Prepping for Brexit thread

Nargleblast

I think VJSMUM means once we get into January, which is after 31 December. It's absolutely right that we should look at our own domestic situation and prep accordingly, as in stocking up on food and household stuff and paying down debt where possible. Those who planned to move to an EU country really should have done it before now, as it is four years since the referendum took place, but there may still be time to work on plans between now and the end of the year.

I think we are in for an interesting ride economy-wise not just because of the impact of leaving the EU but also because of Covid 19. I suspect that will be around for sometime so we had better do what we can to secure our finances. Frugality I think is going to come back in fashion, not as part of some rosy-tinted Olde Englishe dream world but frugality based on how we live today with whatever resources we have at our disposal.

[Deleted User]

I thought I meant January too but apparently my facts are incorrect and the 31st December is the given date.

basketcase

boultdj said:

basketcase said:

boazu said:

Well then what can we do practically from 31st of December.

I think you were right in the first place boazu, starting prepping on 31 December is leaving it far too late.

I've just got an allotment and am preparing that with a view to getting fresh food.  And I'm going to learn preservation techniques properly - I'm toying with a dehydrator, but not sure if I'd get the use out of it.  I've been prepping for the disaster that threatened for a while now, so I'll build up stocks.  Also, I'm planning on getting a new fridge-freezer to replace my old one and I've got a 'full length' freezer.  (But I want to be prepared with tins etc in case of power cuts - hence toying with the idea of the dehydrator!)  I've bought cheap but effective convection heaters from Home Bargains (we heat by gas

If you get a dehydrator get the best you can afford, saying that mine is the cheap Lakeland round one, still does the job just a bit slower, tips include,
swap the trays round every hour or 2 hours,
try doing it in an outside porch, the drying amplifies smell,
when you think it is dry, leave it on for another 2 hours,
you need to cut/chop even size
air tight tubs are great for storing dried food
hope that helps.

Thanks for the advice boultdj

Zentimes

We're buying some cheap shelving so we can maximise storage space, it's getting a bit out of hand and disorganised again here, far better for safety to get things on shelves. Will be buying a cold frame so I can extend our growing season a bit at either end of the year, aiming to buy that by August. I think 'upskill' yourself as much as possible with practical skills. Perhaps invest in some second hand 'how to' books so that if you are left without the Internet you have some references as to how to do some practical tasks if you're not up to speed on those. Keep the food stockpile level up and just keep adding in things here and there, try to develop a better cataloguing system if you can so it's simpler to keep track of what you do and don't have, or which stocks are running low. Don't forget your pets! They will need supplies too, make sure those are stocked up.

DigForVictory

A dehydrator is a dashed useful too for converting a glut into stored food. It doesn't work for Everything but it's handy. Also you can get downright picky about your apple rings, mango chips & beef jerky...Which when you see how much the latter two sell for - it is nice to have a device that turns YS meat & fruit into expensive treats!

boultdj

Strawberry crisps are my go to snack, oooo! not tried drying mango yet..... I see experiments in food drying in my future.

[Deleted User]

For anyone who is wanting quantities of vinegar for pickling and chutneys this coming autumn Amazon have 2 x 5 litres of malt vinegar for £11.99 and mine should arrive early next week.  The largest I've been able to find available in the supermarkets have been 1 pint bottles.  I also managed to get 3kg of dark brown sugar from Amazon too which is another thing that's been impossible to source from the beginning of lock down and I need it for making brown sauce to see us through the colder months.  Ketchups have been available in the shops but brown sauce has been less so.  

Hard_Up_Hester

It's Worcester sauce I can't find anywhere, all the other seem to be in abundance.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Hard_Up_Hester said:

It's Worcester sauce I can't find anywhere, all the other seem to be in abundance.

Me too, Hard_Up_Hester. The name brand L&P is nowhere to be seen. However DH did manage to get a couple of small bottles of MrS own brand & he has picked up a Henderson’s Relish - looks similar.  HTH

bouicca21

I'm a bit late to this particular party but the combination of COVID and BREXIT make me think that stocking up is a good idea. I do keep a well stocked stroe cupboard anyway.

I don't grow my own so, apart from filling the freezer, I am concentrating on canned and dried goods.  So far my list includes:

pasta

canned tomatoes/passata

canned tuna

canned kidney beans

lentils (green and red)

toothpaste

everyday sauces

maybe some jam

dried milk

toilet rolls/paper tissues/kitchen roll

What else should I add?