Want to know about MRE's?

**Gunco** · 06-25-2006, 12:15 AM

Here is a great MRE resource page. Info on everything from military MRE's to the civi MRE's.

http://www.mreinfo.com/index.html

**sniper69** · 06-25-2006, 06:27 PM

cool, thanks for sharing!

**pirate56** · 06-25-2006, 07:45 PM

after reading that all I can say is I am glad I was in the Navy!!

Freebore · 06-27-2006, 12:24 AM

Good post! I'm starting to do some research based on the links provided. How long will they last?

kernelkrink · 06-27-2006, 09:06 PM

At least 20 years. A friend gave me some of his stash from the early 80s, they tasted a little less than fresh, but were OK. Stored in a garage, they went through a lot of high heat and cold cycles! The colder you keep them the longer they last. Heat shortens their life. There is a chart somewhere, the "official" version is that storage above 100 degrees results in something like a 6 month life and getting them down below 40 degrees or so results in 8+ years. The general consensus however is that as long as the package is not damaged or swollen and the contents do not taste bad, you are probably safe to eat them. This is for the retort packed entrees and sides, the stuff like the drink packs and accessory packs may go bad before the rest of the mre does.

**Gunco** · 06-27-2006, 11:38 PM

Here is the link to the longevity of MRE's verse tempature

http://www.mreinfo.com/mre-longevity.html

Freebore · 08-04-2006, 10:53 PM

I have a partial case of MRE's that are dated 1986. Maybe I will do a "Consumer Report" on the Chicken A'La King. When I get around to it, I will post my observations...If I live through it!

GeneC · 07-07-2007, 03:32 PM

What are the best and worst tasting MRE?

**sniper69** · 07-07-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneC

What are the best and worst tasting MRE?

I like the corn beef hash and the beef stew. I don't like the pork pattie or omelette with ham.

kernelkrink · 07-09-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneC

What are the best and worst tasting MRE?

Highly subjective answers to that question! Also, the menus have changed some with each major contract so some of the stuff may not be available anymore.

The escalloped potatoes with ham is probably my favorite, very good and tastes almost like the store bought version in the microwave bowls.

Pork and rice with tomato sauce is good.

Ham patty was OK, would have been better cooked over a fire though.

Meatballs and rice, good.

Chicken and rice wasn't too fond of.

Corned beef hash was OK but was pretty soupy.

Turkey and gravy with potatoes, good.

Dunno if they make them anymore, but I had a few "LRRP" rations that were dehydrated instead of wet packed. The beef patty was a dehydrated hamburger, crumbled up in the beans with tomato sauce made a passable expedient chili.

The peanut butter is OK, kinda dry though.

The cheese spread is terrible, throw at the enemy and hope he eats it. He will be too busy pukeing to put up much of a fight.

The shelf stable bread is OK, again a bit dry.

The crackers are kinda thick and brittle but taste like crackers.

The pound cakes are great, the maple nut ones I would eat everyday!

The oatmeal bar is very dry but tastes like an oatmeal cookie, if you got milk I suggest extended dunking!

The drink mixes in fruit flavors are probably better than tasting water purification pills, but I'll stick with Kool Aid! The hot cocoa is good though.

Those are about all the ones I've tried, some I passed on just because I don't like the dish regardless of who made it.