Went on a ten mile hike the other day. Brought with me a civlian MRE purchased from a local Army surplus store. The kind that comes in a clear plastic bag and costs about $8. I've purchased a few dozen of these over the years and scaled back from buying them because the contents where diminishing and more civilian stuff was being included and less real MRE components.
Anyhow. this ration had the MRE bread and a chem heater, things I never had before in an MRE, real or civilian. I liked the bread a lot. I found it to be a big improvement over the crackers. Moist and crumble free.
The chem heater was interesting. I think I added too much water because water started leaking all over when activated. It did warm up the main entree though, which was nice because it was cold outside and warm food and coffee always hit the spot just right on a cold dayhike. All things considered, the chem heater is as much work as say boiling some water to heat your entree. I wouldn't feel cheated if my civilian MRE didn't come with one.
A Few Firsts For Me
Hi Ration Man. So was that one of the Sopakco civilian MREs? I didn't know they had started including heaters in them but it's about time if you ask me.
As for that too-much-water-in-the-FRH thing, yeah, I've done that a time or two. I think what happens is that the steam from the heater starts pushing the excess water through the fold in the bag and that leaks out.
As for that too-much-water-in-the-FRH thing, yeah, I've done that a time or two. I think what happens is that the steam from the heater starts pushing the excess water through the fold in the bag and that leaks out.