Sun 2008/11/02 18:06
I've heard of these self heating foodstuffs like instant noodles and cans of tea but have still yet to see one I think. Wormgear has some details of one he played with the other day. Original text from wormgear below.Yesterday I was riding the Tohoku Shinkansen from Sendai to Tokyo. I got hungry so I decided to have ekiben (Eki Bento - Eki = Station, Bento = lunchbox). This particular ekiben was totally incredible! Inside the box were tender and delicious slices of beef tongue on top of a bowl of fluffy rice with some pickles on the side. It was very good! What made this bento so amazing, though, is the fact that it heated itself up!!! As you can see from the instructions, you just pull the string from the bottom of the box and it starts working. Within about 3 seconds, there was steam shooting out the corners of the box-- it got so hot that a little bit of the price tag started to turn black (you can see that in the lower corner there). After letting the bento sit for about 5 minutes, there's a nice, hot lunch ready to eat!! I have never seen anything like it-- it's amazing. Check out my blog to see more! There is a close-up of the instructions there.
Posted on Sun 2008/11/02 18:06 by
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Mon 04/06 10:15 comments (152)
Lord. Just realized his curtains are made of memory.
Cant remember where I picked this up.(more)
Tue 11/27 20:27 comments (55)
Wow, that's interesting, any idea how it works?
(ID #355661) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:03
student
Some exothermic chemical reaction. Pull the string which separates a barrier between the 2 or more chemicals. When mixed produces heat.
(ID #355669) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:12
Software Quality Engineer
I believe that to be correct!
(ID #355670) Posted on 2008/11/02 17:13
That's my guess too, though I don't know enough chemistry to guess exactly what chemicals. Something relatively non-toxic, I would hope!
(ID #355676) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:18
Underdog Artist, Outcast to the Society, Tetsuya Nomura art fan
yeah you're right about that. It could be dangerous if the manufacturing had a mistake on those bentos.
(ID #355680) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:21
Student, Bioresearch Assistant, WAVE VP Communications
The actual heating part won't be a problem. I'd be more worried if the food as contaminated or soemthing.
(ID #356105) Posted on 2008/11/03 00:55
This is one of the things you'll see on the news soon. Exploding bento's.
(ID #356447) Posted on 2008/11/03 07:09
Underdog Artist, Outcast to the Society, Tetsuya Nomura art fan
I'm afraid it might be used as a new bombing technique for terrorists.
(ID #356622) Posted on 2008/11/03 11:03
Ninja / Engineer / Sensei / 魔法少女 (What!?! I can't be, I'm a guy...)
I was thinking something alone those lines too. You could even use it to hurt people in rare occasions. "On today's news, local man assaults another man with self-heating bento. The victim suffered burns and is currently in the hospital."
(ID #356704) Posted on 2008/11/03 11:59
LOL. I just had this mental image of this guy on a train, popping his bento open, and it goes POP. He's covered in warm liquid and food, and everyone looks up for a moment like, "Huh? Oh, it's just an exploding bento."
(ID #356901) Posted on 2008/11/03 15:45
amatuer bum
" The victim, when interviewed, had this to say"
"Gochisou-sama"
(ID #357234) Posted on 2008/11/03 22:30
@soulfringe: lol at the victim
(ID #566303) Posted on 2009/04/16 21:52
university film student
Yup, sounds right. Makes me wonder what chemicals they use, though. It'd be something stable, since it's food ans has to be safe. Wonder how long the shelf life for one of these is. Can't be too long if the meat tastes tender and relatively fresh.
(ID #355704) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:42
Usually sodium chloride solution and something like sodium nitrate, ammonium iodide, ammonium sulfamate, etc. Relatively harmless stuff (but you still wouldn't want to ingest it). I used to buy cans of self heating Nescafe and they had the reactants on the side of the can.
(ID #355881) Posted on 2008/11/02 20:14
Something like hot packs I think.
(ID #357173) Posted on 2008/11/03 21:29
Won't you need some violent chemicals to produce that much energy to make it steam in 3 secs?
(ID #355989) Posted on 2008/11/02 22:30
As long as they're not noxious, it would be ok for me :p
(ID #356009) Posted on 2008/11/02 23:15
Designer / Visual Editor
Yup, used to get the self-heating coffees in a can all the time...
(ID #356755) Posted on 2008/11/03 12:54
Underdog Artist, Outcast to the Society, Tetsuya Nomura art fan
Wow! Simple, sleek and ready to eat! X3
(ID #355677) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:20
That is so neat! Wow i'm amazed :'O!
(ID #355682) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:22
Hotdog Repairman
Have you checked if you glow in the dark after eating?
(ID #355686) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:30
lol. awesome reply. you're on a roll today i see.
(ID #355726) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:15
Pokemon master
Oooh! I want one!
(ID #355687) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:32
Most epic bento EVAR.
(ID #355691) Posted on 2008/11/02 15:33
Part time student, part time worker, full-time geek.
Reminds me of the instant heating ramen in the Cowboy Bebop movie a few years back. ^_^ Pretty cool this stuff is starting to get made.
(ID #355692) Posted on 2008/11/02 15:34
That certainly rings a bell, those poor bounty hunters had to depend on this technology... Not very environmentally friendly though.....
(ID #355939) Posted on 2008/11/02 21:23
Its all about living in the future now.
(ID #356570) Posted on 2008/11/03 09:32
Sure as hell beats beer and cereal.
(ID #357664) Posted on 2008/11/04 08:49
Computer Science Student
I'd love to have some of those ^^
(ID #355701) Posted on 2008/11/02 15:38
No more NEET, engineering student now...
Cool! Would love to try it someday^^;; seems kind of dangerous though
(ID #355703) Posted on 2008/11/02 15:39
Doesnt seem too bad for 1100 yen!
(ID #355708) Posted on 2008/11/02 15:50
ooooooo that sounds really cool, thanks for sharing :)
(ID #355725) Posted on 2008/11/02 17:14
Part trooper, part -timer, 100% loser...
Wow... No need for hot boiled water LOL
(ID #355727) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:16
It turned the price tag black.. Sounds a bit dangerous to me.
(ID #355728) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:16
Student, part-time Haruhi wannabe (that bit about godhood etc)
lol... sounded a little like walking around with a time bomb set to 5 minutes, eh?
(ID #355808) Posted on 2008/11/02 18:34
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 太もも Appreciator
Mmm... beef tongue! Sounds yummeh! That's a very futuristic product. Hope they'll replicate it more often :)
(ID #355730) Posted on 2008/11/02 16:20
US Navy Sailor
Dang, that is wild. I'll have to try that next time I take the Shinkansen.
(ID #355765) Posted on 2008/11/02 17:51
Number Cruncher
it should be safe. i think i've used something similar (the heating reaction) while camping.
(ID #355782) Posted on 2008/11/02 18:06
Student
Whoa. I would like to try one of that.
(ID #355787) Posted on 2008/11/02 18:10
Polytechnic Senior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer, Pokemon Indexer.
They should pack these for soldiers in the field. XD
(ID #355797) Posted on 2008/11/02 18:20
The heating technology is used in current U.S. MRE (Meals Ready to Eat)... ^^
(ID #355831) Posted on 2008/11/02 19:06
Mechanical Engineering student
Nice! Alas, the AFP doesn't have those I think. According to my dad, our soldiers do it the old fashion way XD
(ID #355933) Posted on 2008/11/02 21:16
Student/Part-time Philosopher/Building a blog
When going out in the field you are given rations for 48hours that do not require heating. After that you'd prolly need to warm up something xD
(ID #355980) Posted on 2008/11/02 22:14
Polytechnic Senior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer, Pokemon Indexer.
So... do they taste good after heating? XD
(ID #356084) Posted on 2008/11/03 00:33
Depends on which one you get... ^^;
(ID #356374) Posted on 2008/11/03 05:06
JooNkeN (Registered on 2008/04/05 00:52)
Aaah, the MREs. I've had a taste of the recent versions personally. Spagetti, Vanilla shake-thing, Crackers, Tabasco Sauce, Condiments, and Bread. -- The earlier versions of these were AKA 3 Lies in a Bag. It's not a Meal (Although 2000 Calories per pack, it's not a whole lot of food.) It's not Ready (Have to heat it up, mix it, etc.) It's not Edible (Early versions of MREs tasted horrible, apparently.) -- Interesting fact: You can make weapons out of these MREs =) Albeit small and not very effective weapons, it's better than nothing if you're unarmed and this is all you got. I won't go into how to make'em but you should a general idea.
(ID #356091) Posted on 2008/11/03 00:43
Earlier MRE's weren't bad actually. They usually contained liquid-paste meals that you just tear and pour onto a big cracker or eat straight from the packet. It wasn't bad. A couple of my uncles were in the Air Force and would send us boxes full of MRE's. They were great for quick camping trips. And we never ran out of those very tiny bottles of Tabasco sauce either...
(ID #356129) Posted on 2008/11/03 01:14
JooNkeN (Registered on 2008/04/05 00:52)
Liquid-paste meals... that doesn't sound very appetizing. I think I more understand the "Not a Meal" part now. As for taste, to each their own I suppose. But from what I've heard, the majority don't agree. The spagetti I've had tasted like cheap school cafeteria food. Which wasn't bad what so ever, but it wasn't anything to go crazy over.
(ID #356164) Posted on 2008/11/03 01:34
Hahah you beat me to it ^^ I'm slightly surprised that it's available to civillians already. I wonder how they are like though.
(ID #356125) Posted on 2008/11/03 01:08
In the Infantry we just learn to eat the MRE's cold. The heating element, a 1 liter bottle and some duct tape are a better use of this technology. ;P
(ID #356246) Posted on 2008/11/03 03:00
We did that during field exercises with the officer trainees. Scared the heck out of them... ^^
(ID #356380) Posted on 2008/11/03 05:10
Kind of waste for our army since the field rations sucks even after they r cook. Someone in my batch once commented that it was the idea competitor against pedigree
(ID #355887) Posted on 2008/11/02 20:21
Polytechnic Senior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer, Pokemon Indexer.
Got to taste some of 'em recently. I think the only good ration was some o' that mutton my dad brought back more than a decade ago. XD
(ID #356079) Posted on 2008/11/03 00:32
Student/ Everyday Otaku
That's pretty neat. Around this time last year, I had a can of hot chocolate that worked somewhat like this. You had to peel this tab, and then shake the can and within a few seconds you'd have hot chocolate at your fingertips.
(ID #355803) Posted on 2008/11/02 18:32
yum yum. just like the MRE that is use to have but better taste.
(ID #355805) Posted on 2008/11/02 18:33
former Emperor of Britannia
Hot bento and self-heating! Genius! if only we could get our hands on those things =D
(ID #355820) Posted on 2008/11/02 18:49
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
I heard about this, but never saw anything that actually used it. Chemical reactions ain't it? Same stuff that goes on those pocket heaters... In my trip to japan, those pocket heaters really helped on colder days...
(ID #355832) Posted on 2008/11/02 19:06
That seems pretty useful... although it looks a bit small for that price? It's around double the bentou price I'm used to...
(ID #355839) Posted on 2008/11/02 19:14
Student, Fansubber, Freelance Web Forum Admin
That is awesome! I hope they'll get imported state-side. I wouldn't hesitate to try them out!
(ID #355849) Posted on 2008/11/02 19:21
Student
Wow its amazing what we have used science for .... although i doubt this is any good for the enviroment in all honest.
(ID #355854) Posted on 2008/11/02 19:25
Electrical Engineering Fresh Graduate
do they use chalk powder? just pour water in chalk and it will smoke some hot steam... saw those in anime titled "born to cook" when i was a kid ^^
(ID #355871) Posted on 2008/11/02 19:54
but 1100 is kinda expensive >.<
(ID #355875) Posted on 2008/11/02 20:03
Nice and easy to eat some heated bento, I looks no chemical reaction inside and how do that food do produce some heat by pulling a string?
(ID #355876) Posted on 2008/11/02 20:08
suneo (Registered on 2007/12/17 20:54)
that's...awwwwwesome! I really want to see one in action now lol. Wasn't there a self-heating cup ramen in Cowboy Bebop or something like that? Or I'm pretty sure I saw it in *some* anime, just can't remember exactly which one lol.
(ID #355916) Posted on 2008/11/02 20:54
Lurker, and part time super-villian.
Tis witchcraft I tells ya, witchcraft!
(ID #355922) Posted on 2008/11/02 21:01
Mechanical Engineering student
LOL I'll buy several of these just to keep myself entertained! XD
(ID #355935) Posted on 2008/11/02 21:17
Sounds awesome, but now I'm really hungry. Food when travelling is usually rubbish, looks like you had a nice surprise.
(ID #355964) Posted on 2008/11/02 22:03
Would be cool if there were an endothermic version of this. Make our desserts / drinks cold on the spot!
(ID #355991) Posted on 2008/11/02 22:31
student
They do have it. Here's some info on instant drink cooler. http://www.doubleagent.com/article/the-instant-cool-can
(ID #356037) Posted on 2008/11/02 23:57
Wow. That's cool. 16.7C drop in 3 mins. That company would make it big if they get a working patent out there. Reminds me of the cybotic limbs from Cyberdyne. Damn I want one!
(ID #356197) Posted on 2008/11/03 02:10
wow thats awesome!!!!
(ID #356076) Posted on 2008/11/03 00:30
That is a pretty cool idea to have a self heating lunch box, wonder how it works, anyone know? The idea of chemicals heating up sounds off putting haha. Anyway not sure about prices in other countries but ¥1100 for some station food is pretty expensive, not like a restuarant meal or anything, even at today's converstion rate it is about £6.90! Would you pay for that?
(ID #356081) Posted on 2008/11/03 00:32
student
wish e had stuff like that in america, it'd sell like crazy in the high school cafeteria! i am JEALOUS..
(ID #356089) Posted on 2008/11/03 00:41
Fashion design studient
thats yummy? xD
(ID #356106) Posted on 2008/11/03 00:55
this kind of stuff have been going around for many years already just that the idea never took off.
(ID #356113) Posted on 2008/11/03 00:59
Programmer Trainee
Haha if it's healthy then I'd love to try that!
(ID #356142) Posted on 2008/11/03 01:23
Physical Therapist
Sounds like pretty cool thing to have when your on tour and need something warm fast.Id be concerned about the chemicals used in the process tough.Its probably cheaper and safer to do it oldschool
(ID #356144) Posted on 2008/11/03 01:24
It only uses water and limestone to heat the food, neither of which are harmful.
(ID #356479) Posted on 2008/11/03 07:40
correction: limestone that has been calcined to remove carbon and oxygen (CaO)
(ID #356488) Posted on 2008/11/03 07:43
Physical Therapist
Thanks for the Info! ^_^
(ID #356671) Posted on 2008/11/03 11:36
anyone noticed the "AUSSIE" logo at the bottom right hand corner? Does it have anything to do with Australia? hmmm =/
(ID #356154) Posted on 2008/11/03 01:28
eh i meant bottom left hand corner XD staying up late is taking its toll
(ID #356159) Posted on 2008/11/03 01:29
IT Related / Self-claimed Otaku / SOS Brigade
1100yen is way too expensive for a bento, i think
(ID #356175) Posted on 2008/11/03 01:43
WOOOOOAAAA ONLY IN JAPAN MAN!!!! that's weird 1st thing that crossed my mind while reading it was THAT'S AWESOME........HOW DOES IT WORK?? XDD anyway, YES! best answer would be MIXED CHEMICALS unless it carries a device that turn water into steam NOOO i don't think so. ANYWAY THAT'S REALLY COOL I'M SOOO AMAZED! O.O
(ID #356210) Posted on 2008/11/03 02:32
heyy i found a videoo! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OdMtr9UlKc
(ID #356213) Posted on 2008/11/03 02:35
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
Wow!!!! That's so cool :P I want a bento nao ^^;;;;; (even a regular one would be nice ^^;)
(ID #356260) Posted on 2008/11/03 03:23
Artist in training
I think it's not chemical reaction. Most likely it's like the theory on instant rice (Just add cold water to get hot rice). I believe it has to do with the package being compressed in high pressure, so when you open it to balance the huge pressure inside a lot of the energy becomes heat and heats up the meal.
(ID #356295) Posted on 2008/11/03 04:00
Oooh gotta' try this one day...=w=''
(ID #356345) Posted on 2008/11/03 04:38
that's cool but wierd I wonder how it works
(ID #356425) Posted on 2008/11/03 06:30
It's cool but, for 1100 yen I would not make it a daily occurrence.
(ID #356451) Posted on 2008/11/03 07:13
I've tried similar Self Heating Bento before, its chemical reactions that produce heat lol, nowadays theres microwave at home or at the office, i don't see the point, usually these self heating food taste horrible lol, rather MickeyDs than self heating food xD
(ID #356458) Posted on 2008/11/03 07:19
i should say my impression on self heating food sucks because it was frozen xD
(ID #356459) Posted on 2008/11/03 07:21
I just looked up the patent info for that. It's so amazingly simple that I wish I had thought of it. The patent was also only filed a few years ago :(
(ID #356475) Posted on 2008/11/03 07:36
Grocery Store Clerk
proably like those military ready eat meals with a heating pack in it. I had one before it was alright.
(ID #356481) Posted on 2008/11/03 07:40
24/7 Otaku / 100% Haruhiist
Sounds cool to try, but I probably won't buy it long-term, unless I don't have access to a microwave or something. There are microwaves at work, at home, and even at the campus cafeteria, so it's more of a "want" than a "need."
(ID #356496) Posted on 2008/11/03 07:51
We have this self heating hot chocolet in Philadelphia. Works well and the drink tastes good but you can't put the self heating container on a flamable surface during heating or it may burn.
(ID #356535) Posted on 2008/11/03 08:36
Software Quality Engineer
Hmmmm.... Let me try and respond to some of the questions/comments. First-- I'm honoured you decided to hijack this post, Danny! I certainly enjoyed sharing this with everyone. Yes-- The food inside of the bento was extremely fresh and delicious. There were no noxious or chemical qualities to the food at all. I imagine they must be packed and sold relatively quickly; it certainly wasn't highly preserved food like in those MREs. I, too, think it was a little expensive, but after the train-vendor explained what it was, I could not resist it! I certainly wouldn't buy these for routine consumption, but when you're a gadget-loving person who's at the start of a 2-hour train ride and you're hungry, this really hits the spot! I would certainly buy another one sometime. ^^ Next time, I'll make a video so you can see it in action.
(ID #356673) Posted on 2008/11/03 11:37
Kawaii Pink Stuffs FanGirl, Cat Lover, Otaku, MP3 Hunter, Matcha & Afternoon Milk Tea Addict.
I want to try that !!! XD its seems an interesting meal & i'd love to try beef tongue with rice, must be yuummy !! but cant really buy this all the time though, cuz quite ex for a take-away bento ^^;
(ID #356740) Posted on 2008/11/03 12:30
Web monkey, coffee addicted cerberus, Chef Vader
Now that would work well as K-Rations for the army. I'm going to get me some of those on my trip to Japan.
(ID #356808) Posted on 2008/11/03 14:24
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
all i can say is WOW!
(ID #356981) Posted on 2008/11/03 17:15
Trendspotter Busybody Mercenaries
MUST TRY IT SOMEDAY!
(ID #356988) Posted on 2008/11/03 17:22
nice...hot meal that can be prepared anywhere anytime...
(ID #356992) Posted on 2008/11/03 17:26
student
That is freakin' awesome... though I bet I'll never see that here in the US.
(ID #357000) Posted on 2008/11/03 17:34
Oh, man! I'm starting to drool and I'm hungry! Let's just put the beef tongue away.
(ID #357295) Posted on 2008/11/03 23:51
Reminds me of an old cooking anime called 'Mr Ajikko' which I watched last time. One of the episodes talked about self heating bento. If I didn't remember wrongly, their method is using a sharp-pointed stick to pierce into a bag of liquid inside the bento to reheat it.
(ID #357380) Posted on 2008/11/04 01:33
Very handy. I guess the food is already pre-cooked. The self heating just heat it up.
(ID #357505) Posted on 2008/11/04 04:31
Only in Japan. The Japanese will own the world soon with their technology. I could use a self-heating Nissin Pork-Bone-Flavored cup noodle right about now. Mmmmm.
(ID #357729) Posted on 2008/11/04 10:34
Actually there's alot of those in Korea too.
(ID #357838) Posted on 2008/11/04 12:23
Graphic Design student | Receptionist | Otaku
Oh~ It remeinds me of a 'self-heating' hot chocolate I bought on camp a few years back. You shake the cup and it heats! I wish it was still available ;_;
(ID #358312) Posted on 2008/11/04 17:34
The American military force first adopted this food technology a few years back too.They have such self heating instant food for soldiers at war so they don't have to cook and waste time on it.I watched it in Discovery Channel...
(ID #358667) Posted on 2008/11/04 21:52
Yea, and I remembered there was one type that you just had to pee on it and it'll be ready to eat.
(ID #358889) Posted on 2008/11/05 01:58
Wow, would love to try this kind of bento..
(ID #361168) Posted on 2008/11/06 19:37
Future civil engineer but desperate to be an animator
Japanese's technology is just too amazing. No other country is compatible to Japan when it comes to technology.
(ID #457856) Posted on 2009/01/22 23:52
Haha okay, I know what I'm gonna get for the long trainrides this summer. :P
(ID #464765) Posted on 2009/01/28 03:23
It's like Japan is 3 technology generations ahead of us.
(ID #473400) Posted on 2009/02/04 03:20
Grocery Store Clerk
Sounds like some military ready eat meal with the heating packs.
(ID #565363) Posted on 2009/04/16 05:40
In Finland there is a bakery called www.eromanga.info.
Apparently sells non ero bread.
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