MRE Freeze/Thaw cycles?

[dmftoy1]

I'd like to keep a couple of MRE's in the truck, but around here in the winter we go from -10 to +48 (today). Do you just chuck them after 6 months of this or ?

Regards,
Dave

[stevelyn]

Depending on type of entree the consistency could get a little strange, but as long as the pouches remain sealed and aren't bloating they should be okay to eat.
If you're concerned about the freezing and thawing, get the arctic MREs. All the food items are dry or dehydrated. You also get two meals plus snacks in one pouch, but make sure you have a water source on hand to rehydrate.

[Firethorn]

From what I remember, if they actually freeze you have something like 72 hours after it thaws to use it.

On the other hand, they don't freeze at 32F, it's more like 0F.

[JamisJockey]

+1 On the dehydrated stuff. MRE's get a little weird after they've been frozen a few times. Still edible, or at least that's what I was told at the time....

[NukemJim]

My understanding is that the greater the number of freeze thw cycles that the MREs are subject to cause 1) consistency changes in the food as others have noted. and 2) an increase in the failure rate of the pouches that would cause the food to go bad and also weakens pouch for future damage.

One possibility get a cheap cooler (styrofoam(SP?) works great) and put the MRE's in it that will modrate the temperature and reduce the number of freeze thaw cycles significantly.

Radiashack and others sell an inexpensive digital thermometer with a MIN/MAX memory feature. You could use that to get some idea how often that occurs with your truch/cooler system. I use a cooler for the same purpose.

Good Luck

NukemJim

[dmftoy1]

That's not a bad idea. Might keep my water jugs from freezing solid all the time too. :)

Have a good one,
Dave