How to Heat Ready to Eat Meals

camping image by Colin Buckland from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Ready-to-eat meals offer the convenience of little to no preparation. While ready-to-eat meals can be eaten at room temperature, you can also heat them over a camp fire for several minutes, or if camping inside an RV or at a campground with cooking facilities, microwave them. Because ready-to-eat meals typically have a shelf life of 5 to 10 years, you can stock up on your favorite varieties and enjoy them every day of your camping excursion.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Fire starter kit (optional)
Aluminum camping cookware set
Tongs
Cooking mitt (optional)
Bottled water

Step 1

Pour water from a bottle into a clean aluminum cooking pot, which is available at camping stores and sold in a variety of sizes. Fill the cooking pot half-way with water.

Step 2

Place the cooking pan over a camp-side fire. If you have not already started a fire, start one now. Place the cooking pan inside the fire, but not in the center, where the temperature is highest and it may be difficult to remove the cooking pot without tongs.

Step 3

Monitor the water inside the cooking pan, and wait for it to come to a fast rolling boil. Generally, water will start to boil on a camp fire in about one minute.

Step 4

Remove the ready-to-eat meal from the carton. Place the pouch, which contains your meal, inside the boiling water. Let boil for three to five minutes.

Step 5

Remove the cooking pot using a cooking mitt, or tongs, if you have them.

Step 6

Let stand for one to three minutes, or until cool.

Tips & Warnings

If you are RV camping or have access to a microwave, remove the ready-to-eat meal from the pouch and microwave on High for two to three minutes.

Failure to clean up your campsite, could result in fines.

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...