Age: 21
Gender: Non-binary
Relationship: Single
Ethnicity: Asian-American
Location: Oregon
Outdoor Activity: I love spending my free time outdoors, especially camping and hiking. I try to get out at least once a month, depending on my schedule and the weather.
Cooks outdoors: Sometimes
Owns an EV: No
-CATEGORY 1-
Q: When you are outdoors, what are your 5 most common breakfast foods, from most common to least common, and how do you prepare them?
Breakfast bars - When I'm in a rush or don't feel like cooking, I'll bring along some pre-packaged breakfast bars. They're easy to eat on-the-go and provide a quick source of energy.
Bagels with cream cheese - I'll usually bring along some pre-sliced bagels and a tub of cream cheese. I'll toast the bagels on my portable stove and spread on the cream cheese.
Fruit and yogurt - I'll bring along some pre-cut fruit and a container of yogurt, and mix them together in a bowl. It's a healthy and refreshing breakfast option.
Instant oatmeal - I usually just add hot water to a pre-packaged instant oatmeal mix and stir it up. It's quick and easy, and provides a filling and healthy breakfast to start the day.
Breakfast burritos - I'll usually bring along some eggs, cheese, and tortillas, and cook up some scrambled eggs on my portable stove. Then, I'll wrap everything up in a tortilla and enjoy a tasty breakfast burrito.
Q: When you are outdoors, what are your 5 most common lunch foods, from most common to least common, and how do you prepare them?
Sandwiches - I'll usually bring along some bread, deli meat, cheese, and veggies like lettuce and tomatoes, and assemble a sandwich on the spot. It's quick, easy, and provides a satisfying lunch.
Wraps - Similar to sandwiches, I'll bring along some tortillas and fillings like hummus, veggies, and protein, and wrap everything up. It's a tasty and portable option for lunch.
Instant noodles - Sometimes, I'll just crave something warm and savory, so I'll bring along some pre-packaged instant noodles and cook them up on my portable stove. It's a filling and comforting option for lunch.
Salad - If I'm in the mood for something lighter, I'll bring along some pre-washed greens, veggies like cucumber and bell pepper, and protein like canned tuna or hard-boiled eggs, and toss everything together with a simple dressing. It's a healthy and refreshing lunch option.
Cheese and crackers - When I don't feel like cooking or assembling anything, I'll bring along some cheese, crackers, and maybe some cured meats like salami or prosciutto, and enjoy a simple and tasty lunch.
Overall, my lunch options are usually pretty simple and easy to prepare, since I like to spend more time hiking and exploring than cooking. These options provide a good balance of carbs, protein, and fat to keep me fueled for the rest of the day.
Q: When you are outdoors, what are your 5 most common dinner foods, from most common to least common, and how do you prepare them?
Typically, I don’t have dinner outdoors because then I must bring my stove which is a bit heavy. But here it goes:
Instant rice and beans - I'll usually bring along some pre-packaged instant rice and canned beans, and cook them up together on my portable stove. It's a filling and satisfying dinner option that's easy to prepare.
Hot dogs - I'll bring along some pre-cooked hot dogs and buns, and heat them up on my portable stove or over a campfire. It's a classic camping dinner that's quick and easy to prepare.
Foil packet meals - I'll wrap up some veggies, protein like chicken or sausage, and seasoning in aluminum foil, and cook everything together on my portable stove or over a campfire. It's a tasty and customizable dinner option that's easy to clean up.
Grilled cheese - I'll bring along some bread, cheese, and butter, and cook up some grilled cheese sandwiches on my portable stove. It's a comforting and satisfying dinner option that's easy to customize with different types of cheese and bread.
Instant mashed potatoes and gravy - I'll usually bring along some pre-packaged instant mashed potatoes and gravy, and cook them up on my portable stove. It's a warm and filling dinner option that's easy to prepare.
Overall, my dinner options are usually pretty simple and easy to prepare, since I like to wind down and relax in the evening. These options provide a good balance of carbs, protein, and fat to replenish my energy after a long day of hiking or exploring.
Q: How many people, if any, do you typically enjoy outdoor experiences with?
I usually go camping and hiking with a group of friends. It's more fun to share the experience with others, and we can all contribute to the planning and preparation of meals and activities. The size of the group can vary depending on the trip, but it's usually around 4-6 people.
Q: What outdoor cooking equipment do you typically bring with you?
If I’m going to be out long enough where my pre-packaged foods aren’t enough, then I usually bring a small backpacking stove that runs on butane canisters, along with a basic set of cookware like a pot, pan, and utensils. My friends also have a portable coffee maker for those early morning hikes. To keep perishable items like meats, cheeses, and fruits fresh, sometimes we bring along a small cooler. That's pretty much it - I try to keep things simple and lightweight.
Q: What kind of portable stove do you own? Please describe in as much detail as possible.
The brand of the backpacking stove I own is the MSR PocketRocket 2. It's a popular choice among backpackers and campers, or at least I think so because I bought it from REI, because of its compact size, lightweight design, and fuel efficiency. It's made by MSR (Mountain Safety Research), a company that specializes in outdoor gear and equipment.
The stove itself is made of durable materials like aluminum and stainless steel, which means it can withstand the wear and tear of being used outdoors. It's also designed to be easy to clean, which is important when you're camping and don't have access to a lot of cleaning supplies.
One thing I really like about this stove is that it's pretty fuel-efficient. The butane canisters can last for several meals, depending on how much cooking you're doing. And when you're done with the canister, it's easy to dispose of or recycle.
Q: How often are you bringing this equipment with you?
I bring it if I think the pre-packaged foods I brought are not enough. Maybe one out of every 3 times? Usually I bring it if its a bigger group of people and we also bring some ingredients that we can cook during the hike or trip.
Q: How long is a typical outing for you?
I'll do shorter day hikes instead of overnight trips, but I still like to bring along some snacks or lunch that I can prepare outdoors. The length of the trip can vary depending on my schedule and the location, but I try to get out at least once a month.
Q: What locations do you usually go to?
Some of my favorite places to camp and hike include state parks like Silver Falls State Park and Mount Hood National Forest. I've also gone camping and hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, which has some really stunning views and trails. It's a great place to be if you're into outdoor activities like camping and hiking, with plenty of options to choose from.
-CATEGORY 2-
Q: Have you ever used electric cooking equipment during any outdoor activities?
No, I've never used electric cooking equipment during any of my outdoor activities. I prefer to keep things simple and use a portable stove that runs on butane canisters. Electric cooking equipment would require access to an electrical outlet, which isn't always available when you're camping or hiking in remote areas. Plus, it's just not as portable or lightweight as a backpacking stove. That being said, I have used a portable battery-powered blender to make smoothies on a camping trip before, which was a fun and delicious treat!
-CATEGORY 3-
Q: If you were to bring your cooking tools from home to the outdoors, without considering electricity and weight, please list three preferred cooking tools and reasons. Please be as detailed as possible.
Cast iron skillet: I love using cast iron skillets at home because they heat evenly and retain heat well. They're also really durable and can last for generations if cared for properly. When camping, a cast iron skillet would be great for cooking things like bacon, eggs, and pancakes over an open flame or on a portable stove. Plus, it can double as a serving dish, which means less cleanup.
Dutch oven: Dutch ovens are really versatile cooking tools that can be used for everything from stews and soups to baked goods like bread and desserts. They're also great for cooking meals in bulk, which is helpful when you're camping with a group. Dutch ovens are typically made of cast iron or ceramic, which means they can withstand high temperatures and are really durable. With a Dutch oven, you can create some really delicious and hearty meals outdoors.
Portable grill: A portable grill would be a great addition to my outdoor cooking setup because it would allow me to cook things like burgers, hot dogs, and vegetables over an open flame. It would also give me more control over the temperature and cooking time, which is important when you're trying to cook things to a specific level of doneness. Plus, grilling is just a really fun and social way to cook outdoors, especially if you're camping with friends or family.
Q: What do you find inconvenient or want to improve in your current outdoor cooking experience?
One thing that I find inconvenient about my current outdoor cooking experience is the cleanup. When you're camping or hiking, you often have limited access to running water, which means that cleaning up after a meal can be a challenge. I usually bring a small bottle of dish soap and a sponge with me to clean my cookware, but it can still be difficult to get everything completely clean and free of food debris.
Another thing that I would like to improve in my outdoor cooking experience is the variety of meals that I can make. I tend to stick to simple meals when I'm camping, like pre-packaged sandwiches, because they're easy to prepare and don't require a lot of ingredients. But I would love to be able to make more complex and flavorful dishes, like stir-fries or curries, that require more ingredients and more prep work. However, that can be a challenge when you're camping and don't have access to a full kitchen or pantry.
Q: How important is cooking and food in your planning and preparation for an outdoor activity?
Cooking and food are somewhat important in my planning and preparation for outdoor activities. While I don't consider myself a foodie, I still want to eat good food while camping and hiking. I try to plan meals that are easy to prepare and require minimal clean-up.
Q: Imagine an outdoor activity setting with an electrical supply and whatever electrical cooking equipment you may need. What would your ideal cooking environment and experience be like?
Wow, that's an interesting question! To be honest, I've never really thought about cooking outdoors with electrical equipment before. But if I had access to an electrical supply and all the cooking equipment I needed, I think it would be pretty awesome.
First of all, I'd love to have access to a nice electric stove with multiple burners. That way, I could cook multiple dishes at once without having to worry about juggling different pots and pans on a small backpacking stove. It would also be great to have an oven or a toaster oven, so I could bake things like cookies or pizzas while camping.
Another thing that would be super cool would be a blender or a food processor. I love making smoothies and other blended drinks, but it's hard to do that with just a backpacking stove. Having a blender would open up a whole new world of possibilities for me when it comes to outdoor cooking.
Of course, having access to a fridge or a freezer would be amazing as well. I could bring along all kinds of perishable items like fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, and dairy products without worrying about them going bad. Plus, I could make ice cubes for my drinks, which would be a nice luxury while camping.
Overall, my ideal cooking environment and experience would be one where I have access to all the electrical cooking equipment I need to make a wide variety of dishes, without having to worry about weight or portability. It would be great to have the freedom to experiment with new recipes and ingredients, and to enjoy fresh and healthy food while spending time outdoors.
Q: How do you organize, store, and transport your cooking-related tools?
I try to keep things pretty minimal when it comes to organizing, storing, and transporting my cooking-related tools. Since I don't have a ton of gear, it's pretty easy to keep everything organized and compact.
When I'm not camping, I store my cooking equipment in a small box in my closet. It's easy to keep everything together and it doesn't take up too much space.
When it's time to go camping, I usually pack everything in my backpack. I'll put my stove and fuel canisters in a stuff sack, along with my cookware and utensils. I'll also pack my cooler and coffee maker in my backpack, since they're small enough to fit.
Since I usually go camping with friends, we'll divvy up the food and cooking equipment between us to distribute the weight evenly. That way, no one person is carrying too much weight.
When we get to the campsite, we'll set up our cooking area near the fire pit or picnic table. I'll usually keep my cooking equipment in a separate bag or container so that it's easy to access when I need it.
After we're done cooking, I'll clean my cookware and utensils with some soap and water. I try to keep things clean and organized so that it's easy to pack everything up and head home.
Overall, I don't have a ton of cooking-related tools, so it's pretty easy to organize, store, and transport everything. I try to keep things simple and compact, which makes it easy to pack up and hit the trail.
