Introduction

Embarking on a backpacking adventure often involves careful planning, especially when it comes to meals. Ensuring sufficient calories and nutrients to fuel your hiking is critical. Traditionally, backpackers have relied on gas stoves fueled by isobutane or similar fuels to cook their food quickly and efficiently. However, recent advancements in technology now allow us to have portable electric backpacking cooking solutions such as EcoSimmer. To get the most out of these modern technologies, we need modern cooking methods such as “The Simmer Method.” This new cooking method combines the convenience of just-add-water meals with energy-efficient cooking practices, helping you get the most out of your battery. This method, facilitated by devices like EcoSimmer, promises to revolutionize how we cook in the backcountry.

Part 1: What is the Simmer Method?

The Simmer Method is a modern approach to cooking in the wilderness, designed to streamline the meal preparation process. Here's how it works:

1. Add your dehydrated or freeze-dried meal to EcoSimmer, and cover with water.
2. Plug in EcoSimmer.

By the time your meal is rehydrated, your food will be hot and ready to eat!

Unlike traditional methods that involve setting up a stove, waiting for water to boil, and then adding boiling water to your meal, the Simmer Method integrates these steps into one seamless process. This method can save your time and minimizes effort, making it ideal for backpackers who value efficiency and convenience on the trail.

Part 2: Why hasn't the Simmer Method been used before?

Backcountry cooking has historically relied on centuries-old methods and visible cues to determine when food or water is ready. While these methods are important to know for safety reasons, modern technology can now be leveraged to advance backcountry cooking.

1. Water Purification: Traditionally, boiling water was essential for purification. However, advancements in water filtration technology, such as squeeze filters, have made boiling unnecessary for purification purposes.
2. Temperature Measurement: Historically, the only reliable way to measure the temperature of water was to see it boil (at 100°C). With modern cooking technology, such as built-in thermometers, backpackers can now read temperatures at any point—whether it's 20°C room temperature, 70°C coffee temperature, 100°C boiling temperature, or more.

Part 3: Why are we recommending the Simmer Method?

The Simmer Method represents a paradigm shift towards sustainable and efficient backcountry cooking:

1. Convenience: The Simmer Method cooks dehydrated or freeze-dried meals in approximately the same amount of time as traditional boiling methods. With EcoSimmer, there is no assembly required, no watching flames, and no balancing of pots or pans—just plug in EcoSimmer and let your food rehydrate as you spend time around camp.
2. Efficiency: Core to the Simmer Method is covering your food with water. This ensures that your food is rehydrated using only the amount of water truly required. By doing this, the Simmer Method minimizes cook times and maximizes the efficiency of portable batteries. This means you can get more out of every battery (and can lighten your pack)!

To read more on why the Simmer Method is most effective for electric backcountry cooking, see our blog post “The Science of Electric Backcountry Cooking.”

Conclusion

Embracing the Simmer Method with EcoSimmer not only simplifies your backpacking experience but also enhances it with energy efficiency and by lightening your pack. Whether you're cooking in the backcountry, on a road trip, or making meals in emergency situations, leveraging the Simmer Method will help ensure you get the most efficient use of your power source. Step into the future of backcountry cooking—explore the Simmer Method with EcoSimmer today and revolutionize your outdoor culinary adventures.