The HEAT2EAT Self-Steamer range for heating rations has been expanded and updated since we first looked at the original back in July 2022, writes Bob Morrison.
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The basic heat source of the HEAT2EAT Self-Steamer range, the HeatStone, and its method of operation remain unchanged but the company behind their introduction to the UK has now added both Silicone Container Self-Steamers and Silicone Pouch Self-Steamers to their range. In this brief review I am looking at the silicone pouch which, along with a couple of HeatStones, gives a relatively light and flame-free method of heating a retort pouch / ‘boil-in-the-bag’ main meal when away from more conventional means of boiling water. As the company strap-line says: “Just Add Food and Water”.
It is unlikely that most soldiers will need to rely on privately purchased HEAT2EAT Self-Steamers to easily (and possibly covertly) heat ration pack meals, as of course Flameless Ration Heaters (FRH) are often included in MRE-style individual ration packs, but one of the reusable Silicone Pouch Self-Steamers will take up little room in rucksack or vehicle. Tipping the scales at only 155g for a 1500ml pouch and measuring just 250x150mm by a few millimetres thick, with individual HeatStones weighing only 80g (or 100g) each, heating for three square meals a day needs only add 400g to the dry load… and 37% of that total is reusable for tomorrow’s meals. The heating pad from a military issue FRH could probably also be used in the HEAT2EAT silicone pouch, as these work on the same principle as the HeatStone, but I have not yet tried this for myself.
Whether trekking / hiking / camping or working outdoors / soldiering, I reckon carrying a silicone pouch with a couple of HeatStones in addition to boil-in-the-bag meal pouches makes a lot of sense, even if just for the insurance of having a hot meal or two close to hand in case of emergencies. And if carried on a vehicle you can stow them away for a rainy day (you don’t need only drinking water to activate) and forget them until required when something goes wrong; e.g. becoming unexpectedly and temporarily stuck in the snow or cut off by sudden over the winter months?
For this review I used a Silicone Pouch Self-Steamer to heat a 300g Wayfayrer Chilli & Rice meal pouch, similar to the type produced in the past in plain pouches by Malton Foods for British Army Operational Ration Packs, and I was surprised at just how speedily the HeatStone warmed the meal throughout. Incidentally, the Malton Foods factory in Yorkshire was closed by its Dutch owners in the second half of 2023 but in September of this year AMG of Port Glasgow (whose outdoor brands include Vango and Lichfield Tents) announced the purchase of the Wayfayrer brand from the Malton Foods subsidiary of Zwanenberg Food Group. I hope to return to this topic in the not too distant future.
In my next review in this Rations section I plan to look at HEAT2EAT Silicone Container Self-Steamers, which I used to cook raw vegetables.
Footnote: Before using, read the instructions as both HeatStones and activating water get very hot!
[images © Bob Morrison]
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- Further reading:- HEAT2EAT Self-Steamers For Rations Heating
