20Gauge
TB Fanatic
This is the very reason we switched to concrete blocks and gravel. It works well in our environment. Others? Not so good I would guess.
FOOD Food Shortages | What You Can Do Before It’s Too Late
- Thread starter Bps1691
- Start date
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
Ace Hardware has been good to us. Seems to always have what we need. Then again we only get a case or two at a time.
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
Now we know why. He was a GUY like what we grew up with.He's divorced already. But his two boys got an education that day
Don’t even THINK about telling about prepping. Until I lost my home in Wisconsin, I had:
a year of food, including 30, 5-gallon buckets of bulk food in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers
400 gallons of water
200 gallons of gasoline
A medical kit cabable of being used for minor surgery
A 22 kVa generator, propane powered
A 500 gallon propane tank
Different gas jets for the furnace for propane if city gas stopped
A 21 cu ft freezer, full
A gas manifold that I designed that could cut off the city gas line and route propane to the house
Enough firearms and ammunition to defend my home
Light blocking curtains on the downstairs windows
I was completely prepped. Now, I simply can’t be. Just because I don’t have that stuff down here in Texas doesn’t mean I don’t know how to prep. Your comment is an insult.
hiwall
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We all have the wealth of information on the internet right now. Everyone should use it to learn about things that might be vital to your survival later.
Meat can be frozen but also canned, dried, freeze-dried, salted, or jerked/smoked. Everyone should gather some knowledge of all these.
If you do not have canning jars/lids you can re-use jars like salsa jars or pasta sauce jars or whatever. Can in them just like you do with canning jars.
Most garden produce can be dehydrated (some have to be blanched first) so you do not use up all your canning jars or the new lids. A big plus to dried foods is you can use as much or little as you need without wasting any if you have no refrigeration. Learn how to do things now while supplies for things are still available.
Meat can be frozen but also canned, dried, freeze-dried, salted, or jerked/smoked. Everyone should gather some knowledge of all these.
If you do not have canning jars/lids you can re-use jars like salsa jars or pasta sauce jars or whatever. Can in them just like you do with canning jars.
Most garden produce can be dehydrated (some have to be blanched first) so you do not use up all your canning jars or the new lids. A big plus to dried foods is you can use as much or little as you need without wasting any if you have no refrigeration. Learn how to do things now while supplies for things are still available.
Learn to cook with what you have or what you can find in the stores. Don't waste anything, and be flexible.
I just put a casserole-sized custard in the oven...used up 8 eggs (which I have an oversupply) and 2 1/2 cups of buttermilk that had to go. Used a tiny bit of flour, melted butter and just enough sugar to counteract the buttermilk. A super protein-rich, fairly healthy treat. The basis of this came from an old family buttermilk pie recipe, but cookbooks like the old Farm Journal Country cookbook (mentioned a few days ago) will get you there.
BTW, I have no room for 200 jars of food. Just like I didn’t have counter space for making bread by hand. You people who DO have the space should get on your knees and thank God every night for your good fortune. We don’t all live on a country homestead.
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
No kidding. I spent 13 months living with the wife in 270 ft sq. We were lucky to be able to have food for 2 days at any point in time. There was just no storage.
When we built the house, I made sure every sq ft was used in some effective way. I have storage everywhere. Behind the knee wall, I built shelves to store tools, etc. Each dormer has a storage area next to it. In fact I have more than 500 ft sq storage.
I realize how blessed we were to get this in our lives and it has paid off more than once.
I feel for those who do not have any or very little.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I re- use glass mayo jars for water bath canning. I also re-use store bought glass jelly jars to put my new homemade jelly in. If I can find a way to re-use glass jars, I keep and re-use them. Salsa and pasta sauce jars are winners!
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Grouchy Granny
Deceased
I have one of the large ones from Gardners Supply (can't remember the size but you can look on line), and when I tried to order some of the smaller ones I found out they won't get here until July!
So, just ran over to one of the local greenhouses and picked up 4 of the cheapies - they are 1' 4" D x 1' 8" H. Have to go back because I also wanted 4 bags of mushroom compost, but my old back can't lift them (already paid for them). Darn getting old is a witch.
Dennis, I apologize as my comment was not meant as an insult. I am just saying there are other options. A canner and some jars aren't going to take up much more space than a small freezer. We all prep to the best of our abilities and situations.
hiwall
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We have a small house, so like 20Gauge says, we just make sure to use all available space.
I was trained as a visual merchandiser and I have learned a lot about using all available space, even very odd spaces. Organizing helps a lot too so you use space better.
We do have a large garage/shop and we store countless things out there that are not hurt by hot or freezing temps. Even though it is a big space we still try to use every inch. I have helped many people with their storage problems.
I was trained as a visual merchandiser and I have learned a lot about using all available space, even very odd spaces. Organizing helps a lot too so you use space better.
We do have a large garage/shop and we store countless things out there that are not hurt by hot or freezing temps. Even though it is a big space we still try to use every inch. I have helped many people with their storage problems.
GrewUpErie
Quilter
Another source for wide mouth or regular canning jars in all sizes is Fillmorecontainers.com. I have ordered lids and rings from them in bulk, they arrived quickly and the box was well packaged. I keep watch for their sales and specials, they sell all kinds of useful jars and lids. Just a suggestion. Cathy
Has anybody checked Tattler?
Any experience with their lids?
Any experience with their lids?
I have used Fillmore Containers, and they are a good company. They are sold out of bulk wide mouth canning lids, and just about sold out of the regular sized lids. I have also purchased some specialty jars from them and they were well packed and arrived relatively quickly.
I have several hundred Tattler lids. They DO work. However, they are *extremely* sensitive to the slightest siphoning... if ANY tiny bit of liquid or food particles gets under that ring, it's not going to seal. Conventional lids, OTOH, will tolerate some siphoning... it's not ideal, but some foods (especially thicker semi-liquids like my barbequed baked beans) do have siphoning issues, even with meticulous attention to headspace, canner techniques, etc.
I used all Tattlers from July on last year, because I ran out of regular lids and money was tight. I had more seal failures than I liked, but canning things like home grown green beans, it wasn't a huge loss. Oddly, I've had good luck with them canning meat stews and dog food.
When they do seal, though, they've stayed sealed for me, for at least 10 years. Probably fewer then 2-3 jars opened in storage, out of a few hundred. No problems with rusty lids, or later "surprise" seal failures due to some minor siphoning.
That said, I bought a case of flats in February (over 3000 lids... in earlier times, that would have been about 4 years worth, but now should cover 10 years, unless things get even more interesting!) But I'm keeping my Tattlers... I'll still use them for juice, and probably dog food. And in the event of a real SHTF, they'll be invaluable. With the case price lids at 17 cents each, I'm also removing them very carefully when I open jars, and storing the used lids. My Amish neighbors reuse lids several times... I'd prefer not to, but will keep "once sealed" lids for backup.
Summerthyme
I used all Tattlers from July on last year, because I ran out of regular lids and money was tight. I had more seal failures than I liked, but canning things like home grown green beans, it wasn't a huge loss. Oddly, I've had good luck with them canning meat stews and dog food.
When they do seal, though, they've stayed sealed for me, for at least 10 years. Probably fewer then 2-3 jars opened in storage, out of a few hundred. No problems with rusty lids, or later "surprise" seal failures due to some minor siphoning.
That said, I bought a case of flats in February (over 3000 lids... in earlier times, that would have been about 4 years worth, but now should cover 10 years, unless things get even more interesting!) But I'm keeping my Tattlers... I'll still use them for juice, and probably dog food. And in the event of a real SHTF, they'll be invaluable. With the case price lids at 17 cents each, I'm also removing them very carefully when I open jars, and storing the used lids. My Amish neighbors reuse lids several times... I'd prefer not to, but will keep "once sealed" lids for backup.
Summerthyme
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If you are looking for regular lids most bee places and maple supplies places sell 1 pc 70g lids. They fit a regular canning jar. I use them for my maple syrup and honey as it is something that is used in small amounts and a 1 pc is easier to screw off, pour and screw back on. They have always sealed fine for me but I have never used them for canning. The maple syrup cools and makes a tight seal. Here is an example:
www.betterbee.com
70g Gold Plastisol Cap | Betterbee
Create an airtight seal on your honey jars with these 70g gold Plastisol caps. Can be used for most hot-fill food products for freshness; can add custom label.
www.betterbee.com
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Sue me ?
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
Actually I was wondering. Haven't canned much meat, so I was wondering.Sue me ?
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We’ve been canning meat for decades.
90 min. works.
But I guess 95 won’t break the bank, if it’s a concern.
90 min. works.
But I guess 95 won’t break the bank, if it’s a concern.
bbbuddy
DEPLORABLE ME
It seems like people on this forum could be matched up with homesteaders on this forum to become a "community" if it truly goes sideways. The townies could meet with the rural folks and if they all like what they see, the townies could preposition
supplies and storage, and or bring a needed skill set.
Maybe we could have a private forum for matching groups up...
That would be the MAGs. We’ve had them for years.
Thank you for this information. I'll check that website. Appreciate your help.
I dont have any counter space either. I just use a silicon mat on my table and rise it on the stove.
Most peeps don't want such details made public, even in the MAGs.
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
I am of the opinion we are looking at several years of waves that will test our supply chain. So there will be shortages at strange times of differing items in different parts of the nation.
You will see the advance of the internet shopping like never before as people search the nation for what they need and order it on line.
Jubilee on Earth
Veteran Member
If we hadn't found our freezer, I would buy a fridge/freezer combo. Plenty of those out there, and I'd store seeds, extra milk, things with long shelf life like cheese and hot dogs... whatever I can in the extra fridge part. Some freezer room is better than no freezer room.
TxGal
Day by day
HEB, Kroger, and Tractor Supply had canning lids in both sizes, and a decent supply of accessory items. If you can't find a certain brand of pectin, consider Pomona which lasts indefinitely from what I recall.
I don’t have a table or room for one. I’ve said that repeatedly as well.
So you eat off the floor with your dogs?
I eat on the couch. Not that it’s any of your business. Where do you keep your dirty underwear?
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
Ours are 28" high which is working quite well for us at the moment. I still plant a few things in the ground like zucchini, summer squash, squash, and cucumbers but that's about it at this point. Pole beans are in a raised bed now growing on a cattle panel trellis. Bush beans, three types, are also in a raised bed and will be interspersed with tomato plants this year, and some carrots.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
Wow that was rude!
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
Did you set up the buckets with the plywood as your portable cooking/prep area yet? Back when I was still living in my tiny apartment I sat on my couch to eat as well, or sometimes at my sewing table in my bedroom, yep I managed to squeeze in a sewing table/machine in my teeny tiny apartment it also doubled as my desk, nightstand, etc.