Prepping At My First House, by M.J.

I just bought my new house in one of New Mexico’s larger cities.

It’s not a rural homestead. But it is a nice neighborhood and I’ve spoken with my neighbors a few times. So far so good. And I certainly couldn’t have afforded this home in my old stomping grounds in Southern California. I financed this house in part by liquidating some investments and in part by getting a loan from my parents, which I am paying back at a regularly monthly rate (including interest) that’s lower than the rent I was paying at the apartment that I stayed in for my first few months in town. This way, the family wealth is being kept in the family instead of going to some greedy woke corporation. I strongly urge SB readers to exercise this option for home or other large purchases whenever possible.

The backyard and front yard are empty. One of my work colleagues calls this “zeroscaping” – have a yard and put zero work into it. (As opposed to true xeriscaping, which is landscaping with plants for arid regions that needs little to no water.) On the plus side, the yards are blank slates that I can do with as I please! I will have to hire a stump removal service to get rid of the tree stumps left behind by the previous owners. I will turn the backyard into a big garden. I’m thinking about some dwarf pecan and walnut trees, because those nuts are so expensive.

The backyard gets the morning sun. When I work at home, I can dry my clothes on the hooks and nails that the previous owners thoughtfully left on the patio eaves. It’s neat to see the water vapor rising off the clothes under the full morning sun. I can also cook meals in my solar oven. In the afternoon, the front yard gets the sun; that means that if I entertain in the afternoons or evenings during the ferocious summers, my guests and I won’t be broiled.

There is much work to be done. The fascia are rotted in some places, so I must have that fixed before I can have gutters installed to catch rainwater. I had originally planned to get window bars, but the high cost and long lead time forced me to get an alarm system instead. That’s good as long as the telecom grid stays up, but that grid is awfully fragile. IT is my day job; my teammates and I have to deal with problems caused by software programs not getting along with each other, or mechanical failures, or user ignorance. I really think there would be panic if people had any idea how fragile the modern telecom net (internet, electricity, cell service, landlines) is and how easily it can be taken down, either by mechanical failure, software problems, cyberattack, or EMP. But hey, we’re all good as long as social media works, right?Continue reading“Prepping At My First House, by M.J.”

January 2022 in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance and the factors that affected gold prices.

What Did Gold Do in January?

Gold began the year with a large $28 drop, to end the day at an even $1,800. A rally to $1,825 was negated on the 6th by a $36 drop, to settle at $1,789. Gold spent two more days under $1,800, rising $20 to $1,818 on the 11th. Prices remained above $1,800 through the 26th, hitting the high for the month at $1,852 on the 25th.

The Fed announced an unexpectedly hawkish reaction to growing inflation on the 25th, immediately leading the market to price in five rate hikes this year. This sent gold tumbling to end the month, falling $77.60 in four sessions.

Factors Affecting Gold This Month

BOND YIELDS

Markets began January unsure if there would be a rate hike at all in March. The narrative began changing almost immediately. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.7% on the 6th and never looked back, hitting successive 2-year highs. The yield on two-year Treasuries rose above 1% and the ten-year yield broke above 1.8% the third week of January, as markets fully digested the likelihood of four rate hikes by the Fed.

Treasury bonds are considered risk-free. When their yields rise, the opportunity cost of gold rises, reducing demand.

US INFLATION

The Fed was forced to move faster than they may have wanted due to spiking inflation this month. If there was any doubt that they would have to raise rates at the next FOMC meeting in March, those thoughts were blown away in the middle of the month.

Consumer inflation hit a 40-year high of 7% and wholesale inflation rose 9.7%. Consumer spending collapsed on inflation worries in December, coming in at -1.9%. Overall wage growth came in at 4.5%, the highest in 20 years. but consumer inflation of 7% means that real wages are actually falling. These high inflation numbers moved the probability of a March rate hike to 95%

It isn’t just the US that is seeing suddenly higher inflation. Inflation in the UK hit a 30-year high of 5.4%, driven by supply shortages and energy costs more than quadrupling. Canadian inflation hit a 30-year high of 4.8%

ENERGY/OIL

Europe continues to pay the price of assuming cheap Russian natural gas would always be there for the asking. Electric bills are expected to triple this year because Russia isn’t shipping any extra gas to Europe. This is forcing steel mills and other industries to shut down because they can’t afford to pay the high energy prices. A shrinking economy and energy-fueled inflation mean that the EU should be falling into stagflation soon.

On the global front, it is increasingly obvious that most of OPEC can’t pump the amount of oil that they are entitled to under the production agreement. This leaves Saudi Arabia and Russia as the only two big oil exporters that can actually increase production.

Green initiatives pushed US oil companies to cut exploration and expansion of existing oilfields. This means that American oil production is lower now than it was five years ago. These supply shortages caused oil to reach $90 per barrel this month. This is having a spillover effect throughout the economy and is one of the main causes of the present spike in inflation.

A Houthi missile attack on UAE this month was foiled by anti-missile defenses. The UAE conducted airstrikes on Houthi-held territory in Yemen in retaliation. The targeting of the UAE’s oil production facilities is raising fears that $100 oil will soon be upon us.Continue reading“January 2022 in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on the new movie Last Survivors. (See the Montana section.)

Region-Wide

You know that a new term associated with a trend is firmly established when both poles of the political sphere start using it. See: The Boise Tent Protest community remains undefeated. It was posted by someone using the name “Redoubt Antifascists“.  Oh, and for what it is worth:  Conservative and libertarian Redoubters truly oppose fascism and in fact all other forms of totalitarianism. It is ironic that so many left-wing “antifascists” now use Brown Shirt fascist tactics in their quest for a socialist America. Our nation really needs less government, lower taxes, and more individual responsibility.  I wish that the lefties could see that. I also wish that they could see that the “Patriot Front” buffoons are bought and paid-for FBI agent cosplayers. At least we are mutually distrustful of them, so at least we have that in common.

o  o  o

Greater Idaho Poll.

Idaho

Reader Tracy M. sent this: People ‘fleeing’ California for record tax relief, investments in Idaho. JWR’s Comments: Don’t let Governor’s Little’s rhetoric and cheerleading fool you. He is a RINO who actually likes Big Government. I do not recommend re-electing him.

o  o  o

Idaho Shags: Tough, Loyal, with An Instinct to Herd.

o  o  o

Idaho researchers unveil enhanced electric power grid test bed.

o  o  o

Cobalt: Idaho Is Sitting on One of the Most Important Elements on Earth.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“It is one thing to secure to each man the unhindered power to pursue his own good; it is a widely different thing to pursue the good for him. To do the first efficiently, the State has merely to look on while its citizens act; to forbid unfairness; to adjudicate when called on; and to enforce restitution for injuries. To do the last efficiently, it must become an ubiquitous worker—must know each man’s needs better than he knows them himself—must, in short, possess superhuman power and intelligence. Even, therefore, had the State done well in its proper sphere, no sufficient warrant would have existed for extending that sphere; but seeing how ill it has discharged those simple offices which we cannot help consigning to it, small indeed is the probability that it will discharge well offices of a more complicated nature.” – Herbert Spencer

Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 31, 2022

On this day in 1872, American author Pearl Zane Grey was born. He was best known for his popular adventure western novels, including Riders of the Purple Sage, which was his best-selling book.

On January 31, 1606, Guy Fawkes was scheduled for execution for his part in the Gunpowder Plot against Parliament and King James. As he was being marched up the steps to his gallows, he fell and broke his neck and died, depriving his executioners of any satisfaction. In recent years, Guy Fawkes masks have become a symbol of resistance to big government, worldwide.

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The first batch of 1,000 waterproof SurvivalBlog archive USB sticks sold out quickly, and they’ve all now been mailed out. The second batch of 600 sticks (arriving soon) is pre-selling very quickly.  There have already been orders placed for more than 350 of them. Order yours, soon. When they are gone, they are gone!

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Round 99 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest begins tomorrow. Please write and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

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Today, a piece that was written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

Notes on Firearms Maintenance, by Pat Cascio

We’re going to review any new products today, instead, we’re going to let you in on a few “secrets” to keeping your firearms clean and running. I’m a real stickler when it comes to keeping my meager firearms collection in good shape. I’ve always been this way for as long as I can remember. It got very intense when I worked for the late Col. Rex Applegate, when I maintained his gun collection of more than 850 firearms. It was a monthly chore, believe it or not. The good Colonel didn’t shoot most of the guns in his collection – just the new arrivals, and more often than not, I tested the guns for him, and reported my findings back to him, and he wrote the articles based on my findings. Applegate insisted that I take every single gun in his collection – every single month – and wipe them down with WD-40 – it was what he wanted me to use. But don’t ever use WD-40 for cleaning your guns! It will penetrate into the primers and it will “kill” those loaded rounds. However, Applegate simply wanted all his guns wiped down with WD-40 each month!

On average, it would take me a couple days, each and every month while working for the Colonel, to take each gun, inspect it, and wipe it down with a rag with WD-40 on it. No easy task to be sure. And, I enjoyed being allowed to handle all those guns in his collection, especially some of the prototype firearms as well as the “Guns Of The Famous Shooters” – this involved about 20 handguns that were Applegate’s pride and joy.

When you take a look at the picture of my gun cleaning/maintenance table, it looks like a total mess. However I know where everything is and can easily reach for it when working on firearms. Sadly, even my workbench is cluttered, so whenever I’m working on a gun, it is done on my computer desk. When working on a long gun, I’m forced to do it on the kitchen table though – that’s how cluttered my office is – one day, I’ll organize everything – at least I keep saying that to myself.

Many years ago, when I was doing a lot of gunsmithing, I had a lot of folks bring me their firearms, especially handguns, in a brown paper bag – and inside, the bag was full of a disassembled handgun, that the owner took completely apart and couldn’t put it back together. More often than not, a few parts would be missing, especially small screws – so I kept a good supply of gun screws on-hand at all times. And I’m sure, even today, many gunsmiths can relate to this sort of thing. Many gun owners would bring me a firearm that was “broke” and all it needed was just a thorough cleaning. I maintained the handguns of a firearm’s club for quite some time…and more often than not, their “broken” handguns were just too dirty to function.Continue reading“Notes on Firearms Maintenance, by Pat Cascio”

Recipe of the Week: Aberdeen Beef-Bacon Pie

The following Aberdeen Beef-Bacon Pie recipe is from reader L.C.

Ingredients
  • 1/4 pound sliced bacon, diced
  • 3 pounds beef stew meat, in 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1-1/2 cups sliced carrots
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pie crust (see standard recipes, or use a store-bought crust)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten (optional)
Directions

Preheat oven to 375°.

In a fry pan or Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.

Remove to paper towels to drain.

Brown the beef in drippings in batches; drain and set beef aside.

Add onion to the pan.

Saute until crisp-tender.

Add carrots, bacon and beef.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the flour, broth, and the Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Add to beef mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until meat is tender, 1 to 1-1/2 hours.

Stir in peas, salt, and pepper. Transfer to an ungreased 11×7-in. baking dish.

On a lightly-floured surface, roll out crust into a 12×8-in. rectangle. Cut slits in crust. Place over filling; trim and seal edges. If desired, brush with beaten egg.

Bake until crust is golden and filling is bubbling, 35-40 minutes.

SERVING

Let the pie stand for 15 minutes before serving.

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Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we further examine the effects of rising inflation. (See the Inflation Watch section.)

Precious Metals:

Silver Price Prediction 2022: David Morgan (GoldCore).

o  o  o

Interview: Failure of U.S. to protect Ukraine from Russia will embolden China and crash markets – Anthony Scaramucci.

Economy & Finance:

Kim Khan at Seeking Alpha had this: The Fed needs more than rate hikes, it may need a recession.

o  o  o

Calgary Starts to Feel the Pain of U.S-Canada Government Vaccine Mandate on Truckers.

o  o  o

Fed Rate Hikes & Risks Of Financial Instability – Part I and Part II.

o  o  o

Rate Hikes: The Fed Won’t Hike Nearly As Much As Expected.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“There can be no socialism without a state, and as long as there is a state there is socialism. The state, then, is the very institution that puts socialism into action; and as socialism rests on aggressive violence directed against innocent victims, aggressive violence is the nature of any state.” – Hans-Hermann Hoppe, A Theory of Socialism and Capitalism: Economics, Politics, and Ethics, (2007)

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — January 30, 2022

January 30th, 1925 was the birthday of Douglas Engelbart, who invented the computer mouse.

Actor Eugene “Gene” Allen Hackman was born January 30, 1930.

January 30th is the birthday of historian Barbara Tuchman. (Born 1912, died February 6, 1989).

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 98 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 98 ends on January 31st. Please e-mail us your entry for Round 99. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

 

Some Basic Preparedness Information – Part 4, by C.I.

(Continued from Part 3. This concludes the article.)

Protection

If you can’t legally stand in front of your property, with a means of self-protection for your life and your family, then you will lose it to those with evil in their hearts.

Desperate men and women will do desperate things to feed themselves and their children. About 2-3% of the population are sociopaths and are quite dangerous. Along with refugees, these individuals will migrate out of the large cities as supplies run out there.

Your Dog: Usually the first casualty in an armed invasion. However he or she will give you a warning.

Shotgun: Remington 870 pump (or another similar type) 12 gauge (most common) get one chambered to accept 3-inch shells, that way you can shoot both 2 ¾-inch and 3-inch shells. Use the # 4,5,6 birdshot ammo for bird hunting. For protection or deer, then either single 0 buck (if you can find it,) otherwise 00 buck. If the recoil of 12 gauge is a problem for you, then perhaps get a 20 gauge.

Stick with the common ammo types as they will be easier to find, when things go down.
Some common military calibers are 5.56mm NATO (.223 Rem.), 7.62mm NATO (.308 Win.), and 9mm Parabellum (Luger). Buy 2,000-to-3,000 rounds for each gun. This is considered “a good start” in my part of the country. Get hollow point for 9mm and .45 ACP for self-defense. Buy plenty of extra magazines. Keep ammo dry in containers that are waterproof.  Moisture is an ammo killer, as are penetrating oils and excessive heat. Note that 5.56 NATO is slightly different than regular .223 Remington ammo and you will need a “Wylde”-chambered rifle to be able to use both.Continue reading“Some Basic Preparedness Information – Part 4, by C.I.”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

To share this, you can find it here: https://kapwi.ng/c/tGBa4blDmM

Meme Text:
Hey, Joe: What Defines a “Minor Incursion” Into Ukraine?

It All Depends on Whether or Not You Live There

Some Historical Context: French people staring and waving at the French Army remaining troops leaving metropolitan France at Marseilles harbor, 1940.

Current Events:  Biden warns Ukranian leader: “Kyiv could be sacked”, and essentially tells him that he’s on his own.

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.

Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.

For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.” – 1 Corinthians 11

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — January 29, 2022

Today is the birthday of actor Tom Selleck (born 1945), best known for playing the title role of Magnum, P.I. He is an avid shooter and quite pro-gun.

On this day in 1845 Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” was published.

Today is also the birthday of journalist and inventor Thomas Paine (1737–1809.)

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 98 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 98 ends on January 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Some Basic Preparedness Information – Part 3, by C.I.

(Continued from Part 2.)

Cooking

Use a stove as long as you have electric power, natural gas, or propane. If you can find an old fashion wood-burning cookstove, great. This allows you to be able to cook when fuel or grid electrical power is gone. With a lot of gas stoves, the surface burners will work without electric power, but you will need to light them with a match or some other spark source. The oven will not work in modern models without electric power.

A camping stove, gas, propane, or charcoal grill can be used. However, you will need fuel supplies. And, of course, proper ventilation is a concern.

If you have a large propane tank then you can install a “wet leg” with this you can fill the smaller 15-20 pound propane tanks. This doesn’t go very fast, especially in the winter. In the summer, cool the small tank and it will fill a lot quicker.

There are also some cooking options with Sterno, in the short term. You can also cook in a fireplace. Even more basic is a and outdoor campfire. But leep it small as you don’t want to attract attention. Practice cooking with a Dutch oven with charcoal or hot wood coals. Anything you can bake in an oven you can do in a Dutch oven. Nothing beats cast iron. But you do need to practice, practice! Tongs to move charcoal or hot coals around, and leather gloves and a  lid lifter are very helpful. Cast iron does get hot, and stays hot. Dutch oven cookbooks are very helpful here. Again, practice! The base size is a 12 inch diameter,  6 quart. However, I would get the deeper 8-quart size, as you’ll find that it is easier to bake bread in it without burning the top of the bread. The range of available sizes includes 8 inch, 10 inch, 12 inch, 14 inch, 16 inch, and even a 20 inch. The size you want will depend on your needs. (Cast iron is heavy.)

Flaxseed oil (edible) is the best for seasoning cast iron. (See: Cooks Illustrated.) First, clean and dry and then warm the cast iron to 200 degrees to open the pores in the cast iron. Carefully rub the oil over the surface, then in 350-450 degree preheated the oven, put the cast iron upside down in the oven over some foil to catch the oil drippings and bake it for an hour. Let it slowly cool for two  hours or more in the oven to further season it. They say to repeat this five times. Avoid soap and water for cleaning at first to give it more time to get a good surface, scrape and dry it. Over time, oils from cooking will produce a stick-free surface and you can then use some soap and water. Don’t store with the lid on tight, but put a folded paper towel between the lid and the pot to allow water to escape, and decrease the possibility of rust. A lot of new dutch ovens are sold pre-seasoned.
Sources of cast iron include camping stores, Ace Hardware, Cabela’s, and Agri Supply.
Lodge cast iron cookware is the best, and made in the USA and they also have a number of dutch oven cookbooks.

Cast iron deep fry pans with fry pan lids – Cabela’s or Lodge are dual usage as dutch oven and frying pan. Agrisupply.com has old fashion cast iron cooking ware and cast iron pots up to the 90 gallon size, imported.

A Tripod stand to hold the pot or dutch oven over the campfire is very helpful, as is a grate, one source is Cabela’s. You can make your own tripod with three metal T-posts and a short chain or wire. T-posts laid side by side will make a grate with rocks or logs holding them over a fire.Continue reading“Some Basic Preparedness Information – Part 3, by C.I.”