Esbit tips and advice on what to consider when cooking outdoors in winter.
Temperatures are dropping and nature is wrapping itself in an frosty robe, but we still love to set up our winter camp and enjoy time outdoors with delicious winter recipes. Being outdoors on cold days confronts us with special challenges. It’s not just about warm and appropriate clothing, but also about food and cooking on the go. Read on to find out what’s important when cooking in the cold season and which Esbit outdoor gear is best suited.
Ready to set up your winter camp and explore your outdoor kitchen?
We provide you with practical tips and clever tricks on how to get the most out of outdoor cooking in winter. So you can fully enjoy the outdoors during winter camping and turn it into a culinary highlight.
1. Choosing the right fuel for winter camping
Choosing the right fuel is crucial in winter because not all fuels ignite well in cold or wet weather conditions. Esbit solid fuel is particularly convenient because it is compact and burns reliably at low temperatures. Alcohol, on the other hand, may need to be preheated to ignite well in cold winter weather. Once it’s lit, however, it provides a constant and reliable source of heat and is ideal for longer cooking times.
Regardless of the fuel you choose, be sure to bring enough, especially for winter camping. On cold days, cooking time may take a little longer. The most efficient way to cook is with a windshield. Our cooksets, whether for solid fuel or alcohol, come with a windshield.
2. Warm alcohol for winter cooking
It can also be helpful to keep the alcohol in the burner, the AB300BR, close to your body during the trip. The body temperature will prevent the alcohol from cooling off and it will ignite faster when needed. This increases the efficiency of cooking at low temperatures and makes it easier to ignite the fuel in the burner. The burner is 100 % leak-proof and you can fill it with up to 2,4 oz – enough for up to 30 minutes burning time.
3. Food jug for winter temperatures
A food jug is a must-have for winter camping, as it keeps a hot meal close at hand. A thermal container keeps food hot for hours, even in freezing temperatures. They are also a great way to protect ingredients from the cold, especially on multi-day trips or for an overnighter. If you bring ingredients instead of prepared meals, you should protect them from freezing in the winter. This will help maintain quality and consistency.
Check out our food jug world to get a good idea of which container is right for you.
4. Practical swelling dishes for winter camping
If you don’t want to cook for a long time due to the winter weather, you can also use our food jugs for soaking . Simply bring water to boil, fill a thermal container with the desired ingredients, and let it soak during the trip. This method can be used for many different dishes and ingredients. Our tip: Chop the ingredients extra small to reduce the time it takes to prepare the snack. This works especially well with potato, rice or pasta dishes.
5. Plan with more time and fuel
In winter, cooking often takes longer than in summer because the lower temperaturescool off the heat source, increasing cooking time. In addition, wind and harsh weather conditions can affect the efficiency of outdoor cooksets. Therefore, it is important to plan with extra time and fuel. If you have chosen a solid fuel stove and the fuel is running low during cooking, you can easily add another tablet.
It can also be helpful to pre-cut food and ingredients into small pieces. This shortens the cooking time and makes cooking more efficient despite the cold. This not only saves time, but also fuel.
Enjoy the great outdoors in winter. Bon appétit and have fun cooking at winter camping!
