It's a start...

[anaphylaxis]

34641

Here's what I have assembled so far, in particular the food and water. There are some other items but they were lost in a "tragic boating accident."

I made a run today for another cart full of water. When I brought my cart to the checkout isle, I was asked "is all that for work?" I said "nope" and just left it at that.

Anyway, just myself to look after so I should be set for at least a month at this point, possibly more if I'm careful...

[Wulf202]

You're now more prepared than atleast %80 of the population. Keep it up.

Make sure your water is below your food in case of leaks

[Tim K]

How are you going to cook that rice if the power is out?

Good job getting started.

[Dave]

How are you going to cook that rice if the power is out?

Good job getting started.
Clean burning propane.... yup.

[anaphylaxis]

Thanks, yeah I definitely have more to do. The bottom pail has a few other items in there, but it's a work in progress...

[Wulf202]

Keep it up.

[Irving]

Do you have enough water to cook all that rice? Good start.

[ChunkyMonkey]

I had those 2 gallon water jugs..they started to leak after a year. FYI

[anaphylaxis]

I had those 2 gallon water jugs..they started to leak after a year. FYI

Thanks for the heads up -- do the 1 gallon sort hold up better?

[hatidua]

do the 1 gallon sort hold up better?

Option 1: http://techsupplyinc.com/pages/products.php?pid=13

Option 2: http://www.coloradotankandbarrel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21&products_id=14

(the five gallon one listed above is easy to lift, the 15 gallon one, not so easy...)

[Irving]

I have a 15 gallon barrel. They will weigh approx 120lbs when full. The handle really could only be used for when they are empty.
I paid $35 for my barrel. I think $20 is a great deal. For $100 you could have enough water on hand for one month for 3 people. Assuming you can stay at your place.
I like the barrel because it allows me to store 15 gallons in an area that takes up less space than in 2 liter bottles. Even though 2 liters are WAY more versatile.
Each rack of 2 liter bottles holds 8 bottles, so you're only looking at 4 gallons of water per rack.

Those military racks would be most ideal I think, if money were not an issue.

[hatidua]

I have a 15 gallon barrel. They will weigh approx 120lbs when full. The handle really could only be used for when they are empty.

I asked the guy when I bought my 15gl size barrels about the handles and he said they were fine to use when full but it seems like a lot of weight for that handle. I bought some coasters and built little carts to roll the full ones around on. The 15's really are a nice size, I just can't figure out how to get the cherry sweetener smell out of mine in spite of countless washings. -not that it's harmful or anything.

[Irving]

I got a bunch of 5 gallon buckets that held pickles a few years ago. I've washed them who knows how many times over the years, and use one to fill my fish tank. They still smell like salt.

[Wulf202]

My big barrel still smells of vinegar after 4 years.

[ChunkyMonkey]

If you guys want 5 gallon buckets.. I have tons of them. (Hint: restaurant buys sauces etc in them). Worst one is the kikkoman soy sauce crap...! I just use them for plants. The rest can be washed with ease.

[Tinelement]

I had those 2 gallon water jugs..they started to leak after a year. FYI

Second this. Mine were only about 3 months old. Set something on top if them and kinked, leaked all over everything! Pissed.

Looks there is some other discussion going on about long green storage.

[HoneyBadger]

Good start. Taking the first steps is the most important!

am I the only one that doesn't have big containers of water? I have more than 150gal in bottled water in the basement that I cycle through.

[00tec]

If you guys want 5 gallon buckets.. I have tons of them. (Hint: restaurant buys sauces etc in them). Worst one is the kikkoman soy sauce crap...! I just use them for plants. The rest can be washed with ease.
I can pick up some if you have a bunch. I need to get started packing up some stuff in Mylar.

[JerryG]

For anyone wanting some 30g blue barrels. There is a store just SE of I-70 & Pecos in Denver that sells them washed out for around $25 I believe. They also have the 50g white ones.

[Grant H.]

Option 1: http://techsupplyinc.com/pages/products.php?pid=13

Option 2: http://www.coloradotankandbarrel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21&products_id=14

(the five gallon one listed above is easy to lift, the 15 gallon one, not so easy...)

The five gallons mentioned here have a habit of cracking, even though not frozen.

[Wulf202]

Sceptre 5 gallon cans are not known to crack.

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[hatidua]

The five gallons mentioned here have a habit of cracking, even though not frozen.

That's the first I've ever heard of Scepter cans cracking. If you can drive a vehicle over them, I can't see how just sitting full of water would cause any issues....?

I just did some web surfing trying to find any mention of Scepter cans cracking and if you had one crack, I'd love to hear the how/where/why as nobody else seems to have encountered the problem.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/hatidua/scepter_zps811dfeea.jpg

[Great-Kazoo]

Do you have enough water to cook all that rice? Good start.

Everyone who may or may not have canned items from the LDS, need to road test each item. What the instructions recommend, vs. how much water you really need are 2 different amounts.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Everyone who may or may not have canned items from the LDS, need to road test each item. What the instructions recommend, vs. how much water you really need are 2 different amounts.

I cook rice every morning. Today is basmati with gyro and kafta, tomorrow is jasmine with kalbi ribs. Wait what are we talking about again?

[moose76]

Curious where you bought the rice? How is it packaged under the boxes?

Thanks

[zzzippper]

I bought all food that can be eaten cold if necessary, and none that uses water. I figured a gallon of water per person per day so we're good for at least two weeks, more if we're careful. Next on my list is a propane stove.

[SideShow Bob]

I bought all food that can be eaten cold if necessary, and none that uses water. I figured a gallon of water per person per day so we're good for at least two weeks, more if we're careful. Next on my list is a propane stove.

Also get the adaptor hose to use a 20# propane bottle, the little bottles don't last very long.

[Wulf202]

I bought all food that can be eaten cold if necessary, and none that uses water. I figured a gallon of water per person per day so we're good for at least two weeks, more if we're careful. Next on my list is a propane stove.
You can get by with a half gallon in moderate temps and having baby wipes for cat baths

[hatidua]

Also get the adaptor hose to use a 20# propane bottle, the little bottles don't last very long.

I don't know the right word for it, but some places sell a "turkey frying kit" that includes the pot, 'stove', etc. and it appears to be intended for outdoor use (for obvious reasons). I don't eat turkey, but came across someone that bought the whole ensemble just for the pot and was tossing the 'stove' aspect, unused. This stove hooks up to a standard propane tank and for all intents/purposes, is a fantastic outdoor stove/burner. I presume they are somewhat inexpensive but have not purchased one myself as I lucked into one that was being discarded in spite of being brand new.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/hatidua/ScreenShot2013-10-18at45539PM_zpscb0dc246.png

[zzzippper]

Side Show, where would someone find this adapter? Thanks.
Also get the adaptor hose to use a 20# propane bottle, the little bottles don't last very long.

[zzzippper]

Please. I run a dignified and sophisticated operation here. That is called a "whore's bath" round these parts.[mlp]
You can get by with a half gallon in moderate temps and having baby wipes for cat baths

[crays]

Side Show, where would someone find this adapter? Thanks.

Try any of the big box outdoor stores, as well as walmart, for starters. Check inventory and item #'s online, then make a few calls.

Sent via my Mobile Work Avoidance Device

[Buckaroobonsai]

I store several of the 6 gal BPA free water jugs from Walmart separately in the shower of the 2nd bath. No worries of leaking and easy to change out annually.

[Wulf202]

I store several of the 6 gal BPA free water jugs from Walmart separately in the shower of the 2nd bath. No worries of leaking and easy to change out annually.

I've seen people do this and cut a board to go over the tub and stack rubbermaid bins on top.

[Wulf202]

Try any of the big box outdoor stores, as well as walmart, for starters. Check inventory and item #'s online, then make a few calls.

Sent via my Mobile Work Avoidance Device
these guys will also sell an adapter to refill your little tanks off the big ones. Which is technically illegal to do I think

[jerrymrc]

Also get the adaptor hose to use a 20# propane bottle, the little bottles don't last very long.

This ^^^^^. I have both propane and white gas stoves. about 4 gal of gas sealed but it is mainly for the Coleman lantern for outdoor use. Propane does not go bad and I have some put away.[Flower]


these guys will also sell an adapter to refill your little tanks off the big ones. Which is technically illegal to do I think

About $5 at Harbor Freight. Have one of those as well.....

[SideShow Bob]

Here you go........ http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-High-Pressure-Propane-Hose-Adapter/dp/B0009PUQAK/ref=pd_sim_sg_18


Side Show, where would someone find this adapter? Thanks.

[SideShow Bob]

This ^^^^^.Propane does not go bad and I have some put away.[Flower]...

The seal in the valve is susceptible to shrinkage in extreme cold temperatures, and can leak. Do not store indoors or near open flames such as pilot lights or sparks from power tools or you could end up having a disaster like the Challanger Space Shuttle.............

[Irving]

Wouldn't storing in doors help prevent the extreme cold temperatures part?

[anaphylaxis]

I had those 2 gallon water jugs..they started to leak after a year. FYI

Just bumping this thread to comment on this...

I have had about 4 jugs leak so far, however there are many more intact after almost two years. I think that rotating these out after 12 to 18 months or so is a great idea (bring them to the range, etc).

[rbeau30]

Curious where you bought the rice? How is it packaged under the boxes?

Thanks

Those are cases, of 6 - #10 cans (coffee cans) You can buy them at the LDS store. (no you don't have to be LDS to buy them)

"Home Storage Center Locations" http://providentliving.org/self-reliance/food-storage/home-storage-center-locations?lang=eng

You can also order cases online.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Asian grocery store.. Ask for last year harvest. $38 per 50#


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[HoneyBadger]

Good start. Taking the first steps is the most important!

am I the only one that doesn't have big containers of water? I have more than 150gal in bottled water in the basement that I cycle through.
Since it's been a few years... Am I still the only one without big containers of water? Just curious.

[Irving]

My largest container of water is a 15 gallon barrel. The rest is in 2-liters. I stopped adding to the 2-liters though because I've run out of space.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Since it's been a few years... Am I still the only one without big containers of water? Just curious.

I don't have big containers of water but I do have a hot tub and some 0.1 micron filters. I figured a hot tub was an unobtrusive fun way to hold onto a few hundred gallons of water.

[brutal]

Since it's been a few years... Am I still the only one without big containers of water? Just curious.

[Swim]

[HoneyBadger]

[Swim]
Dammit, IM SORRY. [LOL]

[Great-Kazoo]

Since it's been a few years... Am I still the only one without big containers of water? Just curious.

No you're not. Outside a tub & hot water heater. We have a non-potable well on the property AND 2 blocks from the lake. It's 8 blocks to the river and across that street is another lake.

[brutal]

Dammit, IM SORRY. [LOL]

[ROFL2]

It's like picking a fresh scab over and over and over.

[LOL]

[clodhopper]

No you're not. Outside a tub & hot water heater. We have a non-potable well on the property AND 2 blocks from the lake. It's 8 blocks to the river and across that street is another lake.

So technically, you DO have big containers of water. The difference is you can't keep someone from peeing in them.

[Hummer]

I store some water, about 90 gallons in the garage now in 30 gal. barrels, and 6 gal. and 1 gal. water jugs. I have capacity to fill and store ~820 gallons inside, all in food grade containers that I otherwise use for making beer and wine. I'm not too worried about a water shut down in a SHTF event because our regional water system is all gravity fed. But, if some event were to occur, I'd start filling our 35 & 65 gal. water tanks, the 55, 32, 12, and 10 gal. Brute barrels, the 40 glass carboys, and a couple dozen other jugs. All the bigger barrels and carboys have roller bases so they're easy to move around.

We have an irrigation canal that meanders through the property so if they can keep it flowing from the Colorado River, most folks in the area will have water. Just have to filter and sterilize. I have a whole house UV sterilizer but it requires electricity.

We store enough food to keep us going for 1-2 years. Some is dry storage like rice and beans I've bought in bulk at Sam's, and then vacuum packaged in meal sized servings. Two cups of pinto beans done in the crock pot is good for three meals for the two of us, along with elk steaks and veggies from the garden. In harvest season our 1200 orchard trees would provide food for sale and trade.

We keep two refrigerators and two chest freezers full. If the electricity goes out long term we'll have to work fast converting frozen foods by cooking, canning and dehydrating. Our house is on natural gas, which might be fairly secure in a SHTF, but maybe not. I keep several 100 and 20 Lb. propane bottles, but that's not enough. I have a spare 120 gal. propane tank that I've been thinking of setting up here. That would keep us cooking for a while.

Be Prepared is a good motto, (and Hummer is an Eagle Scout). [Beer]

[Erni]

I've been thinking about adding a second water heater as a water storage device. Just hook the water in before the real heater and don't hook up the gas. The water gets cycled everytime you run hot water. Easy 50 to 75 gallons.

[Irving]

I've been thinking about adding a second water heater as a water storage device. Just hook the water in before the real heater and don't hook up the gas. The water gets cycled everytime you run hot water. Easy 50 to 75 gallons.

I recently saw a dual set-up like that. One of the tanks rusted out and burst, dumping all the water onto the sub-floor in the basement. Both water heaters and the furnace were all located in a line above a single floor joist. The weight of the full water heater, above a soaking wet floor caused the floor joist to warp and the water heaters to start to lean like they were going to fall through the sub-floor. Just something to keep in mind when you look at how to mount them, as water weighs approximately 8 lbs per gallon.

[Great-Kazoo]

I've been thinking about adding a second water heater as a water storage device. Just hook the water in before the real heater and don't hook up the gas. The water gets cycled everytime you run hot water. Easy 50 to 75 gallons.

For the cost of a heater, buy a few 55 gal or smaller containers.

[Great-Kazoo]

So technically, you DO have big containers of water. The difference is you can't keep someone from peeing in them.

Considering how the redhead down the block looks, pee away. Outside of standard water purification setups. We also have a few bags of natural hardwood charcoal for back up. Not to mention utilizing the Sodis system.