The Gun Counter

Not too long ago, I said I decided to start storing salt, rice, and sugar for long-term storage. I thought that iodized table salt, long-grain white rice, and pure granulated sugar were good to start with, because they're cheap, dense, and shelf-stable. This week I added elbow macaroni and pinto beans to the shelf. I put a limit of $5/week on my long-term food storage program, and I'm making great progress so far - about 10 pounds per week. It adds up quickly!

Rather than 5-gallon buckets filled with one item (yes, I'm using mylar and O2 absorbers), I'm using smaller bags and 2 or 2.5 pound capacity. That affords me some flexibility.

Good work!

Where are you getting your buckets, bags and O2 absorbers?

Bullspit wrote:Good work!

Where are you getting your buckets, bags and O2 absorbers?

For a retail source, try Emergency Essentials, 653 N.1500 West, Orem, UT 84057
online at beprepared.com. They'll send a monthly catalog with some special deals.

They sell the oxygen absorbers, buckets, bags, barrels, and also two lines of
freeze-dried/dehydrated foods in #10 cans. They also have water treatment
supplies, first-aid kits, emergency radios and generators, back-packs, and
even portable toilets. They use FEDEX for delivery.

One of our local bulk-food markets has a can-sealing machine and takes orders
for canning any of their products. They won't can things brought in from outside
because they can't be sure it doesn't have bugs in it, but they have a wide range
of products that can be dry-canned for very little cost. If you can find a facility
that will do that for you, you can really stock it deep for not that much money.

It's getting late in the game, but give it a try.

I just purchased a Foodsaver v2840 for a steal. It gets great reviews... We'll see.

Testing results to follow.

I think I'll supplement my dried bean stock first. Great cheap source of protein, carbs and fiber. And if you boil them for a few minutes instead of soaking overnight, you can get rid of most of the fart-causing complex sugar (oligosaccharides). Being overly gaseous is frowned upon in times when morale needs to be boosted, not scented.

audible flatulence may be a feature not a bug when power is out and entertainment is limited to "old school" parlor or campfire options. Lighter optional...

Bullspit wrote:Good work!

Where are you getting your buckets, bags and O2 absorbers?

I ordered some 3mil bags through eBay. I'm glad I got them to practice with, but I'm moving on to the 5mil from Emergency Essentials. I picked up the O2 absorbers from eBay, too, and I've confirmed they're new and do work. If I order any more, it'll probably be through Emergency Essentials.

The buckets and lids I'm picking up at Lowe's for now; I can always move up if I need to, but I'm on a budget and this was where I analyzed and found I was willing to scrimp. YMMV.

workinwifdakids wrote:

Bullspit wrote:Good work!

Where are you getting your buckets, bags and O2 absorbers?

I ordered some 3mil bags through eBay. I'm glad I got them to practice with, but I'm moving on to the 5mil from Emergency Essentials. I picked up the O2 absorbers from eBay, too, and I've confirmed they're new and do work. If I order any more, it'll probably be through Emergency Essentials.

The buckets and lids I'm picking up at Lowe's for now; I can always move up if I need to, but I'm on a budget and this was where I analyzed and found I was willing to scrimp. YMMV.

Another great feature at Emergency Essentials is the Storage Analyzer. You can click on it to help figure out how much you will need of items and/or how many days the items you have will feed you and your family.

Remember, beans, wheat, rice and such are great for long storage but be sure to add things you eat normally. A crisis is no time to start eating things you are not used to. If you pick up a can or two extra every time you are at the store, it can slowly build up your food storage without having to spend a lot at one time.

Food storage is a great asset to have even before a disaster hits. I have a friend who is out of work due to an injury and he is using a food storage that his father put up but passed away before it could be used.

Workin, you putting the O2 absorbers into the bags pre-sealing? Or are you sealing the bags, then throwing them all in a bucket w. O2 absorber or two?

As soon as my sealer arrives, I want to break out of newb status ASAP!

Aren't you potentially adding out gassing toxins from the non-food safe buckets and lids?

I got the foodsafe ones and the gamma seal lids. Gamma seal lids are SOOOO much more friendly to use

Precision wrote:Aren't you potentially adding out gassing toxins from the non-food safe buckets and lids?

The outgassing isn't an issue. The difference between foodsafe and everything else is the release agent(Safe for human food contact), no potentially toxic dies, or recycled plastic considered harmful to humans(this doesn't mean it doesn't contain recycled plastic)


HTRN