Self-heating meals are a special type of food that can heat itself without an open flame or other external energy sources. They can provide hot food when there is no corresponding cooking equipment and places. But do you know how long do self-heating meals stay hot? To know this question better, understand the following aspects may be helpful.

Features of self-heating meals

Convenient

Without additional equipment:

All you need is to bring a self-heating pack and a certain amount of water to start the heating process. There is no need for traditional heat sources such as gas, fire, electricity or microwave ovens, which solve the dining needs of outdoor cooking in emergency.

Compact in size:

Most self-heating meals are small in size and light in weight. They are designed to be so portable that can be carried easily with you almost anytime and anywhere for your cooking needs. They can be placed in backpacks, suitcases or the trunk of a car ,which does not take up sapce.

Easy to operatate:

The heating process of self-heating food is simplified and can be mastered in a short time. Most products only require four steps: tear off the package → add cold water → cover the lid → wait for 10-15 minutes, without any cooking skills then you can enjoy the food.

Wide adaptability

Extensive product coverage:

To adapt the tastes and needs of different groups of people, the category of self-heating food have expanded from self-heating rice to multi-scenario meals, including self-heating hot pot, self-heating porridge or soup and MRE food.

Wide range of application scenarios:

Self-heating food have strong scene adaptability, almost covering all scenarios without kitchen or traditional heating sources, such as outdoor scenaries (picnic), emergency scenaries (natural disasters), daily use (long-distance travel) and special scenaries like militery use.

Long storage period

Storage in normal temperature:

The food packs use vaccum sealing and high-temperature sterilization, which can isolate oxygen and microorganisms. In addition, the flameless ration heater is in dry powder form and will not react with moisture in a sealed status. Which can be summrized as having a low storage therhold.

Long shelf life:

The life of mainstream self-heating products is above 6 months when unopened. This long shelf life feature makes it suitable for emergency reserve food and outdoor backup food. By storing in normal environment, the products can have a relative long storage period.

Conclusion

The self-heating meals usually consist of several parts including flameless ration heater, food and heating container. The core of the heating process lies in the fleameless ration heater. Because the ingredients are matal based powder, once the chemical reaction start, it is irreversible. And during the reaction, it will produce a large amount of heat which can reach above 60℃.

As for the heating time, it depends on other factors like food weight or environment temperature. But usually it can stay in a relative high temperature for nearly more than 30 minitues. When in actual use, it is necessary to follow the product instructions to show its best effect. In addition, it is recommend to consume the food within 15-30 minitues after heating to avoid affecting the tastes.