The problem of keeping food safe to eat while camping is one that most campers encounter, especially when the trip will last more than a couple of days. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, allowing food that needs to be cold to get too warm for too long can breed bacteria and can make campers sick if they eat it. Preparing and storing cold foods well while camping ensures that they stay safe to eat.
Step 1
Plan your camping menu. Knowing what foods you are bringing that will need to remain cold allows you to determine how much cooler space you will need to keep them cold.
Step 2
Pack the cooler with ice. You can use bags filled with ice, blocks of ice, ice packs or even plastic containers filled with water and then frozen. Larger pieces of ice take longer to melt and protect food longer.
Step 3
Freeze meat and drinks. If you freeze any meat, water bottles or juice boxes prior to putting them in the cooler, they will remain cold longer and can help keep other items cold, such as salads, sandwiches or cheese.
Step 4
Place the cooler in a colder place. Since most camping is done in the heat of summer, finding a place to keep the cooler out of heat is important to preserving what is inside. In the car, the backseat or a spot near an air-conditioning vent is the best place for it. Put the cooler in a shady spot once you reach the campsite, and keep your eye on it so you can move it as the shade moves.
Step 5
Keep the cooler closed. Make sure to keep the cooler closed unless you are getting something out of or putting something in it. This will help the ice stay frozen as long as possible and will prevent food from spoiling.
Tips and Warnings
- If you take a food from the cooler and it feels too warm, throw it out to be safe. The United States Department of Agriculture advises eating cooler food items at the beginning of a camping trip so they don't have the chance to spoil. Putting ice in plastic bags prevents the ice from becoming contaminated by broken eggs or leaking meat, which can then pass contaminants to other foods in the cooler.
Things You'll Need
- Ice packs
- Bags of ice
- Cooler
Member Comments