How many calories are in a Firepot?

The calorie content of our food varies across the range: we make meals that are nutritionally balanced and great-tasting instead of choosing a calorie target and then adding high-calorie ingredients until we hit that target. Our range of main meals extends from 500kcal up to 635kcal for the standard portion size, and from 750kcal up to 940kcal for the extra large portion size.

How big are your portions?

Our standard pouch of food (105-135g) will serve one hungry person. These are not the 300g portions you get in a packet of wet food, nor the ungenerous portions you get from some of our competitors. When rehydrated, these weigh in at a hefty 500g or more — perfect for a satisfying and generous meal at the start or end of a long day.For each of our menu options we also offer an extra large serving size (160-200g dry) which is ideal for more calorie-demanding expeditions and outdoor pursuits.

Is dehydrated food healthy?

The process of drying food is not what determines whether a meal is healthy or not. Firepot's dehydrated meals are a healthy option because of our commitment to using all-natural ingredients and avoiding chemicals and artificial additives.

What is the difference between dehydrated and freeze-dried food?

Both processes involve removing the water from food to preserve it. Freeze-drying involves freezing the food to a very low temperature and drying it in a vacuum to remove moisture. Dehydration involves passing warm air over the surface of the food to remove moisture.

What are the different types of expedition food?

Broadly speaking, expedition food falls into three main categories, each with different characteristics: wet food, freeze-dried food, and dehydrated meals. Wet food is more onerous to carry, whereas the dried options are lightweight and so better suited to longer expeditions.

Wet food is pre-cooked, and generally preserved using salt and chemical additives. Being wet, it is heavier than the dried alternative, but is ready to eat straight from the bag. If you want to heat it up, you can place the pouch directly into boiling water.

Freeze-dried food is the most common format. Freeze-drying involves processing one ingredient at a time at extremely low temperatures, and it is done on an industrial scale. The dried ingredients are then assembled in the right ratios to create a meal. Freeze-dried food rehydrates quickly, but the flavours do not get time to blend, and the texture can be powdery.

Firepot is dehydrated. Our team of local chefs make our meals in the same way you would at home: using familiar ingredients, freshly prepared each day in our kitchen in Dorset. Once the meal comes out of the oven, it is then air-dried (dehydrated) overnight, before being put into pouches. This ‘time on the hob’ is what gives our meals their home-cooked flavour.

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