OBG,

Are those made from American Rats or are they imported?

Canned orange nut rolls.....if we had dropped these instead of bombs, it all would have been over quickly.

Soda can stoves are a generally no-go in winter, just like any alcohol stove is. Too cold, and you don't get vaporization, and that is key with any liquid fuel.

I'm working on ways around it, but they all involve carrying the stove and the fuel in your clothing with you. Working with Trangias, I've rigged up something that lets them burn while sitting on a block ice, but you have to pre-heat the riser, keep the fuel relatively warm, and it is only in the most experimental stages until winter gets here.

If people want to experiment, a small can of Hormel ham or turkey (might work with other brands, these are what I have around) fit the underside of a military Trangia perfectly. If you burn a little bit of solid fuel (tinder) in the bottom of it for a minute, then snuff it with the Trangia before fueling, it works so far. But as I said, I haven't given it a serious test, and when I've chilled the fuel (bottle sitting on ice) it fizzles badly.

Instead, if you want to keep it as small and light as possible, a small pot candle like the Nuwicks. But it is kinda hard to boil water over candles in my experince, and you need HOT water to properly restore most dehydrated food. You can use warm water, but I've found it leave the most uncomfortable "swallowed a bowling ball" feeling as your guts try to cramp around it.

If you want it to last longer, make sure you get the meat good and dry before mixing the batch up. The drier the inside is, the longer it will go. Also, render the beef fat twice if you can. It will hold up a little longer.

Oh I dunno, some of those spanish labeled potted meat products they sell at the dollar stores probably come close...

http://www.mreinfo.com/reviews/international/russian-ration-review.html

I'm not so sure

I will once again clarify my use of the word C-Ration: A basic meal in a can. Although the commercial versions of C-Rats are much better than the old military version, I think the term still applies.

Sue me if I am that far off of the mark and am guilty of "false advertising" or "bait and switch" terminology.

My usual fare includes: Vienna Sausages in barbeque sauce (yum!), kippers (preferably the lemon-pepper flavor), summer sausage and pepper cheese on a bagel, a cup-o-soup, and a Snickers bar. I heat everything up on a Sterno except for the cup-o-soup, for which I boil the water on an alcohol burner made from a cat food can.

It's not exactly a balanced menu, but it sure is tasty.

Old Bald Guy: You mean someone out there makes C-rat Ham and Mother----s ? Good Lord, man, it hurts my innerds just remembering them. The next thing you'll tell me is Ham & Eggs are availiable.....

Don't forget the munitions certified pound cake!!!!!