Heater Meals - a review

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by Seawolf1090, Sep 18, 2008.


  1. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    Kind of a civvie "MRE".
    Comes in a box, under $6 at our Publix grocery stores.
    I decided to try a couple - they carry only two flavors - in the end-row section they use for emergency stuff.

    I got the "Home-style Chicken & Noodles in Gravy" and the "Vegetarian Three Cheese Lasagna" flavors.

    Just finished the Chicken - not bad! 310 calories, 110 from fat.
    Incudes a heavy-duty plastic spoon, two Fresh-Naps, salt&pepper, seasoning packet & paper towel. Even includes a pouch of 'salt water' for the heater pouch. You just pop the meal tray into the heater pouch, pour in the salt-water, fold&seal - ten minutes later - dinner's ready! And it's steaming! That heater packet really works! DO NOT TOUCH! When it stops steaming, carefully pull it out of the pouch.
    It's a bit bland without the seasonings - they definitely are good to add in the Chicken, not needed in the Lasagna. Tastes similar to the better GI MRE meals, but a larger portion. One GI MRE entree is 170 to 280 calories per pouch, depending on flavor.
    Too bulky for serious hiking, but good for vehicle camping, fishing trips, weekend outings, etc.
    Has a 'Use by' date of June 12, 2010 - so they can keep for a couple years, looks like. Might be good for hurricane preps, though not cheap!

    I tried the Lasagna.- also quite edible. It lists 370 calories, 80 from fat. A bit expensive, but comparable to a Mountain House freeze-dried packet at Wally's, and could be eaten cold if necessary. I may try these on my next MC camping trip. Need to find other flavors to try too.
    So far, I give them a thumbs-up!
     
  2. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    No publix around here, but looks like a good thing to try. Any indication that they are sold by other stores?
     
  3. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    I had read of them before, but this is the first time I have actually found them. Kind of a last-minute decision to try them. They do work as advertised, and seem a decent buy.

    Small print on the box end says.....

    "Innotech Products, Ltd.
    Heated by Truetech Self-Heating Technology."

    A google search may turn up a web site, and maybe they can suggest online or mail-order sources?

    Ah! Checked the other side of the box.....

    Contact:
    Toll free phone #: 1-800-503-4483
    www.heatermeals.com
     
  4. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Got it, thanx. I've e-mailed them the question.
     
  5. Blackjack

    Blackjack Monkey+++

    I've seen those, thanks for the review.
     
  6. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Company response as to where to get them besides Publix:

    "The locations in your area that carry HeaterMeals are primarily truck stops, like Flying J, MAPCO, Pilot, PETRO, Speedway & TA. You can find HeaterMeals at BassPro Shop Outdoor World locations, as well."

    Flying J is about 8 miles from here, I believe there will be a trip over in the next day or two. None of the rest are within striking distance.

    [boozingbuddies]
     
  7. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    hmm, interesting. I'll have to see if there are any around me.

    Thanks for the review
     
  8. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    Big return thanks, Ghrit! I have a Flying J and a Pilot very close by - they may be cheaper there too. Beats the ten-mile trip to Publix! [beer]
     
  9. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Planning to hit Flying J today. If they have them, I'll try one tonight and report.

    Update: Local Flying J never heard of them. Next time I hit the road, will try another place.
     
  10. bladefrenzy

    bladefrenzy Monkey+++

    Thanks for the review. Our local wanna be surplus shop sells em. I say wanna be, cause most of their stuff isn't mil issue or even close. Lottsa CHina stuff. But they have several of these, I have seen breakfast meals and so on. I'll try to get some soon. Thanks,Steve
     
  11. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    I swung back by the local Publix, and got two of each of the before mentioned flavors, and two packs of "Chicken Pasta Italiana" - $4.99 each.
    I'll keep them on hand for any more storms that come thru - in case I lose power. These are all "best by" dated well into 2010. Heck, they taste good enough - they'll be lucky to last thru this year. [beer]

    I hope Publix gets in the breakfast versions - I need something other than MH Scrambled Eggs for road trips. [lolol]

    I shopped for the next two weeks. The pretty young bagger gal asked if she could take my bags out - I know she wanted to see this old guy pack all that 'stuff' onto a bike! She was probably expecting a badarse Harley - her eyes went wide when she saw the KLR650 - the "glorified dirtbike" I call it. Hehehe.
    I showed her how I can make a hefty load of groceries disappear - my expandable nylon 'grocery bag' holds a lot!
     
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