Tips for the hardy winter camp cook
When you’re winter camping these chilly months, there’s nothing like keeping you warm from the inside out. Especially in view of the -30 C wind-chilled days we’ve been having recently.
But a good thing about winter is that we have to keep moving to stay warm. You basically burn twice as many calories in winter as you do during the same activities in summer. Snowshoeing alone is a tremendous calorie-burning activity, not to mention a lot of fun.
And with the required calories for these activities you’ll need nourishment. Here’s how to go about preparing your feasts when winter camping.
One of the first things you’ll want to secure is your location for the fire. The fire will not only cook your food, but will dry your clothes, warm your spirits and provide magical atmosphere as your gather around when evening falls.
Remember, it’s better to build a useful fire than an esthetic fire — meaning a huge bonfire is more than you’ll need, so instead stick to a size useful and practical.
As for anytime you’re trying something new, it’s always better to try this at home in your backyard first so you know the steps and are confident you’ll be prepared.
Begin by digging a hole and laying down some medium-sized branches as a base. You’ll be able to construct your fire on top of these branches and air will help fuel it from below.
Obviously, as the fire burns, the snow will melt and the fire will begin to sink further into the snow, so ensure it’s wide enough that melting snow on the perimeter doesn’t fall into the flames.
After the fire is going, be sure you have an adequate supply of dry wood stocked nearby so you can add as required.
Always try to use a heat reflector and windscreen if your stove comes with them, or consider designing your own. These will help your cooking time and increase the efficiency of the cooking process.
And as heat loss can happen quickly, keep the lid on your pot to let the water boil. The more you peek, the more heat escapes and the longer you’ll be waiting for your drink or meal.
A good safety tip is to keep your fuel bottles wrapped in duct tape. We’ve all experienced when something warm touches a very cold metal surface. It sticks and hurts if you don’t remove it properly. The duct tape then acts as an extra layer of protection between your hands and the container. Alternatively you can have an extra pair of gloves to use when cooking meals.
An added tip is to use and reuse your water efficiently when meal planning. Water you boiled for a tasty spaghetti meal could be reused to make a hot soup.
But the real hint is to create meals that require less water (like rice or instant mashed potatoes), and ideally in a single pot. If you can cook a one-pot meal, you’ll consume less fuel, it’ll be easier to prepare and will stay hot and ready much longer.
Here is a beloved one-pot feast: