Low to no cost preps one should start?

[Socalman]

I just wanted to bring this thread back to the fore. I have recently seen so many ads on TV about prepping and purchasing freeze dried foods from one of the major players in the freeze dried market. One good result is it is bringing prepping to the front in many peoples' minds. The problem is that freeze dried food has its own set of problems:

1) It is relatively expensive for the amount of calories/nutrition you get.

2) Without an ample supply of water it is essentially useless.

If I have to, I can open a can of green beans and eat directly from the can without any preparation. Yes, it may not be gourmet dining but it is there, plus there is water in that can.

I continue to be an advocate of the "baby steps" in prepping. We continually add a little with each trip to the market. We add a little water storage each month.

Many of us are not in a situation where we can get out and live off the land. In the Los Angeles area, perhaps only 1000 people could live "off the land". There just isn't that much around anymore. We are setting up to take care of ourselves for a year, provided the zombie hordes do not overrun our place. We might be able to protect the home from a small group but in time a large group will win out. I don't have the firepower to cover all the possible approaches to our place.

[orangetom1999]

I too am looking into getting some freeze dried foods....over time.


I stock spam because it does not need refrigerating until after it is opened...and stores a long long time.

There is also enough salt in it to keep it long after the expiration date. You will know by smell immediately after opening it if it is bad.

Working on looking into vacuum sealing rice and beans.
Storing salt too while it is inexpensive...and from the dollar store.

Start small..but start somewhere. Ask...lots of people have good advice.

You don't have to break the bank..but start somewhere.


Thanks,
Orangetom

[Illini Warrior]

I too am looking into getting some freeze dried foods....over time.


I stock spam because it does not need refrigerating until after it is opened...and stores a long long time.

There is also enough salt in it to keep it long after the expiration date. You will know by smell immediately after opening it if it is bad.

Working on looking into vacuum sealing rice and beans.
Storing salt too while it is inexpensive...and from the dollar store.

Start small..but start somewhere. Ask...lots of people have good advice.

You don't have to break the bank..but start somewhere.


Thanks,
Orangetom

better off buying a big 20-25lb bag of salt at one time - dump it in a food grade bucket - seal it - pack it away in an unused corner - forget it until needed ... same same with white sugar - either buy it in bulk or when super cheap during canning season .... both are forever foods ....

[orangetom1999]

better off buying a big 20-25lb bag of salt at one time - dump it in a food grade bucket - seal it - pack it away in an unused corner - forget it until needed ... same same with white sugar - either buy it in bulk or when super cheap during canning season .... both are forever foods ....

Had not considered putting back sugar..but have been putting back Honey. Salt is very cheap at the dollar store...and that is exactly what I have done ..put into into plastic buckets lined with black heavy plastic contractor bags.


Bought three Peace dollars in .9 silver dated 1922, 1924, and 1925 the other day...and put them away. It is similar to what I do when I purchase .22 long rifles and just put them away.

Thanks,
Orangetom

[Illini Warrior]

Had not considered putting back sugar..but have been putting back Honey. Salt is very cheap at the dollar store...and that is exactly what I have done ..put into into plastic buckets lined with black heavy plastic contractor bags.


Bought three Peace dollars in .9 silver dated 1922, 1924, and 1925 the other day...and put them away. It is similar to what I do when I purchase .22 long rifles and just put them away.

Thanks,
Orangetom

don't get it wrong - not picking on you ....

but food always need a food grade container - there is no liner to make that stored food safe when you use a contaminated container ... contamination is at a more finite level than just physical contact between food and a surface .... and the contamination is embedded into the container beyond the point of simply washing/soaking it out ... overall good example of this contamination problem is the pickle brine smell in a deli bucket - almost impossible to get that embedded solution out of the plastic pores - that brine smell will transfer into your food even thru a mylar bag and taint your stored food ....

in your particular case you compounded the contamination using that contractor bag - garbage bags are manufactured with unqualified poly & chems and are usually sprayed with a solution to odorize them and repel insects/pests ... I wouldn't even water my garden with H2O that came out of a fresh garbage bag ....

[Katrina]

OT,
If you have a Menard's, Lowe's or Home Depot nearby, they sell food grade buckets with their other non food buckets and some seals. Here, they are not expensive but a bit thin 5 ml I think.I also posted(thanks RJ) in an earlier post a site that sells buckets and the Gamma seals in "bulk" I didn't think it was expensive for good quality thicker buckets and seals.

[orangetom1999]

OT,
If you have a Menard's, Lowe's or Home Depot nearby, they sell food grade buckets with their other non food buckets and some seals. Here, they are not expensive but a bit thin 5 ml I think.I also posted(thanks RJ) in an earlier post a site that sells buckets and the Gamma seals in "bulk" I didn't think it was expensive for good quality thicker buckets and seals.

Thanks Katrina...I did not know that information about Lowes or Home Depot...that they carried food grade buckets. I will be checking it out.


Orangetom

[Illini Warrior]

Thanks Katrina...I did not know that information about Lowes or Home Depot...that they carried food grade buckets. I will be checking it out.


Orangetom

Menards is the only one of the three with FDA registered food grade buckets - Lowes is claiming BPA free buckets - last I checked Home Depot only had their Homer orange paint buckets ....

paint buckets aren't food grade ....

[orangetom1999]

Menards seems to be an Ohio based store and not found down here in Coastal Virginia.

I did however begin scanning the Home Depot site and found this ....will be investigating further.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leaktite...H020/300197644


Thanks for bringing it to my attention...and also need to now investigate the proper food safe lid as well.

Orangetom

[Illini Warrior]

Menards seems to be an Ohio based store and not found down here in Coastal Virginia.

I did however begin scanning the Home Depot site and found this ....will be investigating further.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leaktite...H020/300197644


Thanks for bringing it to my attention...and also need to now investigate the proper food safe lid as well.

Orangetom

Menards is based in Wisconsin - and limits their stores to a dozen states in the Upper Midwest ....

in regard to Home Depot and food grade - watch for any product switching in the stores - two white buckets in their internet inventory - both being described as "food safe" ... the retail food grade should be OEM stenciled with the FDA qualifications ....

https://www.menards.com/main/mainten...3126457&ipos=1

https://www.homedepot.com/p/United-S...0111/300233661

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leaktite...H020/300197644