Carrying Peanut Butter

[Brian Reily]

Anyone have any preferred methods for carrying peanut butter (and other spreads) on a long hike? I'm sure it's come up before, but nothing popped up while searching.

So far I've been using small 4oz tupperware-like containers, but I'm hoping for something better.

[Nate Powell]

Hey Brian,
I've used the Coghlan's Squeeze Tubes several times and they work pretty well. I think I've fit 1/2 of a small jar of PB in one. They're a little bit of a pain to clean but they're really easy to use on the trail. I actually haven't gotten around to weighing one empty (which is odd now that I think about it) but I doubt they're much more than an ounce, maybe 2. That's a guess though. Anyway, they're worth checking out. Cheers.

Nate

[Bob Gross]

If you are carrying a lot, then the standard plastic peanut butter jar is fine. I've carried the smaller 1.5 and 2.0 ounce foil packets of peanut butter for shorter trips.

–B.G.–

[Brian Reily]

Nate: Those look pretty neat – you gotta wonder why they don't sell it already in tubes.

When you say half a small jar, would that be roughly an 8oz jar? Trying to estimate how many tubes I would need.

Bob: I'm thinking that might be worth it just to save the hassle of refilling something, but was hoping there was some cool way I wasn't thinking of.

[Nate Powell]

Brian,
I wish I could remember better the last one I used. When I said small I was thinking in comparison to the big family size lunker that I usually buy for the house (40oz jar). I'm guessing the size I was referring to in my first post is maybe 18oz. I'm not totally sure on that though…the last jar I used in the tubes was purchased while I was in Scotland so they may be rocking some different sizes over there. Either way, the tubes hold quite a bit of peanut butter – as a guess I'd say at least 8oz each. I'll try and get around to digging mine out and see if I can get a better estimate for you – no promises though since it's the end of the semester :) (grad student). Anyway, they only cost a few bucks so they're worth a shot. I've often seen them in places that sell other Coghlan's items and every REI I've ever been to has carried them. Hope that helps. Cheers.

Nate

[Brian Reily]

No worries about estimating how much they hold; I just saw they only cost like $3 for 2 so I'll just get a couple.

Thanks.

[Richard Gless]

I've used two different options depending on how much I peanut butter I'm carrying (i.e., how long I'm out). The first option is any lightweight plastic bottle that seals well. For example, an 18 oz net wt plastic Skippy peanut butter bottle hold enough peanut butter for many days at 2 oz per day.

A second option is to package individual servings in 6.5 inch by 3.25 inch plastic ziploc snack bags. You can just cut off a corner and squeeze out your serving. Obviously this works best it you use up everything in the bag at one sitting. I usually use this method for shorter trips where I only have peanut butter on a few days.

It's a good idea to double bag your peanut butter container in case it gets hot and the oil tries to leak out of the primary container.

[Bob Gross]

I believe that what Nathan is referring to is what used to be called a Gerry Tube. That was state-of-the-art backpacker gear about 35 years ago.

I used to pack so much peanut butter into one that the bottom plastic clips started to break off.

–B.G.–

[Travis Naibert]

A standard 18oz peanut butter jar will completely fit in a quart ziplock. Double bag in a second ziplock, cut off the corner of the inner ziplock and use it like a cake frosting piping bag. Before double bagging squeeze the peanut butter about half an inch from the cut corner and fold it over a little before inserting into the double bag.

I carried peanut butter on almost every section of the PCT last summer with this method, never had any spills, and it makes it really easy to spread on fig newtons (which is the best lunch ever, by the way)

[Jason Elsworth]

I have used the Coghlans tubes and they work well with either peanut buuter or ghee. The only problem is that the plastic retaining clips at the end of the tube break easily, so now I just use duct tape instead and it works fine.

[Bob Gross]

The web site minimus.biz sells all manner of single-serving food items. They have 1/2 ounce packets of peanut butter of various brand names.

The military foil packets are more like 1.5 to 2.0 ounces. That peanut butter was probably supplied by the lowest bidder.

–B.G.–

[rhonda rouyer]

You can to to minimus.biz a order any number of individual packets of peanut butter, jelly, cheese spread, humus etc.

[Del Johnston]

+1 for Minimus.biz

They carry tons of stuff and you can customize your order. I have only used them for hard to find items that I only need a few of at a time.

[Nick Gatel]

The Coghlans Plastic Squeeze Food Tubes weight 2 oz. They are convenient and I often bring two. One for peanut butter and one for honey. Easy to pack. Some of the peanut butter brands are now packaged in plastic jars, but I have yet to weigh one.

[Sarah Kirkconnell]

Frankly, I have yet to meet a squeeze tube that works right. IMO that is.

I usually take Justin nut butter packets. Besides tasting super good the packets are no mess, no fuss.

[Juston Taul]

I use these.

[Sue Markwood]

OMG, I can't wait to try Pnut butter and fig newtons! This thread is so timely ~ thanks to all of you. Going to Pt. Reyes Nat'l Forest next week, weather permitting, and Peanut Butter is on the menu.

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