Cleaning dishes on the trail?

Posted by: froldt

Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 11:34 AM

My girlfriend and I have just started backpacking. We are slowly progressing from campground/car camping to backpacking. Just this weekend we hiked about a mile to the campsite (it's one of our favorites, or we would have gone further) and set up camp. The next morning we were able to further explore the area before hiking back to the car.

We have a JetBoil and used both the mug and the 1.5L pot to fix our supper. It occurred to me, then that I don't really know how to do dishes without some sort of wasteful water supply. Since we didn't have a ready source there really close to the campsite, I didn't feel like lugging any water just for dishes.

I had planned ahead, and we used some wet-wipes to clean the dishes and a little bit of water to rinse out any residual soap. The wet-wipes were placed in a plastic baggie and thrown away on the way out of the park.

Any better suggestions?
Posted by: finallyME

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 02:09 PM

I try to not do dishes. Freezer Bag Cooking.

If I have to, then I fill the pot with water, take my finger and rub it around to get all the stuff to float. Then I drink the water. MMM. See why I like to not do dishes? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 03:15 PM

I'm glad you didn't wash dishes in the stream or lake as some beginners do. Contrary to popular belief, fish don't eat the food particles; the food just rots and degrades water quality. Not something you'd want to leave for the next hiker's drinking water.

The old-fashioned camp dishwashing method that I learned at my mother's knee required a washbasin. We horse-packed, so weight wasn't so critical. A kettle could substitute. She washed the dishes in a small amount of soap (not detergent) in really hot water, and I dried each item as soon as she washed it, without rinsing. The idea was to wipe thoroughly to remove any soap. I don't remember anything ever tasting soapy. The soapy water was, of course, dumped a long way from the campsite and from any water source. It is recommended that you filter the dishwater through a piece of paper towel or a coffee filter to remove the food particles, which you pack out.

Your wet-wipes sound like a great idea for a short trip, and I plan to try it! The weight of the wipes would be an issue for long trips, though. You could let the used wipes sit out for a few minutes to dry afterwards to reduce your garbage weight. I hope you're doing the final rinse with filtered or purified water. This just shows that beginners can be more creative than us so-called "experts"!

I avoid washing dishes as much as possible by using the Freezer Bag Cooking method. Nothing to wash except my spoon, which I lick, then rinse and dry. If I have a hot beverage, it's tea, so I just rinse the cup. I use my leftover cooking water for this operation. When my grandkids come on a trip, I have to wash a lot of dishes. (Did I mention that I hate washing dishes?) For next year I plan to make them individual cozies so I have a freezer bag for each child. I'll still have to wash their cocoa cups, though.

I assume that when you said "thrown away on the way out of the park," you meant deposited in the park's garbage can. I prefer to take my garbage home for disposal--a reaction to seeing too many park/forest/roadside rest area garbage cans overflowing after a weekend.

Starting out backpacking by going only a mile or so in is also an excellent idea. It sounds as though you're off to a great start!
Posted by: Jimshaw

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 03:23 PM

Froldt
Hello and welcome. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I see you are from Ky. Depending on the soils where you camp - in the Sierras you simply polish out the pot with your hand and some sand. Maybe rinse it, maybe not. I think most folks avoid soap and cook gear like the plague. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
If you clean out your pot with some hot water before things dry, paper towels can be enough.
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: froldt

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 04:03 PM

Quote:
I'm glad you didn't wash dishes in the stream or lake as some beginners do.
That would have involved hiking downhill (straight) a couple of hundred feet, or about half a mile down the trail...
We're not new to camping, just exploring new ways to do it!

Quote:
The old-fashioned camp dishwashing method that I learned at my mother's knee required a washbasin. We horse-packed, so weight wasn't so critical. A kettle could substitute. She washed the dishes in a small amount of soap (not detergent) in really hot water, and I dried each item as soon as she washed it, without rinsing. The idea was to wipe thoroughly to remove any soap. I don't remember anything ever tasting soapy. The soapy water was, of course, dumped a long way from the campsite and from any water source. It is recommended that you filter the dishwater through a piece of paper towel or a coffee filter to remove the food particles, which you pack out.

Hmm... this would work, and boiling the little bit of water would help to soften anything stuck to the pot that might need it. We're still getting used to the new stove!

Quote:
Your wet-wipes sound like a great idea for a short trip, and I plan to try it! The weight of the wipes would be an issue for long trips, though. You could let the used wipes sit out for a few minutes to dry afterwards to reduce your garbage weight. I hope you're doing the final rinse with filtered or purified water. This just shows that beginners can be more creative than us so-called "experts"!

We purchased a big package of "refills," so we got a good quantity of wet-wipes for a cheaper cost. Then we divided them into ziplock baggies, so that we only carried the few that we thought we'd need.
We actually packed in all of our water (a camelbak and nalgene bottle full apiece) so the water was nice and clean. We do have a filter, but didn't expect to need it for such a short trip, and were right.

Quote:
I avoid washing dishes as much as possible by using the Freezer Bag Cooking method.

It seems that everyone here is a Freezer Bag Cooker... I have already stumbled across their site, and loved it! Of course, this means that we'll have to get some sort of dehydrator, and that's out of the question for the moment. Until we can save up the money (as college students, it might take awhile), we will have to stick with less easy-to-clean methods.

Quote:
I assume that when you said "thrown away on the way out of the park," you meant deposited in the park's garbage can. I prefer to take my garbage home for disposal--a reaction to seeing too many park/forest/roadside rest area garbage cans overflowing after a weekend.

Oh yes, we made sure to carry our trash and put it in the garbage can. One of these days we'll even remember to carry some extra trash bags so that we can collect more of the trash we see. I do so hate carrying a handful of someone else's trash out with me without a bag. Until I remember, that's what I'm stuck with!
I had never considered over-flowing trash cans, we might re-consider our trash disposal!

Quote:
Starting out backpacking by going only a mile or so in is also an excellent idea. It sounds as though you're off to a great start!
Thanks! We're definitely loving it and can't wait to get more practice in! Every chance we get!
Posted by: Trailrunner

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 04:03 PM

First, I avoid heavy and/or oily foods that require heavy dish cleaning e.g. chili.

Then I use a very small amount very hot water and just swish out the cup or bowl with my fingers followed by wiping with my bandana. I use no soap at all and maybe 1/4 cup of water for this.

For breakfast I have oatmeal first and then I make my coffee (instant)or hot chocolate in the same container which rinses out the oatmeal. The coffee becomes, in effect, a dishwater rinse. Then I use a very small amount of water to rinse the cup followed by a bandana wipe.

If your palate is offended by little chunks of oatmeal in your coffee this may not be for you but I don't mind at all <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: froldt

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 04:06 PM

Thanks for the welcome!
I've got a text file full of tidbits that I have gleaned from the few hours I have spent on the forums/website so far! So much information, so little time! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I feel that we'll have to refine our cooking methods before we can use just hot water to clean out the pot. The stove is still new to us and we've not quite perfected the flame controls! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

However, it is definitely nice to know that we don't have to lug around all of the old cleaning gear that was included in our car camping kit.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 06:03 PM

If you look more carefully at Sarbar's Freezer Bag Cooking website, you'll see that you can do fine without a dehydrator. A lot of her recipes use stuff that is bought already dried. It sure beats having to scrub a pot!

Oh, and at home is the place to try out new recipes and techniques! I remember the time I made and dehydrated a casserole dish with peas in it, and didn't test it at home. After 15 minutes of cooking (in the pot over the stove), the peas were still the consistency of buckshot, hard enough to break a tooth, while everything else was mush. I had to pick the peas out before I could eat dinner!
Posted by: Xelif

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 07:26 PM

Quote:
It seems that everyone here is a Freezer Bag Cooker... I have already stumbled across their site, and loved it! Of course, this means that we'll have to get some sort of dehydrator, and that's out of the question for the moment. Until we can save up the money (as college students, it might take awhile), we will have to stick with less easy-to-clean methods.


I currently don't own a dehydrator and I'm going strong on FBC meals. I've tried out 3 of them and I don't need a dehydrator at all, although it would increase my options significantly.

You can buy instant rice at the grocery store, pouches of chicken, dried fruit like craisins, bullion powders/cubes, and all assortment of spices. From this and other grocery store fare I can put together (so far) 3 dinners, lunch (which isn't really FBC), and of course my traditional oatmeal breakfast. Eating oatmeal out of a freezer bag is so much easier, clean-up wise, than cooking oatmeal in a pot.

So, give a few recipes a try. Worst case is you will forgo some dried vegetables that you could otherwise throw in.
Posted by: Xelif

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 07:27 PM

Quote:
For next year I plan to make them individual cozies so I have a freezer bag for each child. I'll still have to wash their cocoa cups, though.


Have you tried making cocoa in a freezer bag, and packaging a straw in the bag for drinking after it's made? I forget where exactly I read this, but it's a great trick. No cleaning cocoa residue <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: froldt

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 09:30 PM

Quote:
Your wet-wipes sound like a great idea for a short trip, and I plan to try it! The weight of the wipes would be an issue for long trips, though. You could let the used wipes sit out for a few minutes to dry afterwards to reduce your garbage weight. I hope you're doing the final rinse with filtered or purified water. This just shows that beginners can be more creative than us so-called "experts"!

It occurred to me that I forgot to give proper credit for this idea. While I can admit that I don't know where I got the idea from, I can't say exactly where it did originate.
Posted by: froldt

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 10:30 PM

Quote:
First, I avoid heavy and/or oily foods that require heavy dish cleaning e.g. chili.

It seems that the consensus is we're taking the wrong foods. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
We're planning on expanding our menu anyway, so this works out quite well.


Quote:
For breakfast I have oatmeal first and then I make my coffee (instant)or hot chocolate in the same container which rinses out the oatmeal. The coffee becomes, in effect, a dishwater rinse. Then I use a very small amount of water to rinse the cup followed by a bandana wipe.

If your palate is offended by little chunks of oatmeal in your coffee this may not be for you but I don't mind at all <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I think that I might be more offended by the coffee than by the oatmeal in it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Then I re-read your post and noticed the hot chocolate (or tea for myself) addition and think that we'll make it through breakfast just fine. Good idea, thanks!
Posted by: froldt

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 10:32 PM

Quote:
If you look more carefully at Sarbar's Freezer Bag Cooking website, you'll see that you can do fine without a dehydrator. A lot of her recipes use stuff that is bought already dried. It sure beats having to scrub a pot!

Oh, and at home is the place to try out new recipes and techniques! I remember the time I made and dehydrated a casserole dish with peas in it, and didn't test it at home. After 15 minutes of cooking (in the pot over the stove), the peas were still the consistency of buckshot, hard enough to break a tooth, while everything else was mush. I had to pick the peas out before I could eat dinner!


I must have focused on recipes that call for a dehydrator. I'll definitely go back and take a closer look! We've already discussed looking into new recipes, and plan on having some cooking attempts there at the house. I can't wait to see her room-mates faces when they see us using our stove on the back porch there at the house!
Posted by: froldt

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/13/08 10:35 PM

Quote:
I currently don't own a dehydrator and I'm going strong on FBC meals. I've tried out 3 of them and I don't need a dehydrator at all, although it would increase my options significantly.

You can buy instant rice at the grocery store, pouches of chicken, dried fruit like craisins, bullion powders/cubes, and all assortment of spices. From this and other grocery store fare I can put together (so far) 3 dinners, lunch (which isn't really FBC), and of course my traditional oatmeal breakfast. Eating oatmeal out of a freezer bag is so much easier, clean-up wise, than cooking oatmeal in a pot.

So, give a few recipes a try. Worst case is you will forgo some dried vegetables that you could otherwise throw in.


I must have overlooked these recipes. Probably focused on things that we eat normally here at home and not on the other options. I'll go back and take a closer look to see what they've got listed.

Thanks for the encouragement and pointers!
Posted by: Xelif

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/14/08 08:38 AM

I can manage the Cranberry Chicken + Rice, the Orange Salmon + Rice, and a variant of a Curry Chicken + Rice without a dehydrator. I did dehydrate some peas and carrots in the oven (took hours and hours) but haven't used them yet. Hopefully the specific names are helpful.
Posted by: Berserker

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/14/08 09:44 AM

I posted my dish cleaning method somewhere else in a different thread, but I'll sum it up once more here. I only use my stove to boil water, and I eat out of my pot. I usually eat freeze dried meals from companies like Mountain House. Sometimes I buy stuff like Lipton Noodles and Sauce at the grocery store and eat those. Unlike Trailrunner I do not shy away from the freeze dried chili (Chili Mac...mmmmmmm).

At any rate, I eat my meal, dump a small amount of water in the pot, swish it around and scrape everything off, and then I drink the water. Sounds nasty, but after doing this a few times it isn't a big deal. I usually carry candy or something like that anyway so then I'll have a little dessert after the the pot cleaning. After the first step I pour another small amount of water in the pot and rub my finger around in it to make sure everything is off. Then I go away from camp and dump it on the ground. I dry my pot with something like a paper towel (that I pack out), or just set it somewhere and let it air dry.
Posted by: sarbar

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/14/08 06:19 PM

Quote:
Quote:
For next year I plan to make them individual cozies so I have a freezer bag for each child. I'll still have to wash their cocoa cups, though.


Have you tried making cocoa in a freezer bag, and packaging a straw in the bag for drinking after it's made? I forget where exactly I read this, but it's a great trick. No cleaning cocoa residue <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


My friend Catzia make soup in freezer bags but unlike me...she packs a wide straw and sucks away <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: tbaker

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/15/08 05:14 PM

Dried vegetables no dehydrator needed find them HERE

Good stuff.
Posted by: layla17

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/16/08 06:32 AM

That's a really efficient way to have your breakfast, Trailrunner. I've been searching for methods of a quick easy breakfast that doesn't require a lot of cleaning. I'll be sure to try your method out.
Posted by: sarbar

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/16/08 08:14 AM

Also check out Harmony House Foods <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Harmony House Foods
Posted by: onenortherner

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/21/08 12:43 PM

I just use mud. Don't need much water and the grains clean off the dishes.
Posted by: totempole99

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 01/27/08 08:22 PM

May as well put my two cents in here; can't remember where I stole this idea from (I think this site though).....

I usually eat Liptons, potatoes, soups, etc. and during the process of cooking, pieces (usually of whatever spice) get fairly stuck to the underside of lid or top of pot. I use the thin mesh bags that fruit is sold in. After eating, put some water in the pot, scrunch up the mesh into a sort of scrubber and have at it, then just shake it clean from water and any food particles. Let it sit for a few minutes to dry out or when you get it back out of your pot the next time you cook it'll still be wet.

And of course, drink the grey
Posted by: kou

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 04/18/18 11:25 PM

I think it would be nice to avoid cooking heavy food in order to reduce greasy dishes during the trip. They the less greasy dishes can be simply cleaned with wet-wipes, tissue or dish scrubber.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Cleaning dishes on the trail? - 04/19/18 02:03 PM

Why I do "Freezer bag cooking", which is really not cooking but only rehydration. (Thus the plastic bag is not heated to boiling. Only water is in my pot, so the only thing I need to wash is my spoon!

I know I've previously mentioned on this forum that I hate washing dishes!
lol