They require only the pouch to be dropped into boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes before serving, thus saving a messy pot. For rice and pasta, a perforated pouch allows cooking in 5 to 10 minutes in the same pot of boiling water as another dish. Retorts are heavier and more expensive than many other freeze dried or low moisture foods, but they're very palatable and come in a variety of complete entrees. They're non-perishable if the pouch remains intact. If the pouch becomes punctured, spoilage can occur because preservatives are rarely included.
Retorts make excellent, easily prepared stormy weather meals.
They're available from local distributors, backpacking stores and some grocery markets. They're durable and need no refrigeration until opening. Because these foods are fresh and high in water content, they're also heavy. Their cost is moderate and they're available at the local grocery. The package is nonburnable and must be packed out.