So last week I was stuck at home for three days, because my "metro" train service into London is a big steaming pile of fail and couldn't cope if a pigeon farted in its general direction, let alone deal with the heavy snowfall we'd received.
Cabin fever was setting in, not least because husband and I were unused to being at home at the same time without it being a holiday.
Apart from working, we passed the time by yelling to each other to make a cup of tea. I invariably won because (a) I'm me and (b) he was nearer the kitchen.
Anyway, as I've mentioned before, I'm a survivalist at heart, so being snowed in was kinda thrilling as it provided the perfect excuse to break out the ration packs I'd kept stockpiled under the stairs.
Okay, not technically ration packs (though Lord knows I've tried to buy some genuine field rations off eBay), but camping meals made by Wayfayrer.
Pasta and meatballs, and chicken casserole - so far, so blah, but here's the exciting bit - these babies were self-heating.
Okay, not technically ration packs (though Lord knows I've tried to buy some genuine field rations off eBay), but camping meals made by Wayfayrer.
Pasta and meatballs, and chicken casserole - so far, so blah, but here's the exciting bit - these babies were self-heating.
Yeah, maybe those silver packets aren't particularly appealing, but SELF-HEATING goddammit. Do you hear me?
As the packs themselves say:
Yeeeeeeeeees.
As the packs themselves say:
"EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR
A DELICIOUS MEAL
FOOD, HEAT SOURCE, FORK & SPOON"
The blurb at the back says this:
"The HOT FOOD KIT combines the foil meal pouch with an innovative complete Heater System and a lightweight set of plastic cutlery. When water is added to the Heater System a reaction is triggered and the element gives off heat. The heat is transferred to the foil pack and thus to the pre-cooked food creating a hot meal within a matter of minutes. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need to travel light"
Heigh-ho, I figured I'd better read the actual instructions as well.
Looks long-winded, but it turns out they're pretty much the same as fireworks - light fuse (or rather moisten flameless ration heater) and retreat to a safe distance.
Here is the chemical equation for the science nerds out there:
"The HOT FOOD KIT combines the foil meal pouch with an innovative complete Heater System and a lightweight set of plastic cutlery. When water is added to the Heater System a reaction is triggered and the element gives off heat. The heat is transferred to the foil pack and thus to the pre-cooked food creating a hot meal within a matter of minutes. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need to travel light"
Heigh-ho, I figured I'd better read the actual instructions as well.
Looks long-winded, but it turns out they're pretty much the same as fireworks - light fuse (or rather moisten flameless ration heater) and retreat to a safe distance.
Here is the chemical equation for the science nerds out there:
Mg + 2H2O → Mg(OH)2 + H2
At first nothing happened, and hubby and I thought I'd been sold a lemon. However, a few minutes later a noxious smell began to waft towards us, accompanied by an unholy fizzing noise which became louder and louder.
We contemplated the ignominy of death by ready meal and decided to leave the kitchen until the 12 minutes warming time was up.
We contemplated the ignominy of death by ready meal and decided to leave the kitchen until the 12 minutes warming time was up.
And lo! the packets had stopped squealing and yes, they were sort of warm. We ripped open the foil and tipped the contents into bowls.
Looks vaguely edible, yes?
Looks vaguely edible, yes?
Sadly, although the heater packs themselves were scorchingly hot, they didn't quite manage to heat the food all the way through, so we ended up having to zap them in the microwave anyway.
But I could see that if I was up Ben Nevis, this would be as good as it gets and I'd be grateful for the warmth.
After the blitzing, we tucked in. The pasta was okay, the pasta sauce quite zingy, the meatballs strangely delicious with a satisfying bounce, though bearing no resemblance to meat. The chicken casserole was less successful - stringy chicken and tasteless veg, although the gravy was saltily good.
Heck, I'd buy 'em again, even if they were £4.99 each.
SELF-HEATING goddammit.
But I could see that if I was up Ben Nevis, this would be as good as it gets and I'd be grateful for the warmth.
After the blitzing, we tucked in. The pasta was okay, the pasta sauce quite zingy, the meatballs strangely delicious with a satisfying bounce, though bearing no resemblance to meat. The chicken casserole was less successful - stringy chicken and tasteless veg, although the gravy was saltily good.
Heck, I'd buy 'em again, even if they were £4.99 each.
SELF-HEATING goddammit.
EDITED TO ADD: So it's snowing again. Hooray.
Also, I think I figured out why the MRE didn't heat all the way through - Wikipedia had a photo of some better instructions. Clearly it's because I failed to use a "rock or something":
Also, I think I figured out why the MRE didn't heat all the way through - Wikipedia had a photo of some better instructions. Clearly it's because I failed to use a "rock or something":
Comments
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@Scandilicious - Thank you for validating my silliness :p
But what fun! what jolly japes!
BTW, had self-heating drinks in Japan a couple of years ago. You buy them from vending machines, in cans. Pull the tag open, and bingo - hot coffee or whatever. Brilliant idea.
Years ago, I remember getting a self-heating coffee can in Tesco and about 90% of the can was made up of the gas used to heat the blasted thing. One tiny gulp and it was gone - and this was before espressos. I can see why it didn;t take off.
@Lizzie - It is pretty damn cool, isn't it :)
It makes the old fashion primus stove seem marginally safer (although it must be admitted, the first time I lit one I did think - "This is like putting a wick in a petrol tank and setting fire to it.")
Ration packs