How Do You Freeze Dry for Backpacking?

By Michael Ferguson

Freeze drying for backpacking is a great way to preserve food for long-term storage. The process involves removing water from the food by freezing it and then reducing the atmospheric pressure to cause the frozen water to sublimate, or turn directly into vapor. This method of dehydration keeps the food’s original texture and flavor intact, while preserving it for an extended period of time.

Freeze drying is an ideal way to prepare food for backpacking trips because it eliminates most of the weight and bulk that comes with wet ingredients. For example, a cup of freeze-dried apples will weigh just 1/8th of what a cup of fresh apples would weigh! This makes it easier to transport the food in a lightweight backpack without having to worry about spoiling or going bad.

What You’ll Need: To freeze dry your own food for backpacking trips, you’ll need a freeze dryer. This is an expensive piece of equipment that is used in laboratory and industrial settings, so you might not find one in your local kitchen store! But there are several companies that offer home-use models at reasonable prices if you do some research online.

How It Works: Freeze drying begins with placing the food item into the freeze dryer chamber and then lowering the temperature to -40°F (-40°C) or colder. The low temperature causes all moisture within the food item to freeze solid.

Next, air is pumped out of the chamber which reduces the atmospheric pressure inside and causes vaporization—the frozen moisture turns directly into vapor without ever becoming liquid. Finally, warm air is added back into the chamber and absorbs any remaining moisture until all that remains is dried food.

Storage Tips: Once you’ve finished freeze drying your food items for backpacking trips, store them in airtight containers such as Mylar bags or Mason jars with tight-fitting lids. You can also use vacuum sealing machines if available, as they will help keep oxygen from entering the container and help preserve your dehydrated foods even longer.

Rehydration Instructions: To rehydrate your dried foods before eating them on your backpacking trip, simply add hot or boiling water until desired consistency is reached (it usually takes about 10 minutes). Be sure not to add too much water as this can cause mushy textures! Once rehydrated, enjoy your nutritious meal on-the-go.

Conclusion:

Freeze drying can be an excellent way to prepare nutritious meals for backpacking trips by eliminating much of their weight and bulk while preserving their original texture and flavor. By following these steps—gathering necessary equipment, understanding how it works, storing properly and rehydrating correctly—you can successfully enjoy delicious meals on your next outdoor adventure!