Outdoor Adventure USA

Tom's Approach to a Shower on the Trail

My approach is based around a one burner Zodi shower heater kit. You can use the 2-burner if desired. The Zodi kit comes with a pump, a heater and a shower head. The concept is simple: put the end of the pump in water can, heat it as it flows over the burner and stand under the shower head. It may take a bit of flame adjustment to get a comfortable temperature based on the starting water temp.


As we learned on several trips, if the water does not flow continuously through the heater head, the burner is destroyed. A few newbies, thinking they would save water turned off the pumper flow but not the heater. The best way to save water is to stick the shower head back into the water box with some risk of bringing the water temp up a bit.

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To avoid burning up the heater and to have other options, I purchased a separate pump and shower head from Zodi.
Now I heat the water first with the Zodi kit and cycle it back into the water can. Then I use the separate Zodi pump in the shower with the pre-heated water. To save water the pump can be turned off or the shower head stuck back into the can.


I use a cheap pool thermometer to heat the water to the desired temp. On a hot summer day, before sunset, 80 degrees feels good. On a cool fall day a temp around 100 degrees works. As you go above 100 degrees be careful. If you overheated the water just a bit so it is not scalding but not comfortable, you might improve the experience by fixing the shower head high above so it has time to cool before reaching your sensitive skin.

A note on a shower tent. Have one! Even if you don't need the privacy, it blocks even the most gentle breeze. You do not need to heat the water as high and you stay comfortable.

With the separate pump and shower head there are other options for heating the water. On a sunny day, lay the water can on its side and heat it up just like a solar shower. If you have to or just want to, heat the water on a stove and pour into the water can.

Checklist / Rules for the Cook

In the outdoors, it is a lot harder to maintain control of food stocks and maintain sanitary conditions. While mostly common sense this list was born from not paying attention to the details.

1. Work out quantities before shopping Buy smaller quantities to reduce waste. For example, individual cereal boxes instead of 1 large box. Buy smaller jars of items that do not need refrigeration until opened (salad dressing, salsa, mayonnaise, etc.). If the second bottle is not required for the meal it does not need to occupy valuable cooler or refrigerator space.
2. Avoid buying beverages in glass containers.
3. Have backup foods for special diets surprises and extra guests.
4. Organize food in coolers and storage boxes by meals (or meal categories – breakfast, lunch, dinner).
5. Unload only the firewood to be used for the day.
6. Have appetizers / happy hour before supper.
7. Set up an area for guests and cooks to wash hands.
8. Separate the Kitchen from the serving area and other functions. Guest should be discouraged from the kitchen area.
9. Wipe all tables & prep areas down to eliminate dust and dirt from the trail.
10. Put out the designated food that the guest can help themselves to at any time. Food for future meals should be stowed and out of sight.
11. Keep the kitchen neat, organized and most items out of view.
12. No double dipping to taste test food.
13. Need to tie hair back to keep it out of the food.
14. Food that falls on the ground or into the fire does not get served.
15. No cigar smoking. We do not want a long ash to fall into the food pot.
16. Ice down 1- or 2-days quantity of drinks.
17. Need to refrigerate food once opened.
18. Serve all food in one spot.
19. Sequence food in service line in logical order. For example, put plates at the start, put salad dressing after the salad, etc. Generally, allow for a line on both sides of the table to speed up service.
20. Put the coffee on early Need to make a second pot, Keep a pot of hot water for tea and hot chocolate always available.
21. Need a large dishpan of hot soapy water to wash dishes.
22. Need a second dishpan to rinse soap off dishes.

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I mainly focused on body hygiene. Of course the basics: floss, toothbrush, and toothpaste of any favorite brand.

If I have sufficient water and time, I'll shower using water heated in a solar water bag (see Dave's post #4). However, I usually prefer something quicker that uses less water.


NoRinse Bathing Wipes https://www.amazon.com/No-Rinse-Cleanli ... B00008QQN2

There are various brands of bathing wipe products. I like these, but have switched over to SoapCloth.

Once you open the package, there’s a chance they’ll dry out before your next trip.


SoapCloth https://www.soapcloth.com/SoapCloth-Dry ... hwc-10.htm
(Good price: https://www.armsunlimited.com/SoapCloth ... hwc-10.htm)

• Single cloth for an entire thorough body wash
• Only 20ml/4tsp water required
• No need for drying/wiping, soap evaporates by itself
• Odorless and doesn't leave traces of water, soap, stickiness, oiliness, etc
• Hypoallergenic, Alcohol & Latex-Free
• Burns naturally when dry for use as fire starter (before or after use)
• Lightweight, stored easily, doesn't dry up
• 10+ year storage life in dry conditions

How to Use:

• Add a minimum of 20 ml/4 teaspoons of water to the cloth
• Massage the cloth between your hands until the soap starts foaming
• Wash body as desired
• Wait for 1-2 minutes for perfect evaporation

NoRinse Shampoo https://cleanlifeproducts.com/hair-care/

• Ready To use
• Completely cleans hair without water
• No rinsing is required
• Just apply, massage into hair, towel dry, and style

Anti-Fungal Powder

There are various brands. Generic seems to do the trick. For hot and sweaty areas where skin touches skin.

Change socks and underwear daily if not more, dusting toes and family jewels when doing so.


Wet Ones, Sensitive Skin, Singles https://www.wetones.com/Singles/Sensitive-Skin-24ct

Though supposed to be for face and hands, they're "gentle enough for a baby’s skin", so I use as a (getting personal) follow up after toilet paper, for that "tropical splash" fresh scent. The individually wrapped towels won't unexpectedly dry out, and can be kept in your pocket.


Kirkland Vodka

Hydrogen peroxide is a great disinfectant, but should be replaced six months after opening. I use cheap vodka (open bottle shelf life perhaps a decade) in a spray bottle for dishes after cleaning them with soap and water.

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Jeff, Highland, California

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