Hot Pack self heating meals...anyone here used them?

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dukes4monny

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I'm hoping to do some extended cruising next year, mostly single handed, and I am interested in these Hot Pack self heating meals.
I wouldn't plan to have them as the only sort of meals, but they seem like a good idea for when you have to spend time in the cockpit for watch-keeping etc.
I would be interested to hear any comments, (good or bad) about these from anyone that has used them?
 
They look like a really good idea. I would get a couple to try before you go and buy loads for your extended cruise. You gotta know if they are any good before investing. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Seems like a very good idea but, as they are activated by water, is there any danger of them firing up spontaneously in the damp atmosphere of a boat?
 
We used to use them before we got a cooker (boat fishing) from what I remember they were tasty enough but generally not too hot, mind you when fishing in the winter from a cuddy/dory, you will eat anything!!
 
I had a couple of them, they were ex-US army ration packs but the same concept. It worked really well and was tasty. I would deffo go down this route if planning a long trip for the convienience in bad weather. As others have said it may be worth buying a few now to try out and taste-test.
 
Speak to Arny - I think he's changed his name on here to PAC - he used some self heating meals for his round UK trip - now that he is no longer sponsored by them he will be able to tell you what they were really like /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I've used the Hot Can meals. Brilliant for heating up in the cockpit when single handing, especially early in the morning when you've left harbour before dawn, and before having any breakfast. The Hot Can variety need to be stirred while heating up otherwise the top is warm while lower down the can it's very hot.
 
As Pau1Gray said... I took them with me on my Round Britain trip. I was sponsored by them so take what I say with that in mind but I wouldn't say they where good if they weren't just because of that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I eat about 60 or 70 of them during the 2 month trip so I think I have a good idea of what they are like.

I originally intended them to be just to be used if I couldn't get food in port or if I had to anchor somewhere. As it turned out I eat at least one most days simply because they are convenient and quick.

Everything comes in an outer pack...
<ul type="square">
[li]food sachet
[li]small sachet of activating water
[li]plastic spoon
[li]bag in which the food sachet is placed for heating which contains the heating pad
[/list]

The food sachet is placed into the heating bag and the activating water is poured in. The heating bag is then placed back into the outer bag and the flap folded over. It is then left somewhere horizontal for 10 mins. When hot the food sachet is removed from the heating bag, opened and eaten with the spoon or served on a plate.

I found them quite good for what they are. Very eatable but I did find that without something with them... veg, bread etc... they are quite small for a main meal. They only give 250-450 cals depending on the meal and for me it was a large snack rather than a meal. However, towards the end of the trip I was having them with some mash or bread and then it was more of a proper sized meal and quite adequate for a day or two as my main meal.

The beans and sausages made a great breakfast or lunchtime snack though!

Heating was on the whole adequate but only occasionally was the food piping hot but I found that by tilting the pack occasionally while it heats improved matters as did leaving it for 15 mins instead of the 10.

I would strongly recommend them but more for lunches or snacks unless adding mash or bread.

There were none I didn't like but my favourite was the Lancashire Hotpot! Sometimes I had two for my main meal of the day.

As far as accidental activation... it is unlikely. the heading pad is inside the heating bag and that is inside the outer bag. I spose it could happen but I think the bags would have to be totally immersed. Moisture wouldn't do it.

So, they get my thumbs up for emergencies or as snacks but also make good main meals with veg, mash etc. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Thanks for that Paul, that's exactly what I needed to know.
They do seem very convenient, although a little low in calories..........but that will probably suit me for a while.......I could do with shifting a few pounds /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I think that I might order a few and give them a try on the boat rather than at home.....things never taste the same at home /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The one bit of information that I cannot find out about them is their 'shelf life'. I have sent them an e-mail to try and find out.

Thanks again.

Dave

Edit; just got a reply from them about shelf life, it's around 30 months so that's a real bonus!
 
Don't know what the official shelf life is but I have a few left and they are best before Oct 2010.

I received them in April so that means at least 2.5 years if I read that correctly.

I thought it would be a great way for me to loose a bit of weight but I just ended up eating 2 of them if I was still hungry!
 
[ QUOTE ]
The food sachet is placed into the heating bag and the activating water is poured in. The heating bag is then placed back into the outer bag and the flap folded over. It is then left somewhere horizontal for 10 mins. When hot the food sachet is removed from the heating bag, opened and eaten with the spoon or served on a plate.

[/ QUOTE ] Wouldn't it just be easier to buy a catamaran? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif very easy to leave the helm and cook up a two course meal /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I was reminded in replying to this thread about them so I had one for dinner this evening... how sad is that?

I quite enjoyed it as it took me back to my trip.

Anyway... regarding the "can it activate by accident" question... the answer is definitely NO... the heating pad is sealed in the heating pouch and before you place the food pouch into the heating pouch you have to tear off the top so it is sealed until use.

I having beans and sausages for breakfast tomorrow I have decided!!!!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Seems like a very good idea but, as they are activated by water, is there any danger of them firing up spontaneously in the damp atmosphere of a boat?

[/ QUOTE ]

Ken,
We used to use them in our Wayfarer cruising days- the tins with the heating jackets were best, but you had to stir them to get them hot.
When they changed to the USA MRE style heating pack, we found we had to use them in a stryene burger or chip box to get them hot-ish. None went off on us, trouble was getting them hot enough.

Probably better to look at some of the quick food the mountaineers use- Wayfarer (tm)meals- extensive menu, boil in the bag rice dishes and the All Day Breakfast etc and potato/ bacon foil packed meals from Waitrose, Tesco's et al.
Plus the individual sponge/syrup puds in plastic pots, of course

The climbers want low bulk, high value food which doesn't need much prep or heating- check out www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

We still use such dishes for a quick meal after a tough/ wet sail- the All Day Breakfast tins- several choices- can even be eaten cold- loads of carbs, fat and sugar- real comfort food(who needs FB pies with one of them in yer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Best to get the puddings options and the chilli/curry/beans options- nothing exotic! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh I forgot- get at least a couple of good (Vango?) stainless steel 1l thermos- you can always have some hot water or soup handy- we still do that now, even with a gimballed stove!
 
Before setting off on a spot of solo sailing I fill one vacum flask with boiling water for tea/coffee and another with a heated stew or thick soup. Make up some sarnies and finger food, choc bars, crisps, fruit etc and have them all handy in the wheelhouse. Works great for me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Before setting off on a spot of solo sailing I fill one vacum flask with boiling water for tea/coffee and another with a heated stew or thick soup. Make up some sarnies and finger food, choc bars, crisps, fruit etc and have them all handy in the wheelhouse. Works great for me.

[/ QUOTE ]


Absolutely! Something is wrong if you cannot do some simple cooking while single handing. If you don't have an autopilot you can trust for a few minutes then just heave-to. I keep apples and biscuits in grabbing range of the helm. For proper cooking, I heave-to if its rough and sail on with the autopilot if it is OK. Elaborate and expensive self-heating food seems morally wrong!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Elaborate and expensive self-heating food seems morally wrong!

[/ QUOTE ]Morally wrong? You never buy a sandwich out say... at a sports event or when visiting a show? It will probably come in a plastic container. What is the difference except this needs heating and uses a bit more disposable material? I would agree that it wouldn't be a good idea from a waste of resources point of view if it was all the time but for specific situations occasionally I can see nothing wrong with it.

You might not think it a good idea but to suggest it is morally wrong is rather strong IMO? Lazy I will accept...
 
You are probably taking me too seriously!

As I wrote it, I had in my head some pompous twerp saying "mowally wong". I would find it difficult to be so profligate as to use these things, but everything is relative and would not presume to define it as objecctively immoral.

That was all meant to be conveyed by the "!" Couldn't you understand that !!!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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