Boiling water at high altitude

[Nickaballison]

We were hunting at 10700’ for muzzleloading this past week. At that altitude water boils at 192ish degrees. Our peak freeze dried meals were noticeably undercooked due to this lower temp. What does everyone do to account for this? Physics websites indicate that once water boils the temp no longer increases, the amount of water loss due to steam increases. Any tips or tricks to try? Thanks.

 

[bluesulphur]

Leave it in the pouch longer, and wrap it up in whatever insulation you have at the time.

 

[Nickaballison]

We had some aluminum foil bubble pouch insulators we used, and added 2-3 mins, but food was still crunchy and undone. Wondering if there’s some sort of pressure cooker to raise the temp before boiling, however I am sure that’d be super heavy

 

[LongWayAround]

I've been hunting at a similar elevation and higher for three weeks, eating peaks most nights.

Boil water, dump it in, put pouch in a beanie/neck gaiter, set it in you sleeping bag. If adding 2-3 minutes isn't enough, do 10 minutes.

 

[Wrench]

Freeze dried meals come back due to hydration.....not temperature.

 

[5MilesBack]

Just let them soak longer.

 

[Laned]

Most of those types of meals have instructions on the packaging stating to add so many minutes per thousand feet of elevation.

Sent from my SM-G715U1 using Tapatalk

 

[taskswap]

I have also found it helps to add a few ounces more of water than the package calls for. The extra time hydrating also seems to make the meals a bit more dry/gummy to my taste.

 

[j3h8]

If you aren't wrapping your freeze dried meal in your insulating layer while it "cooks", you're missing out on a far better hydrating experience and warmer meal.

 

[5MilesBack]

If you aren't wrapping your freeze dried meal in your insulating layer while it "cooks", you're missing out on a far better hydrating experience and warmer meal.

I have to add cold water after I wait just to cool them down enough so that I can eat them.....even without an insulating layer.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

As others have said, just soak them longer. Wife and I let them sit pushing 30 minutes last year, they were luke warm tops when done but fully hydrated and tasted great. We'd do the meals first and set them out then do other chores while we waited so it wasn't wasted time.

 

[j3h8]

I have to add cold water after I wait just to cool them down enough so that I can eat them.....even without an insulating layer.

See I'm the opposite. I'm that guy who's eating his food too hot and making all the "holy shit this is too hot" sounds while trying to eat it. Then I dive right back in for another bite of torture like an idiot. At least I'm consistent.

 

[5MilesBack]

My dad used to eat boiling soup literally right off the stove, and never even batted an eye. But he smoked a pipe his whole life, so I'm sure his mouth was already numb.

 

[UncleBone]

I like to do about 2 ozs less of water than it calls for, 10 min in the insulated item, then boil the other 2 or maybe a lil extra water, and then another 10 min before eating. Really seems to do the trick and ive probably eaten 50 or 60 thatbway the last 3 years.

 

[2-Stix]

I mountaineered for a decade...often base camps over 12k...boil...stick inside your jacket on your belly and enjoy a sliver of comfort.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

If you aren't wrapping your freeze dried meal in your insulating layer while it "cooks", you're missing out on a far better hydrating experience and warmer meal.

I tuck them in my jacket just above my base layer. It keeps me warm, I keep it warm.

 

[Nickaballison]

Ah I hadn’t tried that yet, I think that sounds like a good plan. I will try that combined with holding it next to my belly next time. Thanks y’all!

 

[SonnyDay]

Extra water and extra time. I often just put the hydrated pouch back into the pot of hot water and simmer it for 30 minutes. Or if you're busy melting snow for water... stick it in your sleeping bag or in a jacket.

 

[Poser]

I believe you are supposed to add 1 minute per thousand feet above sea level to the recommended rehydration time, which is based on sea level altitude. I usually just go for 30 minutes at altitude. An insulated pouch, or placing the bag inside of your puffy will keep the meal suitably warm.

 

[Bluefish]

You are correct, water won’t boil any hotter with more heat. The fix is to cook longer. At 7k ft where I used to live, everything took longer to cook. Just adjusted cook times. Had to readjust when I moved to 900 ft.