Preparedness for when

nuatha

TattyG wrote: »

Sorry for jumping in!

A little while ago someone asked about solar chargers and someone else recommended one on AmaZ0n which was quite pricey (£100+) but was meant to be really good - does anyone have the link?

I have had a look but can't get search function to work!

Thank you xx

Friends of mine advocate Wakawaka, given they spend several weeks at a time away from power sockets, have kids who are welded to PSPs and themselves use smartphones and netbooks I will be taking their advice as to the brand to buy. The Base 10 that they speak very highly of (having been involved in the Kickstarter and field testing) isn't on the website yet.

Frugalsod wrote: »

You could dehydrate the contents of tins but I doubt that we will get to the point where the masses are without electricity to run a freezer. So my preference would be to open a big can and then freeze in individual containers all your excess. Then simply pull out a bag of what you need at each event.

If you are seriously concerned about power supply then the better solution would be to re-can them into smaller mason or kilner jars. This is what many do already.

I do have access to several cash and carrys as well as Costco. Catering pack sizes are often higher cost per unit than the same product in supermarket sizes.
It is worth being very aware of the per 100g price before purchasing from any source.

lobbyludd

thanks for the duck info - slugs is the main reason I want them - we are infested beyond belief, if i could turn slugs into eggs that would be grand - but it has to be practical for our set up.

ta

mardatha

The smell of onions keeps flies away. Apparently lol. Random fact as my brain is still sleeping. We don't get many flies in the house up here or spiders thank god.

Karmacat

mardatha wrote: »

We don't get many flies in the house up here or spiders thank god.

I get a fair few tiny little spiders, but I don't get *any* of those massive things since I put fine-mesh grates over my air bricks :j still got plenty of ventilation there. I have mesh screens over the windows I open regularly, fastened with magnetic strips at the bottom - that was a serious investment, but needed because of how close the house is to all my garden wildlife

Karmacat

Thanks to all the dehydrator people on here, especially sb44 - the spacesaving element of dehydrating is beginning to dawn on me :j

Another dehydrating question: how do you clean jars that you put your newly dehydrated foods into? Are they sterilised as for jams etc, or just ordinary clean? I can put through the dishwasher, no problem, wondering about the lids, mainly. I have trouble with lids

[Deleted User]

I don't mind spiders, I catch then in a jam jar with the help of a sheet of cardboard and pop them outside again, even the big hairy ones, they don't do any harm though even if they aren't very pretty to look at.

I put jars and lids through the dishwasher, they never come to any harm and my preserves and dried goods store perfectly well in them Karmacat.

Karmacat

The deed is done! Finally ordered the Westfalia Laser 2000

Living_proof

Karmacat wrote: »

Thanks to all the dehydrator people on here, especially sb44 - the spacesaving element of dehydrating is beginning to dawn on me :j

Another dehydrating question: how do you clean jars that you put your newly dehydrated foods into? Are they sterilised as for jams etc, or just ordinary clean? I can put through the dishwasher, no problem, wondering about the lids, mainly. I have trouble with lids

You could use them straight out of the dishwasher but be absolutely certain they are completely dry! I buy a lot of mason jars etc. at CBS's and wash them well, rinse in a Milton solution or put in moderate oven for ten minutes. Veg can be put straight in the jars but fruit needs to be conditioned first by putting in something like a ziplock bag and the contents moved around for a week or so and this spreads evenly any remaining moisture in the fruit. It is absolutely amazing when you see how little space the produce takes up - I did masses of apples yesterday and filled a 9 tray excalibur but the end result was a large ziplock of slices!

[Deleted User]

dehydrators
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/139707

Best for me is lock n lock rectangular boxes, which stack easily. Dehydrated foods should be kept out of the light. Under stairs is a good place or in a kitchen cupboard. I keep masses of dehydrated foods in my well insulated dark shed. After dehydrating I always let cool and then pack into the boxes, leaving them out overnight. Look for moisture inside the lid next day

Any airtight container will do, jam jars etc. Run through the dishwasher or wash and put in the oven at about 120. Switch oven off when it gets to that temperature and just leave to cold

Nothing has ever gone moist or bad but I always carry on dehydrating overnight on a low setting if I am not sure as with french beans.

I threw out all the carrots, hated the flavour after dehydrating them. Mushrooms, onions, green beans, beetroot, celery, potatoes etc are all good some need part cooking like the potatoes. I use a mandolin to get even slices. Some veg like sweet potato dehydrate well when cooked and mushed. Sliced tomatoes if there is a glut, not this year. The beetroot is lovely in a stew. Caulie has a foul stink, I`ll never do that again

I have used costco ziplock bags but they didn`t keep the goods in good condition. Lock n lock I have found to be far and away the best. I have dried foods in my shed from 3 years ago and they still as good as new

Frugalsod

nuatha wrote: »

I do have access to several cash and carrys as well as Costco. Catering pack sizes are often higher cost per unit than the same product in supermarket sizes.
It is worth being very aware of the per 100g price before purchasing from any source.

Yes I totally agree. I do take a price per 100g when I go shopping so I know that I have the best price.