Prep Genrl Weekly prep thread Dec. 27- Jan 2nd, 2021

[Slydersan]

I'm only using 300cc absorbers, and use 3 per 5 gal bucket. Maybe, I do need to go back, and put more in?

Where can I find half gallon jars besides Walmart? I would never order them online, because of breakage.

I don't remember off hand what size O2 absorbers I used, but they were on the small side - maybe 50 or 100cc. I know the pamphlet I got had a chart of how many of what size to use. It also depended on what you were putting in the container. Something like flour had way less oxygen than say egg noodles, basically the more empty space you have = more oxygen you have to get rid of. I'll see if I can put the chart on here later tonight.

I got my half-gallon jars at an Ace Hardware near me (Maryland). But that was about a year ago. I saw the initial indications of COVID here on TB2K (thanks!) and bought a couple more cases of various sizes.

Edited to add - I'm not sure how well a 5 gallon bucket will actually stay sealed tight. Maybe if your buckets have those gamma-seal lids or what ever they are called. I think most people use big mylar bags inside of a 5 gallon bucket and seal the mylar bag. The bucket is just a convenient way to package it up. But I've never done anything on that scale, so I could be completely wrong on that.

 

[hiwall]

I have my home-made coal forge complete except for the table. I ordered the hand-crank blower and it should be here in a week. I was going to stop and see if I could buy something I could use for a table but instead I will likely just make something. I have plenty of junk around here for fabrication. I will at least wait until I get the blower. I do have a loose plan

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I don't remember off hand what size O2 absorbers I used, but they were on the small side - maybe 50 or 100cc. I know the pamphlet I got had a chart of how many of what size to use. It also depended on what you were putting in the container. Something like flour had way less oxygen than say egg noodles, basically the more empty space you have = more oxygen you have to get rid of. I'll see if I can put the chart on here later tonight.

I got my half-gallon jars at an Ace Hardware near me (Maryland). But that was about a year ago. I saw the initial indications of COVID here on TB2K (thanks!) and bought a couple more cases of various sizes.

Ok, that would be greatly appreciated to have a chart to go by! I only use 1 300cc in each vacuum sealed qt. jar, and that does the trick, but I've never used 5 gal buckets before now. Remember, each 5 lb sack of flour or cornmeal is put into 1 gal zip lock freezer storage bags with a 300cc absorber in each, before they are placed in the buckets. Wonder if that makes a difference?

 

[nomifyle]

I'm only using 300cc absorbers, and use 3 per 5 gal bucket. Maybe, I do need to go back, and put more in?

Where can I find half gallon jars besides Walmart? I would never order them online, because of breakage.

I've been stocking up on the 64oz jars every time I see them at walmart. I think tractor supply carries canning jars and I know that target does. Several months ago I was able to order qt jars from target and they were packed very well. I've ordered from walmart and had some breakage.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I've been stocking up on the 64oz jars every time I see them at walmart. I think tractor supply carries canning jars and I know that target does. Several months ago I was able to order qt jars from target and they were packed very well. I've ordered from walmart and had some breakage.

God is good all the time

Judy

Thanks Judy! I'll check Tractor Supply the next time I'm in town. We do a lot of our shopping there, but I've never looked at their canning jar supply.

 

[nomifyle]

Ok, that would be greatly appreciated to have a chart to go by! I only use 1 300cc in each vacuum sealed qt. jar, and that does the trick, but I've never used 5 gal buckets before now. Remember, each 5 lb sack of flour or cornmeal is put into 1 gal zip lock freezer storage bags with a 300cc absorber in each, before they are placed in the buckets. Wonder if that makes a difference?

I use only mylar bags in my buckets except for sugar. Although years ago I used baggies when I stored in one gallon paint buckets with 02s. I've opened a couple of the cans and the product was fine, but one gallon is different than storing in 5 gallons. No clue how it would hold up. The paint cans are completely sealed and it takes a lot to get one open, they have wooshed when I opened them.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I use only mylar bags in my buckets except for sugar. Although years ago I used baggies when I stored in one gallon paint buckets with 02s. I've opened a couple of the cans and the product was fine, but one gallon is different than storing in 5 gallons. No clue how it would hold up. The paint cans are completely sealed and it takes a lot to get one open, they have wooshed when I opened them.

God is good all the time

Judy

These are food grade buckets with the gamma sealing lids. They are already sealed with 20lbs. of flour and cornmeal stored in each one. I don't want it to ruin, because I didn't suck all the air out of the buckets by not using enough absorbers. I want to continue using these buckets to remove all flour and cornmeal from my two freezers. I want to make sure I'm doing it right. I don't want to open a bucket later on, and find out that it's all molded or rancid. Cary just wanted to dump all the flour or cornmeal right into the bucket, but I want each 5 lbs to be separated out individually so, I can pull one bag out at a time. Yeah, mylar bags would be the best, but I didn't have any of those at the time.

 

[20Gauge]

After the attempt to use O2 absorbers on pickle jars, we determined that the rubber seals on some of the jars were not good enough to create a vacuum. We only had about 3 out of 20 seal.

We are going to switch to mason 1/2 gallon jars for long term storage of items though the pickle jars work great for our noodles and rice.

 

[nomifyle]

After the attempt to use O2 absorbers on pickle jars, we determined that the rubber seals on some of the jars were not good enough to create a vacuum. We only had about 3 out of 20 seal.

We are going to switch to mason 1/2 gallon jars for long term storage of items though the pickle jars work great for our noodles and rice.

just make sure you put a handful of bay leaf in each one of those pickle jars with your noodles and rice. The only plastic I've stored in has been soda bottles with an 02 in them and the air is still sucked out.

I just had to throw out 3 one gallon buckets of pasta, they were infested with bugs (the chickens and goats loved them). I had not put bay leaf in them and had not sealed they mylar bags. I was a nasty mess.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[nomifyle]

These are food grade buckets with the gamma sealing lids. They are already sealed with 20lbs. of flour and cornmeal stored in each one. I don't want it to ruin, because I didn't suck all the air out of the buckets by not using enough absorbers. I want to continue using these buckets to remove all flour and cornmeal from my two freezers. I want to make sure I'm doing it right. I don't want to open a bucket later on, and find out that it's all molded or rancid. Cary just wanted to dump all the flour or cornmeal right into the bucket, but I want each 5 lbs to be separated out individually so, I can pull one bag out at a time. Yeah, mylar bags would be the best, but I didn't have any of those at the time.

I have several 5 gallon buckets that I stored with 5 gallon mylars, 02s and heat sealed the bag. Those buckets are seriously heavy, each year its harder and harder to lift them. Now I store 3 or 4 gallon size mylars with food and that way I can take out one bag at a time.

I had stocked up on mylar bags and o2s earlier in the year. Now they have gotten so much more expensive. A couple of weeks ago I was looking to buy 50 more quart size mylars and they had gone up $10 more than the last time I ordered, which I think was in August. Fortunately I still have a good supply, I was not willing to spend that much more money, but if I'd been out of bags I would have.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[Slydersan]

OK - took some magic, but here is the chart as promised. I have 50cc absorbers and for some reason only used 3 in a half gallon jar of flour. I forget why, but there was some reason for it.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

OK - took some magic, but here is the chart as promised. I have 50cc absorbers and for some reason only used 3 in a half gallon jar of flour. I forget why, but there was some reason for it.


View attachment 243629

Thanks so much! I see that I need to go back, and add more absorbers to my buckets!

 

[Illini Warrior]

read here somewhere that they were going to plant garlic >>> good article today - few things I never heard of - some pre-planting soakings are mentioned to help with their kick off ....

How to Grow Garlic Properly at Home

Do you need garlic growing, harvesting, and storing guide? Read to learn how to grow garlic at home and store it properly!

momwithaprep.com

 

[Illini Warrior]

in regard to 02 absorbers - there is no tooooo much - adding another 500CC isn't that much $$$$ for more storage insurance - they absorb to their individual CC limit or just stop when there's no 02 in the bucket to absorb - you won't "blow up" your bucket and have it collapse ....

not near enough emphasis is put into pushing out the excess air from the mylar bagging - best method I know is the "last corner" method that is all about folding that ectra bagging down into the bucket ...

something else not mentioned enough is excess headroom in the bucket - you want a well-settled content filled bucket with minimum headspace to max out the bucket >>> just remember as a general rule - it's minimum of 1/2" for the bucket lid and another 1/2" for the pleat folded mylar bagging ...

after you do the initial bucket fill - you need a rigorous shake-rattle & roll to make sure the contents settle & "mesh" together - especially true with your grains - don't be in a rush with the timeframe - the only real clock countdown is when you break open the 02 absorber master pack - then it's bust a ball time ....

worrying about the air void around the contents is one thing >>> leaving even a fraction of an inch more headroom than necessary blows away that in & about air void concern ....

 

[summerthyme]

Agree completely. Of course, the problem is, you can't just open a previously packed pail and toss in a couple more O2 absorbers... you'll have to add all new ones.

One thing I've done for years is to use a drinking straw to suck out all the extra air possible. I tap the pail on the floor sharply several times to settle the ingredients as much as possible. Toss in 0w absorbers.

Then I use the iron to seal all but about an inch on one corner. I press all excess air out, then insert the straw, pinching the mylar close around it, and suck as much air as I can out. Then I pinch the straw off with my fingers, and press seal the small opening as is life the straw out.

Buckets sealed this way have the mylar already snugged against the contents, and in 24 hours, they turn into a "brick". They keep almost any contents fresh for years.

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Thanks everyone for all the info on packing my buckets with O2 absorbers. I'm certain I know how to do it from now on. Mistakes are bound to happen when first starting out. Those mistakes have been remedied.

 

[fish hook]

Gold star!

I got some money from my mom for xmas. I think I will be hitting up a local surplus store and buying a case of Crider ground pork 1.5lb cans. At the same time, I feel I might better spend the money on more guttering for the house. I'm taking votes.

You can't eat gutters.

 

[Cag3db1rd]

You can't eat gutters.

But I can drink water

 

[Illini Warrior]

Thanks everyone for all the info on packing my buckets with O2 absorbers. I'm certain I know how to do it from now on. Mistakes are bound to happen when first starting out. Those mistakes have been remedied.

there's little "tricks" that you develop or they come to you thru various means >>> one I found handy was when the product came on the office supply market - the paperwork binder clips keep the bag opening "lips" together while you heat seal them closed - get a much smoother seam, no pucker, no skewing around while the poly heats & tacks together - second benefit is the bag doesn't spill out waiting on the sealing process ....

 

[John Deere Girl]

I think Cary rotates through all of our gas cans in a year's time, so it's not too old. Maybe, I'm worrying for no reason. We don't use the stored gas in our vehicles, though. Never let both vehicles get past half a tank, before we fill up again.

In a grid down situation, all stored gas will be to run our generators and other essential items like his chain saws and garden tiller.

We use Pri-g for gas and Pri-d for diesel. It makes a huge difference.