This weeks preps check-in

[WGregMiller]

I've seriously considered one. I can't wait to hear how well it works from someone who isn't trying to retire off my purchase!

Sounds like they make them when you order them. Made in the US, so we'll see how it works.

 

[Brent S]

Sounds like they make them when you order them. Made in the US, so we'll see how it works.

All I'm sure of is it's the best way to preserve. It changes the nutrition and flavor the least of all the ways known now and lasts the longest. I'm curious about energy usage as well. When you get it I would like to know what it pulls . My ultimate goal is to put enough solar in to run everything but AC. It's a lot more realistic of a goal for me as AC pretty much quadruples the cost of a system.

 

[WGregMiller]

All I'm sure of is it's the best way to preserve. It changes the nutrition and flavor the least of all the ways known now and lasts the longest. I'm curious about energy usage as well. When you get it I would like to know what it pulls . My ultimate goal is to put enough solar in to run everything but AC. It's a lot more realistic of a goal for me as AC pretty much quadruples the cost of a system.

Have you looked at mini split units? Their usage isn't that much. We put one in our basement, mainly for humidity control and my utility bill went down since the main unit isn't trying to deal with the humidity any more.

You'd have to size it, but expense to run isn't there, and I bet that the draw will ant that much.

 

[Brent S]

O

Have you looked at mini split units? Their sage isn't that much. We put one in our basement, mainly for humidity control and my utility bill went down since the main unit isn't trying to deal with the humidity any more.

You'd have to size it, but expense to run isn't there, and I bet that the draw will ant that much.

Good point, we learned during hurricanes to just cool a small area. Ours was the master bedroom with a small window unit. The whole house systems pull a lot of juice, so instead of trying to build a huge system that's a good way around the problem. I'm pretty sure I am going to build a tiny home on the back of the property here before too long. I'm thinking 16x36 with a full basement. The basement with a concrete ceiling might stay cool enough without AC with some luck.

 

[WGregMiller]

O
Good point, we learned during hurricanes to just cool a small area. Ours was the master bedroom with a small window unit. The whole house systems pull a lot of juice, so instead of trying to build a huge system that's a good way around the problem. I'm pretty sure I am going to build a tiny home on the back of the property here before too long. I'm thinking 16x36 with a full basement. The basement with a concrete ceiling might stay cool enough without AC with some luck.

For our basement, we put in the smallest they made, and the basement is about 1000 SF.

It's a whole lot easier to sleep where it's comfortable, and the outside part is very quiet.

 

[Brent S]

Well, I just finished another batch of pickles. I said the last batch was going to be my last. Now this ones going to be my last...... the darned vines just keep producing them! I just can't stop myself!!! Ok, back to normal now.
I also got another load of potatos in the dehydrator. Hopefully I'll have enough to dry can a load of pint jars of them before long. I really love sundays that I can just piddle around do whatever interests me at the moment!

 

[SheilaT.]

You could always try Danil's 'apple' pie filling to use up the cukes.

 

[SheilaT.]

What is this 'dry canning' I'm reading about and why do it?

 

[WGregMiller]

What is this 'dry canning' I'm reading about and why do it?

AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND IT: Dry canning is using an oven to heat jars of pasta, etc in a jar that you'd otherwise use for standard canning. It would kill any bugs or eggs made into the pasta or whatever.

You can also put the stuff in a jar, put an oxygen absorber in with it and put a lid on it.

When I googled it, it's the same as putting pasta into a Mylar bag with an oxy absorber, then sealing it.

I like Mylar. Thick Mylar won't break like a glass jar....

 

[SheilaT.]

AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND IT: Dry canning is using an oven to heat jars of pasta, etc in a jar that you'd otherwise use for standard canning. It would kill any bugs or eggs made into the pasta or whatever.

You can also put the stuff in a jar, put an oxygen absorber in with it and put a lid on it.

When I googled it, it's the same as putting pasta into a Mylar bag with an oxy absorber, then sealing it.

I like Mylar. Thick Mylar won't break like a glass jar....

Thanks for that, I did wonder.
I use canning jars and oxygen absorbers. Mylar bags are too expensive over here and I rotate my stores regularly so it's more convenient for me to use jars.

 

[WGregMiller]

That works. We have a bug out spot, so we keep supplies at both places. Knowing us, we'd break a lot of the jars

 

[Boudicca]

Hi Everyone, I'm new here but, I wanted to chime in on this thread. I recently bought a piece of land and am hoping the house I am building will be ready in August.

This is (obviously) the largest prep I have ever made. I am currently living in a subdivision in a small town and the houses are 30 feet from one another, there are so many rules, such as no generators, no gardens, etc.. plus there are not so nice areas very close and that makes me worry about spillover in a SHTF scenario.

So, we are further into the country in the new place, will have a deep well, it is in the woods that are loaded with potential food (deer), I can plant lots of food to keep us sustained (though we have tons of mountain house etc..).

So this is my largest prep but, I feel it was the best thing for my family. If I could just figure out how to can chicken without having it taste like tuna, I will be happy.

B

 

[WGregMiller]

We haven't canned plain chicken in a long time. Danil54grl is the expert canner around here, maybe she can help.

We can chicken soup, and while it's not quite as good as fresh made, it isn't bad at all.

My wife bought a freeze dryer that should be here in a couple weeks. Curious to see how that works. I'd be happy (maybe) if I could get her to tell me how much it cost.....

 

[Boudicca]

We haven't canned plain chicken in a long time. Danil54grl is the expert canner around here, maybe she can help.

We can chicken soup, and while it's not quite as good as fresh made, it isn't bad at all.

My wife bought a freeze dryer that should be here in a couple weeks. Curious to see how that works. I'd be happy (maybe) if I could get her to tell me how much it cost.....

Ha! She sounds like a smart lady, I hear they are not cheap.

I just may be one of those people that isn't meant to can... I'm a great cook but, something always seems to go wrong when I try to can. It's very frustrating and expensive to continue failing at it

 

[WGregMiller]

Ha! She sounds like a smart lady, I hear they are not cheap.

I just may be one of those people that isn't meant to can... I'm a great cook but, something always seems to go wrong when I try to can. It's very frustrating and expensive to continue failing at it

Fortunately for my wife, my Mom was still around when she started getting interested in canning. Otherwise, we'd be out of luck....

 

[MaterielGeneral]

Went to some yard sales Saturday. Got a medical dictionary for .25 and a new edition of the Army Survival manual for .25.

I also bought a pop up camper for $150.00. The box is approximately 8' long and 6' wide, so its a smaller one. The guy opened the pop up Friday for the season and realized the roof had leaked so he put it up for sale. When we looked at it today (Saturday) you could tell it was more or less a fresh leak. I figured that if I could not repair it then I would make it so the top was a tent. As long as the crank lifting mechanism worked it would leave a lot of options.

The goal is to sell my 99 Coleman Utah Pop Up that I bought last summer for taking out to state land, replace it with the project pop up and then use all of the funds from the sale to help pay off my sons hospital bills. Not a fair trade off but you do what you have to do I guess.

I am going to start another thread on this and hopefully post pics about the journey. Heck, for the price of $150.00 I am going to camouflage it woodland when I am done. I am probably going to have my buddy do some welding jobs. Reinforce the bumper. Create or modify a bike carrier, weld some Jerry can mounts for water cans.

I have been searching for affordable rubbed Sage for a while now. Seemed like all of a sudden nobody carried it anymore except the big box stores that had the premium brands and the premium price. I found some ground Sage at Big Lots for $0.99 while not the same, its close enough. I bought all they had on the shelf. If you like homemade chicken soup and you do not put Sage in it you are missing out.

 

[Dani]

Went to some yard sales Saturday. Got a medical dictionary for .25 and a new edition of the Army Survival manual for .25.

I also bought a pop up camper for $150.00. The box is approximately 8' long and 6' wide, so its a smaller one. The guy opened the pop up Friday for the season and realized the roof had leaked so he put it up for sale. When we looked at it today (Saturday) you could tell it was more or less a fresh leak. I figured that if I could not repair it then I would make it so the top was a tent. As long as the crank lifting mechanism worked it would leave a lot of options.

The goal is to sell my 99 Coleman Utah Pop Up that I bought last summer for taking out to state land, replace it with the project pop up and then use all of the funds from the sale to help pay off my sons hospital bills. Not a fair trade off but you do what you have to do I guess.

I am going to start another thread on this and hopefully post pics about the journey. Heck, for the price of $150.00 I am going to camouflage it woodland when I am done. I am probably going to have my buddy do some welding jobs. Reinforce the bumper. Create or modify a bike carrier, weld some Jerry can mounts for water cans.

I have been searching for affordable rubbed Sage for a while now. Seemed like all of a sudden nobody carried it anymore except the big box stores that had the premium brands and the premium price. I found some ground Sage at Big Lots for $0.99 while not the same, its close enough. I bought all they had on the shelf. If you like homemade chicken soup and you do not put Sage in it you are missing out.

Check with some of your local grocery stores or health food. Some sell bulk seasonings. I know our local grocery sells it in the 'healthy living' section, just not sure what the price would be but lots child paper than the seasoning isle.

 

[Dani]

Check with some of your local grocery stores or health food. Some sell bulk seasonings. I know our local grocery sells it in the 'healthy living' section, just not sure what the price would be but lots child paper than the seasoning isle.

I swear this darn thing writes what it wants too. . . lots cheaper

 

[MaterielGeneral]

I swear this darn thing writes what it wants too. . . lots cheaper

Yeah, I know how that is. Stupid phone auto spell. I'll write something correct and then it will change it on me.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[MaterielGeneral]

Check with some of your local grocery stores or health food. Some sell bulk seasonings. I know our local grocery sells it in the 'healthy living' section, just not sure what the price would be but lots child paper than the seasoning isle.

Probably to much $. The $.99 for 1.5 oz is much better than the couple of dollars+ for .5 oz of McCormick Walmart sells.


Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[Dani]

We haven't canned plain chicken in a long time. Danil54grl is the expert canner around here, maybe she can help.

We can chicken soup, and while it's not quite as good as fresh made, it isn't bad at all.

My wife bought a freeze dryer that should be here in a couple weeks. Curious to see how that works. I'd be happy (maybe) if I could get her to tell me how much it cost.....

You probably don't want to know the cost! Hunny saw one in the classified s recently almost brand new. Only wanted $2400 for it. Yes, note no decimal points in there. . .I have heard some really good reviews and some really bad. Most of the bad has been getting a lemon and the company not wanting to replace and if they do, they send a refurbished. So I am waiting to as if they can work out all the kinks first before I dish out that ki d of money. But I do want one someday! Badly!!

As for our preps, besides the normal canning a d dehydrating from the garden, hunny purchased a propane generator that will run the whole house when we loose power. It will automatically kick on. We are looking at getting a 500 gallon tank cause I am looking down the line here. When our all electric appliances go out, I would like to replace with gas. What I will really like with this generator will be the no more hauling water to the critters by buckets. We have the well water run out to critter pens already so just turn on like normal to fill. When lights go out, that means hand pump with bucket hauling.. .

As for canning chicken there is many ways to do it. Easiest and way we tend to like it most is cold pack whole prices. It makes its own juices, but does not completely cover in jar. It will turn a little grey after awhile, so if you don't like that you can always fill a little less half way with boiling water. We also boil up a bunch, debone and pack jars add in broth that its cooked in. Comes come tender but stringy, but just fine using in soups and casseroles.

 

[MaterielGeneral]

I'm saving my Cabela's credit card points so I can get a propane/gas generator. This is how I got my current generator (free).

I am getting rid of my gas stuff and going strictly propane. I have the adapter so I can refill 1lb tanks from the 20lb tanks. I bought the hose so I can run directly from a 20lb tank. I have been buying the old valve 20lb tanks for like $4.00 and exchanging them at Walmart for $14.00 for a filled new style valve.

To take them to the propane dealership it costs $18.00 just for a new valve installed. I'm going to sell my Coleman dual fuel stoves and lanterns if anyone is interested.

 

[Dani]

I checked our store here which is almost exclusive to TX but they sell the rubbed sage in bulk for 56 cents an oz so yeah your find at Big Lots was a better deal.

 

[jimLE]

i got 8 places to go,today..in which that includes harbor fright,sams club,and wal mart....so i'll be keeping my open for good deals.and hopefully,i'll be watching my spending as well..

 

[WGregMiller]

You probably don't want to know the cost! Hunny saw one in the classified s recently almost brand new. Only wanted $2400 for it. Yes, note no decimal points in there. . .I have heard some really good reviews and some really bad. Most of the bad has been getting a lemon and the company not wanting to replace and if they do, they send a refurbished. So I am waiting to as if they can work out all the kinks first before I dish out that ki d of money. But I do want one someday! Badly!!
.

I finally got the answer -$2200 after a $700 discount. Ouch. My butt hurts.

We'll use it, I'm sure. This one is made in Utah, the only one made in the US (according to my wife). At least there is no shipping or tax.

Comes with 100 Mylar bags and a sealer as well. Last time we bought Mylar it was 500 bags, but whatever, lol.

This one had great reviews and they've got a good reputation for fixing what's not right. We'll see.

I'll keep y'all updated on when it shows up.

 

[Dani]

Must be Harvest Right. . . that's the only company here that I have seen who makes them. Yes, please let us know how you like it. I know that I will still be canning after getting one, but that's just one more way to preserve.

 

[DrPrepper1]

I got a fire extinguisher for my house. I added some more stuff to my BOB. Mostly small stuff like toothpaste, small sponge, dish soap, one load travel pack of Tide laundry detergent.

 

[Dani]

The big generator for the house was supposed to have been delivered this morning. Hunny already told me to use his tractor to help with the off load cause he wasn't sure if the truck delivering had a lift ramp. Says its about 600 lbs. Well, got a call, can't make it down our narrow roads. Will try again when hunny is off work after 4. That way he can go meet him part way with the tractor and trailer. He has the big truck with him for work.

As for me, I'm canning zucchini & yellow squash first, then winter squash, then corn. Probably making cream cause I got plenty kernels already canned up. Tryi g to decide what I want to do with the cobs. . . may soak them in vinegar to help keep critters out of the garden or I may end up making some corn cob jelly with them. I got a little time to decide before I can tackle that project.

Got both dehydrators going with onions and cucumbers sliced real thin sprinkled with vinegar and a little salt. Makes for a good snack and less fattening than chips. After those are done, I'll need to reload with garlic and more cucumbers. Since I am not getting a whole lot of tomatoes at one time right now, those are getting sliced and dried too. People pay high dollar for sundries tomatoes at the store and so much cheaper doing it yourself when needed at home with added garlic and olive oil.

Still need to do more picking of beans and get those shelled to start drying. The ones I have spread out already are almost ready to be put in tin cans for storage but not quite there yet. Life is busy this time of year but good!

 

[Dani]

I got a fire extinguisher for my house. I added some more stuff to my BOB. Mostly small stuff like toothpaste, small sponge, dish soap, one load travel pack of Tide laundry detergent.

You may want to check with individual companies to see if they are giving away free samples. Walmart used to have a section on there website where you could sign up for them too. Not sure if its still there or not. I remember its hard to find but still. . . its free product and the perfect size to throw in a BOB. I mainly signed up for laundry detergents,toothpaste, shampoos, things like that.

 

[jontte]

not much,but did order a water bladder and a some 8 feet of my army camo textile.