ready cooked meals

poor but proud

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2018
517
704
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75
redlands
has any one tried any of the current crop of ready cooked long life meals , a lot of them coming on the market, they look good for a long stay menu, but he price seems up there, on screen they look good but are they worth it, lots of different offerings freeze dried ,ready to heat and eat etc.
 

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
13,309
20,121
113
QLD
Ive tasted some of the freeze dried stuff over the years and reckon its emergency rations only stuff .... Rat packs left them for dead ................... Hasn't changed much ..... Its really only for those who travel by foot ..............
 
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Boots in Action

Well-Known Member
Mar 13, 2017
2,133
1,880
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Ferny Grove, Queensland
has any one tried any of the current crop of ready cooked long life meals , a lot of them coming on the market, they look good for a long stay menu, but he price seems up there, on screen they look good but are they worth it, lots of different offerings freeze dried ,ready to heat and eat etc.
Hi @poor but proud , I would like to agree with @Drover regarding freeze dried rations. Had them issued to me whilst on exercises. They were initially tried out to reduce the weight and volume of rations carried in the field and to avoid the problems of disposal as is needed with the standard "rat packs". However, it was found that whilst they were tasty enough (when there is nothing else to consume) they had a few problems. Firstly, they needed water - lots of it - to hydrate the dehydrated/freeze dried remains and water is bluddy heavy to carry, and you also need it to drink. 20 litre plastic jerry cans are too big to strap on back!! And also, being freeze dried, you had to let the dinner choice soak in WATER in the aluminum packaging for hours to soften the hard lumps before heating the gruel. All this defeated the purpose of having a quick meal in the field before having to move again. Not the best idea for constant movement. Much better to drop "rat packs" by air or other means of supply.. So, if you have the time and the water, they can have their place. Have not tried the latest "civvie" type as yet so they may now be satisfactory with all facilities available. Certainly easy to store and light to carry, and no need for refrigeration.