View Full Version : Wanted MREs
I am looking for some MREs that still have some shelf-life on them. They can be mil-spec or civilian,does not matter. I can eat just about anything so feel free to PM me if you have some.
take-a-knee
11-28-2008, 22:54
I am looking for some MREs that still have some shelf-life on them. They can be mil-spec or civilian,does not matter. I can eat just about anything so feel free to PM me if you have some.
The question comes to mind, have you ever actually eaten those things?
The question comes to mind, have you ever actually eaten those things?
I sure have,and love them.:o
I don't have any personally, but they are cheap on E-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/12-MRE-Ready-to-Eat-Meals-Shipped-In-A-Box-Menu-13-24_W0QQitemZ150312716280QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defa ultDomain_0?hash=item150312716280&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318
(There are other examples, too..shipping is expensive, though)
There is some controversy about how people acquired the MREs so cheaply...
(notice the really cheap ones come from the Gulf Coast region...)
http://www.marine-corps-news.com/2005/11/us_investigates_sale_of_mres_o.htm
You can get them at the Army-Navy store in Barre, VT, if you're in the neighborhood.
Nearly Normal
11-29-2008, 05:22
Try these.
http://www.trailfoods.com/index.html
The Old Fhart
11-29-2008, 09:35
You really don't want full MREs because there is too much stuff you don't need in the package. What you probably want is just the MRE entrees or other meal components(as the military calls them). I recently bought entrees from this site (http://theepicenter.com/mre_military_meal_ready_to_eat.html) that were 2007 production date and $2.25 each. I'd never rely on MREs for entire meals but sometimes after being on the trail eating Ramen, a 'beef steak, grilled' (hamburger patty) is a treat.:sun
take-a-knee
11-29-2008, 10:15
MRE's are loaded with hydrogenated fats (preservative), they only have a 3-YEAR SHELF LIFE if they were stored at room temperature or lower. If stored at high temperature (summer heat) they can go bad much sooner. There are potential bacteria that are not killed by the processing that will not cause human disease but can still cause food spoilage or tainting.
Thanks for all the info folks.
Mags,that bottom link is interesting.It really does make you wonder.You are right about shipping,it would cost me over 30 bucks just for shipping.
TOF,I agree. I was not clear,I am interested in entrees only.
Deadeye,I am a couple hours from Barre. I make it over to VT a couple times of year,I will check it out.
NN,I have never heard of Enertia,looks like I need to research their site.
Thanks
MRE's are loaded with hydrogenated fats (preservative), they only have a 3-YEAR SHELF LIFE if they were stored at room temperature or lower. If stored at high temperature (summer heat) they can go bad much sooner. There are potential bacteria that are not killed by the processing that will not cause human disease but can still cause food spoilage or tainting.
Thats interesting,I thought the shelf-life was much longer.
The Old Fhart
11-29-2008, 20:30
Take-a-knee-"..... they only have a 3-YEAR SHELF LIFE if they were stored at room temperature or lower."Google and you will find that at 70°F the shelf life is over 8 years. At 60°F it is over 10 years.
At about 95°F the shelf life would be 3 years but most people's room temperature is less than that.;)
_terrapin_
11-29-2008, 20:51
The question comes to mind, have you ever actually eaten those things?
Not often that I agree with TAK...:D
Google and you will find that at 70°F the shelf life is over 8 years. At 60°F it is over 10 years.
At about 95°F the shelf life would be 3 years but most people's room temperature is less than that.;)
TOF,thanks for that.
I just did google it.I now know if I buy MREs they will last at least 8 years. The ones I just finished up with NO ill effects were at least ten years old.
I know they are heavy,but I love them. Real food,yum!:confused:
take-a-knee
11-29-2008, 20:56
Google and you will find that at 70°F the shelf life is over 8 years. At 60°F it is over 10 years.
At about 95°F the shelf life would be 3 years but most people's room temperature is less than that.;)
Well, I wonder why they stamp 3 years on the boxes?
_terrapin_
11-29-2008, 21:04
I know they are heavy,but I love them. Real food,yum!:confused:
Costco and Trader Joes both sell Indian food in foil packets. Same idea, and IMO, infinitely more tasty than MREs. Saw a couple of guys heating some up at The Perch back in early October.
The Old Fhart
11-29-2008, 21:29
take-a-knee-"Well, I wonder why they stamp 3 years on the boxes?" Pay attention, three years is the inspection date. If you would just Google (as I previously suggested) you would find it says: "The inspection date on MREs is usually three years after the packed date." MRE in storage are reinspected to make sure there are no problems because those that are carried into the field but not used may see extremes in temp.
BitBucket
11-29-2008, 21:33
NitroPak has them...
http://www.nitro-pak.com/product_info.php?cPath=147_183&products_id=1005
Pay attention, three years is the inspection date. If you would just Google (as I previously suggested) you would find it says: "The inspection date on MREs is usually three years after the packed date." MRE in storage are reinspected to make sure there are no problems because those that are carried into the field but not used may see extremes in temp.
Straight from the horses mouth (US Army research lab). If the people who set the the standards for the bloody things say ~8 yrs at 70 degrees, then I am going to go with ~8 yrs at 70 degrees. :D
http://longlifefood.com/images/mre_storage_chart.gif
Why would you want to use MREs? Probably not bad for a quick weekend trip (esp if you break down the packaging) or shortish trips where water is an issue.
Remember, the army has a huge logistic train that I certainly don't have. :) From what I understand, the people who hoof it a bit use meals not far different from backpackers... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LRP_ration)
(look at the bottom for the modern version, discussed here (http://www.dscp.dla.mil/subs/rations/programs/mcw/mcwabt.asp)as well.
take-a-knee
11-29-2008, 23:26
Well, I've opened enough flourescent green beenie weenies to know that MRE's don't last 8yrs. You guys can eat all of them you want, I won't fight you for them. The only thing that will last 8yrs and still have any nutrition is freeze-dried food.
take-a-knee
11-29-2008, 23:34
What Mags said about soldiers who cover a lot of ground is true, they avoid MRE's if they can. If there is little water available, like in the desert, the MRE may work as well. The old LRRP ration was nothing more than a Mountain House meal, made by them as well. I've opened them that were 15yo and still palatable.
The Old Fhart
11-30-2008, 09:54
take-a-knee-"Well, I've opened enough flourescent green beenie weenies to know that MRE's don't last 8yrs."
Well, you're the only one 'claiming' to have superior knowledge to the rest of us (including the U.S. Government) on MRE shelf life. From a practical standpoint I have a good sized stash of MREs entries I eat at home from time to time when I'm too lazy to make anything else. Included in that group are the following with the made date:
Chicken And Rice With Annatto day095 yr99
Chicken Breast Fillet, BBQ Flavor day159 yr99
Grilled Turkey BreastW/Potatoes day057 yr99
Chicken Breast Strips With Salsa day120 yr00
All these entries are still good and tasty after almost 10 years. In my experience I've only had 2 failures and that was due to a puncture in the heavy foil/mylar packaging, not age.
As to the MCW/LRP meal,cold weather/long range patrol (http://www.dscp.dla.mil/subs/rations/programs/mcw/mcwabt.asp) freeze dried meals, they have the same '3 year' reinspection date on them and I have had some of those start to smell 'musty' after about 10 years.
Oh, and there is another more common name for 'beanie weenies' that comes to mind.:eek:
take-a-knee
11-30-2008, 11:47
Well just enjoy FART! You still haven't refuted my science based assertion that it is impossible to wet pack food and render it 100% free of all bacteria (without destroying the food). You might try taking some science courses.
The government jackasses who write those manuals live off of expense accounts, not MRE's.
The Old Fhart
11-30-2008, 13:05
take-a-knee-"You still haven't refuted my science based assertion that it is impossible to wet pack food and render it 100% free of all bacteria (without destroying the food). You might try taking some science courses."You're the only one that's interested in that irrelevant question. The question is how long will MREs last and that has been answered by referring to facts from govt. sources. You might want to take a logic course.:rolleyes:
take-a-knee-"The government jackasses who write those manuals live off of expense accounts, not MRE's."Taking a cheap shot at government employees is a sign you can't support your claim with any facts. It would also help if you had the ability to even spell my name correctly.:D