Camping Food Safety

Is there anything that can possibly beat dining in the great outdoors? Enjoying coffee while the sun comes up (made possible by our Thermal Cafe Mug), savoring pastas or stews as the stars settle in—eating outside is one of the best things you can do. It’s almost as if meals have a heightened flavor, and you certainly end up appreciating the food more.

Yet with camping outside and eating outside comes its fair share of risks, which is why it’s important to know the proper food safety for when you’re in the mountains, woods and beyond. Take a look at some key food safety tips to implement on your next trip, and invest in the best flameless cookware from Barocook today.

Planning Ahead

One of the most simple things you can do for food safety is crafting a meal plan. Schedule out what you want to bring for each of the days/nights you’ll be gone, keeping in mind where you’ll be camping, what will be most effective for packing, etc. For example, if you’re going on a backpacking trip, you will be packing food in a much different manner than if you’re car camping. Think of how many people you’ll need to provide for, as well as how to reduce your waste. In the event you’re camping with a group, communicate with everyone well ahead of time to make sure there is neither an excess or shortage of food.

Talk with others not only about who needs to bring what in terms of food, but also the supplies that is necessary for preparation. A box of spaghetti and a jar of sauce will mean very little if you don’t have a heat source and a pot (such as our Thermal Pressure Pot).

Properly-Temped Foods

Consider not only the time of year that you will be camping, but also the type of foods that you will be working with. If working with raw meat, for example, it is necessary to keep it below 40°F. The USDA has developed a “danger zone” in terms of food safety—bacteria grows most rapidly between 40°F and 140°F.

Make sure coolers are helping preserve foods, and upon warming foods, they are heated to an adequate temperature that exists outside of the danger zone. Especially if camping in a zone with a fire ban, eliminate the risks of foodborne illness by purchasing flameless cookware from Barocook! From heating food to cooling food, we have all the gear you need.

Food Storage and Food Waste

Probably the last thing you want is to hear the grunting noises of a bear who’s found your food stash. There are many things you can do to try and bear-proof your campsite, and most of it relates back to food. Wide Open Spaces has several excellent recommendations on keeping your campsite bear-free:

• Choose a campsite that does not appeal to a bear. For example, avoid setting up camp next to a berry patch.
• Hang remaining food from a tree at least 100 yards away from your sleeping area. If no trees are available, move food at least the same distance away, stored in an odorless, airtight container.
• The same methods should be considered for any trash, placing it far away from the campsite.
• As a second note, in some parks, storing food in your vehicle is a safe measure, whereas in others, it still might be a risk. Your car might be at risk for a bear attack, but many would argue this is better than you personally being at risk. Check with park officials or locals in the area.
• Don’t keep any food in your tent or on you when sleeping. For an extra measure, especially in bear country, many would recommend changing clothes and storing them in an airtight bag after a meal. Scents can cling to clothing, and you want to eliminate the risk as much as possible.

Food safety is one of the most important things you can prepare for when going on a camping expedition. So much of food safety comes from common sense, as well as preventative measures. Stop foodborne illnesses in their tracks with our flameless cookware, avoid food shortages or surpluses through planning ahead, and deter bears and other wildlife through proper food storage. With each of these measures, you will be well on your way to having the trip of a lifetime. Plan for your future trips by shopping Barocook today.