I was wondering if any of those boil in the bag (or oven bags) are strong enough and withstand heat well enough to be used over a fire?

If they are could including them in the emergency kit instead of normal zip lock baggies be a way around packing a pot to boil water or cook in?

Any thoughts on it?

I agree with IzzyJG99!!

I agree. They're still only plastic.

Good thought. I've no experience with them over an open fire without a pot or other container. Boil bags are made to be boiled in a pot, about 212 F, so a flame would probably melt them. The oven bags are made to resist oven temperatures, but not to come into contact with flame or heat elements, so it'd be interesting to find out how they would deal with a flame.
Obviously, they work as intended when used as intended. We've used them to boil foods in a pot, and used the oven bags in a dutch oven with good success, saves on clean up time.

Just heat some rocks in the fire - transfer the rocks to one side; cover the rocks with a layer of wet vegetation such as Sphagnum moss; place the boil in the bag on the first layer of Sphagnum moss then cover the boil in the bag with some more Sphagnum moss and then cover with sand to hold in the heat; wait 10-15min to steam heat and then tuck in.

Similar idea to Ray Mears cooking venison on the West coast of Scotland

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ayKMitUKz-g

There was a Survivorman episode where Les Stroud boiled water in a plastic bottle over an actively burning (not smoldering or coals) fire. I'm guessing it could be done although I would rather try with coals or hot rocks. However with all the current controversy about BPA and polyethylene I think I would not try it unless in real need. Heck, I don't even microwave with saran wrap anymore...

Look on EBAY for Reynolds hot bags (discontinued). These are foil bags for the grill. They are made of aluminum foil. I saw a bunch on ebay,

hot bags

Am_Fear_Liath_Mor, I always love to watch Ray Meres videos, he's probably the only guy I know who's so comfortable in the woods that he gains weight when in survival mode. I would love to have a tenth of his knowledge, he definitely makes things look easy. I thought about his Woodlore school awhile back but it was way to expensive.

Ray Mears is also known as "Fatty Mears"....in a good way though and this is for the very reason you described.

I have always considered Mears as one of the best of the best survival experts. This is not only for his technical survival knowledge but also for his philosophy regarding the wilderness as to how we have the ability to learn to live in it comfortably and at the same time, treat the wilderness with respect.

OK, it looks like it is time to experiment.
Thanks everybody.