So you have that new titanium cookware. Your 850 fill power down sleeping bag is almost weightless. Tents are a thing of the past...tarps are all you need. Congratulations on getting lighter and making your backpacking experience more enjoyable. I am confident you have one more area to improve. Your menu...
Prepackaged food is a great convenience. One can hike all day, setup camp, open a can of Chef Boyardee, and relax. Unfortunately your canned food was heavy, not nutritious, and boring. Several options are out there to change this routine. Many companies make freeze dried meals that only require boiling water. These meals are much lighter than canned goods and are generally more nutritious. These meals also include a hefty price tag and chemical additives.
The smarter, cheaper, tastier, and more nutritious way to go is dehydrating your own food. I understand it appears like a daunting task. After buying a dehydrator and experiencing first hand what dehydrating food entails I can honestly say...it is a breeze.
Six months ago I purchased the Open Country 700 Watt food dehydrator. This particular model features 5 trays (expandable to 14), a fruit roll sheet, and a perforated sheet for small items. A guide book and manual were also provided. I have dehydrated many different fruits, vegetables, and meats in this machine with great results. Temperature range is great (95-160 degrees) which allows one to prepare herbs to jerky. Drying is uniform and the build quality seems adequate. Dehydrating foods in bulk then vacuum sealing them allows me to always be prepared for my next backpacking trip. My only criticism of this machine is a lack of a power switch. Unplugging and plugging in the machine acts as its power switch.
All food dehydrators need a fan and thus will make some noise. At about a foot wide counter top space could be an issue. Remember however that this machine does not have to be in the kitchen. Your dehydrator can reside in any place that has power.
I strongly recommend you to start dehydrating your own meals. In a no time at all you will be creating a menu you would be proud to serve to company at home or on the trail.
Performance: 7.5
Quality: 8
Weight: N/A
Price: 7.5
Tilt: 9
Total: 8
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