Is the FRH a mistake?

[Woodland]

http://www.reocities.com/usarmyafghange ... sld016.htm

[cavguy]

Though it was not my MOS most of the units I had experience with were Infantry or Cavalry units, and we also had Stryker's mostly. There was a hot water heater in the Stryker (though I never used it either) most guys use it for shaving. I would say that most of the guys I saw never used the MRE heaters either too, I never saw one single Natick stove either, but I do know some units were issuing out the new MSR multi-fuel stoves that ran on JP8. But simply put, no one wants to lug one pound extra, so I don't know how much use they will get.

[RockyRaab]

Heating the MRE pouch in a mess tin in hot water is a waste IMO because you can't drink that water (I wouldn't drink it) not to mention that it requires more water than the FRH.

I'm curious. Why do you think heating the MRE pouch would make the water undrinkable?

[housil]

Heating the MRE pouch in a mess tin in hot water is a waste IMO because you can't drink that water (I wouldn't drink it) not to mention that it requires more water than the FRH.

I'm curious. Why do you think heating the MRE pouch would make the water undrinkable?

I use lot´s of tommy cookers (German ESBIT cooker) and I woudn´t drink it either.
MRE pouches have (had?) a rat repellent...

[cavguy]

MRE pouches have (had?) a rat repellent...

We had mice infesting a site where we were stationed, they would eat through the MRE boxes and packets too! I am not so sure that there was actually any rat repellant ever used in the packaging.

[Treesuit]

I've never heard of the outer pouches having a rat repellant, if that were true then everybody handling the plastic pouches would get repellant on their hands and then get sick.
For my experience I've very rarely use a FRH, but I've also used defrosters in HUMVEE's and tracked vehicles. After Somalia in 1993 I purchased my own propane stove after seeing some older NCO's have one that and the early FRH's in those days were not very reliable. Now I have a jet Boil stove, a slightly newer Coleman propane stove, and a MSR stove.
For civilian purposes MRE's are good. When hiking in the backcountry you need to conserve some water for drinking, especially during the summer months, or if not then you could plan on stopping by streams, rivers or water points along your route. Then a FRH still might be great if you need something quick and hot during a overnight stop.

[Woodland]

Heating the MRE pouch in a mess tin in hot water is a waste IMO because you can't drink that water (I wouldn't drink it) not to mention that it requires more water than the FRH.

I'm curious. Why do you think heating the MRE pouch would make the water undrinkable?

Retort pouches consist of four layers.The inner layer that contacts with the food is food grade polypropylene but the outer layer is simple polyester.I wouldn't surprised if that was recycled polyester (more economic and cheaper).Second reason:sometimes you can see "limestone like" stains on the pouch.I used to work in the food industry and those stains are IMO lubricant residue from the conveyor belt that must be kept wet all the time.It won't kill you of course.They can also be caused by water when the pouches are cooled down after retorting.I don't know the technology so well.
Whatever.
Why drink contaminated water if not necessary? In survival situation your primary goal is short term.That meaning if you had to choose between a possible cancer or long term adverse health effect and dehydration that would kill you in a few days which option sounds better?
That sounds like I was a health fanatic . Heating food in a plastic container (like hot bev. bag or even retort pouch) doesn't seem to be healty but I accept that there is no other way.

[housil]

I've never heard of the outer pouches having a rat repellant, if that were true then everybody handling the plastic pouches would get repellant on their hands and then get sick.

We already spoke about that back in 2009 :"...I remember warnings never (!) to open the pouches with the mouth/teeth from some of my Army Manual´s or Medic Training Manuals as they are "covered" with some rat repellant.
I found it again at the Canteen Cup Cookery (Page 7). They also recommend that"

I like the FRH as "Plan B" if there is no other way to heat the ration and I´m using it sometimes. Usually I prefer my electrical ration heater. The FRH never makes the food hot enough, just (luke) warm. I tried it in winter outside and the FRH was just poorly working.

When using the ESBIT stove to warm up rations in the cup + water, I never use that water to drink it.

[RockyRaab]

Interesting. I would have assumed that everything in the MRE package was food grade and clean.

I wonder if anyone has asked the question directly to Natick: "If the MRE pouch is boiled in water, is that water then safe to drink?"

[sodjer]

heres my tuppence worth ,i may be some time. i believe the frh, and the spoon for that matter were put in to rations not for front line soldiers(or read experienced soldiers)as they will always have the right kit for feeding.i think they were put in rations for people who don't normally have them,civvy s, ngo s and others. and others in the chain have seen the frh,not understood the principle and took it out of context,and thats why the us doesn't issue trioxine anymore.
as to feeding i have found a great deal of changes in the last 30 odd years and i think old was better.feeding now is a hideaway solitary function,where as it was at one time social.the last time i was in greens was in 2003-4 i was at a training camp and was given an experienced rifle section(8 men 2 guns) on a field exercise we stopped for feeding/ orders.anybody who has worked in a squad/section level know how busy this can be,section commander on orders, 2 ic on logistics,one man on models,s2 gunners out,i told one of the newer guy to gather in everybody's main meal in and start heating them and the other one to get a brew on,he looked at me as if i was crazy,i asked what they normally do he said "make my own"no chance sonny,
having said all that one of my hobbies is military stoves.and I've designed a few(for lightweight camping),i am doing stuff for jetboils at present and a lot of brits and yanks carry jb s in their kit,and the brits still get issued crusader,but hexamine is on the way out,but the only change is the fuel(uk is going for gels).i like my jetboil,but it still has issues.most military vehicles(and every fire engine for that matter) has a water boiler /ration heater,as to using water from the heated rations i have never had a problem, we even used the boiling water when it was cans for a brew.most of the vehicle heater/boiler you put the ration in the top and take water out the bottom.that for starters