Tinned food for camping and backpacking weighs less, costs a fraction and tastes better!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ต.ค. 2021
- Lets compare freeze dried, camping wet food and supermarket tinned food for cost, weight, taste and packaging.
Raising funds here for equipment for my scouts unit www.buymeacoffee.com/fellmandave
You could always heat the tinned food up in a used camp food pack too.
A lot of people like those prepared quick rice packs but I think they taste like dead things so I have not included them.
My fave on the pudding is sainsburys treacle pudding (set of 2 in small plastic container), warm it up in 300ml of boiling water and use the water for custard.
That is here at 15.30 • Wild camping with your...
and here at 7.00 • Winter wild camp Mount...
What are your best bargain camping food tips?
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Hi Dave, what a great video. You have raised a great point here as I myself just go for the freeze dried and on many occasions have carried the water. I suppose its just what I and familiar with. I will re think now for the future. If I am using a water source I personally make the choice not to filter and just boil the water for longer (but then that uses more gas....). Good points though and well presented. ATB Tom
Cheers Tom, the search for the ultimate tinned camp food is on!
Hiking and camping in Australia it’s very common to carry hydrated foods in cans. Save water weight for main hydration and save money.
Although bulkier and heavier I used precooked meals in bags from ‘Look What We Found’ . Yes it’s not a good name but their range is extensive and the food very tasty indeed . So no mush but solid pieces of meat / vegetables in sealed bags that have a transparent window to identify the food. The meals can be heated in a microwave still in the bag, cooked in boiling water in the bag or tipped into pan and cooked over a fire or stove . Supplemented with rice / pasta / bulgur etc my walking pal and I found these meals to be very good and satisfying after walking all day .
This makes even more sense for overnighters now - some of those dehydrated meals are over £11 these days.
Absolutely, easier to get hold of at your local supermarket too.
You've just saved me there, tinned meals!! I never thought of those, for their price and how handy they are and the calorie content. I was wasting too much money on MRE's or wet food. Thanks for that!
Enjoy the yummy exploration in the tinned isle. The good news is they are cheap enough to try at home first.
I've got a a chorizo and tinned potato recipe on my channel that is far more delicious than it deserves to be. I use the liquid from the tinned spuds as well. I use small diameter alcohol stoves so theres not much chance of burning.
Lids from Pringle and coffee tins fit well on most cans so that you end up with a sealed dustbin that safely holds your rubbish.
Noticed a range of curry turning up called Spice Tailor. Tried a few and they are delicious.
Will check it out, thanks!
For an overnighter, my first choice is a smoked sausage from from local shop for £1, cut in half makes 2 generous hot dogs. I add cheese and salad.. Either eat cold or warm up in hot water in the bag. Wash the bag before the trip, so the water can be used for a hot drink.
I prefer to travel light, so more often than not i dont carry cooking kit. I have 2 peices of stainless 6mm rod bent into a u shape, push into the ground, light a fire between, and cook over it.
The logic of tins for an overnighter makes so much sense.
i want a smokey now.
Great stuff. I use a tesco medium double zip seal freezer bag to dump tinned food in and boil it up. Must be a freezer bag though, tougher and better in hot water.
Great tip!
For just an over nighter…some hard boiled eggs, hard sausage, my infamous raw carrots and pre buttered whole wheat bread. It’s only 24 hours at most and I like to make it more of a picnic than a soldier’s nightmare. Been known to take some homemade soups in a reusable plastic container as well and more than a few times sushi why make it hard when you don’t need to?
Raw carrots on a camp? Bleeeaargh.
You make a very valid point, one night weight isn't too much of a problem, it's only multiday long hikes that it starts to add up
Very sound advice, Dave. The main thing I agree on is the amazing price difference between those high end freeze dried meals and some meals in a tin you pick up at the dollar store. I am always amused with the fancy campers who will boast about the few grams this and that little piece of expensive kit they brought along on the camp. I guess that is to make up for the 6 craft beers they brought along on the camp.
Temting as a treat though. The tent meals i tried recently were pretty good, cant beat a stagg tinned chilli though.
First saw this idea on the Aussie channel with a guy called Mark - “Biker Bits”. I cycle tour so could carry a bit more stuff than you backpackers, but weight is still important when you’re cycling hills. I prefer the texture and taste of tinned foods over the dehydrated meals and I simply don’t have the budget for £8 or £9 for a dehydrated meal when I could have (prices as at end March 2023) a tin of Sainsbury’s Irish Style Stew (“tender mutton cooked in rich lamb stock and chunky vegetables for a wholesome meal”) £2. If one tin isn’t enough, add a few more potatoes - 37p per tin. Add a piece of fresh fruit and a mug of hot chocolate - tell me you’d rather have that rattle packet of dried mush. When I cycle tour I plan my route to go through towns and villages so I sometimes only carry my tins for the last couple of miles each day.
Love it! The sainsbury's stew sounds great. Thanks for adding to the debate.
Great argument, and unless you are out for 3+ days without resupply but with the luxury of reliable water sources, your argument holds.
Cheers!
Another factor is you can eat the tinned meals cold and still sort of enjoy them!! I once tried the self heating tins which the army use....having carried them for miles and miles one worked and one didn't - even a cold curry is better than nothing when you are really hungry.
Cold curry, breakfast of champions!
Always been a fan of tinned food. It's also cheaper than the microwave meals which typically weigh less and cost more. For a mega meal, take a tin of curry and a bag of vegetable or spicy hydrated rice. Put the two in a large pot and warm through! A can of tinned steak with a can of mixed veg is another great combination. Macaroni cheese, meatballs in gravy, Ravioli, even baked beans with some spicy sausage and hot sauce can be great. Don't forget Idahoan instant mashed potato, don't knock it till you've tried it. If you have a trangia cook set it's easy to do sausages and mash with fried egg(s)!
All yummy and guaranteed to fuel a really good poo the next day.
I *DO* have a -27, and am expanding it - though more for power outages than traveling at this time.
I need to be especially careful about what I eat so as to not feel ill (chronic illnesses, e.g. pancreatitis), so I need largely to cook most food from scratch, as I’m fat and gluten intolerant.
I can’t fault that mash potato. So quick and easy
That's such a great idea!
From now on I think I'll carry these for the first day, then for the 2nd day onward dehydrated stuff. Or something along the lines 👍
yum
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. For me keen that what I eat is something that I find palatable and similar to what I normally have so there are no surprises for my body.
My go to evening food for nights wild camping is:
1) instant rice noodles with Itsu miso soup.
2) Merchant Gourmet red and white quinoa with a stock cube and Great Scot dried vegetables.
3) cake and custard.
Know people who use smash, couscous and blue dragon stir fry sauce all mixed together for a meal while bivvying.
Another factor to consider is that tinned food can be eaten uncooked if necessary, unlike dried meals - I can't be the only one to have been unable to keep a stove lit in 'adverse climatic conditions'.
Good point.
Yes or you could carry foil packets of meats or meals with tortillas…I love flour tortillas and tuna or chicken or my favorite barbecue pork…and there is always Spam canned or foil packs…Don’t forget boiled eggs high in protein and delicious. Have fun stay safe.
What's your view on fray bentos pies?
Very good points. But if you insist on adding water to make your meals you can also do that much cheaper with things like couscous cous, lentils etc from Lidl with some dried meat strips.
Fair point John, but dried lentils can take a lot of soaking, simmering and couscous is vile (in my opinion!).
I never carry the water because we camps by a river. Dehydrated also cuts down on washing up and the empty packets are easier to carry out than empty tins. Also just one pot is required for brews and meals with no washing up in between. But if it’s just a one nighter then yeah why not take a tin or two for a change. The chilli and pita bread sounds like a good idea as well.
Hey I agree! I find the freeze dried meals I have had are full of rice/noodles, tons of spices to give me heartburn and very little meat (the costly part). I have not bought any for years. Here in Canada in March it is still cold and if you leave your freeze dried meal for the time it specifies, it may not be hot anymore. I don't go on long trips anyway. I did do a 6 day kayak trip once with totally canned food but weight is not as important since we did not portage.
Would love to spend some time there in the winter, I did Banff for two weeks 25 years ago, mostly skiing but 3 days ice climbing with a guide on the parkway, fantastic!
When I was in the army just before they went boil in the bag we had canned food. dent tin place in boiling water to heat it up then eat out of tin. plus hot water for brew.
Question is, which was better?
@@Fellmandave1 Rolled oats n Hot choc FTW. then again we didn't have much choice in the matter. Also with today's choices you can mix n match , make your own boil in bag etc. besides Many have No problem carrying a 6 pack or bottle wine to a summit.
I really think it is important for hikers to keep challenging orthodoxy like this. In fact choices and trade offs are being made in our gear and procedures and their is strong commercial interest in marketing simplified messages to us of whats best and what we must have. Well done good work.
Well thank you. Hard to resist the big sell though eh!
100% agree. I stay well away from those expensive tasteless freeze dried things over priced and far over rated Asda do some amazing tinned curries about £1.80 and packed with chicken. Always make my own dried meals if weight is an issue much better.
Brilliant. Will have a look for the asda ones.
Love the channel by the way. Liked and subscribed.
Awesome, thank you!
Great video.. I've used can food for overnight fishing and camping trips for years. Taste way better. My tip is to chuck the stagg chilli in a pot and then when it's heating up put in a bag of the 2min microwave rice. This makes a massive amount of food. The uncle Ben's Mexican rice works particularly well
I could eat that right now!
Just a thought carry tin food is heavy but the good thing about is you can feel your backpack getting lighter as you eat them. As for freeze dried you hardly notice any change at all.
Perverse logic but I like it!
I've been saying for years dried meals are a false ecconomy!! Although there are a few things like milk powder smash potatos and knorr chkn noodle soup, search any camping forum for long lasting foodfor more examples, btw I think the tinned foods are very similiar to the British Army ration pack foods especially the all day breky.
Well Sir I certainly agree about the weight trade-off with tins versus the extra water required for a carry in; and for economy, calorific value and taste etc the few extra grams and convenience are not worth the extra money. Veggie sausages and beans in a tin for me then, hurray, but we just need to work on the pot washing alternatives (more water in the equation), and the lumpy shape of tins in a backpack. Oh yes, there is also the gloop of cold bean juice dribbling out of the empty tin in the carry-out waste too, I hope the rubbish bag hasn't got a tear in it, yikes! I am keen to be on side though when all these things are resolved. Kind regards.
Great Video, I have never bought a freeze dried meal, because here in Germany they are around 7Eur, which is crazy. You can go and buy food at a restaurant for that. There a some cheaper meals from Maggi or Knorr, which do the job (most of them are with noodles) but they need to cook longer. For a one night trip I like to bring my own pre cooked food, in summertime I freeze it, so that it remains cool while hiking.
Hello Germany! Good point on bringing your own food, got to be the best. Thanks for commenting and have a great winter camping.
@@Fellmandave1 yeah hope to see at least some snow here
Savoury rice from washing up bowl 🤣, love it
never again!
Good point thanks! If the weathers warm sometimes I leave my Jetboil at home and take a half loaf and some tinned sardines/mackerel which minimises weight and bulk. Other times I take Asda Micrograin sachet meals. These are just over £1 each, weigh 258g, need only two tablespoons of water adding, 2 minutes to heat up and contain 270 kcal. I add two nests of noodles that require minimal boiling to add another 348 calories - left over water can be added to the Micrograin meal or used for a delicious cup of noodly tea 😂. But you’re right, on multi night hike with reliable water sources I’d take freeze dried sachets instead. But I’ll take a look at tins next time I’m in Asda. Perhaps rice pudding would be awesome 😃.
Cheers Peter. I have done wraps with peanut butter and granola before.
The micrograin tip looks excellent. Must try the BBQ beans one. My fave on the pudding is sainsburys treacle pudding (set of 2 in small plastic container), warm it up in 300ml of boiling water and use the water for custard. That is here at 15:30 th-cam.com/video/fLzWcwasxDU/w-d-xo.html and here at 7:00 th-cam.com/video/PnRofZSPCGQ/w-d-xo.html . Thanks again for adding to the knowledge Peter.
cheers
I often buy a tin of curry and some packet noodle which yes takes water but it’s a compromise. Like the presenter just for one or two nights.
If you need to carry your water ,the freeze dried packets are still advantageous because there's no water needed for cleaning.
Pricey though!
@Fellmandave1 items like instant rice, stuffing, couscous, ramen etc.can be hydrated in a ziploc freezer bag (add a meat packet,or canned meat) .cheap,easy,and no cleanup. ✌🏼
This is great. I've been looking into freeze dried pouch meals for a trip coming up. I generally cook proper meals at camp but need lightweight for a longer trip. I'm now debating the tinned meals route. Thanks Dave, this has given me a lot to think about. ATB mate. This deserves you a sub also!
I know it's nuts isn't it! But true. Thanks for the sub.
Tinned is way, way heavier per calorie than freeze dried
@@LucienHughes What about carrying the water to boil and add to the freeze dried food?
It's the water content. You're missing the point old chap.
Good point Dave, keep it up mate.
😁Thanks for the encouragement, That's appreciated and at times, much needed. You too.
Good one. Thank you Very Much.
You are most welcome and thanks for commenting.
That's actually a good factor everyone forgets! You need to add water weight
Cheers Gordon
Really interesting Dave, definitely going to rethink the old bombay bad boys. Emptying into sachet's also means the possibility to add things like spinach as well :) Excellent as always sir!
Thanks Scott. Love a bit of spinach, good idea. I actually only did this video to lure you away from the pot noodle and mash. Mission accomplished!
@@Fellmandave1 😂😂 Will be worth looking into what tinned foods there are, see if their are more ‘premium’ equivalents. The search for balance continues!
Good video, nice tips. Thank you for sharing and wishing you a wonderful weekend. Take care and catch you on the next one
Wonderful weekend to you too. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Great video, I've recently bought some summit to eat and firepot meals but I'll only use them when I can filter water for them, if I have to carry the water into camp I'll just take normal food which is probably frozen left over chilli or bolognese in a zip lock bag. I'll definitely take a look at the tinned stuff though. Look forward to your next video mate 👍
Thanks John, I did not mention the normal food bit, trying to keep my videos to a resonable length! ( zzzzzzz factor) I was recently on a 2 nighter with a group and someone had raw chicken breasts, dodgy.Thanks for taking the time to comment John and the positive feedback, really appreciated.
Hi Fellmandave, great video. Also, congrats on hitting the 1000 subs benchmark!
Thanks Josh. Sorry about the late reply. At 2300 now!
@@Fellmandave1 that's impressive. Did it take off suddenly for you may i ask?
@Joshua Johnson | Outdoors not really, just been steady, though this last month has seen a bit of an increase probably with adding shorts. It's the hours if views and retention that is hard to crack though eh?
@Joshua Johnson | Outdoors I have just subbed you Josh. What fantastic content and history you have. Going to watch some later. I'm surprised you don't have more views and subscribers. I would say the bigger videos for me are the group test stuff and the low interest is the more personal diary stuff. I am no expert but a lot of diary content can put people off unless you are selling your bubbly influencer personality, which I definitely am not! I guess you are like me and just make videos that interest you. Your thumb nails are excellent. Do you share to relevant groups ? I do sometimes. Plus commenting relevantly on other peoples can help.Cheers and ATB
@@Fellmandave1 those are some very kind words - thank you very much. I've been making videos for maybe 7 years or so, but only decided to brand and try to grow my channel into something more a couple years ago. I think similar to you, I like to make a variety of videos. The ones that tend to do well are more focused towards consumer goods, but I also like to tell people's stories. So, I guess I try to strike some balance between those two factors. I do post to some groups, but probably not as often as I should. Thanks again, I really appreciate the encouragement!
Hi Dave, I’m Paul, new sub. Nice to meet you! Really interesting video. Well researched and well presented. I am also in the KUIU club! Haha
It's the Kuiu revolution, ah tell ya! Welcome Paul. Thanks for the sub buddy.
I carry packets of ready to eat flavoured Rice or Pasta from Aldi at 90p - £1 a packet , an example of which is Mexican Rice 250grams / 320 kj, added to a tin of Chilli £1.65 , is a solid meal of around 700kj, for less than £3 . So for me its a no brainer
Spicey! I am just experimenting with home cooked or tinned food put into silicone bags and heated in a jet boil like cooker system. Watch this space and thanks for adding.
Cheers, Dave. For some reason, I always think this is a common sense issue, but sadly, it's not. I usually carry one or two tins of food into a multi day hike. Then, I use dry food combinations. I've only tried ration pack food once. I've also used military ration packs as an ex-militer person.
Well-rounded argument, well put over.
Thanks Marty!
Interesting video
Thanks Andrew and for your previous comments.
If you want lots of calories for not a lot of money, individual packets of cous cous have like 400kcal for like 70p and the come in some different flavours.
Also fried spam in a wrap is a great meal add a bit of mayo for the sauce. Lots of calories very tasty.
Thanks Leo, some people may like couscous but there is a reason it is always the last thing left on the buffet table.
Dude this is England if you're out hiking for a few days and don't find signs of life within a day you've more than likely got lost in which case yes you may need that horrid "food" personally I'd rather take an insulated bag and stock up as I go if needs be. FYI there are shelf stable foods that are alright in a bag possibly a cool bag with a bottle of fresh spring water in to keep it cool on hot days so your cheese and cured meats don't sweat out
see my latest video, out today, where I cook real food!
Thanks for the video... but I wouldn't carry canned foods on one or multiple day backpacking trip for these reasons....
Firstly, the cans are bulky as well as heavy unlike dehydrated packages where I can compress them down to fit in my backpack better. I understand that we need to weigh dehydrated meals with the associated water but separating water from meals gives you the option of carrying extra drinking water which serves duel purpose in cooking your meals. If I get thirsty, I have more water on hand to drink or others that might need it in my group. More options is better in my opinion. Also, you can source water depending on where you are hiking and yes, you will need a water filter. But I can keep the weight lower for my hike in if I know I can procure water on trail.
Secondly, with canned foods you need to carry a can opener since all your precious sustenance are encased in impenetrable little prisons. I would have anxiety about misplacing the can opener during the hike or accidentally leaving it behind which would make it a horrible situation. I would have to make sure all of my canned foods are pull tops or carry a large knife as a back up to open the cans which I typically do not need. I would rather pack aseptic food packages where I don't need to worry about a can opener and I can even heat it up with a limited amount of boiled water to submerge the packages.
Thirdly, leave no trace. The other issue with canned foods is that you would have to pack out your empty, dirty cans which just adds unneeded weight and bulk for your hike back. Not excited about that. We always get a kick out of of comparing the weight/bulk of our backpacks between our hike in compared to our hike out (minus consumables). It's our fun competition. Would be difficult with empty cans compared to empty plastic bags that weigh much less and can be compressed into a trash bag into your pack.
Finally, I have found that on some backpacking trips, I may overpack food as insurance so I would take an extra dehydrated meal or two. Never know if you get into a situation where you have to stay another night.. so I can't imagine packing extra canned food weight as a precaution. If I know I am good on water on my hike out... I will dump extra water to reduce weight. I can't do that with canned food unless you just dump canned food along the trail or give it away to others on the trail?
I can see packing canned foods maybe for car camping trips.
yes , the single noight, poor accss to water to filter and a recyclable packaging is the message.
But thanks for your massive comment! I had to read it twice.
Yes I was thinking you were going to suggest emptying the canned meals into ziplock or similar bags which if you popped into freezer prior to trip would work I guess ?
Have been experimenting with silicone bags actually.
If I carry water, or just going «bushcrafting» tinned food is great. Too bad we do not have those smaller tins here in Norway. Mostly its big tins, but then again I can eat a big tin too hehe!
Stagg Chilli is wonderful - I work long overnight shifts in the Heathrow control room and, combined with rice, it is a godsend. The only benefit of freeze dried foods therefore is washing up really, and that's quite a high price to pay.
Hi Hedley, how about M&S TINNED CURRY? Top drawer. I only hope you don't sit whiffing out the control room with tinned chilli aromas. Or, what's that stationary object on the radar? Oh, it's a bit of rice!
@@Fellmandave1 Haha! It's a great prank eh! Best not though I guess...!
Great Point you have made. I would use the freeze dried/wet meals if it wasn’t for the price the manufacturers charge for them. I personally don’t mind carrying the extra initial weight of a few tins anyway and like you say you can experiment at home because of the low cost. Also as you slowly get through them, the overall weight of your pack comes down as well. Thanks again, great content 👏.
Much appreciated Andrew. Just keeping myself out of mischief.
Great Idea. If needed, you could just eat itcold.
Aye!
A lot of tinned food can be filled with rubbish though. Fire pot meals at least contain natural foods.
Good point, I will start reading the labels, but dehy meals do taste very processed.
This is so true, also the calorific value of canned food isn't as good as people think, a 160g freeze dried meal may contain 800kcals which would take 2 cans of food to fulfill. For example a can of hunger breaks all day breakfast is only 440kcals and costs £2.30 so 2 of those are nearly a fiver £4.60 for almost 900kcals. And almost a kilo in weight. And dont take kindly to sub zero temps.
In comparison, I've recently imported some mountain House meals to the UK from the US and overall the cost is around £7 a meal but it has 820kcals and weights just 160g maybe 185g with packaging.
Sure it's more costly but for the convinience and weight reduction....is it that bad? I'm not going to say MH are nutritionally more balanced because they aren't, they are full of sodium and other chemicals 😁🤣
good video, for overnighters just one night away you can kind of take just about anything, i certainly wouldnt take dehydrated meals for a single night, id go to m&s or waitrose and get a nice bung in the oven meal and heat it up in a pan....yum yum.
I work near a big m&s food hall. Too tempting! Thanks Martin.
So right! I have a Jetboil Minimo and chucking a “ready meal” of any type or brand and slowly heating through is a doddle and a great meal!
It's not the weight, it's the bulk. I'm not carrying 7 days of tin food.
I agree Jerry, tins definitely not right for multi day trips, Jerry, as you will have water access. This was just intended for a single overnight. Thanks for commenting
What about decanting the tins into a sturdy sandwich or vacuum seal bag before you go out. Then you can boil the meal in that bag. Saves money vs the wayfarer, a little less waste and weight to carry Vs taking the tin; and less mess at camp 🤔
Definitely Benny. I did wonder about putting that in but then you need the water to boil it, which you can use for your custard. I reckon that's what I will be doing next weekend.
@@Fellmandave1 I kind of figure you always need water anyway (whether filtered or carried) so that makes a good compromise. Enjoy your trip👍
To add calories, just add some olive oil
Great suggestion! Thanks.
@@Fellmandave1 the little bottles for taking liquids on airplanes are handy for things like this, always put in a plastic bag incase of leakage
Interesting variable I didn't think ,weight 2 calories consumption
Surprising isn't it!
@@Fellmandave1 yes nice 1,stagg chilli is my go 2
not all calories are the same...
To what do you allude Sabir, the joy of good food?
Tinned food is a no from me. Aseptic packaging food doesn't require a can opener and are easier to pack out. If you're concerned about cost, then there are ways to dehydrate your own backpacking meals. If you have no water source it doesn't matter if your food is dehydrated or not, but i would take a meal in aseptic packaging before I'd take a can with me backpacking
Why do you feel that tinned food is not prepared hygienically?
@@Fellmandave1 aseptic packaging refers to meals that are preserved in plastic bags, and I was saying these are lighter than tin cans. As far as hygiene goes, both tin cans and meals sold in packets will preserve the food in a hygienic way.
@@totoroben ahh OK. The point I was trying to make was the water weight, plastic waste and cost. Cheers
The donkey hire business isnt to great where i go
Costs less, but doesn't weigh less.
With water that you may carry, watch the full video....
Tinned = Canned
Canned=Drunk
Some are OK... Some are not. Beef with veg is OK, pork and rice is OK... However, anything that says curry on it... Pure garbage.
Not exactly a broad perspective
Best of luck getting the taste of curry out of your ti mug. So then you need another mug for your coffee or tea. And who filters water they're gonna boil?.
Not for me mate, I wouldn't feed that all day breakfast to a dog 🤣
Good points! Anybody else think their ti retains taste. Yes Andrew, I always take a foldacup.
Ps the food for my dog costs more
Also use a lot more gas than simply boiling water for a FD meal. I didn't mean Ti retains flavour, but you'll need water for cleaning it out, so there's more weight, carrying cleaning water.
@@AyrshireAlps No Perfect solution then, just like tents, its a strength vs cost vs weight compromise. Seems what a lot are doing is boil in a new bag tinned food. Good compromise.
Aye, as with everything, always a compromise! I've seen some TH-cam guys repackaging even the freeze dried stuff, to save space, but tbh I really don't like the idea of creating any more plastic waste.
Um, I get your point but, you missed one thing out pf your tick box. Nutrition. I have tried a few dehydrated meals and found the only one with real food in it is the Fire Pot meals. Yes you have to add water but you don't have to carry the water, so your load is lighter, you can get water near to your camp spot. For me, I avoid all UPF, Ultra processed food, so canned food tends to have all kinds of rubbish it it, which we need to avoid. So yes I see your point when it comes to value but you take into account the quality of what you are eating its expensive.
Unfortunately these days we don't value what we eat, which shows when you look at our health. Anyway, my two penneth.
Hi Graham, its a really valid point and something I have been looking at increasingly. My approach is that this is just an occaisional thing on the odd camp and not a staple. The rest of the time, for me, our diet is homecooked food. On the whole I absolutley agree with you and would encourage others to read the label.