This IS a good thread! The "worms and grubs" kinda grossed me out, though. :laugh:
I appreciate everyone's input, ideas, and experiences!! Thanks to all!
I never let my Jeep get below 1/2 tank, so was wondering about the crisis measures for cooking and what the doctor told me has stuck in my head all these years. (Thanks, Keith.)
Am thinking stocking up on soups (like Progresso where you don't have to add water) would be wise in the emergency pantry. Also things like peanut butter & crackers, tuna, sardines, Spam, non-refrigerated puddings (like the Snack Packs), vitamins, Boost drinks, BUT the main thing is how to heat COFFEE!!!! (Note to self, get some instant) :laugh:
Go by the camping section at Wal-Mart. Or order on line.
Campers Coffee Pot :
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stansport-Campers-Coffee-Pot/20920957
A charcoal chimney with a small grate placed on top can become a stove. Burn charcoal or small chunks of seasoned hardwood.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lodge-Camp-Dutch-Oven-Chimney-Starter/14550455
Portable Steno Stove - I've cooked many meals on one of these. Two of them speeds up the process.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterno-Portable-Folding-Stove/20434298
This folding toaster works well on a propane camping stove, gas grill, charcoal grill.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/COLEMAN-CAMP-STOVE-TOASTER/13848606
That's a few items from the camping section that work well in non camping situations. Forgot... another one... a folding oven that can be used on a grill or on a 2 burner camping stove.
One way to save money is to watch for camping equipment at yard sales and flea markets. And avoid the speciality dinnerware and similar items. Usually better quality and less expensive items from the same places can be dedicated for this use. Avoid plastic handles if cooking on an open flame heat source.
FWIW, I'm a sucker for non electric coffee pots. Have a growing collection of them. Additionally, learn to make cowboy coffee. No special pot is needed for that. To make a pot, use a side cutter can opener to open a food can of the appropriate size. Remove label and wash well. Punch 2 holes just below the rim, one on each side directly opposite from each other. Cut a length of coathanger wire to form a handle. If you want a pouring spout, gently crush the top of the can on one side, centered between the two handle holes. This is easier done with a pair of pliers to form a spout.
Loaves of bread are always in the freezer and would last for awhile once thawed out. Of course, plenty of bottled water.
Learn to make biscuits, cornbread, and flat breads. Store the supplies for making those, instead of loaves of bread. Other than the shortening, these items don't need refrigeration. Use the freezer space to freeze drinking water. Cleaned and sanitized 2 liter soda bottles are good for this purpose. Fill to about 85% capacity. Loosely cap until the water is frozen. Then tighten the cap.
And on a more personal note, Hefty garbage bags to line the commodes (in case of no running water for flushing).
With advanced warning fill the bathtub with water for flushing. Fill other large containers, if available. (BTW, fill all the sinks with water. Good for hand/dish washing. Fill large cooking pots with water and place near your heat source. Cover to use for cooking.
We also have a 7 gallon equivalent to one of these that's filled and placed beside the kitchen sink. Used for drinking and cooking and COFFEE!. During the summer ice can be added, when it's filled for cold water.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-5-Gallon-Water-Cooler/20613574
Flashlights & candles & lighters.
Propane fueled lanterns and kerosene (oil) lamps are a better choice for general lighting. Where a good light is needed, as with cooking or reading propane lanterns are best. Oil lamps are good for other activities that don't require a great deal of light. They will supply more light than candles.
Just about everything you want to know about kerosene lamps can be found here.
http://www.milesstair.com/site_index.html And you can make lamps using canning jars. This company has the supplies. Much less expensive than buying lamps.
http://www.oillampman.com/burners/all_other_plated.htm BTW, I also buy lamps and lamp chimneys at yard sales & flea markets.
Having an oil lamp in every room is a safety factor. Don't have to carry a lit lamp or candle from room to room. Keep kitchen matches beside the lamps. Extinguish the lamp if leaving the room for more than 10-15 minutes - fuel saver and additional safety precaution.
Further on candles. I make jar candles using jelly jars. Places like Michaels carry the wicks, or you can make your own using butchers twine, strings from mops, cotton shoe laces, etc. Watch for used candles at the usual places. Wax can be melted and reused. Google candle making for lots of info.
Our fireplace is decorative gas logs, so that's no help.
Don't count those out either. Depending on how yours is made, you may be able to remove the fake logs and place a campfire grate in their place. Example:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wenzel-Camp-Grill/15111415
Or you may be able to rig a tripod to fit. May need to shorten the legs. Example only:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coghlan-s-Tri-Pod-Grill-and-Lantern-Hanger/8586946
We need to think about this. Poncho & I started the thread years ago as a sticky, but additions are always welcome in these uncertain times. (OT, thanks for all of your new links!)
Was wondering if a sterno set might be the answer (like they have at church buffets). One could keep water in there and set pans of soup, etc., to heat up - enough sterno could last for days. Rats, I sold my old stove top percolator at a garage sale one time.....
Sam's Club has disposable full and half size disposable pans along with the rack to hold them, and the fuel. Depending on how many to feed, these may not be as efficient as the folding camp stove. There's a local discount store (not a chain) that frequently puts these items on sale. These pans have multiple uses, so I've been building up a supply of them along with extra fuel for just in case.
One more thing... I strongly urge you to use a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat lid. You can line those with trashbags and use anything absorbent - shredded paper, wadded newspaper, sawdust and catliter as someone else mentioned. While the bag in the tiolet will work, there's a risk of stopping up your toilet when using absorbent materials. If you are in an area where you can dispose of liquid contents old fashioned slop jars are convenient and will work. Paint cans are fine for small children. (That's what we used when I was growing up. Emptied into the outhouse each morning.)
Hope you find these thoughts to be useful.
