Preparedness for when

FairyPrincessk

We do most of our stocking up in the late summer/early autumn, and I use this as a good time to check my (admittedly) very basic preps such as matches, candles, radio/torches etc. When I lived in California, I used to regularly rotate my water stock each month, particularly during earthquake 'season', and I should get back into the habit of doing that. Autumn makes sense for us since we both work in academic time cycles which means we have both the money and the time just before term starts to get things set for the next year. I generally restock any food that is low, cook for the freezer, make minor repairs and winter proof the house before term time starts. of course, another reason we tend to do it at this time is that we often move house in the summer which means I'm trying to deplete any food stores that I don't want to move and de-clutter, wash and air things after the winter etc.

I'm not sure if its because my parents were also on academic cycles when i was a child, (particularly my mother) or if I'm just a bit of a squirrel, but I tend to find I get the "urge" to clear out in late spring/early summer and the "urge" to stock up, winter proof and otherwise nest in the late summer/early autumn.

When I finally get around to learning to can and we have a more permanent home, then I suspect I may gradually start to do more projects earlier in summer. Of course, unless a move is imminent, if I see something we use or eat on a very good offer then I stock up, off season or not!:D

[Deleted User]

Did you try out the lamp(s) last night catznine?

pineapple

grandma247 wrote: »

I got my canner from here. Their customer service is very good and I asked if the company was reputable on the canning group before I ordered. All who answered said they were an excellent company to deal with.

Until recently Pineapple thought that 'canning' involved putting things in cans. No seriously! Should it not be called 'jarring'? :huh:

maryb

I always used to call it bottling when it was just plums and apples. But when the equipment you need for doing meat etc is only available in the US (ie a pressure canner) it just seems natural to call it by the American term

D&DD

Morning all just a quickie til later as the boys are waiting for the computer just reminding anyone thats interested Revolution starts tonight with a double bill 9pm on sky1

I'm really looking forward to this one!

Bob our stocks are pretty much the same level most of the year I try to keep a consistent amount in especially breadmaking gear but obviously when the foraging/gardening fruit and veg come in it starts to fill up more.

I bottle/can,dehydrate,pickle,preserve and freeze things once grown and also if I can get a good price on a sale...for example I was running low on courgettes and Tesco recently had them on a decent offer so I bought a dozen packs and shredded some and sliced others then dehydrated them..hopefully will have enough to last me now til my own come in in the garden.

I keep an eye on prices too on the american prepper sites and the farmers sites in the uk and if something is likely to rise a lot I stock up,again if I find a good offer on it.

Generally offers come round every 3 months or so,so for normal food/laundry products I buy enough for 3 months plus 1 extra for long term storage stuff e.g rice,pasta,sugars and breadstuff I generally keep in shedloads lol

BessieBooBoo

Hello all (waves to new faces)

I try and prep a bit each shopping trip; e.g. can of soup for us, one for our elderly neighbours hamper (he gets one at Xmas, and one at Easter), and one for storage.

That way, we don't suddenly end up with a batch of say, tinned toms which have their BB date all in the same week, and, it keeps the food bills down.

Have to say don't always stick to that, the other night, on a quick Sainsbobs shop, I spotted pizza's reduced from £2, to 89p each, so got several to freeze, cheese n onion pasties, reduced to 49p each, and they were a decent size, also to freeze, white bread rolls, at 26p for 6, and a rocky road desert, half price that ahem, fell into the basket! Bargains...

I always look on reduced shelf/chiller, get some good reduced meats, sandwich meat from the deli, deserts, pastries, and if they are cheap enough try stuff out e.g. pork, pickle and cheese mini pies went down well, so did the fancy pate. I make up a batch of sandwiches e.g. got a good pile of peppered beef slices, pate, and cheese, on reduced sliced bread (of course!); these feed us at work for up to a quarter of the price you'd pay in full. Note: do not freeze your salad! I add a tomatoe & salad to the lunchbox.

If we are at Wilks; I stock up on toiletries/toilet rolls, etc., Poondland, all sorts, so buy as we go. Always stuff that will freeze, keep, already tinned, etc. The only downfall is that any reduced beer mysteriously evaporates within days, as does chocolate:EasterBundunno how that happens....

Given the state of many countries finances, I think its a wise thing to do at the moment.

Keep prepping, keep warm, and stay inconspicuous!

BBB

[Deleted User]

TBH, I never take any notice of BB dates (or even UB dates) on cans.

BessieBooBoo

Hello Bedsit Bob

I think someone on this thread said, the dates are just indicators and tinned stuff pretty much lasts indefinitely as long as the tin isn't damaged/gone rusty.

I.e. kept in a temperature steady, dry, environment; however, the nutritious value decreases after the BB date goes past? And can taste metallic? Also, chuck any that show signs of 'bulging' as in its rotting inside and the gases are about to make the tin explode in a messy way....:cool:

Those could always be hurled at & explode on zombies, burgulars, rioters, looters and their kind...(Delete as appropriate)



BBB

JayJay14

I don't take any notice of dates on cans unless they have been arround so lonf they start to rust - I have to admit to finding a couple in the stores when we were packing to move last month.

I have arranged my shelves and cupboards so that I can see at a glance how much of each item is in there; if it goes to a certain level then that is the time to look out for a special offer to stock up. I try not to buy anything at full price. My freezers are half empty at the moment but didn't want to fill them in view of the weather - once I am sure we are unlikely to get any prolonged opwer cuts I'll have a run to costco. Though our local farm shop is a source of lovely whoopsies now and again - OH has just had black pudding egg and chips for his lunch, probably more nutricious than sausage and no nasty aditives.

I have 2 loads of washing on the line, even OH's jeans are drying, very energy saving (though the whirly looks odd sat in the deep snow)

One thing OH has noticed is that his walking boots are letting in water so it is time to replace them. He's going to go down into Keighly to the shop I got mine in and get that sorted this afternoon. Now fo I go for the ride and have a wander round sainsbugs - I use their basics loo roll so could get a couple of packets.:)

[Deleted User]

JayJay14 wrote: »

I use their basics loo roll so could get a couple of packets.:)

Will you be using a BOGOF deal?