RCW DATING

[housil]

Thank you for your "condolences"...

I got a whole case of RCW, but for THAT prices...

[LogDayFreshHots]

Thank you for your "condolences"...

It's okay Housil. Rub some MRE fruit cake on it and you will feel better I promise

[Ruleryak]

Have to add my thanks for a great review thread steve

[TheOtherDave]

Wow... I had no idea these were that popular-I've been sitting on 3 or 4 cases for years in my walk in closet!

[alcockell]

Candy, Chocolate Bar With Toffee Enriched, Sweet Type 7, Style 1! (I laugh when I read that every time... why the heck didn't they just call it Chocolate Toffee Bar..?!?! hehehe)

or...

TREEEOH! TREEEOH! I WANT A TRIO AND I WANT ONE NOW! (remember those, fellow Brits?)

http://www.childofthe1980s.com/2007/08/13/jacobs-trio/

[reddevil1311]

That takes me back!

[steve1989]

Here is an High Definition-Style update on a 1998 RCW.

I opened one of my babies on this past February, and the reason was I heard the M&M's had bursted open in the -b component and that's all it took for me to say - "Ok I gotta open you".
Oh, and the Chocolate Covered Brownie's nuts tend to go rancid by about 15 years (in my experiences) and this one was 16 years old so I wanted to try it on one of it's last "good days".

I truly love these rations, and I don't ever open one unless I am desperate for some guaranteed entertainment and nostalgia.

P.S. I actually ate every bite of this ration over the course of the whole day. even the kindof stale crackers. I sent the Accessory packet to a friend, and saved the orange drink because it was hard as a rock.

The brownie was perfect by the way.

Cookies and fig bar were perfectly good. Fig bar was a little darker but I've eaten them when they turned black so I ate it.
Oatmeal was creamy cinnamon goodness. I love RCW Oatmeal.

Chili with beans was wholesome and filling. I added 3 ounces less water than instructed. Always use about 25% less water than directed on dehydrated entrees. They'll taste better!

I have about 20 more pictures of this ration so ask and I'll post more close ups if you want.
Thanks everyone!

[mreheater72]

Steve, thanks a lot for that great review on a "vintage" ration , that unfortunately will never be produced .

Oh, and the Chocolate Covered Brownie's nuts tend to go rancid by about 15 years (in my experiences) and this one was 16 years old so I wanted to try it on one of it's last "good days".
[…]
The brownie was perfect by the way.

You are absolutely right, the Chocolate Covered Brownie's nuts tend to go rancid, so congratulations that that RCWones were still fine .

Cookies and fig bar were perfectly good. Fig bar was a little darker but I've eaten them when they turned black so I ate it.

I´m surprised that the Fig Bar was still good . The shelf life of that item is according to my experience very short. I had several in the past that were not so old and not good anymore !

Chili with beans was wholesome and filling. I added 3 ounces less water than instructed. Always use about 25% less water than directed on dehydrated entrees. They'll taste better!

I made the same experience with freeze dried ration items, I mentioned that here in another topics before. It is always good to reduce the amount of recommended water adding.

I have about 20 more pictures of this ration so ask and I'll post more close ups if you want.

If you have some close-ups of the Chili with Beans, they are welcome !

So long mreheater72

[steve1989]

Hey mreheater, I'm glad you enjoyed seeing my update on this neat old post, and on what I feel is one of the best military rations ever to be produced!

I feel badly you have had bad experiences in the past with the fig bars! Were they rancid or did they just taste bad? I personally enjoy the "different" (for a lack of a better term) flavor and texture of old MRE fig bars!
Like I mentioned, I've eaten them when they turned black - check the bottom of the first page of this thread. In 2010, I had a 1989 Rafco with fig bars, and those things were black and they tasted strong of fig, were oily, and sweet. Certainly a different experience! & I would love to try them again within the next decade..!

I will now post 8 more photos, including your request of the Chili & Beans close-ups!

[mreheater72]

Hey mreheater, I'm glad you enjoyed seeing my update on this neat old post, and on what I feel is one of the best military rations ever to be produced!

I just browsed the whole post again (I have read sometimes in the past already), it is awesome . Detailed information and pics about a great ration that will never be produced again .

I feel badly you have had bad experiences in the past with the fig bars! Were they rancid or did they just taste bad? I personally enjoy the "different" (for a lack of a better term) flavor and texture of old MRE fig bars!
Like I mentioned, I've eaten them when they turned black - check the bottom of the first page of this thread. In 2010, I had a 1989 Rafco with fig bars, and those things were black and they tasted strong of fig, were oily, and sweet. Certainly a different experience! & I would love to try them again within the next decade..!

The old fig bars I tasted had turned dark, their smell was bad and the taste was a mixture between bitter and rancid . I could eat not even a little piece, I have to spit it out .

I will now post 8 more photos, including your request of the Chili & Beans close-ups!

Thank you very much for the additional photos/close-ups !

mreheater72