buenhec
Member
I am looking to buy some MRE's for home and for my car. Living in Phoenix, how well do they store in heat? Also, where is a good place to buy them from? Any suggestions on which flavors to choose?
Anyone bought MRE's lately?
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Duke of Doubt
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Meals Ready to Excrete may be had at most any Army/Navy surplus store.
BeeGee
Member
buanhec, I'll tell ya what I've found out. An old friend who was Army told me to get the military stamped ones. There are alot of civilian type MREs but they aren't as good as the governments (believe it or not). I had some from the military my son got in the Corps. I kept it at around 55-60 degrees in the basement for 3 years (I had 5 cases) and only got some out in the winter when I wanted to take it hunting w/ me. It and the heaters worked fine. Actually they taste quite good though I wouldn't want to eat the day after day like some of our guys and gals out there in harms way.
As far as where to get them just surf the webs. The militarys cost a little more but IMHO are worth it. If I see any while I'm surfin' I'll post it for ya. Later , BeeGee
As far as where to get them just surf the webs. The militarys cost a little more but IMHO are worth it. If I see any while I'm surfin' I'll post it for ya. Later , BeeGee
BeeGee
Member
Duke, I told him not to eat them every day. Besides, would you rather go to much 
or to little 
BeeGee
or to little BeeGee
google emergency essentials, they sell their MREs cheap, ive gotten one rotten mre from them before, mold,etc but if you contact them they send free replacements the other ones i got were fine and were pretty good too by the way some of em if you prepare em in a skillet instead of just microwaving them or eating them as is, are pretty damned good
WardenWolf
member
MRE's vary depending on what they are. The beef stew is actually very good. I have found that when it's very cold, the heat packs don't work well. I've taken them camping before.
As for how they store, here's what I've been told: any time they get above 90 degrees, it halves their lifespan. They will NOT keep well in the heat at all.
As for how they store, here's what I've been told: any time they get above 90 degrees, it halves their lifespan. They will NOT keep well in the heat at all.
Duke of Doubt
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The old manicotti MRE was acceptable as a field expedient stuffed pasta dish. Sadly, it is no more.
Avoid the egg omlette at all costs. It sucks going in and going out.
The vegetarian ones are not to bad. Although we wondered how a vegatarian lasagna could tast like meat and still be vegetarian.
They also had a chicken one that was considered really good in my training company. The chili mac one kinda sucked and acted like a brick in your stomach.
Do not go near the tuna fish ones, those are just a pouch package of Starkist tuna with some real crappy tortillas.
Huah bars really good, the MM are just the large vending machine package. Good when the only "sweetener' the army put into our regular chow was pepper and salt.
The vegetarian ones are not to bad. Although we wondered how a vegatarian lasagna could tast like meat and still be vegetarian.
They also had a chicken one that was considered really good in my training company. The chili mac one kinda sucked and acted like a brick in your stomach.
Do not go near the tuna fish ones, those are just a pouch package of Starkist tuna with some real crappy tortillas.
Huah bars really good, the MM are just the large vending machine package. Good when the only "sweetener' the army put into our regular chow was pepper and salt.
JustinL
Member
I agree with Bezoar, avoid the omlette.
I haven't tried the tuna
Just remember that the hotter they get, the better they taste. At least for me.
I haven't tried the tuna
Just remember that the hotter they get, the better they taste. At least for me.
mr.mafia
Member
the one I had was pretty good it was the chicken breast. but somehow they made everything taste like spam, even the pumpken cake, although the peanut butter was actually realy good. my friend said they dumped one of the egg ones on the ground in Iraq and ended up back there a year later and the dang thing was still there. some of my fav MRE acronyms are Meals Rejected by Enemy, Meals Ready to evolt, and finally Meals Really Enigmatic.
HorseSoldier
Member
Quality, taste wise, varies with the menu. I'm not really sure why some MREs stay in rotation, but other ones get cut -- I'm semi-convinced that military has a policy, that 25% of the MRE flavors at any given time have to be really well reviewed by troops and 25% have to be hated.
That's been my experience, too.
I could usually manage up to about 5-7 days on nothing but MREs while keeping some enthusiasm about chow. After that things meals usually start getting towards mechanically chewing while thinking about something more entertaining (probably never helped that if eating straight MREs for a week, I was probably also getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night at the same time).
That's been my experience, too.
I could usually manage up to about 5-7 days on nothing but MREs while keeping some enthusiasm about chow. After that things meals usually start getting towards mechanically chewing while thinking about something more entertaining (probably never helped that if eating straight MREs for a week, I was probably also getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night at the same time).
THe Dove
BOOMER SOONER!!!
The answer to your question about storage in the heat is, it depends on the product. Some civilian MRE's can last 2-3 years while others won't last one season in your trunk at 100+ degrees day after day.
The Dove
The Dove
Titan6
member
If they are military and they are chicken throw them out unless you like projectile vomiting. A large number have had the bacteria level rise to unacceptable levels. All the rest are likely ok if they are less than more than 8 years old.
jpatterson
Member
I try not to eat all the ones we're issued when we're out training so I can bring them home and save them for the Apocalypse. It would be funny if I wasn't kidding!
I really don't mind MREs though. That hot sauce bottle has saved many a bland meal, and I actually enjoy several of the entrees. I've never been cursed with the egg omelette yet, and last year I had a guy in my platoon who actually LIKED them and would trade his for them. Easy way to become popular among your fellows, haha.
I really don't mind MREs though. That hot sauce bottle has saved many a bland meal, and I actually enjoy several of the entrees. I've never been cursed with the egg omelette yet, and last year I had a guy in my platoon who actually LIKED them and would trade his for them. Easy way to become popular among your fellows, haha.
copper4262
Member
What's the cheapest you guys have found MRE's?? And where have you found them?? I think Emergency Ess. is priced fair and the ones I have gotten from them seem ok - But Im curious to find out if they can be had cheaper from somewhere else. Also what are some other alternatives that you guys are using. I'd like to find something for extended camping/hunting trips and in case of emergencies, but I would like to keep the $$$ down(yeah- im a tightwad!)
If anyone has links share them!
If anyone has links share them!
Quoheleth
Member
I haven't used these, and they're not *exactly* MREs, but this looks useful:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11219554&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1
This does not include a heat source, so STERNO, etc., is needed. Having been through IKE this year, I'm thinking a bucket of those in the hall closet might be pretty doggone handy. And, supplemented with cans of tuna, beef jerkey, etc., it might work out.
After IKE, we had 2 kinds of MREs around here. One was what I called civillian. The box said "Packed exclusively for Crowne Point Ltd." and in each clear, plastic package was a pack of beef stew, a military-style cracker w/ PB&J, a drink mix powder, and a dessert - usually a Fruit & Fiber bar. The stew is OK - really thick - but it will keep you from starving. Both pieces of beef in each package taste like beef...more gravy than anything.
The other box I received was military-style. It's buried in the garage right now and I can't read the box. The labeling lead me to believe it could be genuine USMilitary issue. Each MRE is wrapped in heavy brown plastic wrap and each MRE was a different meal. Most are rather medicine/chemical tasting. If you can power it down, I think these are more filling. I cannot recommend the "milkshake" though...[shudder]...
Neither gave me digestive problems, either binding or loosening.
Q
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11219554&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1
This does not include a heat source, so STERNO, etc., is needed. Having been through IKE this year, I'm thinking a bucket of those in the hall closet might be pretty doggone handy. And, supplemented with cans of tuna, beef jerkey, etc., it might work out.
After IKE, we had 2 kinds of MREs around here. One was what I called civillian. The box said "Packed exclusively for Crowne Point Ltd." and in each clear, plastic package was a pack of beef stew, a military-style cracker w/ PB&J, a drink mix powder, and a dessert - usually a Fruit & Fiber bar. The stew is OK - really thick - but it will keep you from starving. Both pieces of beef in each package taste like beef...more gravy than anything.
The other box I received was military-style. It's buried in the garage right now and I can't read the box. The labeling lead me to believe it could be genuine USMilitary issue. Each MRE is wrapped in heavy brown plastic wrap and each MRE was a different meal. Most are rather medicine/chemical tasting. If you can power it down, I think these are more filling. I cannot recommend the "milkshake" though...[shudder]...
Neither gave me digestive problems, either binding or loosening.
Q
HorseSoldier
Member
I prefer dehydrated stuff from Mountain House and some other companies in the backpacking business or, if you can find them, the old army Rations, Cold Weather (RCWs). I think they turn up on eBay sometimes and are a 24 hour ration (comes in two MRE bags), rather than a single meal + snacks deal like the MRE.
Some of the foreign MRE equivalents out there are also pretty good -- Canadian, Australian, German and British rations are all about as good and bad as MREs (if you ever have the chance, pass on anything the British military offers with vegetarian sausages in it . . .
). I think the Canadian IMPs turn up on eBay frequently enough and at a reasonable enough price that they might be worth getting a case lots.Treo
member
I always liked the dehydrated pork/beef patty because they came W/ cheese spread.
The chiken loaf was ok and the omlette (old school had an oatmeal cookie brick that would break your teeth)
Our desserts were the John Wayne bars & the chocolate covered cookie (popularly known as a roadwheel)
Alternatives for your car would include some MRE peanut butter and crackers, slimfast bars , beef jerky. dried apple or other fruit.
For your home canned soups, bulk beans & rice , ramen , powdered eggs.
LDS doctrine dictates having a 2 year supply of food and several LDS owned companies cater to that market.
Thetreeofliberty.org has a whole subforum devoted to food prep
The chiken loaf was ok and the omlette (old school had an oatmeal cookie brick that would break your teeth)
Our desserts were the John Wayne bars & the chocolate covered cookie (popularly known as a roadwheel)
Alternatives for your car would include some MRE peanut butter and crackers, slimfast bars , beef jerky. dried apple or other fruit.
For your home canned soups, bulk beans & rice , ramen , powdered eggs.
LDS doctrine dictates having a 2 year supply of food and several LDS owned companies cater to that market.
Thetreeofliberty.org has a whole subforum devoted to food prep
You know, Treo, I think the LDS company thing you just posted may be the best post you've ever made. In fact, it might be the coolest thing I've ever read on THR.
http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/foodpak1.aspx
I'm looking at a one year supply of food that will last for twenty years stored at 60 degrees F, taking up 33 cubic feet (something like 2x3x6' stacked) for $1300. That's what I spend in like 3-4 months for me on food shopping at Sam's.
edit: I just realized there's gonna be some killer shipping for 800 pounds of food (think: $2700 minimum if you're on the East Coast). Still a great idea.
http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/foodpak1.aspx
I'm looking at a one year supply of food that will last for twenty years stored at 60 degrees F, taking up 33 cubic feet (something like 2x3x6' stacked) for $1300. That's what I spend in like 3-4 months for me on food shopping at Sam's.
edit: I just realized there's gonna be some killer shipping for 800 pounds of food (think: $2700 minimum if you're on the East Coast). Still a great idea.
LeonCarr
Member
Tabasco makes them all good .
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
.Just my .02,
LeonCarr
fireman 9731
Member
This last summer I worked as a wildland firefighter in Colorado. We carried MREs in our packs all the time. Most of them are pretty tasty but as mentioned before, the omelet is absolutely disgusting!!! and don't plan on having normal digestion of any kind after eating any MRE.
As far as heat goes, some of mine sure saw a lot, but they never seemed to be affected at all. The government issue ones are supposed to be good for 10 years. We stored cases on them on top of our trucks that saw all the elements and they never seemed to be affected either.
As far as heat goes, some of mine sure saw a lot, but they never seemed to be affected at all. The government issue ones are supposed to be good for 10 years. We stored cases on them on top of our trucks that saw all the elements and they never seemed to be affected either.
Treo
member
Oh Noooooo not the corned beef
They used to feed that to us twice a week at Ft. Sam
And lest we forget
The Maple Nut Pound Cake !!!!!
They used to feed that to us twice a week at Ft. Sam
And lest we forget
The Maple Nut Pound Cake !!!!!
HorseSoldier
Member
Corned beef hash has been gone for a while. I think it got phased out in the mid or late 90s (?). My memory may not be right, but I recall it going away when the first "ethnic" MREs showed up (Jamaican pork chop, Thai chicken, etc.) . . . but it's been a while.
Seriously old school MREs . . .
Seriously old school MREs . . .
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