Pressure packs

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A pressure pack is a method for backwoods cooking of food without the use of utensils.

Heavy duty foil is folded into a sachet and this is then used to cook the food. (Use heavy duty foil - as this is less likely to tear.)

Type of pressure packs

  • Flat pouches
  • tent pouches
  • Single meal pouches
  • Patrol sized pouch


How to cook with a pressure pack

Create a flat pouch

  • Tear off a piece of foil about 30cm in length,
  • Fold the foil in half - to create a double layer,
  • Fold into a quarter to create the pouch(make the fold as the bottom of the pouch),
  • Create a double seam along the two sides by folding over a strip of about 1cm over onto itself,
  • Fill with your meat and vegetables and a small amount of water (about 2-3 tablespoons),
  • Close the pouch with a double seam,
  • Carefully place on the coals of the fire (you may also put some coals over the pouch),
  • The foil pouch will puff up as the cooking process gets going,
  • After about 15 to 20 minutes carefully recover the pouch from the fire and allow it to cool
  • Dust off any loose ash that may be stuck on the foil
  • Tear the pouch open on to your plate (or eat directly from the foil ... this saves on washing of plates later)

Foods to cook with a pressure pack

With a pressure pack you can cook a stew, or a large piece of meat like a fish or a rabbit. The foil keeps the moisture in and protects the food from the ash.

You can cut vegetables like onions, carrots and potatoes in to smaller pieces (cooks faster) - or you could cook them whole.

Pressure pack recipes

  • Try putting a little oil and some popcorn kernels into a pressure pack- make space for the popcorn to expand into. Have fun.


See also