Mountain House Classic Bucket

I like the 2 serving ( mylar) packages better than the #10 Can. As a family of 2 the # 10 can size is more than we need.. After reading the can instructions the #10 can is suppose to be used within one week of opening.For a larger family the #10 Can would be great. I looked at shelf life for the mylar package and best use by date was 2045. The biggest concern of storing the food is to make sure nothing punctures the bags in storage. If the packages are damaged there goes your food storage . In checking ratings the mountain house was # 2 in customer satisfaction.. One other brand rated #1 had2 1/2 serving per package. and great taste results. the difference was not that much. ... I sent both sons the Mountain house just in case packages to use when unable to leave work to go out and eat lunch and just to try the meals to see what they like. if you consider the cost of eating out this is a money saver in itself if you get 2 meals out of one package. the just in case has several different meals allowing you to check the food out without spending a lot of money and deciding you hate something. I am totally happy with the mountain house and it is great idea to have at work in case of bad weather snowed in or just not enough time to go out and get something . Not everyone likes the same foods or textures so its hard to say how you may like it. I was reading up on the freeze dried foods and some not only use oxygen removal but also nitrogen in preserving the food. I plan to buy more of this to have on hand in case of emergency or just plain don't want to cook or if sick i can boil some hot water and that's an easy meal. if using this as an emergency food where no power is available for hot water you may want to check out solar heating suggestions using cardboard tin foil and glass black paint to get hot water in an emergency situation . . I saw one where they used a mason jar painted it black with high heat black paint like you use on a grill and putting masking tape down the side of jar before painting the jar. you paint both the top and bottom. Once the paint is dry you remove the tape so you can see the contents of the jar and so you can see if it is clean when you wash it. Again the biggest danger in storing the food is making sure the cans or mylar bags are protected from punctures. for that reason the plastic case is a very big plus. I plan on watching for sales and buying some each month till I get a good supply. I suggest you try different brands and different kinds to see what you like. I did notice one was rather salty but still tasted good. You can get the freeze dried product with gluten free and wheat free options. These would be good alternatives for someone sick or elderly. The mylar bag has a ziplock feature you use when you put the water into the packet. You have to cut a little off the top where it is heat sealed. just make sure you don't cut into the ziplock as you need it closed with the hot water . After Using the product I found that if i put a little dish detergent and water in the bag and shake it good the bags clean up nicely, After rinsing I hang it upside down on a jar to make sure it is Completely dry. You could reuse the bags for other dry food storage or lunch bags or even as freezer bags if you dont mind the writing on the bags. Also these bags would be good to use if you were using out of the # 10 can; freezer bags or just emergency storage to protect stuff in the bug out bag from moisture if it were raining. Hopefully we never have to use them as emergency backup. but its nice to know we have them. Son that tried it has ordered 6 more of the classic buckets after trying. to add variety to his food storage. I did purchase sawyer mini water filters to put in a bug out along with the freeze dried food.. I saw these at a emergency prepared convention and they were recommended by the red cross. SInce you need clean water this might be a good addition to your emergency bug out bag or to keep in you car if you get stranded ... and it wouldn't hurt to put a few freeze dried packets in you car as well I have gotten stranded in traffic during an ice storrn and if push came to shove you could add water and let stand for a long time and they should rehydrate

I have posted this twice because I didn't feel like writing a review because I blindly bought two buckets of this stuff, I hope this review helps. : )O.k. I have only tried one packet (Beef and Mac) out of this bucket, but I am immediately impressed. This is my wife's account, so I am posting under her . I am in the military and in the Special Operations community. I purchased this food for emergencies obviously, to paint an accurate picture my wife and I make 90% of what our Family eats to include home made bread, biscuits, jelly's and jams etc. I am very picky on what I eat, and what my family puts in their bodies. Ingredient wise there are a few ingredients I wish were not in the packet(preservatives), but it is emergency food with that being said. I decided to make the packet exactly as directed on the back of the package with out adding anything at all to it. No extra spices or seasoning at all ( cholula or tabasco would have made it amazing) it rivals the hamburger helper dishes you buy at the store, the beef taste fine, it has a very slight off taste, but over all for a packaged meal I will loose no sleep in giving it a 10+ it is extremely light weight which makes for an easily portable meal that keeps you light on your feet. Your kids could pack 10 of these in their go bags and it will only add about 1lb in weight to there pack. Each pouch has 2-2.5 servings in it totaling about 800calories, and they last for up to 25years ( awesome). The meal was very filling I think the one bag of 2.5 servings would have satisfied me and filled my 3 girls up,Their ages range from 4-8 years old. Keep in mind that the one cup serving size is what we should all be eating not what we are used to ( the american habit of over indulging on everything). The down side 2 cups of water were required to make this meal. In an emergency clean drinking water is like gold, very precious and hard to find. VS. canned food which you crack the top and you are good to go. but way heavier than the freeze dried food. The other issue is the calories that are in the pack. If you are on the move, a 200lb man will need/ consume about 3k calories in a day 1-2 servings @ 250 calories a serving is enough to keep you on the move and give you energy, but not what you will need to sustain extended travel. Bottom line it is, mountain house is the best tasting emergency/bag food I've had in my 18plus years in the service , I will keep a ready supply of food and water in my home. Great taste, easily portable, super lightweight, and 25 year shelf life makes for perfect product for me and my family. I hope this helps you in your search for the right option for you and your family for camping or emergency supplies.

This is better than having to check expiration dates; and you don't worry about heat exposure.(therefore rancid or stale tastes...[these meals are shelf stable = lasts in a garage / car trunk for YEARS WITHOUT A CARE , WITHOUT A WORRY.********* You do need a fresh source of heated water, longer handled spoon & fork / SPORK.*********And, better than starving. The flavor isn't the best, but it is purchased and therefore, now, a no brainer. The previous concerns are no longer preying on my mind. I can move on with my life instead of stressing. Yes, you can stockpile canned food[keep an eye on expiration dates & exposure to weather], energy bars [rancid oil, fats, still drying out despite being sealed], canned food [can opener, heat or deal with solidified fats]. This is pretty well self contained and done. oh, you could do freeze dried food that you purchase separately [and then YOU'LL HAVE TO COMBINE,SEASON, ADD WHATEVER FLUID (WATER/milk)< HEAT, etc.]

I got this bucket for our earthquake kit and for a BOB but didnt want to wait until an emergency to find out these things were inedible. Turns out they are great! Not a 5 star meal by any means but the whole family agrees that for processed food, these were beyond our expectations. I had only ordered the one bucket because I didnt want to order too many not knowing if we could eat these but now plan on ordering at least a couple more.

Very well packed and organized. I have not sampled any of the food at this time but am confident that it will be more than adequate.

a couple of items were prepared & am very satisfied with the quality...