Cold soaking is a great option for long backpacking trips, since it lets you seriously save weight and use less energy. Just add water and wait.
Since we usually start the soaking process before we’re make camp, containers become a concern. There is almost nothing worse that crashing at camp only to find that your planned meal is now an interior coating for your backpack.
After trying many, many different containers (often with disastrous results) I’ve narrowed down my list to two (and a half) solutions. I am totally confident that these are just about the best options for cold soak containers that you’ll find.
Budget Friendly Cold Soak Containers
The easiest thing to use is leftover disposable containers that are of really good quality. The best thing about this option is that they only cost the value of the food they come with.
If you don’t want to spend one extra dime, use a peanut butter jar. The smaller ones are just about the perfect size for most backpackers, and the seals are really impressive for something so basic.
They’re also pretty easy to clean since they typically don’t have too sharp of corners or weird bumps.
Pro Tip: Never use a dishwasher to clean disposable containers. They’ll get trashed. Always wash by hand.
Anyway, peanut butter jars are generally a good choice, as long as they’re the right brand. An Internet person told me to try these ones, (the 26 oz jars) and they’ve worked pretty well. I’ve yet to have a spill.
Another extremely popular option is the Talenti gelato jars. They’re really good quality, but I’m not crazy about the size options. The 16 oz jar is too small and the 32 oz jar is too big, especially since they’re single-purpose.
A lot of people swear by them, though, so they really are a decent option.
For any repurposed disposable containers, be cautious. They really don’t work great for the most part. IMHO, they’re not even really worth experimenting with since they almost all leak (except for the two I listed above).
Also, DO NOT use plastic zippered bags. It doesn’t matter how many bags you seal your soak in, sooner or later one WILL leak or pop. They’re terrible.
Worthwhile Investment Cold Soak Containers
If you’re like the majority of us and view your backpacking gear as something worth investing in, there is a very clear and obvious choice (in my opinion) for a cold soak container.
The Titanium BOT Bottle Pot from Vargo is just about the most versatile container you’ll find. This is specifically why I like this option so much.
Honestly, the whole point of cold soaking is pretty well to shed weight. That’s why we don’t bring our stoves with us.
Sometimes, though, you’ll have a perfect spot to light up a small fire. You’re cranky after some bad weather, or the exhaustion is just catching up to you.
A hot meal can seriously be a lifesaver.
With a just plastic container, you’ve got zero options.
That’s my pain point, and this container handles it.
There’s a bunch of other features, like how you can store water in it and how it makes a really good seal, durable, easy to clean etc, etc, etc…
But ultimately, it’s both a container AND a pot. I like it because it gives me the option of a hot meal when I’m grumpy.
You can find it on Amazon here.
For me, and easy way to justify spending money on a container is that I don’t have to spend money on fuel for a camp stove.
Cold Soaking Tips
If you’re new to cold soaking, here are some quick tips to make your first experience less painful:
Cold soaking takes some getting used to. It’s a very different experience than always bringing your pot and stove with you. Don’t expect to love it the first time, but you do get used to it, and it’s great to shed any extra weight for longer trips.
Cold soaking can really suck for cold weather. If you’re just starting, do it on a summer trip instead so you’re not mourning the loss of hot food.
Start soaking an hour before getting to camp. As long as you’re not soaking for more than a day, you can’t really overdo it. Get in the habit of stopping for a minute to add water to your container about an hour before you plan to stop, and your meal will be ready whenever you want it.
Don’t underestimate the value of not having to cook food. If you’re pushing yourself all day, there is definitely something to be said for being able to do almost nothing extra. Plus, cleanup is super easy since there’s no cooked-on food. Just rinse.
Test the container. If you’re using a disposable container, keep in mind that they will wear out. When you add water to your meal, tip the container upside down for a minute to see if anything starts to leak.
Cold soaked macaroni sucks. Apparently some people like to bring Annie’s mac and cheese on cold soak trips. I think it’s nasty. That stuff should not be cold soaked.
Instead, try to find meals that use things like hummus powder, instant rice, couscous, lentils, or bean flour.
I tend to lean towards curries and similar kinds of meals.
Disposable container seals don’t last. They’re designed to work for a few times, until the ice cream or peanut butter is gone. If you’re going the disposable route, just keep in mind that eventually they will leak.