Food Storage Porn: Hot or Not. Show us pics!

[KnightoftheRoc]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Bae just said a LOT more than 5,000 words' worth, IMO.

@TheCrazyAunt- don't underestimate those dowels- you can get a LOT of support from them without them eating up the space a length of 2X4 would. I think you just need more of them to get that shelf support to mimic that of the shorter shelves. Also, expanding wall anchors and some angle brackets can help those leaning shelves without getting expensive or difficult to do- the hardest part is lining up the holes for the anchors, and drilling the holes. Unless your shelving is REALLY warped, to the point it CAN'T be straightened out, you can save what you already have in place. PM me if you want more info on the hardware.

[Valorius]

Nothing special, but this is what i've got squirreled away to date:

Disaster, party of two:

[k9barco]

Some of the longterm storage (Pardon the mess)

I gotta get me some of the Yoders and Bega stuff; nothing but great reviews... Thanks for the photo's...

[taskforce71]

Nothing special, but this is what i've got squirreled away to date:

Disaster, party of two:

All those bottles and not a drop of rum or wine? Blasphemy! Didn't ya learn from Capt. Sparrow? ("But why is the rum ALWAYS gone?!") I'd definitely stock a bottle or two of Pyrat XO Reserve and a bottle of Sterling Malvasia Blanca 2003 (that was a good year).

[taskforce71]

If you consider getting livestock, one word of advice. Do not name the animals. The only exception is if you give names like "Ribeye" or "
Cock du Vin" of my favorite, "You're next".

A friend/former coworker gave me a couple pounds of her cow in trade for some of our chickens' eggs. The cow had a name... "Fajita"

You could always give them names of major enemies. Hint: Saddam, Adolf, Heinrich, etc.!

[NoAm]

You could have a reasonable weekend with some of your food stashes

We have around one years worth of food stored in UN barrels and tins. 6 large barrels of water.

Pics or it didn't happen.

So true! We usually try to provide pics of our food storage in this thread.
Seeing as you are a new member kinkxx, please give us a little Introduction http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=10
Also let's not try to make anyone feel lacking in here. It's better to be supportive and teach ways of improving the quantity/quality of one's food storage. Karma can be a real, well you know.........................
As far as the UN barrels, I googled UN Barrel, they look the same as the blue barrels that we use for food storage. Is there any difference? I am just curious because we are about to purchase more barrels for our food storage I wanted to see if there is something different or better out there.

[LtCmdLeia]

Could we please stay on topic, this is a picture thread. If you'd like we can start a "let's talk about food storage porn" thread.

Not mine, but hot: (except I would have turned the shelves upside down to give it a lip in the front for safety)

[mobilesuithomer]

There's a lot of threads on food storage, but the simple version is to store what you eat, and then eat it. Use the FIFO system--First In, First Out.

Start out slow, buying a few extra cans of staple foods when you go shopping.

Don't store things you don't eat or haven't tried because you might be able to force yourself to eat it later. Even in desperate situations people won't eat food they don't like.

Here's some threads on food storage that you might find helpful:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=56763&hilit=mylar+bags

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=80514&p=1775813&hilit=mylar+bags#p1775813

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=74461&hilit=mylar+bags

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16398

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=38116

[duodecima]

In addition to that ^^^ many of us either can't afford and/or are morally offended by food wastage. Some of us have spreadsheets of expiration dates . Rotation recently discussed here. And your really long term stuff (wheat, beans, rice, etc), packed right, should last 20+ years. Sugar and salt should last forever.

In keeping with the graphic nature of the thread here are"before" pics of my not-well-organized storage pantry. Actually, some time before. It's got more food and is much less organized at the moment. Prepper-tolerant husband has ceded me a room in the basement. Knew there was a reason I married the guy After pics will go up, well, after. Like, after Thanksgiving at the earliest... Sorry about the different sizes, I'm still figuring out how to post pics...




The canning jars are empty partly because I only recently realized I could put my canner on the stove in this house (Thanks ZombieGranny and ZS:020 for the inspiration!) and also because my thrift store was selling 12 jars for $2!!! So I cleaned em out. Stuff's off the shelves because I finally threw my mousetraps back there - haven't caught any which is good.... The bulky paper goods will be moving to the attic soon, as they don't require cool temps and it's closer to the bathrooms up there. Yes, my water storage is pitifully small at the moment, larger containers are coming as my Xmas present. The flour sacks and tupperware full of flour will go into mylar and get stashed when I annex the storage closet...when I get to it... The cooler will also get a new home elsewhere, and I do stock that much coconut milk because one way to get my family to eat various legumes with rice involves curry (and there was a sale with expiration dates 2 years out ) My 2 adult bug out bags are under that under-the-bed box (don't ask) and my free 2,4, and 5 gallon grocery store buckets are blocking the view of what's left of my home canned stuff.

[NoAm]

The canning jars are empty partly because I only recently realized I could put my canner on the stove in this house (Thanks ZombieGranny and ZS:020 for the inspiration!) and also because my thrift store was selling 12 jars for $2!!! Great Job! Oh, how I LOVE a good deal!

The bulky paper goods will be moving to the attic soon, as they don't require cool temps and it's closer to the bathrooms up there.
Mr. NoAm just did this, it is AMAZING how much space it frees up!

We have been reorganizing our food storage shelves. We went by our local ALDI and picked up a boat load if different sized cardboard flats. This has turned our leaning towers of soup & canned goods into....................


We have also gained a BUNCH of extra space reorganizing! Yay! Just in time for super double coupon shopping!

[Caddell]

I have created a monster....Send her out for a few Groceries and she comes back with part of the store. Scary thing is she has more shopping to do.

[duodecima]

I have created a monster....Send her out for a few Groceries and she comes back with part of the store. Scary thing is she has more shopping to do.

Hey, what's wrong with that (if you think that's "part of the store" you ain't seen nuttin yet, just let her get going... )
NoAm, I will see about snagging some flats next time I'm at Aldi, that's a great idea!

I sealed some stuff (#49 rice, #75 flour) into mylar tonite. I'm planning to line them up, snip a corner, then go thru and have the husband shove in an oxy absorber with me to come behind and reseal the corner as an assembly line process. But in the meantime,

Shiny!

More Shiny!

[MrsCaddell]

hey it was a good sale what can i say. and this doesn't count the freezer or fridge lol. i'm headed out again next week for another haul.

I have created a monster....Send her out for a few Groceries and she comes back with part of the store. Scary thing is she has more shopping to do.

[mobilesuithomer]

This is our food storage, such as it is.












You can't tell by looking, but we should have at least 40 pounds of flour (all purpose, bread and whole wheat) in addition to the various canned goods, as well as several pounds of white corn flour. We have a lot to work on, but as long as the power stays on I can keep us in bread for at least a couple of weeks, which is something I guess.

And obviously we need to clean up and organize.

[iridium]

What the heck, might as well show some of the storage. We have loads of water, and paper goods stockpiled in the garage but I didnt take pics of that.. right now its food storage..

I converted an extra bedroom into our store room, and also my gun/reloading/storage/ammo area as well.. Also some of the extras in rubbermaid tubs are in the second bedroom in Rubbermaid tubs.

On with the pics

Main food storage racks,


Another view, looking down, all those milkcrates are all MRES


Other side of the room.. where the gun stuff takes place


Overflow into the workout/second bed room, mostly food stored in tubs or bins


We have a pantry as well, and that is full (Its located in the kitchen, so I didnt take pics)

Anyway.. thats our stash

[Janissary]

It's not a storage but I guess it counts. It's my emergency two-day family pack. If SHTF, I'll grab the box and leave. I got all the other bug out supplies in two backpacks, 50 liter + 60 liter...

[KnightoftheRoc]

When I look at these awesome stockpiles...I can't help but remember throwing away bags of trash (from hoarder family members) of food that has expired. Cans do expire, pasta does expire. How do you decide what is worth buying and storing as apposed to perfecting gardening skills? Obviously cans can be on the go while gardeing is in a stationary place, but you can't take ALL those cans. I'm a noob, give me some logic pls.

Rotation of food as you add to the stockpile, seems the best course, for me. I buy my canned goods by the case, and stack the cases. Dropping the new stuff on top of the older stuff is easy, but you end up with expired goods, as you mentioned, sitting on the bottom. So, to keep my stock rotated, and the shelves cleaned, I remove each short stack of the older food, place it on the floor, and wipe off the shelf. Then, I add the new stuff to the shelf, and the old on top of it- instant stock rotation, with maintenance tossed in for free


I'm copying this pic because it shows both types of shelves, and many of us use basement space for our storage.

The white shelves appear to be the 'assemble it yourself' type of furniture, where all the slabs making up the sides and shelves are a compressed wood product some refer to as particle board, or, what I call simply "crap" The grey shelves are obviously steel sheets formed for strength, and bolted together. The reason I'm bringing it up, is the tendency for basements to get wet. Moisture is the enemy here- for the food, the "wood" shelves, and also the steel shelves. Steel rusts, particle board crumbles and warps, and dry goods need to stay, well, DRY. The basement is where most homes have their plumbing, usually exposed- and this can be a source of moisture from a few sources. Water lines can form condensation, which drips. Obviously, leaks or broken piping can lead to disastrous amounts of water in a very short time. And, the possibility of a sewer/septic line backup or blowout could REALLY ruin your day, and your preps, too.

A few tips, therefore, from a professional plumber, to minimize your risk level. Insulate your pipes (the pressurized ones). This not only removes the condensation problem, but can also save you money in energy costs. Place all your shelving on cement blocks, to minimize the chance of them getting wet if there's a flood. A dehumidifier, with an automatic pump to remove the collected water, can not only keep your basement dry, and cleaner, but also help remove any water that may occur from a problem- they can even minimize smells from a sewer line problem. Perimeter drainage and a sump pump can also help, and can be installed during or after actual home construction- you might even be able to DIY, and save some money.

Try to locate your storage as far away from the course your drain lines take as you can- it's not always possible, I know, but try. The further away your food storage is from the wastes spilling from the sewer line, the better, and the more increased chance of them staying dry. Combining ALL these tips, would, of course, be the best possible outcome, but homes being different, not all of the above may suit your situation. And, yes- I realize these are all 'common sense' ideas, but you'd be surprised at how often something this "obvious" gets overlooked, even by a prepper/planner type person.

My own, "ideal" set up would be all stainless steel shelving, in a separate room that has a raised floor of concrete, and humidity/temperature control, but let's face it- who has that kind of money?

[ZombieGranny]

Cans do expire, pasta does expire - but NOT necessarily at the dates on the packages, Pomegrante.
Not just our opinions, but government and university studies have shown that is true.

I didn't see the cans, but many of those garbage bags may have been full of food that was still healthy and nutritious.
I am quite careful; I suggest you research the subject personally so you aren't taking the word of random people on the internet, and can be assured that your food stocks remain beneficial for yourself and your family.
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(Did that sound pompous, or like an advertisement?) Sorry if it did.
Edited to add some photos, oops.

My preps are NOT supposed to look like preps...
Want to play 'spot the preps'?

[mcwes3]

Well I have finely got my food storage worth of sharing. I built a 200sq' pantry, bought a auto ac/dehumidifier, bought a new deep freeze, and added a second fridge. I was well on my way to getting my stock pile built up, then I changed jobs and went a month without a paycheck. Well we just ate out of the pantry, Started back on our way up then helped two families with food and toiletries. Well that blessing came back to us ten fold, and now have things where I can breath and feel comfortable. Next month I want to purchase some bulk grains, and my large water storage. By spring I should have the money for a dual fuel generator large enough to run this room. Thanks for motivating me a year or so ago to get up, wake up, prepare, and pray.

[scuro]

Let's see, where to start. OK. Having lived my whole life (41 years) in Southeast Louisiana I have always been prepared to various degrees for emergencies, mostly storm related.
I've always had lots "militia" gear but it's not really been ready to go on short notice. In the past 5 years or so I've kicked it up a notch and started getting myself and my spouse organized.
Most of my long term food was in the form of MRE's. Every once in a while we'd have MRE dinnernight and eat some of our stock. Finding the money to replace the MREs was sometimes difficult and stock was soon depleted. Hurricane Katrinia hit and suddenly I had MREs being given out at work and by nearly every relief agecy. As the few Katrina MREs I had gotten were starting to be depleted along came Gustav. Again I got civilian MREs handed out at work. I took mine and any that my coworkers didn't want. I also passed through National Guard Points Of Distribution (PODs) and got a few more cases of MREs. I stopped at the local City Hall for info about FEMA aid and ended up being given 2 cases of Heater Meals.

Ok, I am going to go off topic here, and, I am really going to try to not sound like a dick here but....

From what I gather from your post, and I hope I am totally off base here, but, from what I am gleaming from your post is, You took aide, presumably from those in need to stock your prep closet? The moral issue alone is enough to enrage me, not even counting the fact that _MY_ tax dollars (may have been) used to stock your prep room.

Please set me right, and tell me I am wrong.

Here's the issue.. they just throw those things away if they aren't used depending on how they store them. It's terrible. Even more unscrupulous people put them up for sale on ebay, at least he uses them for his personal preps. He was the people in need, everyone else did the exact same thing here in Houston.. it'll happen time and time again, better that someone who is using them for "good" get them than some asshat. It's not like I didn't know that some of the cases I own came from people who got them from Katrina.. should I not have bought them since you paid for them with YOUR tax dollars?

Pardon me, I am but a newbie, but here's my two cents...the OP doesn't sound like he took from those in need. He took what was made available to him. And he is in a high risk area where those items could truly become in need. Why are we wondering about this? Because another poster is assuming that his measure of opportunity deprives someone else? I don't know. I work for an agency that helps low income families. We give out many supplies and foods. I usually don't partake of these items. I don't even eat the prepared food we feed the low income children, that is part of my job to consume with them to set 'an example'. These kind of extras are common in these kinds of fields, and it might be surprising to you, to know that the very purveyors of the food, or so they might seem to the public are just as needy as those they serves. I serve low income families an frequently and commonly see them driving better cars than I have, living in nicer houses, wearing better clothes and owning better items (wide screen, flat screen tv's cable tv) It's not enough to hear this persons tale and just make a blanket judgement that he/she created a potential shortfall in distribution of a subsidized ration. It's easy to go there in judgment, but my guess is, the OP might have been in need and was qualified to receive said benefits, but not necessarily through the red tape. I don't know if you are a person who adheres rigidly to such factors as rigid government red tape and qualifications an believe in them without qualm, but, if you are, my guess is, you may not have the clearest whole picture. Not meant to be rude or preachy, just an observation.

[raptor]

This thread is for pictures please do not use it for discussion purposes. Posts without pictures are subject to summary deletion.

[NoAm]

This thread is for pictures please do not use it for discussion purposes. Posts without pictures are subject to summary deletion.

Pictures everyone please!

Porn=Pictures=Porn=Pictures=Porn=Pictures=Porn=Pictures=Porn=Pictures

[skeet]

Slightly off topic? Some pictures of the mecca that is Lexington Container.

[mobilesuithomer]

This is our new water storage. Theoretically, it will last three days, assuming we only use so much per day.

It was set up in our basement on wood pallets that were themselves put on top of cinder blocks.