched on line and found which ones got the best ratings. I grabbed the ones I found locally and everyone that tried them at camp was impressed. I like VERY spicy food, so I really didn't notice the spice. Try the three I mentioned and I bet you will be impressed.

[hills of texas]

I put my own mre style meal together for camping and backpacking.  Its even kinda fun.  I just put a couple of dehydrated meals in a vac seal bag, along with snacks and any thing else I might want. you can customize each one for what you like and its much more wallet friendly.  I can make six days of meals for under 20-25 dollars, compared to mre style meals at 8-10 each.

[fnshtr]

Matty's point is a good one. While the dehydration of your own fixin's is a great idea... it is not the same as freeze-dried. It will not be nearly as light and is isn't prepared as simply/quickly.

I also take ramen noodles along and a foil pack of chicken or tuna to add to it. The spices are terrible for you (the ones that come with the noodles), but you can get by using just 1/2 of the packet... especially when adding chicken. The chicken adds lots of protein.

I found that one block of noodles with one pack of chicken makes enough for a meal for two adults. You can't go wrong with the weight, packability, taste and nutrition for the price.

IMO   :p

[Kingsnake]

Ya' know, Brock, I had never considered boil-in-bag meals with re-use of water.  Great idea!
   

Kingsnake

[PowDuck]

Originally posted by Kingsnake:
Ya' know, Brock, I had never considered boil-in-bag meals with re-use of water.  Great idea!
     

Kingsnake

Downside of that is the water for the food is already in the bag. This means extra pack weight.

[njloco]

Lost Arra,

Thanks, but, one must pay attention to ingredients, some of the meals you mention above, that you left the link to, has Hydrogenated oil, It's a silent killer ! one of the worst things one could eat, that is why I will experiment with my own dehydrated meals. Plus, I could make what I'd like and I know whats in it !

[njloco]

[Tracks]

I'm not too big on the pre-packaged dehydrated stuff and I usually throw together my own meals with packaged meats, couscous, quinoa, and bulk dried goods from big supermarkets.

However, if you are looking to go pre-packaged for weight or convenience, I have had a couple of these Hawk VittleS meals and they are pretty darn tasty, way better than the common big brand stuff from my experience:
  http://hawkvittles.com/

[Jakeemt]

Not sure if you are allowed to link other sites but check this guy out.  http://www.backpackingchef.com/dehydrating-food.html  save your self some dough and have fun.

[bearsfeet]

Originally posted by Bivyhunter:
I did a taste test with 5-6 brands of freeze dried from a handful of different manufacturers. MH came out on top (8 testers participated). Try their chicken fajitas with bring your own tortillas....YUM!!!

If your new to backpack hunting read everything South post twice    

[huntercole]

I tired mountain house for the first time today. I had the chilli mac with beef. It was actually really good.  

[Steve H.]

The buffalo Chicken (MH) is good even without the tortillas!

I like the MH chicken beats and tatos.

My general guideline now is 100% MH and avoid the rice meals in favor of noodles and tater menus.

BPP:  think of a rancid garlic sort of thing going on there!