Uh-oh - I feel an experiment coming on ...... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

OK, that was not a good idea..... <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

and I didn't take time to translate the necessary volume of water needed, which seems very small.
And as s.o. said, if you don't have enough water for that.... don't eat.

OTOH, I never tried US MREs.
IIRC, the french "rations" I had the opportunity to use some 30 years ago, included a foldable stove and solid fuel (ESBIT like...), to heat the main course.


Anyway, I hope you all have something better for your New Year's eve diner.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ironraven,

Sorry, but the chemist in me has to correct your statements about "all salts contain chlorine" and the stuff about ammonia. Technically, a "salt" is just the ionic reaction product of an acid and a base. This encompasses things from common table salt (sodium chloride) to organic substances like cesium acetate.

As for ammonia, are you thinking that comes from the urine? Actually, the main nitrogen-bearing substance in urine is urea, which won't have any hazardous reactions with the heater.

Third, even if ammonia was present in the urine there would still be no hazardous reactions with hydrogen gas (or chloride ions). Now, if you have chlorate or chlorite ions (chlorine bonded with different amounts of oxygen) present, ammonia will react to release chlorine gas. This often occurs when people mix ammonia and chlorox bleach to try and clean something.

Hey, if we can have technical discussions on EMP and trigonometry, why not chemistry? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-Blast (named by fellow chemistry majors after blowing a 10" hole through his dormroom desk)

(sigh) Looks like we're going to let facts get in the way here.

Urine contains no ammonia, unless you are REALLY REALLY seriously sick.

One of the by-products of the digestive systems of the bacteria that feed on urine residues is ammonia - hence the characteristic smell. The urine as it comes out is relatively sterile, and should be perfectly safe to use to spark off the heating pad.

That reminds me of an old survival skill of disinfecting a knifeblade by urinating on it prior to field expedient surgery. Fresh urine was also used to disinfect a wound. I think I got that from a couple Nam POWs. I've never given it a try, nor have I substituted urine for water in my MRE heaters EVER!!!

I've only had one MRE that I detested. It was the cheeseburger meal. What they called a meat patty and the two clunkers of bread were only edible if you grimaced hard while chewing. They can't make enough catsup and tabasco to fix that one. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Ah, ok. Every salt I've ever been around, not just sodium cloride :P, had clorine in it. *shrugs* Computer major, almost failed chemistry.

As for the ammonia thing, shouldn't post after midnight. :P Getting urine and cleaning products confused.

Now if I could only find a place online that sells MREs (i.e. has them in stock) for a decent price on recently manufactured ones!!

If anyone has a lead, please share.

~thursty

^^^^ Yes, I'd like a line on where to find MRE's as well. I read a site that tells how to tell official US MRE's from those that try to pass as them....but I don't really fancy spending a boatload of cash on ebay for a whole CASE of them!

We *do* now have a local military surplus store, but the selection is a tad 'wanting.' No MRE's whatsoever...but maybe I could ask the ower about getting some in?

If not US Gov't MREs, what others out there would you guys suggest (tastiest, most food, best packing ect?)

Try Long Life Food Depot

I can vouch for them. I purchase all my MREs from them.

Thanks, I'll check 'em out!