Readywise...is it tasty?

[miguel]

Can anyone personally speak to the yummyness or lack of yummyness of the Readywise meals?

Saw them at Costco and thought about throwing a couple in the cart, but I've never tried them before, so I'm seeking an expert opinion!

 

[cbhausen]

@tbhausen got some of these after doing some research. Hopefully he will weigh in.

 

[Gaffer]

I have had several different freeze-dried meals, Mountain house, ReadyWise, backpackers' pantry, etc., and they all taste pretty good to me. I normally only eat them when hiking and backpack camping, so anything would probably taste pretty good.

I guess it depends on what your plans are with them. If you are preparing them for a dates' meal, I would probably pass, but if you are getting them for EOW or camping, or just for those times that you need to make a meal with only having water on hand they are great.

Ron

 

[snapping turtle]

It is all going to depend on what you like to eat and what they have in stock. For a quick camping meal or a supper in a bag they work well. So brands and recipes you like some are ok and some taste like dog food. (How does the turtle know what dog food tastes like) do not buy the buckets of them until you try the singles. Cabelas carries many. I tend to stick to the pasta style ones as they normally cost a little less.

Calories count. Salt is normally high and I of course add more. All and all they will fill you up and make a turd.

 

[purdue98]

We only prep with
Mountain House or Peak.
Ready wise seemed like grocery store items packaged into mylar bags.
We stocked up on rice, beans and a few pastas. Used O2 scrubbers in seal a meal bags and store in the dark.
In a pinch, Ready wise, if priced right is better than nothing

 

[Cavman]

If you're having to eat it taste is probably the least of your concern. Buy couple bottles of hot sauce to go with it

 

[Leadeye]

As was mentioned earlier a lot of the dehydrated stuff tastes pretty good when you are hungry. Camping when younger I found that I like stuff that cooked quick and easy. Grocery store bought stuff was often Dinty's out of the can which was simply set at the edge of the fire.

 

[Magyars]

My limited experience is that there is not much difference. Adding a fresh onion or two is what makes them palatable

 

[tbhausen]

I’ve read a bunch of stuff on Reddit about how terrible the Readywise are, but if you’re needing to eat that stuff because you need to eat it, who cares? It’s about sustenance, not fine dining. I’ll buy what’s cheap and hope I never need it.

 

[Brian's Surplus]

I tried Wise before they rebranded to Readywise. It was horrible. It did not fully reconstitute and was really chunky. It also did not taste very good. Some of the online reviews I have read say it did not improve after they rebranded. I'm sure it would keep you alive, and it might be ok to keep around for trading stock in an emergency if you could get it cheap enough.

I've been prepping with Mountain House for decades, and have not been disappointed. I like it so much, I became a Mountain House dealer. Oregon Freeze Dry (the parent company of Mountain House) has been a DOD supplier for decades. They have been in business since 1963.

 

[miguel]

I’ve read a bunch of stuff on Reddit about how terrible the Readywise are, but if you’re needing to eat that stuff because you need to eat it, who cares? It’s about sustenance, not fine dining. I’ll buy what’s cheap and hope I never need it.

So you won't have it at the tailgate?

 

[miguel]

I tried Wise before they rebranded to Readywise. It was horrible. It did not fully reconstitute and was really chunky. It also did not taste very good. Some of the online reviews I have read say it did not improve after they rebranded. I'm sure it would keep you alive, and it might be ok to keep around for trading stock in an emergency if you could get it cheap enough.

I've been prepping with Mountain House for decades, and have not been disappointed. I like it so much, I became a Mountain House dealer. Oregon Freeze Dry (the parent company of Mountain House) has been a DOD supplier for decades. They have been in business since 1963.

I did see a YouTube video that gave Mt. House the win RE: taste and ease of preparation. Apparently you can't cook readywise in its own packaging.

 

[gassprint1]

I wouldn't ever buy any of that rice or pasta stuff. For better flavor and cost, I'd got the the norrs brand stuff you get at walmart and and stire. Walmart being the cheapest at this time. Sometimes i find it local at 99cents on sale. Just spent $50 or so on most all the kinds they have..rice and pastas.
Made 2 packages of the marinara an added a cubed up chicken breast for me an the gf. Total cost was about $5.50.

 

[Creedmoor]

I would rather eat, out of date MRE's myself over that stuff.

 

[jsharmon7]

Depends on use case. If it’s being held for an actual emergency, I’d go with the best price over what’s tasty. If you’re going hiking or camping, then spend the extra for something yummy.

 

[2in1evtime]

Its ok, wouldn't want to eat it for a week, but if you don't have any working taste buds you will be fine!

 

[indyjohn]

I was a Wise dealer nearly 10 years ago. The product was "OK" but I pitched its shelf life and grab & go convenience. Nowadays, I personally go with Ready Hour. I like their packaging for variety and calories. They run sales occasionally that makes buying a 4-week bundle very compelling.

They are likely (but I have no proof) somehow affiliated with Readywise. Readywise makes it very difficult to find an address for them; Ready Hour on the other hand have it plainly posted on their website. I did find a Readywise address, and ironically it is on the other side of highway 154 from Ready Hour's warehouse in Salt Lake City, UT.