MREInfo.com

This story may sound familiar but I wanted to make my first post with a splash.

So, I stumbled upon Steve1989 after a friend told me about the hardtack video. I'm a history nerd at heart so I became really enthusiastic. I asked the same friend if he had any leftover MRE's from his time in The National Guard, he handed me a 2015 date code Ratatouille and the rest is delicious history. I was honestly blown away by how much better it tasted and performed than canned food or camp meals, I knew I needed to build my ration palette as I enjoy camping, self-reliance, and general shenanigans that take me away from "society" for long periods of time.

Bushcraft is fun and all, but you don't want to have to make a fire with your surroundings when the ground is already wet and its the only way you will get a hot meal by the end of the night.

I thought about buying online from a retailer but ended up finding a local connection and picked up three cases of '16 pack date a few days ago for $40 a case. I even talked the guy down to $100 for three cases, important to me as I have been out of work for a few weeks and will finally start my next job on Monday.

Here's part of my haul:


Now I get to try one of every menu from '16 and leave an extra B-menu in stock as I hunt for similar deals! Also planning to expand the hobby at some point and begin procuring foreign rations. I do believe there's more to learn here than I would be able to teach but all the same if I have some notes from the field I would be happy to pass them along.

Happy heating and eating, all.

I bought several cases of the 2016s and the FRHs don't work particularly well, unfortunately. The heater gets hot but not steaming hot, and it definitely won't heat up an entree that great. I definitely suggest microwaving entrees if you can.

Welcome to the forums! Thats a big pile you got there.

Some rations contain packages/pouches that react to microwaves (some sort of metal/foil liner, i guess) Your best bet is to boil them in a pot for 8-10min (15min+ for expired items)

You can sometimes make the frh work better by adding the salt pack with your water. Frh is a chemical mix(already has salt in it too) that rusts quickly, which causes heat, and the salt pack trick has worked for me in the past.

If you procure yourself a foreign ration you could try to get one of the ones that come with a little stove! That could prove really usefull for you as a pocket emergency fire... Alsmot all the stoves ocupy close to nothing and the fuel, although stinky, is really efficient

Welcome to the hobby and have fun!!

Could just eat them warm, room temp, or (Eeek!) cold.

All good.

I'll keep that in mind @pandatime. Better keep salt at my office just in case. Also a good point @ViperGTS as that was my first thought and I just started this job so I'd hate to fry something in the microwave and get busted.

Already thought about an alternate source for the FRH or simply boiling them like I've seen done.

Definitely on my list @carlosflar. I actually purchased an Esbit stove separately just in case, and when I finally do break it out I will stock up on hexamine tablets.

Thank you for the kind wishes everyone! I'll be sure to share my experience with the FRH's of this batch once I have a few "ignited." The last three rations I've had were 2015 date stamp. Or if I'm really worried about it I can always stock up on some Menu 21.

21 is the only one i have not had, not a fan of tuna, but might bite the bullet someday. Stock up on 22 asian beef strips, it has been replaced with beef goulash and is no longer available.

You can always empty the pouches into a bowl, or something, and then microwave. My office has many microwaves, but no stove tops, or pots...i read about another guy on the forums that puts his rations on the baseboard heater, in his office:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8682

I just scored some american mres from 2017 menus 6-8 and 17 I think. Its the maple patty.

I have also scored some french rcir. Which are amazing.
Lasagne out of a tin!

Quick update on this haul as I went camping this weekend and brought Menus 24 and 17 with me.

24 was indeed slow to heat (though I didn't pre-soak the FRH,) just like @Pandatime said. Thankfully that was dinner so I just heated the retorts over coals and chowed down. 17 Maple Pork Patty was breakfast and really was delicious with maple syrup and that muffin top. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and flavor of each component. Only thing I haven't finished yet is crackers and peanut butter, and some beverage powder.

Happy eating!

@Cookoff13 I am definitely interested in the RCIR. Gotta get on the for sale part of the forum one of these nights with some extra cash.