An MRE heater is a little bag designed specifically for heating MRE entrees. They are self-contained, and all you need is water (or any liquid for that matter)! It is an aluminum-lined polyethylene bag with a magnesium-combination filler at the bottom of the pouch. I’ve personally used these bags a many times and they are wonderful (and HOT!)! These heaters are perfect for heating entrees, and with how hot they get I’d say you might even be able to stretch it for 2 entrees or your side dish!

Now, how does the actual heater itself work? At the bottom of the MRE heater pouch is smaller sealed pouch that contains magnesium. The chemical reaction with the magnesium and the water starts to work immediately after you add the water. When metal rusts, the oxidation process generates heat. Usually this takes such a long time (years), the heat is not noticed. However, in this heater there is Magnesium\ dust(which burns, or rusts, much faster), iron dust, and salt. This combination of minerals creates a rapid reaction and generates a lot of heat when water is added. Think of it as an Magnesium and Iron bar in water rusting in just a matter of seconds rather than years!

Here’s how you get your Meal Ready to Eat nice and hot! You start by cutting off the top of the bag (there is a tear notch if you don’t have scissors). Next, you pour the water in the bag, making sure not to pass the fill line (it takes about 1 ounce of water). Then take the MRE out of the cardboard box and slide it in the MRE heater pouch. Fold the pouch so the open flap is on top and the heater is on the side of the entree. Slide the whole MRE pouch with the meal back inside the cardboard box, and let sit for the designated time, usually about 10 minutes, and enjoy a delicious and hot meal. It’s that easy!