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#132448 - 04/20/10 11:15 PM Packaging powdered drink mixes
Tango61 Offline
member

Registered: 12/27/05
Posts: 931
Loc: East Texas Piney Woods

I know you can buy single packets of Propel and various Lipton green teas for backpacking. My question is a little different than that.

I buy Gatorade in powdered form in the big, bulk cannister and use it up during the summer months while I'm working outside.
I also buy powdered Tang for use on our monthly campouts.

Has anyone used their vacuum sealer to package powdered drink mix? Quite often, the mix hardens up before I've used it all and I have to use a fork to scrape it out of the container and chop it up.
If I vacuum seal enough powder to mix up a couple of quarts, will it stay in its original consistency? Does this make sense what I'm try to say? smile

Anybody tried it?

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If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't. Either way, you're right.

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#132772 - 04/27/10 11:05 AM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: Tango61]
redroach Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/02
Posts: 366
Loc: Houston, Texas
In the past I have purchased the small jewelery/bead type ziplocks. They come in different sizes and I put single servings of my powdered drink mixes in them. They still clumped up.

As with my meals I am about going to try some sort of paper packaging and just crush the mix back to powder before I use it.

TV

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#132779 - 04/27/10 12:50 PM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: Tango61]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Chuck it into a Mason jar and seal it up to store it.

Then carry it in ziplocs on the trail.
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#132785 - 04/27/10 02:06 PM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: phat]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I agree with phat, except that I recommend pint Mason jars so that there's less chance for air with its attendant moisture to get in there. Do the repackaging while your kitchen is dry (no cooking or dishwashing going on).
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#132804 - 04/27/10 08:02 PM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: OregonMouse]
Kent W Offline
member

Registered: 10/15/09
Posts: 607
Loc: IL.
Sounds Unanamous. I havent experience storage problems. However on recent smokeys trip I did pre package one quart Gatorade portions in small ziplocks. Things worked very well as did the Tang for my evening cocktail of Vodka and Tang! My leftovers stored at home are son consumed bye my Kids! God Bless Them!

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#132810 - 04/27/10 08:58 PM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: OregonMouse]
Tango61 Offline
member

Registered: 12/27/05
Posts: 931
Loc: East Texas Piney Woods

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I thought I had struck out on that one.

I'll try the mason jars since I have a few of those.

Of course, that humidity thing is going to be a problem here in Deep East Texas. smile

In reading on the internet, someone suggested using a baggie and a straw to suck out the air. I'll try that first since it's cheap!

I'll report back in a week or so.

Tango61
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If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't. Either way, you're right.

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#132828 - 04/28/10 12:17 AM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: Tango61]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
You can also get some of those little dessicant packets that come with lots of food and medical items.
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#132846 - 04/28/10 11:04 AM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: OregonMouse]
sarbar Offline
member

Registered: 07/15/05
Posts: 1453
Loc: WA
Originally Posted By OregonMouse
You can also get some of those little dessicant packets that come with lots of food and medical items.

And they do work well for humidity, which is your issue.
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#132893 - 04/28/10 11:21 PM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: sarbar]
thecook Offline


Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 541
Loc: Minnesota
If you do try the vacuum sealer, consider putting in the powder and covering it with a small piece of paper towel before sealing to prevent the vacuum from sucking all that nice powder out of the bag.
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If I wouldn't eat it at home, why would I want to eat it on the trail?

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#133000 - 04/30/10 11:55 AM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: Tango61]
Fiddleback Offline
member

Registered: 06/22/04
Posts: 478
Loc: Northern Rockies
Most of my childhood and backpacking was in MD/VA/WV. As an adult, I was a long time resident of San Antonio. I now live in the Missoula area were humidity in the teens or single-digits is common. Color me very, very happy. grin

So I don't have a storage problem but my approach to powdered drinks on the trail could help with your end results. I baggie package individual servings (or maybe two) of a mix of Carnation Essentials (nee Instant Breakfast), Nido, and instant coffee/expresso. To mix these ingredients and to avoid clumping when preparing the beverage, I use a sifter when packaging. It nicely mixes the stuff and on the trail and I get no clumps when adding the hot water...

FB

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"...inalienable rights...include the right to a clean and healthful environment..." Montana Constitution

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#133398 - 05/09/10 01:32 AM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: Tango61]
billk Offline
member

Registered: 08/20/03
Posts: 1196
Loc: Portland, Oregon
Once upon a time, I used a vacuum sealer to make cocoa packets(Nestle's Quik and powdered milk)and it worked fairly well.

I don't do it anymore, because although the cocoa was tastier, the packets were bigger than regular instant cocoa and it was more trouble than it was worth.

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#134348 - 05/27/10 05:36 PM Re: Packaging powdered drink mixes [Re: Tango61]
1sammy1 Offline
newbie

Registered: 05/05/10
Posts: 2
Gatorade now sells single servings called gatorade powder packs. I found them in a local grocery store. I'm not sure if WalMart has them yet.

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