Hi BigDaddyTX

I've just weighed the British Army Mess Tin and Hexamine cooker and it weighs in around 530 grams. 10 Flameless Ration Heaters (2-3 day requirement) weigh around 400grams and are just as bulky (probably even more so when it comes to realworld packing) as the Mess Tin and Hexamine Cooker. Its slightly heavier but the additional 130 grams ensures piping hot meals and lots of hot drinks and virtually no waste water. 10 FRHs will consume a considerable amount of water in activating the chemical reaction. This is actually an important consideration if water has to be carried on the person for the duration. 50 ml/FRH equates to 50grams/FRH, 10 FRHs = 500 grams of water, which cannot be consumed. When the FRHs have all been consumed, there is no easy means left to boil water over a conventional fire, but there is when the Hexamine or gas fuel runs out. You still have a pot/mess tin to boil water with using fuel gathered from the surrounding environment.

A comparision would be the 750ml Titanium Pot/Mug (crusader cup equivalent), the 100 gram gas canister and the Optimus crux stove which weighs around 400 grams. This setup can again boil enough water for around 3 days use. It is very fast in boiling water and has all the advantages such as controllable heat ouput, which FRHs lack. FRHs are poor performers in comparision being slow, messy, bulky and even force the soldier to become totally reliant on the fuel/food supply chain. FRHs do have some advantages but these are very specific to certain military operations. I've also believe that for very short periods at very high altitudes they some advantages as well.