Category: Food Storage & Cooking

Jim, I recently had a discussion with management at the Clarkston, Washington Wal-Mart [in eastern Washington, on the Idaho state line.] The General Manager has definitely got a finger on the pulse of consumers.  They have a huge display set up at the entrance to the store of freeze dried food [in #10 cans] from Augason Farms.  The display was an island two pallets wide and 8 pallets long.  They offer a full line of freeze dried foods from alphabet soup to Whole Egg Powder and whole raspberries.  They also had a display of breakfast and dinner emergency cases of …

James, I would like to add a note to one of the observations of Don M., regarding re-freezing of meat. I too have heard many times that it is unwise to re-freeze meat or fish. I grew up hearing it. Often it is even implied that it is a health risk. Most folks don’t know why; it’s just what they’ve always been told. Water expands when it freezes, and as we all know, will rupture whatever contains it – even steel pipe. The cells of meat and fish contain a high content of water. When it freezes, it will break …

Dear JWR: I’ve been reading your site for some time and thought that some of your readers may find our Butter Storage Solution helpful in their plans. I’ve been a prepper for decades and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about butter. Our stored food reflects our caloric needs as well as having some things to eat that we really like — things that make us feel better. My wife likes butter very much and I began looking for solutions around the turn of the century. Living in New Orleans (or anywhere with a sub-tropical climate) just makes the …

James,      I was wondering if you could comment on one aspect of Sky Watcher’s method of filling buckets and removing oxygen.  She suggests putting the dry ice in the bottom of the bucket.  I have always heard that you should put the mylar bag in the bucket, then fill the mylar bag with grain.  Once the bucket is filled, then place a chunk of dry ice on the top of the grain and let it sublimate.  Once it is the size of a nickel then you seal the bag and  then seal the lid.     Since CO2 is heavier …

Every report I hear or see in news lately (and there have been many) confirms to me over and over again that I did the right thing and the smart thing in stocking up on grains and legumes from Bob’s Red Mill.  It sets my mind at ease having a secure food supply.  After receiving my large order (6,711 lbs) it was time to pack it all up.  Prior to placing the order I had researched extensively and ultimately decided which storage method I would use and then placed orders for those items.  I decided to use 5 gallon buckets …

Dear Mr. Rawles, I live in Queensland Australia and hadn’t even heard of ‘prepping’ until last Christmas.  It is a tradition in our family that every year my brothers and I (and our families) gather, from various points around Australia, at our Mum’s place for Christmas.  Mum and Dad have both passed on but we still carry on the tradition of gathering the family together.  One of my brothers lives at the other end of the country and I only see he and his family this once a year.  As my birthday is in January he gives me a Christmas …