DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy

Posted by: earlylite

DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy - 09/23/08 05:30 AM

If you’re into Freezer Bag Cooking, then you should consider bringing along a freezer bag cozy to keep your food warm while it re-hydrates. This it particularly helpful in the early spring, autumn, and in the wintertime when colder weather will quickly cool hot water in an uninsulated Ziploc bag.

This is an easy DIY project. To get started you need a roll of Foil Bubble Insulation and a roll of Reflective Foil tape. The bubble insulation consists of a layer of polyethylene bubble wrap sandwiched between two sheets of aluminum. This stuff is easy to find at Home Deport or a well stocked Ace Hardware store.

For complete, step-by-step instructions and photos, see:
[url= [url=http://sectionhiker.com/2008/09/05/diy-freezer-bag-cooking-cozy/]http://sectionhiker.com/2008/09/05/diy-freezer-bag-cooking-cozy/] [url=http://sectionhiker.com/2008/09/05/diy-freezer-bag-cooking-cozy/]http://sectionhiker.com/2008/09/05/diy-freezer-bag-cooking-cozy/[/url] [\url]

The finished cozy weighs 1.7 oz.

-earlylite
Posted by: Spock

Re: DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy - alternative - 09/23/08 10:17 AM

An alternative cozy is to make a cylindrical sack for the cook set (pot with everything in it) from envelope Tyvek large enough to line it with bubble pack or reflectorized foam windshield sunguard. Make a disk to cover the top of the cylindrical sack. To use it, just stuff the Zloc in the cylindrical sack, add hot water, put the insulating lid on and close the top of the sack. For the top closure, I use a fold-over secured by hook and loop. This way makes for one less thing to keep up with and it works as well as an envelope.
Posted by: JoeF

Re: DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy - 09/23/08 01:07 PM

I've made bags for insulating zip lock bags a few ways but the one I like the most are these. They use some left over momentum 90 along with an insulated fabric called Insul-Bright. which is sold on-line or in some sewing shops like Jo Ann's fabric. The manufacture has this to say:

Insul-Bright consists of hollow, polyester fibers needlepunched through Mylar. The hollow fibers resist conduction, while the reflective mylar resists radiant energy. The energy, hot or cold, is reflected back to its source. Easy to sew, plus your finished project can go right into the washer and dryer.

It's very easy to sew and quite easy to pack.

JFF




Posted by: just_another_Joe

Re: DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy - 10/03/08 08:38 PM

A warmer cozy shape is one that is cylinder shaped instead of envelope shaped. It is enough warmer that you may get by with thinner, lighter insulation.
Posted by: sarbar

Re: DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy - 10/03/08 10:27 PM

Quote:
A warmer cozy shape is one that is cylinder shaped instead of envelope shaped. It is enough warmer that you may get by with thinner, lighter insulation.

Envelope shaped works just fine - you want close fitting, too big you end up heating the air in the cozy.
This is an example of the fabric cozy I invented a couple years ago and produce now:


One in use:
Posted by: phat

Re: DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy - 10/04/08 09:45 AM

I love 'em, but the lightweighter in me hates bringing a seperate single use item. I always
have a 300 weight fleece toque I sleep in, and i find it makes a dandy freezer bag cozy.
(plus it's nice to put on a warm toque after it's cozied a bag of food.) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hey, I just realized - look left - you see it in my avatar on my head <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy - 10/04/08 12:29 PM

I'd be really hesitant to use any of my clothing as a freezer bag cozy in bear country! I have managed to spill the food while stirring enough times that I keep my cozy in my Ursack at night.

My cozy is made out of a couple of pieces of an old closed cell foam pad and some duct tape and weighs less than an ounce (I'm away from home so don't have the exact weight). I found the directions somewhere on the Internet but since my "bookmarks" have been wiped out twice since then, I couldn't tell you where. It might be on the same site as the "Super Cat" stove, because I was looking at alcohol stove ideas when I found the design.
Posted by: phat

Re: DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy - 10/04/08 02:43 PM


I'm in grizzly country and I do it all the time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> mind you I'm careful not to spill in my toque, I make sure I seal the bag good - but as long as I check beforehand I've seldom had a problem (it's not like I squish it shut or stop on it ). I once had a bag "fail' in my toque and got a little bit of stroganoff sauce in it. I simply washed it out and gave it a good wringing. fleece dries fast. So the basics is 1) don't spill, and if you do, just wash it out
right away.

Bears aren't sharks. You smell like your food all the time anyway. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The key is
you also smell like your feces, sweat, armpit bacteria, deodorant, whatever else you're wearing, teeth bacteria, etc. People have a food component to their smell and also smell like people. it's different from your food bag - which smells like.. mostly food...
Posted by: sarbar

Re: DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy - 10/04/08 03:15 PM

Granny, btw mine run about 1 1/2 ounces on average for a cozy and are machine washable <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

For anyone who carries an insulating cozy remember it is dual purpose! Carry cold items with you on day 1, if really hot make a double bag of ice to chill. Treat it as a cooler! You can drink the water later when the ice melts. Store your candy in your cozy as well - even without anything else added (like ice) your chocolate won't melt in 90* weather! It will block the heat out just as it holds heat in.

So put them to work <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: HikerMatt

Re: DIY: Freezer Bag Cooking Cozy - 10/05/08 03:26 PM

I like your style Phat <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I was out this weekend and was testing out some freezer bag cooking food I made and forgot a cozy so I used my toque which worked just fine. It wasn't a nice one like yours, just a free one my wife got from work...only brought it because it was going to be cold and I keep my hair cut short...nothing worse than a cold head while your body is warm. Worked just fine though.