Food Thermometer Travel Hacks: Conquering the Great Outdoors (and Not Burning Your Food)

Summer is the best season to spend time outdoors. If you love camping or hiking, make sure you pack your essentials for the trip to ensure you don’t get hungry and stay hydrated. While you are having fun and enjoying the outdoors, you should always prioritize food safety. One way to maintain food safety is to ensure that food is cooked thoroughly, which can be difficult when you don’t have access to kitchen tools. 

General Guidelines for Food Safety for Outdoor Cooking

When you are outdoors, whether camping or hiking, proper preparation is vital to ensure you can cook food safely and enjoy your meal. Here are some important tips to consider to stay safe while having fun outdoors:

• Pack your food safely in a cooler – It is important to keep your food frozen or at a certain temperature before cooking. A cooler is the best way to store frozen food when camping or hiking. 
• Wash your hands at all times – Use soap and water to wash your hands (or take alcohol or sanitizer) to ensure your hands are clean before handling food. Washing is also essential during food preparation to avoid cross-contamination. 
• Keep raw meats away – Raw meats contain harmful bacteria, so make sure to store them separately from other food items.
• Bring a cold source for perishable goods – If you are taking meat and other perishable items when going camping or hiking, don’t forget to take a cold source to keep them fresh and safe to cook.
• Store leftover food at the recommended temperature – If you don’t have a safe place to store leftover food, it’s best to discard it. 

Essential Tools for Outdoor Cooking

Cooking in the wild is never easy. There are challenges unique to this outdoor setting that are different from a typical kitchen. Preparedness is a virtue when it comes to cooking outdoors and you need these essential tools to survive. 

Portable Stove

Invest in a portable stove when you are camping or spending time outdoors and you intend to cook. Be sure to pack a compatible fuel canister, too. A portable stove is compact in size and easy to use, making it ideal for outdoor cooking. 

Cookware and Storage

Invest in non-stick cookware that can withstand rough handling and extreme temperatures. If you can buy collapsible cookware, that’s even better for easy packing when not in use. And speaking of packing, you should take airtight containers and storage solutions for your food, including leftovers. 

Multi-Functional Utensils

Multi-functional utensils are an excellent investment when cooking outdoors. They make your life easier when preparing and cooking food. 

Food Thermometer

If you think a food thermometer is only good for the kitchen, think again. Regardless of what you specifically plan on cooking when you go camping or hiking, it is best to keep a thermometer handy so you can check the internal temperature of your food and ensure it is safe to consume. Nothing could be worse than eating uncooked food that causes foodborne illnesses when you are in the middle of the wilderness.

At the same time, using a food thermometer allows you to enjoy quality food while camping or in the great outdoors. It makes your camping and outdoor trip even more memorable when you get to share it with great (and not burnt) food. Even if it is a simple and hearty meal, it tastes better when cooked at the ideal temperature. 

Cleaning Supplies

If you are cooking outdoors, it is important to bring soap and other cleaning supplies. Maintaining cleanliness is crucial to prevent cross-contamination when preparing your food. It is also for your safety as the smell of food can attract wildlife. 

Packing a Food Thermometer: Why Is it Essential for the Great Outdoors?

When you venture outdoors, it’s a great time to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. But if you plan on spending a night or two in the wildlife, it is important to pack enough food to last for however long you intend to stay. A food thermometer is a must-add to your packing tools for camping or spending time outdoors so you can safely cook your food.

When you cook outdoors, you don’t have access to cooking equipment, such as a microwave or oven, that would indicate the temperature when you cook. Cooking outdoors means that you are not in a controlled kitchen environment. Your main source of cooking is direct heat. It can be inconsistent and unpredictable, adding to the challenge of cooking.

Therefore, investing in a food thermometer is essential to ensure your food is cooked properly and is safe to consume. The variability of the cooking temperature makes it difficult to tell when food is done just by looking at it. If the heat is too high, it can be burnt on the outside but raw in the middle. Consuming undercooked food can cause foodborne illnesses, which can ruin your outdoor adventure.

Using a food thermometer removes the guesswork when outdoor cooking. You can use the thermometer to check the internal temperature of the food, allowing you to cook your meals with precision. It pays to review the recommended internal temperature for each type of meat to ensure it is cooked properly. Moreover, cooking food to a certain temperature ensures that you can preserve its flavor and can maintain its juicy texture. 

The Bottom Line

Do you plan on spending time outdoors this summer? Whether you are camping, hiking or boating, you should always be prepared, especially when it comes to your food. 

The most important thing is to pack your essential cooking supplies for outdoor use. A food thermometer is on that list because it eliminates the guesswork out of cooking so you can safely cook your food and retain its flavor. 

If you don’t have a food thermometer, it’s best to invest in one. It will give you peace of mind when cooking outdoors, allowing you to embark on more active adventures without worrying about your meals. If possible, write down a list of the essential items to pack so you won’t forget any supplies and you can enjoy your time outdoors.