MRE question

[xbimmers]

Planning a camping trip and am considering trying out some MRE's

Any feedback on some good meals and where to buy?

thanks.

[Uriah02]

The vegetarian ones are usually the best, the pot roast is decent if heated. Whatever you do DO NOT buy the Egg Omlet or Capt Country Chicken!

[89 Vision]

There are several people selling some in the Marketplace right now, check it out. I've bought some from Calgunners in the past. I personally like menu B better than A. But I think I'm alone on that one.

[89 Vision]

For the lazy;

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=383705&highlight=mre

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=353183

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=376434&highlight=mre

I bought some from the last one not too long ago. Nice guy.

[xbimmers]

I could imagine how nasty the egg omlet can be!!!!!!!!!

[luckystrike]

The vegetarian ones are usually the best, the pot roast is decent if heated. Whatever you do DO NOT buy the Egg Omlet or Capt Country Chicken!

+1 for veggie burger!
and shun the eggomlet

[KimoBBZ]

about even on A or B...

My "favorites" in bold below... Now I'll qualify this by saying this ain't gourmet mealtime... I remember taste testing a few at home, and was not impressed - but after a long day of hiking or being active in the field, having one of the hot meals below was pretty damn good.

I think the Omelet is off the roster now??

Menu A
01 - Chili w/Beans
02 - Pork Rib
03 - Beef Ravioli
04 - Maple Sausage
05 - Chicken Breast
06 - Chicken w/Noodles
07 - Beef Brisket
08 - Meatballs w/Marinara
09 - Beef Stew
10 - Chili & Macaroni
11 - Vegetable Lasagna
12 - Veggie Burger w/BBQ Sauce

Menu B
13 - Cheese Tortellini
14 - Spicy Penne Pasta
15 - Beef Enchilada
16 - Chicken Fajita
17 - Sloppy Joe
18 - Beef Patty
19 - Pot Roast w/Vegetables
20 - Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce
21 - Tuna
22 - Chicken w/Dumplings
23 - Chicken Pesto & Pasta
24 - Buffalo Chicken

[Got Stuff?]

Just make sure they're fresh!!

There's a number of good places to get them locally.

Last thing you want is to get 8 miles into your 3 day hike and find out that all 6 of your MRE's have turned rancid! Yes, it happened to me and that was the last time I bought "off the base" MRE's! Since then, I stick to the fresh ones packed for civilian use.

I take MRE's on practically every outing. They're quick, easy and compact.

[luckystrike]

Just make sure they're fresh!!

There's a number of good places to get them locally.

Last thing you want is to get 8 miles into your 3 day hike and find out that all 6 of your MRE's have turned rancid! Yes, it happened to me and that was the last time I bought "off the base" MRE's! Since then, I stick to the fresh ones packed for civilian use.

I take MRE's on practically every outing. They're quick, easy and compact.

how can you tell they are good or not? there is an indicator on the box but I donno how to read it..

[tiredshooter]

I peronally prefer the newer "First Strike," rations (FSR) meals. Easier to eat, pack and dispose of. I like the BBQ Beef or pork sandwiches, although the tuna, sausage and meatballs ones are good too. They offer more efficient calorie intake than standard MRE's, less goofing around and you can eat while hiking, no need to stop. I either get mine off eBay or locally from some troops that just came home. Brigade Quartermasters sometimes have them, but they are hit n miss. This link will tell you about them. http://www.mreinfo.com/us/fsr/first-strike-ration.html

Reg MRE's although good, are too bulky, lots of trash afterwards.

The first strikes offer a sandwich made by Bridgeford, kind of like a "Hot Pocket," you can eat cold and it tastes good cold.

A sample of them (although kind of expensive when bought individually) can be bought here:

http://shop.meyerscustomsupply.com/category.sc?categoryId=12

I have paid on average for a full First Strike meal of about $3.75 and as high as $5.50. I have no clue what they go for out in Cali though. You can prob find your own better source, if you do, PM me and let me know. The info out there on them is a cpl years old, there are NOW 9 different meals and Case B offers Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner combos. They are now coming with Juce Box sized Chocolate Milk and the really liked Milk Shakes.

[Got Stuff?]

I peronally prefer the newer "First Strike," rations (FSR) meals. Easier to eat, pack and dispose of. I like the BBQ Beef or pork sandwiches, although the tuna, sausage and meatballs ones are good too. They offer more efficient calorie intake than standard MRE's, less goofing around and you can eat while hiking, no need to stop. I either get mine off eBay or locally from some troops that just came home. Brigade Quartermasters sometimes have them, but they are hit n miss. This link will tell you about them. http://www.mreinfo.com/us/fsr/first-strike-ration.html

Reg MRE's although good, are too bulky, lots of trash afterwards.

The first strikes offer a sandwich made by Bridgeford, kind of like a "Hot Pocket," you can eat cold and it tastes good cold.

A sample of them (although kind of expensive when bought individually) can be bought here:

http://shop.meyerscustomsupply.com/category.sc?categoryId=12

I have paid on average for a full First Strike meal of about $3.75 and as high as $5.50. I have no clue what they go for out in Cali though. You can prob find your own better source, if you do, PM me and let me know. The info out there on them is a cpl years old, there are NOW 9 different meals and Case B offers Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner combos. They are now coming with Juce Box sized Chocolate Milk and the really liked Milk Shakes.

What's the storage life on the First Strike? I'm kinda liking these!

I have been using these meals for the last or 12 years or so and found a case that I had misplaced that was 10 years old. Everything was still edible.

I agree with the extra trash statement. Because of that, I have been known to put together my own version of MRE pack containing thinks I only need/want.

[dms1]

how can you tell they are good or not? there is an indicator on the box but I donno how to read it..

There should be a four number code like 6123

The first number is the year and the other three digits are the day the MRE was made.

So in the above example the MRE was made on the 123rd Day of 2006


YMMV

Dave S

[luckystrike]

There should be a four number code like 6123

The first number is the year and the other three digits are the day the MRE was made.

So in the above example the MRE was made on the 123rd Day of 2006


YMMV

Dave S

alrighty, ill check for the number. how long are they good for usually?
also I remember a red sticker indicator of some sort.

[Jedi]

While many will tell you that MRE are good for a huge number of years (usually something like 10 years), remember that the storage conditions play a critical role in the life. Personally, I will not eat any that are older than 4 years, as this is the life if stored at 95+ degrees (average temp in the summer here).

Also, keep in mind that an MRE is designed for a soldier who is humping a heavy pack over adverse terrain for a long period... the carbs, sodium, electrolytes, and much more are formulated for that type of activity. If you are not doing that, you should consider the civilian market products. I have personally found the Heater Meals to be pretty tasty (although the menu is pretty limited) and satisfying. Also, if you have water purification available, freeze dried foods like Mountain House can be really enjoyable.

[tiredshooter]

I did the freeze dried stuff for awhile. In 2006, 2 of the major manufactures had a worm infestation issue in the grains. Although I never bought any with worms in them, I refrained from buying them since then. I have used MRE's for the better part of 18 years now and I do the same as ^ Got Stuff^ up there, I open them and take the items I want out and then collect all the left overs and then sell those on eBay. The thing I like about the "FRS," meals is that no spoons are needed, they can be cooked while moving, they are all finger foods. The basic storage life is stated at 3 years and that can be altered +/-via storage conditions. Everything can slip back into the plastic envelope and crunched into a palm sized wad that stays that way and stuffed in a pocket and no trash left behind.

I have also just bought the main entres and some side in quantities of both MRE and FRS, much lower cost than buying full meals and breaking them up. I do not use the MRE heaters. I only eat the MRE's that taste ok cold or will leave them under a dark towel in the sun on a rock or other flat surface and they get warm enough.

I have seen 2 year old MRE's totally bloated and ruined due to storage conditions (HEAT) and I have also ate 12 year old MRES that were stored properly or better. The civillian versions (No Named) are iffy as many are not inspected except for in house inspection. At least the Military ones have the DCAS GS-12-1910 - Quality Assurance Specialists - Food and the USDA Food inspectors signing off on those foods.

Give the FRS's a try, some will like em, others will not. For me, they fit the bill perfectly.