Storage question

[Kevin L]

Hi Guys:

What should I look for in a neighborhood storage unit to put up supplies?

I am getting my house renovated, and space is at a minimum.

Has anyone calculated how many cubic feet of canned food translates into how many days at 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day?

I want to also stock up on more rice, kidney beans, pinto beans, and soybeans. Also more quinoa.

Tell me what to look for in a storage unit for these purposes.

I would like your ideas.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Best,
----Kevin

 

[TexasFreedom]

Kevin... depends on space available. Those 40 ft shipping containers are great. $2-3k around here delivered. Baby yard? OK, back off to the 20 ft storage container, but they're not much cheaper. And if you've got teenie-weenie space, try this. You know those shipping companies that deliver a pod. Typically they are 8x5 ft x 7 ft tall and are a big plywood box. After a couple of years, they sell them off. Go to their warehouse, I've seen them go for 'free' to $150. And if they have a banged-up one, they'll just give it to you usually. Yup, gotta throw some paint at it, but you won't find a cheaper unit (and it comes on skids to boot!). And if you don't have space for that, then you're not a prepper.

 

[Kevin L]

Kevin... depends on space available. Those 40 ft shipping containers are great. $2-3k around here delivered. Baby yard? OK, back off to the 20 ft storage container, but they're not much cheaper. And if you've got teenie-weenie space, try this. You know those shipping companies that deliver a pod. Typically they are 8x5 ft x 7 ft tall and are a big plywood box. After a couple of years, they sell them off. Go to their warehouse, I've seen them go for 'free' to $150. And if they have a banged-up one, they'll just give it to you usually. Yup, gotta throw some paint at it, but you won't find a cheaper unit (and it comes on skids to boot!). And if you don't have space for that, then you're not a prepper.

I agree with just about everything except the space issue.

An apartment dweller can be a prepper. Anyone who carries a cell phone, pistol, Leatherman tool, and cash can be considered a prepper.

I have between 1/4 and 1/2 acre. The big thing is being in a semi-rural environment, and how I'm very close to several national and state parks . . . and also a lot of unused state land. Also, a lot of horse, pig, alligator, and cattle farms.

If (or, perhaps better to say "when") SHTF, I suspect that people here may be more self-reliant, less likely to riot . . . but they will be very effective adversaries, as they are comfortable with the boondocks, comfortable with guns, and quite likely to have a "unit cohesion" due to a mutually shared, conservative interpretation of the Christian faith.

I predict quite an exodus from the cities.

It will be interesting to see how mankind deals with this novel Corona virus.

 

[Proud Prepper]

You can fit about 68 15.5oz. Cans in 3.6 cubic feet. 1 person needs about 1095 cans of food for 1 year.

 

[Proud Prepper]

If you have attic space , you can close in and insulate a space. Run an a/c duct to it and you have a climate control storage room.

 

[BillMasen]

1 Security
2 Cleanliness
3 Nothing in neighbouring storage trhat could taint or spoil your supplies
4 Vermin free
5 Easily accessible 24/7 but DISCRETE
6 Security
7 Security
8 Security.......................................

 

[Kevin L]

Thank you all very much.

 

[Brent S]

A wall of Cabinets can go in any or several rooms. It’s allready climate controlled too, which is important. You can buy off the shelf cabinets from big box hardware stores that are way less than having custom cabinets built. If you don’t have a lot of money you could even just build a shelf system on an entire wall. You could install bifold doors over it later on. Most houses have 8’ ceilings and don’t utilize near the space they could if storage goes all the way up. I love built in storage units to hide clutter and maximize storage.

 

[Maverick]

What can size you talking about such as #6 #8 #10 and are 5~6 gallon buckets being used

In a 140 square foot room with 8' ceiling I can stick a year supply of #10 can, that room will give 2100 calories per day and that leaves no room for errors

Keep in mind the calories for each can and or bucket, Example, if one case says 1 month supply you would actually need 4 cases for one month to sufficiently supply the calorie intake unless one is doing nothing but laying down for the month.

I generally avoid neighborhood storage unit, like all your eggs in one basket that you have no control over, you can rent a storage pod and have it on your property, place air conditioner in it somehow during house renovation?

 

[Kevin L]

What can size you talking about such as #6 #8 #10 and are 5~6 gallon buckets being used

In a 140 square foot room with 8' ceiling I can stick a year supply of #10 can, that room will give 2100 calories per day and that leaves no room for errors

Keep in mind the calories for each can and or bucket, Example, if one case says 1 month supply you would actually need 4 cases for one month to sufficiently supply the calorie intake unless one is doing nothing but laying down for the month.

I generally avoid neighborhood storage unit, like all your eggs in one basket that you have no control over, you can rent a storage pod and have it on your property, place air conditioner in it somehow during house renovation?

Everyone here gave me very useful info, so thank you everybody.

We have a home owners' association, so I can't put storage boxes on my property.

I have a ton of unused space in the attic, but attics get very hot, and I'm concerned about food deteriorating up there in the widely swinging temperatures.

I just wish my GF (we live together) was more supportive . . . although--in fairness--she has been more supportive of me carrying my piece when we got out, as she hears about all the mass shootings on the news.

 

[Brent S]

Everyone here gave me very useful info, so thank you everybody.

We have a home owners' association, so I can't put storage boxes on my property.

I have a ton of unused space in the attic, but attics get very hot, and I'm concerned about food deteriorating up there in the widely swinging temperatures.

I just wish my GF (we live together) was more supportive . . . although--in fairness--she has been more supportive of me carrying my piece when we got out, as she hears about all the mass shootings on the news.

No doubt the attic is a bad place to store anything that’s perishable, especially in Florida. I got several big black plastic bins that are stackable. They keep the contents safe, hold a lot and would be easy to throw in a vehicle if you needed to leave in a hurry. I have a spare bedroom that they reside in that’s climate controlled.

 

[Kevin L]

No doubt the attic is a bad place to store anything that’s perishable, especially in Florida. I got several big black plastic bins that are stackable. They keep the contents safe, hold a lot and would be easy to throw in a vehicle if you needed to leave in a hurry. I have a spare bedroom that they reside in that’s climate controlled.

Thank you.

 

[Proud Prepper]

Everyone here gave me very useful info, so thank you everybody.

We have a home owners' association, so I can't put storage boxes on my property.

I have a ton of unused space in the attic, but attics get very hot, and I'm concerned about food deteriorating up there in the widely swinging temperatures.

I just wish my GF (we live together) was more supportive . . . although--in fairness--she has been more supportive of me carrying my piece when we got out, as she hears about all the mass shootings on the news.

As I said before, you need to build an insulated space within the attic and split a small A/C duct to it for temperature control.

 

[Kevin L]

As I said before, you need to build an insulated space within the attic and split a small A/C duct to it for temperature control.

Thank you again.

 

[tmttactical]

As I said before, you need to build an insulated space within the attic and split a small A/C duct to it for temperature control.

If space is a concern and the HOA is a pain in the tush. Then Rellgar's suggestion is the best option going. His idea is very simple, economical and solves the problem. I did this in the space above the garage. Small amount of framing (for drop down ladder) some planning (flooring and ceiling joist covers can't be wider than drop down ladder opening --- DUH). Insulate, add flooring and seal the rafters with panels and you have a very nice concealed storage space. Frame in a couple of vents -- one exhaust fan, pushing air back into main house and it will draw cooling from the main house into the new storage space. Not complex or expensive, mostly just labor. For complete control, install thermostat to control operation of exhaust fan. Easy --Peasy.

 

[Kevin L]

Thank you.

 

[JackDW]

This depends upon what your HOA allows, but if they allow outside storage building (not temporary pods but permanent) consider installing one of the Steel Storage building. Install metal flashing under the plywood tied into the wall and then ground the whole works. Use metal duck tape to seal all seams. As long as you keep the door closed tightly you have a build-in Faraday Cage. Just make sure you store the items where it does not contact the wall. Granted, this does not address any hot and/or cold issues but maybe you can move some of your other prepping to the building and store keep the sensitive stuff in your dwelling.
(Did I ever say I HATE HOAs!!! If not, I HATE HOAs and I am sure they would hate me just a much. But, I realize some people can't avoid them but I still HATE THEM!!!)

 

[Helen Back]

Hey gang, let's slow down on all of the attic talk. Most trusses are not designed to carry load on the bottom chord. Check some engineering before stacking heavy stuff in your attic. And never, NEVER cut a truss for any reason. If you have to use the attic, try to use the portion over the hallway, where there should be better support.

 

[Kevin L]

Hey gang, let's slow down on all of the attic talk. Most trusses are not designed to carry load on the bottom chord. Check some engineering before stacking heavy stuff in your attic. And never, NEVER cut a truss for any reason. If you have to use the attic, try to use the portion over the hallway, where there should be better support.

I thank you very, very, very much. I am not being sarcastic. I am a new home owner, and still settling in to the idea that I'm living in my own place.

This is a mistake I might have made, so thanks again.

 

[Helen Back]

CONGRATS on your new place! No sweat, we can't know everything. It's why we discuss ideas.

If you have trusses, see if you can find out who engineered them and ask them about the bottom chord load max. Most truss companies are happy to help. If you have ridge/rafters, look at your joists and their spacing. You should be able to get an idea of what they will support. Again, if you have to use the attic, the hallway, with two load bearing walls is a safer option.