Subscribe 
Expert's Corner 
News > Camping Equipment > Backcountry cooking without pots and pans
Backcountry cooking without pots and pans
During your time in the backcountry, you're naturally going to develop quite the appetite, especially if you're planning on doing some serious hiking. However, what happens if you've accidentally left your cooking supplies in the car or at home? Chances are you'd like something a little more substantial than trail mix and dried fruit. However, with a little bit of know-how, you can prepare full, delicious meals without much issue. Here are a few ways you can cook without pots and pans.
1. Steaming. You can steam things like pasta, rice and vegetables using a zip-top plastic bag quite easily. All you need is a rock, a heat source and a bit of water. First, find a flat rock and place it on top of a stove or fire. Suspend your zipped bag with the ingredients inside over the fire and drip water onto the rock. This will cause steam to rise, which will cook your food without destroying the bag.
2. Freeze-dried food. Freeze-dried meals can be prepared without a pot fairly easily. First, open up the container and take the food out. Fill the empty container with water and heat it over a fire. You may want to suspend it about six inches from the flame, depending on if the container is made from. Next, place the food back inside and allow everything to cook! Make sure to save the packaging so that you can heat water later. This is a great method for preparing food you've brought with you no matter where you may find yourself at the end of the day.
3. Pit oven. Believe it or not, you can cook food right in the ground by making a pit oven. It will take a few hours, but you can end up with tasty meals. Start by digging a hole about one foot deep and three feet wide. Light a fire and allow it to peak - once it does, cover it with a layer of rocks. When the rocks are nice and hot, add a layer of wet, green leaves on top. Place your food on top of this, and then add a second layer of leaves. Finally, cover up the entire thing with about two inches of dirt. After a few hours, your meal should be cooked all the way through. Make sure you're nearby to tend to the oven, just in case something goes wrong.
Therm-A-Rest ProLite Plus Mattress Sleeping Pad ($79.95)
Nemo LOSI 2p Tent ($286.90)
Marmot Women's Angel Fire 15 Reg Down Sleeping Bag ($159.90)
Katadyn Vario Ceramic Disc Replacement ($13.90)
Marmot Sawtooth Reg Down Sleeping Bag ($186.90)
