Gel Flask Question

[HillSlugger]

I use GU (Orange!) in single-serve packets. How do you get the gel into the flask without making a mess? Is it OK to dilute the gel a little bit so that it will flow better?

[mimitabby]

boy, i want to know too. My DH ALWAYS makes a mess!

[SadieKate]

I buy HammerGel in the big bottles. It's a heck of a lot cheaper that way and easier to put into the flask. I mix and match flavors for variety.

I do add just a bit water to the flask to make flow more easily but I don't to the large bottle. You have to keep it refrigerated and I wouldn't want to possibly add any contamination to something that needs to keep for a long time.

By the way, the valves on the FuelBelt brand flasks are much softer rubber and easier on the teeth.

[Grog]

I've read somewhere that it's actually better to dilute.

You can also make your own gel:

1/3 cup honey (or 1/4 if you think it's too sweet)
1 tbsp jam (apricot is suggested) or maple syrup or maltodextrin
1/4 tsp salt

Mix well and pour in a flask. Add water and shake well (will make bubbles).

I have yet to try it myself but it should happen shortly. I'm sick of using individual portion packets, too much garbage...

[Fredwina]

I Usually just pour it in full strength. The only problem I've had with messes is not close the top all the way after taking a gulp. It's not fun to have gel-filled jersey pockets

[divingbiker]

I mixed the gel up with water in a measuring cup so it was pourable, then poured it into a flask. If it wasn't diluted, I couldn't get it to squirt out of the flask.

[five one]

I use GU (Orange!) in single-serve packets. How do you get the gel into the flask without making a mess? Is it OK to dilute the gel a little bit so that it will flow better?

I love my GU flasks! I have found that putting the open flask in a juice glass will keep it stable while filling from the small packets. I rip the packet top off, push the opening into the top of the flask, and squeeze the GU in from packet bottom to top. Chocolate flavor is too thick to work well in flasks, although diluting with a bit of water might alleviate that. I love chocolate, but those gels are too much like eating frosting. Bleh. I do find that in cold weather, gels don't flow too well, so diluting might help there, too. Will have to try that in the fall/winter.

I have a friend who puts several Espresso Love flavored GUs in one of her water bottles, fills it with water, and shakes it up. Looks nasty ,but she likes it.

[Eden]

Yeah - I wish GU would sell in bottles rather than just in the little packets.... I too squeeze mine into the bottle (can't tolerate Hammer ick..) without diluting it. I find I need to keep it in my pocket nozzle down, being sure to close it securely before I put it in there, or I can't squeeze the stuff out easily. (I prefer the Vanilla and Plain, which are thinner too)

[Pedal Wench]

The vanilla GU is a little thinner than the other flavors, so I just put that in first, then my Espresso Luvs, and one or two Chocolates for flavor. It doesn't seem to be too thick, but I keep it in my jersey pocket, so it's warm and melty - I try to keep it upside down to help it flow too.

[7rider]

I found that my flasks tend to make more of a mess than the individual serve packets (except when you keep a spent one in your jersey pocket when you get back in the car and it leaks onto your car seat fabric! Not that I'd know ANYthing about that! ).
My Gu flask (with a pop-up top like a water bottle) never seems to close completely, leak, and when I try to push it closed with my teeth, invariably pinches me in the lip. Ouch!
Maybe I have reject flasks. Maybe I have reject technique.
Frankly, I think the whole lot of 'em just aren't worth the effort.

[KnottedYet]

I used to do Clif Shot from the big bottle into the flask. Boy, what a disaster! Eventually Clif Shot big bottles became impossible to find, and then I discovered Clif Shot Bloks. Joy and rapture! Fuel for slobs!

My friend who is a devout gel user took posession of my flask. She has no problem. I dunno how she does it....