When we designed our packaging, we carried out extensive testing. We checked the pouch was robust enough to protect our food in a variety of conditions, we meticulously checked the water levels were correct, and that the 15 minute wait time was sufficient to fully rehydrate each of our meals.
During our research, we found that the 6-8 minute wait time stated on the packaging of many other brands was not sufficient to fully rehydrate the contents of the packet. In most conditions, 15 minutes suffice to give you a piping hot meal, where all the ingredients have absorbed the appropriate volume of water. Naturally, however, there are exceptions to this. These are the main influencing factors:
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Water temperature. Where possible, bring your water to a rolling boil. This can make as much as ten degrees difference to the temperature of the water.
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Air temperature. Air temperature is largely determined by the time of year, by altitude, and by weather conditions. These things will affect the cooling rate of your water as well as the pouch while it is rehydrating. Particularly in cold climates, we recommend insulating the pouch as best you can: that could be in an insulated pouch, or inside your sleeping bag, jacket or similar – just ensure the zip is fully sealed.
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Ingredients. There’s no denying it, some ingredients rehydrate better than others. As a general rule of thumb, anything with a shell (such as beans or lentils) will need contact with water for a little longer. To ensure optimal and even rehydration, we recommend stirring the contents of your pouch.
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Your chosen method of rehydration. Depending on your choice of Firepot packaging (we have both a fully waterproof pouch as well as a compostable option, which needs to be kept dry), you may choose to rehydrate your meal in a stove or food jar, or you may be pouring water directly into the pouch. Metal stoves with a lid are more likely to stay hot for a longer period, whereas a pouch - particularly when left out in the open air - will cool faster.