Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread - September 27 ~ October 3, 2020

[SouthernBreeze]

Many years ago I read about storing food in paint cans, I bought them by the case. I bought two gallon baggies, filled with product, put in 02s, twist tied the baggies and pounded the lid shut, last year or so I opened a can of basmati rice and it was pristine. I have Over 100 cans of product stored like that, stored in a shed that is not climate controlled. I’m cleaning that shed out soon.

today I’m defrosting our big upright freezer, the top two shelves are solid ice. Getting the seal replace by our appliance guy is on the list of things to do this fall.

God is good all the time

Judy

Both of my chest freezers need defrosting bad. I don't know of a quick and easy way to do that. I don't have the time or sanity to do it right now. Things are just too hectic. I should have done it long before now, but both are packed full. They stay that way. It would take forever, and I don't have enough coolers to load all the stuff in while they're defrosting, even doing one at a time.

As for storing flour and meal in storage bags, I did that one time, and just stacked it all on a shelf. I didn't add O2 absorbers. It all went stale within a year. That's why I thought adding O2 absorbers would solve that problem, and preserve it long term.

 

[nomifyle]

Both of my chest freezers need defrosting bad. I don't know of a quick and easy way to do that. I don't have the time or sanity to do it right now. Things are just too hectic. I should have done it long before now, but both are packed full. They stay that way. It would take forever, and I don't have enough coolers to load all the stuff in while they're defrosting, even doing one at a time.

As for storing flour and meal in storage bags, I did that one time, and just stacked it all on a shelf. I didn't add O2 absorbers. It all went stale within a year. That's why I thought adding O2 absorbers would solve that problem, and preserve it long term.

Definitely use mylar, I like the zip loc ones, but they still have to be heat sealed on the edges, and of course use the 02s.

We waited until it cooled down outside before tackling the freezer.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[amazon]

Both of my chest freezers need defrosting bad. I don't know of a quick and easy way to do that. I don't have the time or sanity to do it right now. Things are just too hectic. I should have done it long before now, but both are packed full. They stay that way. It would take forever, and I don't have enough coolers to load all the stuff in while they're defrosting, even doing one at a time.

As for storing flour and meal in storage bags, I did that one time, and just stacked it all on a shelf. I didn't add O2 absorbers. It all went stale within a year. That's why I thought adding O2 absorbers would solve that problem, and preserve it long term.

I've stored flour in food grade buckets without O2 absorbers. It stayed good for >5 years. Stored around 60 to 70 degrees. Sorry yours went bad. That stinks.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I've stored flour in food grade buckets without O2 absorbers. It stayed good for >5 years. Stored around 60 to 70 degrees. Sorry yours went bad. That stinks.

It was only a few bags, so I didn't lose a lot at the time. That's when I began to put it all in the freezer.

When you use the food grade buckets, do you also put it in mylar bags first? I will check into those buckets, but money is limited right now. Where do you get them?

 

[amazon]

It was only a few bags, so I didn't lose a lot at the time. That's when I began to put it all in the freezer.

When you use the food grade buckets, do you also put it in mylar bags first? I will check into those buckets, but money is limited right now. Where do you get them?

I get them at WM for the most part, 2.50 for bucket and 1.50 for lid. (Food grade) I didn't use mylar bags because of cost. I think because they're stored in a temperature controlled place its done well. I had sugar stored almost 10 years just in buckets tightly closed without problem. I also ask when I'm at Sam's. They will give you icing buckets.

I did order mylar bags and O2 absorbers to store some other things like dried potatoes and things. I also store cornmeal and oatmeal in the buckets tightly sealed. YMMV. its not an approved way. Its just my experience.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I get them at WM for the most part, 2.50 for bucket and 1.50 for lid. (Food grade) I didn't use mylar bags because of cost. I think because they're stored in a temperature controlled place its done well. I had sugar stored almost 10 years just in buckets tightly closed without problem. I also ask when I'm at Sam's. They will give you icing buckets.

I did order mylar bags and O2 absorbers to store some other things like dried potatoes and things. I also store cornmeal and oatmeal in the buckets tightly sealed. YMMV. its not an approved way. Its just my experience.

Ok, thanks! I've never seen any food grade buckets for sale at our Walmart. Will have to check at Sam's from now on. It good to know that you haven't had any problems. I think your method would work best for me. I can stack the buckets in a corner or two.

 

[amazon]

Ok, thanks! I've never seen any food grade buckets for sale at our Walmart. Will have to check at Sam's from now on. It good to know that you haven't had any problems. I think your method would work best for me. I can stack the buckets in a corner or two.

They are near the painting supplies. Look at the symbol on it.
Here's an article on what to look for.

How to Identify Food Grade Buckets: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

If you plan to store food in plastic buckets, it's very important that the buckets be made out of the right material and be designed for food storage. Fortunately, it's easy to identify a food grade bucket. Check the symbol and number on...

www.wikihow.com

 

[SouthernBreeze]

They are near the painting supplies. Look at the symbol on it.
Here's an article on what to look for.

How to Identify Food Grade Buckets: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

If you plan to store food in plastic buckets, it's very important that the buckets be made out of the right material and be designed for food storage. Fortunately, it's easy to identify a food grade bucket. Check the symbol and number on...

www.wikihow.com

That's very helpful! Thanks.

 

[school marm]

Ok, thanks! I've never seen any food grade buckets for sale at our Walmart. Will have to check at Sam's from now on. It good to know that you haven't had any problems. I think your method would work best for me. I can stack the buckets in a corner or two.

I've always gotten buckets for free from donut shops or grocery store bakeries.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I've always gotten buckets for free from donut shops or grocery store bakeries.

Are the lids resealable?

 

[psychgirl]

On a side note... does anyone else always feel the need to scrub, cook, clean when a crisis hits?
Reading allll night last night and yesterday afternoon about potus having covid had me getting laundry done, scrubbing the bathroom shower, baking chicken, and wishing DEARLY I had my car to make a small Kroger run!

(Hubs car is in the shop, again, sigh...)

 

[SouthernBreeze]

On a side note... does anyone else always feel the need to scrub, cook, clean when a crisis hits?
Reading allll night last night and yesterday afternoon about potus having covid had me getting laundry done, scrubbing the bathroom shower, baking chicken, and wishing DEARLY I had my car to make a small Kroger run!

(Hubs car is in the shop, again, sigh...)

LOL, YES! I'm going through that, today. Doing laundry, dusting, cleaning, and cooking. I call it my "nervous jitter's cleaning".

 

[psychgirl]

LOL, YES! I'm going through that, today. Doing laundry, dusting, cleaning, and cooking. I call it my "nervous jitter's cleaning".

Yep. ^^^

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Yep. ^^^

When I go through these nervous cleaning spells, Cary knows to stay out of my way, LOL. He decided to go squirrel hunting, today.

 

[psychgirl]

When I go through these nervous cleaning spells, Cary knows to stay out of my way, LOL. He decided to go squirrel hunting, today.

My guy works nights so as soon as he leaves today , it’s game ON!!


Lol, he gets annoyed with what he calls my “scurrying around” while he’s getting ready to go, or usually any time, now that I think about it ! Said it gets him all jangled up (huge Eyeroll from me)

 

[John Deere Girl]

On a side note... does anyone else always feel the need to scrub, cook, clean when a crisis hits?
Reading allll night last night and yesterday afternoon about potus having covid had me getting laundry done, scrubbing the bathroom shower, baking chicken, and wishing DEARLY I had my car to make a small Kroger run!

(Hubs car is in the shop, again, sigh...)

I find that SHTF doesn't tend to happen if the dishes and laundry are done and the house is clean.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

My guy works nights so as soon as he leaves today , it’s game ON!!


Lol, he gets annoyed with what he calls my “scurrying around” while he’s getting ready to go, or usually any time, now that I think about it ! Said it gets him all jangled up (huge Eyeroll from me)

I woke up at 4:30 am. I told Cary I had to get up and do something. I just couldn't lay there any longer. My mind was racing. I told him that I needed to do some cleaning to help take my mind off things. That's when he decided to go hunting. He knew! I think I've done a whole weeks worth of cleaning and laundry already today. I started at 5 this morning as soon as Cary walked out the door. I haven't even started my baking and cooking, yet.

 

[psychgirl]

I find that SHTF doesn't tend to happen if the dishes and laundry are done and the house is clean.

Exactly!!

And no one wants to poop in an inscubbed bathroom while the world is falling down around us lol, for Heaven sakes!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Well, I'm done with all my cleaning, and Cary and DS got 13 squirrels, LOL! We both won.....

 

[nomifyle]

It was only a few bags, so I didn't lose a lot at the time. That's when I began to put it all in the freezer.

When you use the food grade buckets, do you also put it in mylar bags first? I will check into those buckets, but money is limited right now. Where do you get them?

Walmart.com has 3 1/2 Argee gallon buckets back in stock, which is my favorite size. I do put mylar bags and 02's in them.

Finally finished almost after dark, getting all the food back in the upright freezer. We found two more bags of pig fat, so DH is rendering it today. Sure does give more space in the upright. I also found 4 five pound bags of chicken leg quarters in there also. I'm sure they have freezer burn but then I'm not afraid of a little freezer burn.

I'm setting up a washing station on my "camper" porch that DH just expanded. I have a huge amount of canning jars that need to be washed. I bought one of those little single burner propane burners and am setting that up on a metal barrel to boil water for jar washing. I found a tote of toilet paper that I packed up 12 years ago, its all pristine, needs to find its way to the she shed. I have a #10 wash tub that I'm going to soak the jars in, I can remember taking a bath in one when I was little and there was no indoor bathroom in my great grandparents house.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[school marm]

Are the lids resealable?

Mine always have been. They are really sturdy and have the rubber gaskets in them.

 

[school marm]

I find that SHTF doesn't tend to happen if the dishes and laundry are done and the house is clean.

No one drops by to visit if my house is clean. Only if it's a wreck.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Mine always have been. They are really sturdy and have the rubber gaskets in them.

Thanks. That's good to know. Without a resealable lid, they wouldn't do me much good.

 

[amazon]

Mine always have been. They are really sturdy and have the rubber gaskets in them.

Mine too. Never had an issue.

 

[moldy]

Pulled all the pepper plants in the garden and started on the tomatoes. Foliage goes to the chickens. I dont like to wait untill spring when the plants are frozen in the ground. Pulled more jars from storage and have them in the dishwasher

 

[ivantherussian03]

I got the got the harvest in the cool room, stored properly.

Canned foods on shelves.

Time to hunt spruce hens and rabbit.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

I hit the Amish store on the way home and picked up enough red-hot candies to make a few dozen pints of the bright red cinnamon applesauce older grandson likes, so we are set for that.

If you have some frozen raspberries you might try adding their juice to applesauce for another variation.