Cooking For Engineers Forum Index Cooking For Engineers
Analytical cooking discussed.
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

boiling in bags
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Cooking For Engineers Forum Index -> Tools, Equipment, and Gadgets
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
CynthiaSue
Guest





PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2007 6:36 pm    Post subject: boiling in bags Reply with quote

Hi. Anyone know a good source for food boiling bags? On a recent backcountry trip, my companions boiled ham and eggs in Ziplocs. I'm looking for a safer alternative. Thanks!
Back to top
kgb1001001



Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 108

PostPosted: Sun May 27, 2007 10:18 pm    Post subject: Don't worry about it Reply with quote

We recently had a discussion on this in our cub scout pack. Someone pointed to a hysterical website that claimed we were all going to die because of the chemicals in the ziploc bags. Our committee chair (Ph.D. in Organic chemistry and a senior scientist for the EPA) then calmly and rationally pointed out that the science on this is not in favor of the hysteria. There are many, many more ways to get more seriously ill from food when camping than the miniscule amounts of chemicals potentially released by a boiled ziploc. Basically, don't worry about it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
DrBiggles



Joined: 12 May 2005
Posts: 356
Location: Richmond, CA

PostPosted: Sun May 27, 2007 10:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Don't worry about it Reply with quote

kgb1001001 wrote:
We recently had a discussion on this in our cub scout pack. Someone pointed to a hysterical website that claimed we were all going to die because of the chemicals in the ziploc bags. Our committee chair (Ph.D. in Organic chemistry and a senior scientist for the EPA) then calmly and rationally pointed out that the science on this is not in favor of the hysteria. There are many, many more ways to get more seriously ill from food when camping than the miniscule amounts of chemicals potentially released by a boiled ziploc. Basically, don't worry about it.


I love you. Thank you.

xo, Biggles
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Matt



Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 21

PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2007 4:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd be less worried about chemical leaching, and more about bag melting! *LOL*

BTW, does anyone know how much heat a ziplock bag can take?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
GaryProtein



Joined: 26 Oct 2005
Posts: 535

PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2007 4:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A ziplock bag can definitely take the heat of boiling water, although thinner bags may lose a lot of their tensile strength. You can certainly cook (boil)camping food in them without a problem, especially omelettes mentioned before. Using larger bags for larger volumes will require a heavier gauge bag. The freezer storage bags are pretty strong.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
CynthiaSue
Guest





PostPosted: Wed May 30, 2007 8:22 pm    Post subject: yes, but does anyone know... Reply with quote

"ZiplocŪ Brand bags are not designed to withstand the extreme heat of boiling"--Ziplock FAQs, http://www.ziploc.com/
Despite Ziploc's warning, the freezer bags have worked well for me, too. Eggs and pre-cooked ham don't take long to boil and are a welcome break from the usual oatmeal. In bear country, especially, the bags are particularly useful in that they present an alternative to frying--which emits food-laden smells and results in food-scented oil. However, I respect the "hysterics". While we might someday be able to detect the presence of toxins in our omelettes, we will never be able to guarantee the absence of toxins... So, nobody knows a source of boil bags--the kind used for lobster? Thanks!
Back to top
opqdan



Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Thu May 31, 2007 1:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you want more ideas of what you can do with boil-in-a-bag meals, check out http://www.freezerbagcooking.com/. This is designed more for a lightweight hikers menu than something that you would make at home though. As a backpacker, I have to say that freezer bag cooking is awesome, it is easy to make, easy to clean, lightweight, and quick. If you are submerging the bag in water rather than adding boiling water to the bag, then this isn't what you are talking about.

If you are very worried about problems with boiling ziploc bags (although there really isn't any reason to), you can always drop the temperature. Very few meals would actually need to be cooked at 212F. You could even drop the temp down as far as 140 or lower depending on what it was. It is just harder to keep the temperature consistent when you don't have a natural barier keeping the water at a certain temp.

Cooking food submerged in water in a plastic bag from which the air has been evacutated is a popular method called Sous Vide. This is normally done with something like a FoodSaver(TM), and an imersion circulator to keep the temperature very constant. It produces wonderfully flaverfull, perfectly cooked foods that would be impossible with any other method of cooking.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
penelopa



Joined: 12 Feb 2010
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What is the best commuter bag for a male in his 30's commuting to a professional job? Obviously, the messenger bags are popular, but how practical are they? I will be carrying a change of shoes, a planner, my lunch, etc.. I think the plan is to possibly leave a more professional looking bag in the office for meetings and such. Are most commuters using more practical packs to get to the office? I'm new to the train/city culture!
______________________


Last edited by penelopa on Sat Feb 20, 2010 5:53 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Auspicious



Joined: 29 Dec 2005
Posts: 66
Location: on the boat, Annapolis, MD

PostPosted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use Foodsaver bags for lots of dishes. I've had good luck heating the food back up in boiling water, with a folded dish towel in the bottom of the pot to keep the plastic from melting.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
carmenle



Joined: 30 Mar 2011
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think this has been suggested before and it was denied, but I still like the suggestion and think it should be implemented. Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
natdelvboy



Joined: 25 Aug 2011
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've heard boiling plastics release estrogen, which as a guy, you probably don't want
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bonnie D
Guest





PostPosted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 4:36 am    Post subject: Ziploc bags Reply with quote

Ziploc bags are not stabile past the temperature of 195*F. Water boils at 212*F.... you do the math. If you decide to boil food in a Ziploc, you will be eating food that is tainted with chemicals from the plastic breaking down OR the plastic can actually melt and cause a burn accident. Still want an omelette? Try the old fashion way and mix it up in a pan. Yeah, you'll have a pan to wash. Big deal. :-/
Back to top
tigerhead



Joined: 26 Sep 2011
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 1:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I never heard of boiling food in bags. I guess it would be the same as steaming but still the health implications are... could be really high. I don't think a bag will do whatever a pot cannot do. I'll stick with the pot.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Gus
Guest





PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:52 am    Post subject: bag failure Reply with quote

I have had some Ziplok bags fail when cooking sous vide where the zip detached from the wall of the bag, this was after several hours though, I'm not sure if it would be a problem when backpacking where you are only likely to be cooking in them for a few minutes.
Back to top
Cheff Wannabee



Joined: 06 Feb 2013
Posts: 11
Location: Elsie, Mi.

PostPosted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:37 am    Post subject: Boil in bags Reply with quote

I just finished a web search on this and found a web site, bestfoodbags.com, that has bags INTENDED for boiling food safely. The are BPA free and used in commercial kitchens all over the world. Might be worth it to check them out.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Cooking For Engineers Forum Index -> Tools, Equipment, and Gadgets All times are GMT
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You can post new topics in this forum
You can reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group