RE: [HoE] Burners (was: Camping Rations, etc.)

["Heivilin, Jim" <banzai@missouri.edu>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: pete rogers [mailto:peterogers@hotmail.com]
> Subject: [HoE] Camping Rations, mars bars and ratpacks
> 
<snip>
> final titbit (this post is getting too long) - english ratpacks (our 
> milspeak for ration packs) come with a hexiburner. (or they used too - 
> i'm getting out of touch). these little toxic beauties  are a flimsy 
> metal case inside which is a block of what looks like firelighter. this 
> stuff burns pretty well (don't light it and leave it on tarmac - it will 
> melt the tarmac), but the fumes are poisonous - as is the block itself 
> (don't lick your fingers after handling the stuff).
> 
C4 and C5 are both combustible and burn well.  C4 was commonly used in
Vietnam to heat rations.  While I believe the fumes are slightly toxic
they're not poisonous.  However, if you apply heat AND pressure, it will
detonate.  

As someone else mentioned, MREs can come with a slender, water activated
heating element large enough to heat the main course.  

Jim H.