How to Cook Oatmeal in a Thermos

Use a metal thermos for cooking.

It's a pain for hikers, backpackers and campers to lug around extra equipment for cooking warm meals while out on an excursion. However, a simple thermos can eliminate the need for much of that equipment. As long as the food can be cooked in hot liquid, you can slow cook it in a thermos -- and oatmeal is one of the best options for refueling your body while exploring the great outdoors.

Things You'll Need

• Metal thermos (any size)
• Boiling water for preheating thermos
• 1 part oatmeal (not instant)
• 3 parts boiling water

Instructions

1. Preheat the thermos by filling it to the top with boiling water. This helps food cook faster and stay hot longer.

2. Measure out your oatmeal depending on the size of your thermos. For best results, use one part oatmeal to three parts water. For example, if you want to make two cups of oatmeal, use six cups of water.

3. Empty the water used to preheat the thermos and add the measured oatmeal.

4. Pour the measured boiling water over the oatmeal in the thermos.

5. Close the thermos lid tightly and shake vigorously.

6. Lay the thermos on its side, allowing the water to cook the oatmeal evenly. Let the thermos sit overnight or head out on your excursion while your oatmeal cooks.

7. Shake the container to make sure the oatmeal has properly thickened when you are ready to eat. Stir in optional toppings as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a slow cooking process and the time it takes depends on the type of oatmeal you are using; prepare at least a few hours before you plan on eating.

References

• Thermos Cooking: Thermos Cooking Basics
• Thermos Cooking: Cooking Whole Oat Groats

Resources

• The Boat Galley; Best Thermos Bottles; Carolyn Sherlock; 2011
• Thermos Cooking: Archive for Category Recipes