Weekly Preppers' Thread

9/4/15 | kartographer

[Kartographer]

Preppers you know what we are looking for things like good preparedness supply buys, small discoveries and helpful hints which possible by themselves would make a interesting thread, but would be of interest to fellow preppers.

[mumblypeg]

I didn’t mean stop buying t.p. now. By all means, t.p. is one of the MOST important things to buy, in quantity. To shamelessly hoard, in preparation for a short-term emergency situation. Costco is our friend.

BUT in the event of a dystopian (or Venezuelan or socialist) future in which t.p. cannot be found nowhere no how, clean washcloths in quantity would be the backup.

[JRandomFreeper]

I've used that immersion heater an watched an airman almost blow himself up with one. Fun times.

Last I was down at Medina, they were teaching the immersion heater.

I was AF. Field exersizes were not appreciated.

At least with USAF we had hot showers. Gotta love the Chair Force.

/johnny

[Jamestown1630]

Thanks for your responses. I guess the bucket is the way to go.

I’ve seen videos about making, dehydrating and storing dog food, but not much about cats.

-JT

[Jamestown1630]

I’ve found that I do much better on TP by buying from the drugstores when it’s on a really good sale, and I have a coupon. Sometimes you get both sale and coupon, in addition to reward points, which we always use for gas.

-JT

[Diapason]

Please add me to your ping list.

I’m watching these posts from South Africa and have recently searched FR for “prepping” and have read through the threads of about the last 3 years. VERY interesting.

[mad_as_he$$]

Both are good. I would choose by the best dealer in my area. Mine was Kohler.

[mad_as_he$$]

Our dog’s BOB is about as extensive as ours. Fortunately he packs his own gear in saddle bags.

[mad_as_he$$]

Guy down the road has almost that exact setup. Works well for him. He put it in about 10 years ago. Some of the PVs are beginning to fade but not a big problem yet. He did it because he hates the power company!

[mad_as_he$$]

Some other thoughts. Set alerts on craigslist for units of all types. A small industrial unit is best and the most durable. My brother scored a 10kw nat gas 220v unit on CL. for $2,000. I know you said liquid cooled but I have bought old RV’s for peanuts. Salvaged the generator and sold off the parts and made a profit.

Also, my neighbor has a Kohler stationary that gets test run every week for three hours. It works every time for several years. Just saying.

[thackney]

Sorry, no help. My experience isn’t with residential units. My house backup is just a small, old cheapy.

[3D-JOY]

I am on my way to get more cash since I only use it at the gun shows...Lots of food there for pick-up and I am sure they love cash.

[3D-JOY]

I was given a new puppy at over 76 years old..he will out-live me.

First thing I did was put lots of money in a sealed pouch and a note to be “opened only by my new owner”! It is attached to a new leash and collar...

Only thing I could do to say thank you for taking my best friend. Hope it covers vet bills and lots of food!

[MomwithHope]

Boy that’s too bad. I’ve used tattler lids mixed in the same kettle as Ball lids and have had the same great results, tighten them about the same.

[MomwithHope]

I’m doing the same as you, have lots of Ball lids and am saving the tattler for when the shtf.

[3D-JOY]

I had one or two failures over 20 years of canning...I always found a small “spot” on the seal rubber...tomato seed or spice from canning my own V-8 juice...my errors not the ball jars...second was peaches and I missed cleaning a small thread of hard pulp from near the pit. Both were discolored so no chance to mistake them for “good”.

These were open kettle canned and used in about 2 years each time.

After I checked them, as well as listened for the snap sound, I always gave the rings an extra twist to “set the seal”. Do not handle them roughly and store where movement is not needed.

Store in rows of like date, not front to back, where you will have to move them when new ones are added.

Cool basement storage worked for me.

[3D-JOY]

Small dog so I pack his food, but he carries his water bottles.

I have finally completed our woman/dog car packs since we might not be at home when shtf. This required food, water and “matching yellow” life jackets, LOL, since we must cross water to return to our supplies in order to shelter in place. Inflatable raft fits in storage compartment. No paddles yet, but the “flippers” are packed in there.

I hope I never need to use it, but am physically able and prepared!

[tet68]

The ones I saw in Vietnam usually used Diesel,
Got one ordered so will relate my experiences
with it when it comes in.

Bought a large poly storage tank last year
which I can cut in half to make a tub.

[Iron Munro]

Sportsman’s Guide has army surplus new unused gasoline powered immersion heaters for sale.

This place has them new for $69.00

"Mountain Gear Surplus Sales"

http://military-tent.com/imheunco.html

[mad_as_he$$]

Sounds like a good plan. I have been practicing various scenarios with some interesting results. Two weeks ago we did a timed practice bugout to our secondary location. Had to revise some plans and actions but overall went well.

[tet68]

Hey, thanks for the link, wish I’d seen that first.