Gear Review Flameless Cooking Systems

I was at the Self Reliance show and saw the Barocook flameless cooking system. I mentioned it here and @DKR said they were a common thing. So I bought one then another. I first purchased a Barocook from Amazon then bought a Trekmates flameless cook system from a local Army Navy store. My son had said that when he tried to do packet of mac & cheese from our food storage that it did not cook well. He thought maybe he did not let it cook long enough. So I decided to try them out and see which one I liked better.


As you can see, the Barocook is tall than the Trekmates. These do come in all sizes but I got the medium size that holds 2 cups. The Trekmates came with a water measuring bottle but the Barocook quick lime packets have measurements on them so you know how much water to add. I tested it and the packet holds as much as the bottle so if you lose the bottle you will still know how much water to add.

I will give the observations of each system:

Barocook:

*Taller
*The cloth type casing only covered the sides
*Bottom area is #5 plastic- polypropylene (PP). Common items produced with it include yogurt cups, medicine and ketchup bottles, kitchenware and “microwave-safe” plastic containers. Polypropylene is considered microwave-safe because it is heat resistant and therefore won’t get warped in the microwave.
*Bottom area is higher then the wrap/cover and clear so you can see the steam and know your quick lime packet is still working
*While cooking the Barocook had lots of steam escaping, almost whistling at times. I checked to make sure it was sealed properly and it was but still steam escaped. Also at one point water and some fluids were dripping down the side of the cook system, plus created a small puddle on the counter



Trekmates:

*Shorter but slightly wider
*The wrap/cloth covering completely covered the bottom and sides
*Bottom is made of #7 plastic- This category essentially means "everything else" and is composed of any new plastics, including bioplastics, and could also be comprised of different types of plastics. The use of plastic in this category is at your own risk since you don't know what could be in it. Polycarbonate falls into this category, including the highly toxic BPA.
*The bottom did expand/warp while cooking making the system rock when you touched it. The bottom was also black plastic.
*The system sealed nicely and some steam escaped but it did not puddle on the counter.



We cooked the soup for 20 minutes. I stirred the soup mixture after 10 which I am glad I did because it was gummed up on the bottom. Both systems worked well but I was liking the Trekmates better. Less mess because it did not let as much steam out plus it was shorter and the whole base was covered, giving more insulation in my opinion. But I do not like the #7 plastic. It could be toxic and could become really warped over time. The Trekmates system after 2 uses already has a slightly bowed bottom and does not sit flat on a surface.

They are great systems, very simple to use and easy to clean. I would recommend a flameless cook system. They are handy to have and kids can easily use them, no fire involved so it can easily be used inside a tent.

The soup turned out great!

 

This is the kind of cooking system which might attract @ED GEiN 's urban apartment survival living strategy....

 

I am now an urban dweller. And I know Ed and I aren’t the only ones. The cookers work and are great to put in your car. You can cook easily without fire plus you do not have to wait for things to cool down.

 

Are the meals made for the cooler or can you use any type of food.

 

Thanks for the review and pics.

 

This video clip probably better demonstrates how the heating / cooking system works.



I can see niche applications of this system, but like many single use / disposable-consumable system, once the supply runs out its back to more traditional methods of cooking. I can see a use for it in sneaky Pete ops where a light signature is unwanted...though, the system will still generate a thermal signature.

 

This is good for heating soups or freeze dried entrees. I do not think it could cook meat but it does get the food hot. I may try to cook burger in it.

That is very true but this is for people who are active. My son goes car camping quite often plus many time there are fire restrictions so this would come in handy when camping during those times. I am also wondering how hot the Hothands hand warmers get and if they could work to warm soup. I doubt it but the flameless cookers trap heat and I know those cheapo hand warms are not supposed to be put next to skin. I will be trying it out.

 

Interesting system. First I have seen it. Wish I'd had it back when I was doing my multistate motorcycle roadtrips!
I ordered the Barocook 28oz. rectangular and 33oz. round cookers and the fuel packets. Looking forward to testing them. I got the larger units because I want to be able to heat up larger cans of soup.
Lots of variations available via Amazon, including a tall cup style.

 

It is sort of like the system in the MRE packs, yes?

 

I LOVE this idea!! I'm so glad you reviewed it Moto, or I would never have considered it. I have been tinkering with creating my own dehydrated soups to take with us hiking. I keep thinking that we can go further into the outback if we just carry a bit more with us. Most of those dehydrated mountain house things are repulsive and pricey.

 

Thanks for the review. I have never heard of it before now.

 

From a quick google search, it seems like it is. The heating packs are quick lime.

 

They certainly seem handy, depending on price of course. One could carry and cook one's lunch in the same container and a hot meal on a cold day is always a pick-me-up. There are lots of links for Barocook and Trekmates on Amazon. I think I want a small one, not sure which one, need to look at reviews. I did see a 'pressure cooker' version that was only ~3lbs which is interesting and could be really useful...

@Motomom34 You said the Barocook was leaking while cooking but was the other one, Trekmate, water tight? I mean, could one put liquid in it and carry it without fear of it leaking?

 

hmmmm.....wonder if adding sand to the quicklime might make an extempore patching cement? I wonder how the used chemical pack could be recycled to something useful?

Edit: The Amazing Uses of Quicklime You Probably Didn't Know

3E Uses of Quicklime Stone

 

Yes it leaked some. I had one cup of dehydrated mix and 2 cups of water in it. Not sure if I over filled. The Trekmate was sealed tighter with less steam escaping but the bottom is #7 plastic and did warp during cooking. I was able to rock the cooker because the bottom bowed out when cooking. They each had their pro's & con's.

 

Hmmm...it seems a metal version would be the best or perhaps they are not ready for purchase and need more work. However, the idea is a good one.. I am looking at them now...

EDIT: I was thinking...given that you can purchase the heater packs separately, I bet you can find something to use that is better, higher quality, and achieve the same goal. It should be metal, optimally with some sort of sleeve to go around it so that one can handle the unit hot, a valve that can be opened to vent the steam, rubber gasket and a fitted metal lid like a pressure cooker...hmmm, but this really is a good idea that simply needs more work.

 

Small double boiler. Should work well.