Self-heating systems for rapidly and effectively heating a comestible substance are disclosed. Self-heating systems generally include a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber contains a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants that, when contacted, exothermically react. The containers and reactants can be configured to heat at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute. The solid chemical reactant mixture can comprise magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and/or calcium oxide. Methods for heating at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute are also provided.

Self-heating systems for rapidly and effectively heating a comestible substance are disclosed. Self-heating systems generally include a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber contains a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants that, when contacted, exothermically react. The containers and reactants can be configured to heat at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute. The solid chemical reactant mixture can comprise magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and/or calcium oxide. Methods for heating at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute are also provided.

Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier. In certain embodiments, the heating chamber can be a can with prepackaged comestible substance therein. Examples of components configured to facilitate such a can are disclosed.

Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier. In certain embodiments, the heating chamber can be a can with prepackaged comestible substance therein. Examples of components configured to facilitate such a can are disclosed.

A field-ready oven has reinforced telescoped side walls that extend and hold a base, shelf, tray support and cover spaced apart. A low air intake and a semipermeable membrane deliver air and vapor fuel to catalyst pads on the shelf. Radiant heat from exothermic reaction is diffused over a bottom of a tray. Hot gas circulates around the diffuser and tray with a chimney effect before exhausting. A lid on the cover lifts for access to the tray. A fuel container in the oven forces fuel through a capillary restriction to limit fuel flow. A spring in the container is released to start fuel flow.

A field-ready oven has reinforced telescoped side walls that extend and hold a base, shelf, tray support and cover spaced apart. A low air intake and a semipermeable membrane deliver air and vapor fuel to catalyst pads on the shelf. Radiant heat from exothermic reaction is diffused over a bottom of a tray. Hot gas circulates around the diffuser and tray with a chimney effect before exhausting. A lid on the cover lifts for access to the tray. A fuel container in the oven forces fuel through a capillary restriction to limit fuel flow. A spring in the container is released to start fuel flow.

A food container (e.g., tray) with a thermal reagent adhesively attached to its outer surfaces reacts with water. The attached reagent undergoes an endothermic (i.e., cooling) or exeothermic (i.e., heating) reaction in the presence of water. A burstable water pouch releases water for the reaction into a lower container (e.g., tray) when the food container is pressed into the lower container, with the pouch therebetween. A removable impervious plastic film may protect the attached reagent while in storage. Multiple reagent layers may be separated by a water-soluble plastic film to provide a prolonged thermal reaction.

A food heating method of using an exothermic gel to minimize metallic odors in a presence of food or within a food container. The method can include generating an exothermic reaction that produces heat by exposing a mixture of the expandable exothermic gel-forming composition to water and one or more electrolytes in the absence of air to form the expandable exothermic gel, the mixture comprising first metallic galvanic particles and second metallic galvanic alloy particles, a metallic secondary shell comprised of at least one transitional metal, and a super absorbent polymer; and suppressing at or about 95% hydrogen byproducts of the exothermic reaction within the gel while in the presence of the food or the food container so that steam permeates around the food or the food container.

A food heating method of using an exothermic gel to minimize metallic odors in a presence of food or within a food container. The method can include generating an exothermic reaction that produces heat by exposing a mixture of the expandable exothermic gel-forming composition to water and one or more electrolytes in the absence of air to form the expandable exothermic gel, the mixture comprising first metallic galvanic particles and second metallic galvanic alloy particles, a metallic secondary shell comprised of at least one transitional metal, and a super absorbent polymer; and suppressing at or about 95% hydrogen byproducts of the exothermic reaction within the gel while in the presence of the food or the food container so that steam permeates around the food or the food container.

A food heating method of using an exothermic gel to minimize metallic odors in a presence of food or within a food container. The method can include generating an exothermic reaction that produces heat by exposing a mixture of the expandable exothermic gel-forming composition to water and one or more electrolytes in the absence of air to form the expandable exothermic gel, the mixture comprising first metallic galvanic particles and second metallic galvanic alloy particles, a metallic secondary shell comprised of at least one transitional metal, and a super absorbent polymer; and suppressing at or about 95% hydrogen byproducts of the exothermic reaction within the gel while in the presence of the food or the food container so that steam permeates around the food or the food container.