ReadyWise 120 Serving Bucket Review: The Math Doesn't Lie
The Good
- 25-year shelf life allows for "buy and forget" peace of mind
- Grab-and-go bucket protects food from pests and water
- Requires only water to prepare (hot is best, cold works eventually)
- Cheaper per calorie than Mountain House
The Bad
- Marketing is misleading: "120 Servings" includes sugary drinks and rice
- Low daily caloric intake if following the "servings" guide
- High sodium content can cause thirst (bad if water is scarce)
- Texture is uniformly mushy compared to freeze-dried meats
If you watch any survival channel on YouTube, you've seen the ReadyWise buckets. They promise "120 Servings" of emergency food for a seemingly great price.
But survival isn't about marketing claims; it's about calories. Calories = Energy = Life.
We bought a bucket, did the math, and ate the pasta so you don't have to. Here is the honest truth.
ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply
120 Servings, 25-Year Shelf Life, Stackable Buckets.
Check PriceThe "120 Serving" Lie (The Math)
This is the most important part of this review. Do not assume this bucket feeds a family of 4 for a month.
ReadyWise counts everything as a serving.
- The Entrees: Cheesy Mac, Pasta Alfredo, Pot Pie. (Approx 200-250 calories per serving).
- The Fillers: Rice, Oatmeal, Whey Milk Alternative, Orange Drink Mix.
The Reality: The total calorie count of the bucket is usually around 20,000 to 24,000 calories.
- A stressed adult needs 2,000 calories/day.
- Total Runtime: This bucket feeds ONE person for 10-12 days.
- It does NOT feed a family of 4 for a month. It feeds a family of 4 for maybe 3 days.
Survival Tip
Ignore the "Servings" count on ANY survival food. Always look at Total Calories and divide by 2,000 to see how many days of life you are buying.
Taste Test: Is it Edible?
We prepared the "Creamy Pasta and Vegetables" using boiling water and the pouch method.
- Texture: Soft. Very soft. It's essentially noodles in a salty sauce. There are no distinct "vegetable" chunks like you find in Mountain House meals.
- Flavor: Salty and savory. Honestly? It tastes like decent comfort food. In a freezing cold blackout, a hot bowl of this would boost morale significantly.
- The Sodium Issue: These meals are sodium bombs. If you are eating this, you need to drink more water. Ensure your water storage is adequate.
Comparison: ReadyWise vs. Mountain House
| Feature | ReadyWise (Dehydrated) | Mountain House (Freeze Dried) | Winner | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Process | Mostly Dehydrated | Freeze Dried | MH (Better Texture) | | Shelf Life | 25 Years | 30 Years | MH | | Taste | 6/10 (Mushy) | 9/10 (Real Meat/Veg) | MH | | Price/Cal | ~$0.012 / cal | ~$0.025 / cal | ReadyWise (Much Cheaper) | | Space | Compact Bucket | Bulky #10 Cans | ReadyWise |
The Takeaway: Mountain House tastes significantly better (real chunks of chicken/beef). However, ReadyWise is half the price per calorie.
Who is this for?
- The "Insurance Policy" Prepper: You want to spend $100, throw a bucket in the closet, and know you won't starve if the world ends. ReadyWise is perfect for this.
- The Budget Prepper: You need to stockpile 100,000 calories on a budget.
- NOT For: Backpackers (too heavy/bulk) or Gourmet eaters.
The Good
- Most affordable way to stockpile bulk calories
- Stackable buckets make organization easy
- 25-year shelf life is industry standard
- Better than starving (seriously)
The Bad
- Deceptive 'servings' marketing
- Very low protein content (mostly carbs/salt)
- Requires boiling water for best results (can take 20+ mins with cold water)
Final Verdict
Is ReadyWise the best tasting food? No. Is it the most nutritious? No. Is it the best value insurance policy? Yes.
For the price of a nice dinner out, you can secure 10 days of food for yourself. That is a trade everyone should make. Just buy two buckets if you actually want to survive comfortably.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Recommended for: Bulk Storage, Budget Prepping, Barter Items.