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Last week I bought four cases (12 meals per case) of MREs for $200 from a young Marine here in the Houston area. I live near the Gulf of Mexico, where hurricanes are a part of everyday life, so having canned goods (and/or MREs), bottled water, and ammo on hand is a no-brainer. Anyone else here have MREs on hand for emergencies and/or the zombie apocalypse?

I've thought about them but I think they are too expensive for what they are.

I just keep a month supply of canned food, bottled water and propane bottles. MREs still need water to rehydrate, correct (can't remember if they are freeze dried)? If so, you'd need to have a ton of bottled water on hand exclusively for eating.

agbullet2k1 wrote:I just keep a month supply of canned food, bottled water and propane bottles. MREs still need water to rehydrate, correct (can't remember if they are freeze dried)? If so, you'd need to have a ton of bottled water on hand exclusively for eating.

Nope MREs are ready to eat right out of the box. You do need water to heat up the main course but all of them can be eaten cold. I will give you a tip on eating them (one you may already know). Instead of tearing along the line on the tope use a knife and cut the side off of the packages. This way your not having dig way down deep in the package with that little spoon they give you. You can suck on the matches to help keep ticks off you.

Also if you take the heater packages and a gatorade bottle you can make a little "bomb". You just pour the heating powder into the bottle and then add some water. Put the cap back on and toss it! It doesn't make a big blast just a nice little thump for scaring friends asleep in tents

Mmmmm. Chili mac! Don't forget to use the tiny bottle of Tabasco!

Oh, yeah, the MRE bomb!

AEA wrote:I've thought about them but I think they are too expensive for what they are.

They cost about the same as a much less nutritious meal at McDonalds.

I have two cases of 12. Now that you mention 'em, I should check the "expiration" date, though they're not very "expirable," I don't think.

The biggest advantage to MREs that I can see is that they're much more portable than canned goods. If you gotta bug out quick and (try) to evacuate, it would only take seconds to toss the cases of MREs in the car or truck.

Depending on storage conditions, MRE's can expire rather quickly compared to other foods. Although they're a good backup food source and do come "ready to eat", they do expire. I had posted info on this some time ago on another forum but lost it. A quick search on the internet will help. I seem to recall 3-5yrs tops in normal conditions. Cooler climates and proper storage may extend it to 7yrs or so if I recall correctly. Heat is the big problem with them when storing. MRE bombs and cooking them on engine blocks is a blast though.......literally. Save me the fruit!!

I have about 40 of them. I eat two a year to get a sample of the different meals and such. Leave them in places I might get stuck and need food.

They sure beat a peanut butter sandwich and are a whole lot easier to carry. Besides, you don't get near the ribbing from your hunting/camping buddies when you dig one out of your day pack.

bpet wrote:They sure beat a peanut butter sandwich and are a whole lot easier to carry. Besides, you don't get near the ribbing from your hunting/camping buddies when you dig one out of your day pack.

Actually, I have a vacuum sealed peanut butter sandwich in the car that looks fine after 6mo. OTOH, I have a couple MREs in there for when I get stuck at work on a 12hr shift and want something more substantial than the snack machines can provide, and three canteens of water (plus enough chlor-floc to refill them all twice) in case I end up stuck elsewhere.