Lightweight cooking options for large groups

[krossh]

Here's the deal: I need a way to cook for around 10 people conveniently. Weight and simplicity will be key due to where we are going and our limitations.. Normally I would use a fire but I'm not leaving it to chance as far as finding firewood. I was thinking of the jetboil sumo w/ frying pan. I like my original jetboil. But I want to know what other options are out there? Anybody have any experience cooking legitimate meals for up to 10 people on the trail?

 

[Justin Crossley]

I think the MSR reactor would also be a good option. Not sure what the biggest pot size for it is.

 

[colonel00]

Are you looking for cooking gear or meal ideas?

The reactor goes up to 2.5L

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/stove-systems/reactor-stove-systems/product

 

[Becca]

The jetboil SUMO is awesome for heating water, but the sumo name really only applies to the cup part. If you are planning to use a fry pan the stove part of it is the same as a standard jetboil. We have cooked on both our soto stove and our jetboil stove a fair bit with our backpacking skillet, but our pan is likely too small for what you are describing. It would help if we knew what kind of cooking you planned on doing. If only heating water I say the SuMO would be great, but maybe bring a couple...it heats 1.25L at a time.

 

[Riverwalker]

I think that would be a Squad, not quit a Platoon

 

[krossh]

I need the versatility to be able to cook eggs/bacon in a pan for breakfast and be able to cook the mountain house #10 can for dinner... I was looking at the msr wind pro II coupled with a good size pot and pan.

 

[Beastmode]

Are you just going to be boiling water or actually cooking? Is your current shelter stove compatible?

 

[krossh]

Otherwise I'll have to do the mountain house breakfasts too... Too much mountain house is bad for the soul!

 

[krossh]

@ beastmode, I'd like to be able to actually cook and also boil water rapidly...

 

[Stid2677]

If I was cooking for a group like that I would be looking at using my Sumo for water and my MSR Dragonfly if it was a backpack type deal and my 2 burner coleman if it was a heavy camp situation. For that many people 2 or 3 backpack style stoves would be much more efficient. I don't limit myself to cooking on one eye at home on my stove. Grill type items like sausages and hotdogs can be cooked over an open fire and a dutch oven and even tinfoil cooking could be used as well. Chili, stews, and all sorts of meals can be made ahead and vacuum sealed and simply dropped into hot water when needed for quick and easy meals.

 

[Beastmode]

I agree with stid in taking 3 backpack style stoves. The msr flex fry pan is descent sized and fairly light.

 

[Lawnboi]

MSR dragonfly, and MSR makes a great light weight cook set as well.

2l pot, flex fry pan are 2 pieces I like to use if im doing a lot of cooking or getting fancy. The MSR stuff nests together nice as well and the stove allows me to simmer of boil quickly. Sips fuel as well especially worth it if your doing a lot of cooking.

I see you want to actually cook. The dragonfly is great for it. I have cooked a lot of different meals on top of my dragonfly. I take it fishing, hunting, backpacking, and car camping all the time. Cooks bacon, just as well as itl boil water for a mountain house. Fries up grouse, fish, iv done hamburger helper type stuff on mine, pancakes. The sky is the limit with the thing.

Iv never cooked for 10 guys though, but id be bringing multiple stoves to that party.

Bacon and pancakes on the ice


Some Grouse simmering back in the woods


Some pancakes

 

[krossh]

Looks pretty much exactly like what I'm looking for Lawnboi! I appreciate everyones input here. I drew a smith river permit in central mt and I'm using it as an excuse to get some new gear. I'm trying to find gear that suits my needs on backpack style hunts as well as this floating trip. I've invited a bunch of my family and friends along including my dad who doesn't rarely leave his bacon and eggs behind. I'm going to check out the msr windpro II and the dragonfly. and of course I won't leave out the sumo.

 

[DaveC]

3 light backpacking stoves of your choice. Any fewer will be a false economy and take too long. If you'll mostly be boiling water and only doing a little proper cooking, perhaps 2x Jetboils or upright canister stoves, and one remote canister or white gas stove.

 

[larryschwartz]

Lots of good advice here. Many manufacturers make a skillet that works with their stove so the bacon and eggs should not be a problem. Just make sure you bring a scouring pad along with you for cleanup.

Also, keep in mind that you are cooking for ten people so you will likely need to make more than one pot of whatever (water for mountain house, hot beverages, soup, stew, etc.) so if you don't have more than one stove/heating unit whatever you cooked/heated up first will likely be cold/cool when you get everything else done. Bringing more than one stove makes a lot of sense and since you have ten people to spread the weight across it shouldn't be any penalty in terms of pack weight from the stove/pots/food.

I've always liked to have "real food" on trips, even if it is just for the first few days, so I have and use the JB fry pan too.

Another trick, if you Dad likes his eggs scrambled, is to vacuum seal them already scrambled and with whatever you want to add to them (bacon, cheese, sausage, whatever) and you can then cook them by just dropping the vacuum pack into boiling or hot water in your cook pot. You could cook the bacon at home and vacuum pack it and then heat it up the same way when you are doing your eggs. As an aside, I always test these out at home using my JB to make sure my "great idea" will actually work and to fine tune seasoning and the like before I use the new recipe in the field. Since I don't mind a little extra weight on the way in I also vacuum pack canned vegetables for reheating in the field too; the added texture is nice and if working from a base camp I can use them anytime during the whole trip.

Larry

 

[krossh]

Thanks for the advice Larry, I thought about vacuum sealing the breakfast like that. Hoping to fool dad. My dad just retired and sold his business. He hasn't been camping in decades. We used to have a lot of fun floating in the cedar strip canoe we built. I'm trying to make it as "comfortable" as I can for him so he'll agree to go. He needs to cut loose and remember what fun is. He used to bowhunt, and do all sorts of crazy fun adventures and then he started his company and it's been work ever since. I think it was kind of strange that I finally drew the Smith River Permit the same week that dad sold the business and retired.

 

[larryschwartz]

Maybe he should renew his hunting license, bring his bow, and do some small game hunting if anything is in season. Maybe some birds to add to the evening meal.

 

[bz_711]

Is the MSR dragonfly tank refillable or disposable? Do any of the lightweight stoves utilize reusable fuel containers to reduce waist? I don't mind packing a little extra weight...

Thanks!

 

[Darren Best]

The Dragonfly uses white gas, so it is refillable.

 

[spdcrazy]

good ideas here. I'm in the same boat with planning a hunt with my 69 yr old father.

I'm searching for a foldable grate to put over a fire for helping with cooking. as a thought anyways. I know rocks and such work but if i can find a grate thats not 10 lbs, and fits in a pack, it would give lots of cooking room. and act as a table if needed