Cabin- what should i leave ?

[azrael99]

i intend to equip my future cabin of all the necessary we need that i prefer, not have to transport to my cabin every time
what would be safe to leave at my cabin ?

i talk about food, hygiene, tools, energy.
those should be able to resist to high temperature difference, high heat and freezing cold
those are what i think i could leave

food:
-pasta
-rice
-chicken broth
-tactical bacon.

hygiene:
-toilet paper
-baking soda
-bleach

tools:
-hammer
-crowbar
-sledgehammer
-axe
-machete
-screwdriver
-nails
-screw
-saw


think that i have safety gear, as lock, strong door, reinforced window.

[Phoenix David]

i intend to equip my future cabin of all the necessary we need that i prefer, not have to transport to my cabin every time
what would be safe to leave at my cabin ?

I would assume that everything would be stolen if left un-attended.

[azrael99]

thanks to trust humanity.

i didn't say i will leave everything in plain view.

and not every cabin are forced by thief

[leatherface_y2k]

But best to assume that thieves will be around. It'd be a true bummer to get to your cabin and find it occupied by folks living off your preps. Might be a good idea to mount a game camera, or two or three, around the property get an idea if anyone's creeping around, keeping an eye on your BOL. Someone may consider it their BOL as well.

And for your stash you need oral hygiene as well. A tooth infection can kill a person in shockingly short order.

[azrael99]

camera and night-vision camera were already a option. even plugged on a smart phone to be aware when there is "contacts"

and, i don't intend to buy expensive stuff or attractive stuff, i doubt someone will go all that effort to get a box of rice and a toolbox,

[bonanacrom]

A simple section of flooring say under a bed ? That can be lifted up to reveal a 55 gallon drum buried to leave stuff. Just the top of the barrel and lid need to be above ground so easy access.

[azrael99]

i though of a similar system. thanks for the idea.

i was thinking of something similar as for my hunting/defense "tools"

[KnightoftheRoc]

i intend to equip my future cabin of all the necessary we need that i prefer, not have to transport to my cabin every time
what would be safe to leave at my cabin ?

i talk about food, hygiene, tools, energy.
those should be able to resist to high temperature difference, high heat and freezing cold
those are what i think i could leave

food:
-pasta
-rice
-chicken broth
-tactical bacon.

hygiene:
-toilet paper
-baking soda
-bleachremember that this has only a 6 month shelf life

tools:
-hammer
-crowbar
-sledgehammer
-axe
-machete
-screwdriver
-nails
-screw
-saw


think that i have safety gear, as lock, strong door, reinforced window.

Your food (OK, maybe not the tactical bacon ) will need to be properly stored, mylar bags, O2 absorbers, etc. I'd stock a ton of canned goods- you won't be packing that stuff in on your back, so why not have some good stuff sitting on the shelf waiting for you? Besides, it would give you a more nutritionally balanced diet this way.

I'd slowly, and methodically, stock a cabin each trip to it, like it was a second home I was outfitting. Kitchen tools, shelf paper, whatever I'd have at home, would go to the cabin as well. If I'm going to go to the bother and expense of having a cabin getaway, I'm going to make it someplace I WANT to come back to. If it's going to be some austere, bare bones, basic shelter, I might as well save the expense of building, and just hole up in a cave. And, if a cave is your thing, fine, but I'd prefer to be somewhat comfortable, and living indoors does it for me. This means furniture, extra clothing, stored foods, fuels, tools, etc., all duplications of what I'd have at home. They don't have to be exact matches, but the living room ought to have say, a couch and a recliner, if that's what I use at home.

[azrael99]

thanks , that the kind of answer i was waiting for

as for canning, how well will they resist to freezing cold ( up to -25 to -35 in winter)

[KnightoftheRoc]

thanks , that the kind of answer i was waiting for

as for canning, how well will they resist to freezing cold ( up to -25 to -35 in winter)

I think that would depend on the food item, and how it was packaged. Home canned goods in something like Mason jars would likely break the glass, where steel cans can expand a bit when frozen before it actually ruptures. I was thinking steel cans when I posted, sorry if that wasn't evident, my bad.

I'd go with dry goods as much as possible, as the shelf life on them tends to be longer than canned goods, but you can't live on dry goods long term and still want to wake up in the morning after a while. Sheer boredom would adversely affect your nutrition by simply not wanting to eat, despite the need to. One item I'd be sure to stock at a cabin- a really good cook book. Since most dry goods are the basic ingredients to other food, being able to make "the same old stuff" into a variety of things you WANT to eat would be invaluable.

And, since I brought up a book, what about a library at the cabin? A variety of how-to books, cook books, a ton of fiction, whatever you like to read- all of these can not only keep you occupied, but also give you an education in skills you may need while staying at the cabin. A book on making furniture could result in your cabin becoming nicely furnished, while you develop a strong skill set in tree cutting, woodworking, and even in interior design (don't laugh- YOU gotta look at the place, not me). A book on gardening can keep you fed AND entertained (OK, maybe not "entertained", but at least busy). The nice thing about books, is that you never need to replace batteries or worry about Amazon deleting it from your shelf without warning. I'd buy them two at a time of each title- one for the cabin, one for home, so you can study at either location. Nobody says you have to solve the problem of cold fusion while your bugging in, but nothing says you CAN'T, either- so stock up on books that will interest you. Favorite classics, classics you never got around to reading, textbooks on a subject you like- whatever you'd read. Worse case, you have some extra toilet paper available if you find you despise a given book.

[azrael99]

those info were actually really interesting and i believe your ideas are quite good. fortunately where i intend to have my cabin there is quite a diversified wild life with plenty of small, medium and even big games. also the lakes are quite fishy. but i don't own any knowledge about edible plant around that area. i should get a book about that.

[KnightoftheRoc]

There you go, your first library purchase. I'd partner that up with a book on hunting methods (you never know what you may add to your knowledge base) applicable to the area, and that book on gardening. Those three alone could keep you fed, and eating regularly is one of my favorite things. Tried starving, decided I didn't like it.

If you have a cabin, living off the land becomes less of a concern- doesn't rule it out, but it becomes a bit less vital. I say this, because I assume the cabin sits on a piece of land, so you can have a garden- even if it's stocked with those wild edibles. An established garden cuts down on the amount of things in it you shouldn't be eating, whether it's natural to the area, or began as a seed packet you bought.

You mentioned hardware items in the first post (nails & screws)- I'd add to that list (it could easily become a book in it's own right) by offering the advice of standardizing your home/cabin- make all the hinges on the doors one specific type, and then stock a full set as extra. Cabinet doors; same thing, different size. Buy the big boxes of fasteners- not only does it save money, but you'll A; have enough of them to get something finished, and B; know that all of the same type of job takes the same fastener, ie; all the sheetrock is put up with 1-1/4" drywall screws, and you have 20 pounds of them stored up. Storing some basic building materials would be a good idea, too- three bundles of roofing shingles should cover a 10 foot X 10 foot square of roof- handy to have if a branch gets blown through the roof in a storm. And, you'd want the roofing nails to get that job done. If you have any construction experience, or access to someone who does, consider what goes into each type of job, and then stock enough material to handle a small job of that type, like the roof patch. Also, remember that roofing shingles need to be replaced after a time, usually 20-25 years, so think ahead.

Each type of work has it's own parts and needs- plumbing requires fittings, pipe, glue & primer, or solder & flux, plus the tools to measure, cut, and install them. Electrical has it's own , as does carpentry, drywall, etc., on down the line. You don't have to become a master at each trade, but enough education and experience to handle the basics (and keeping your design as basic as possible) can take you a very long way. BTW, since you mentioned the freezing issue- I'd go with the rolls of PEX tubing for your plumbing- it can handle a freeze-up without bursting, saving you a ton of aggravation and money. It also takes nearly ZERO skill to install. The only water carrying technology more basic than PEX tubing is a bucket. Waste lines, being pitched, should never be a freeze concern, as they don't hold water in them, except in the traps. Traps can be removed and emptied before leaving the cabin to go home, except the one in the toilet- that's built into the porcelin- use a toilet plunger to "shove" the water out as much as possible, and use a sponge for the rest- a dry line (or toilet) cannot freeze, so it can't break. Setting your water lines up so your garden hose spigot is the lowest point in the system works well, too- shut off the water pump, open the taps and the garden hose spigot, and the house can drain dry if you pitch your supply lines a little toward the low point. This can save you the expense of replacing faucets, which do not handle freezing well at all. compressed air can also be used to blow the lines out, if you have that option.

Sorry to dwell so much on the piping issues, but you asked a plumber, LOL. My point is, give the project plenty of forethought, develop a plan, and then follow it- this can save you so much in the future, that you'll be glad you spent the time beforehand planning, rather than spending it afterward, fixing.

[BullOnParade]

As far as facing the cold, you'll need to maintain at least 10*C with heat, or purge the water system after every visit. I still don't know a single person with a cottage who has not opened the cottage in March/April to find a busted water line at least once. So prepare for that.

Canned and dried foods are always good to go, but prepare them for longer shelf lives (as described above) and add at least two water sources (dual hand wells, or hand well and flowing water on site)

Cottages are subject to break ins, especially ones in areas with a year round population. But I would still store the basic tools required to live off the land, most break ins I hear of in cottages, the thieves take money/electronics, not a years supply of tp. My ex girlfriends cottage was on a lake with no one around for over a kilometer, and only accessible by boat, you could leave the doors open all summer if it weren't for the bears.

[KnightoftheRoc]

...My ex girlfriends cottage was on a lake with no one around for over a kilometer, and only accessible by boat, you could leave the doors open all summer if it weren't for the bears.

Yeah, nothing like that sensation when you go to "your" cabin, only to find the current occupants are considering you as "Goldilocks"- and are in no mood to share the porridge. Another good reason to keep food sealed up tight- it needn't be bear-proof, it just needs to be smell proof. If they can't smell it, they won't rip the wall off the place trying to get to it.

[Tater Raider]

thanks to trust humanity.

i didn't say i will leave everything in plain view.

and not every cabin are forced by thief

Enough are that it's worth noting. One of our members had his cabin broken into and looted recently.

You have firearms just in case, you prep just in case, so I would assume someone will break in just in case and plan accordingly and remember that once it's broken into even if it has an alarm the thief is going to have time to walk off with a lot before the 5-0 shows up (and they aren't obligated to show up). So put in an alarm system anyways and lock the pantry. Footlockers and safes should be bolted to studs in a way that requires the item be broken into all over again.

Dry goods will store fine, all other food should go in a root cellar, and don't keep stuff there that you can't easily replace if it gets stolen.

[KnightoftheRoc]

thanks to trust humanity.

i didn't say i will leave everything in plain view.

and not every cabin are forced by thief

Enough are that it's worth noting. One of our members had his cabin broken into and looted recently.

You have firearms just in case, you prep just in case, so I would assume someone will break in just in case and plan accordingly and remember that once it's broken into even if it has an alarm the thief is going to have time to walk off with a lot before the 5-0 shows up (and they aren't obligated to show up). So put in an alarm system anyways and lock the pantry. Footlockers and safes should be bolted to studs in a way that requires the item be broken into all over again.

Dry goods will store fine, all other food should go in a root cellar, and don't keep stuff there that you can't easily replace if it gets stolen.

Another good argument for duplicating at the cabin what you have at home. Simple replacement, assuming a trip home and back is viable at the time.

[jamoni]

I'd consider a hidden Job Box. You can get them pretty cheap on Craigslist. I'd put all my sensitive items in there, and maybe leave an OLD laptop(think Pentium2 ) or two where they can be easily found.

[Confucius]

I'm the member here who's family cabin got broken into and looted (assuming we didn't have a different member's cabin get broken into). It was a little surprising really, it's a long way out of the way behind a great big steel gate, and this is the first time we've had a break in in 30 years. We are assuming that they tossed a dirtbike over the gate and rode up since they didn't steal anything terribly heavy. Just a few firearms, some ammunition and a nice pair of binoculars (along with drinking half a bottle of tequila). The thing with a remote cabin is that if someone wants to get in, they sometimes get a few months to do it. Honestly, the fact that we had the firearms in a closet rather than locked up in a safe probably saved the cabin from quite a bit of damage, an old abandoned cabin down the road a bit got totally tossed.

Anyhow, what we keep there (mind that some may not apply to your situation, and we don't get too much below freezing):

And this is just sort of a random list of things that are popping to mind

Food:
Pasta
Rice
Dehydrated Hash Browns
Canned Food
Pancake Mix
Maple Syrup
Grits
Salt
Various Spices
Other cooking supplies (good to have a pots and pans)

Hygiene:
Toilet paper
Paper Towels
Wet Wipes
Dish Soap
Hand Soap (Usually Ivory)
Sponges
Toothpaste

Tools:
Be sure to have anything needed to make just about any mechanical repairs you could come across (For your car, generator, any little household repairs you might have to do)
A pickaxe and shovel
A good handsaw

Other:
Propane or white gas (for lanterns)
Extra Lantern Mantles
Batteries
Matches
Lighters
Blankets
Sleeping bags
Foam mattress pads
Motor Oil
ATF
Rope
Various building supplies (good to have some wood stored at least, maybe corrugated roofing if it applies)
A snakebite kit
Other first aid supplies
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

[azrael99]

all those answer are marvelous, i got way more practical and interesting info that i hoped for.


be sure i will take in concern EVERYTHING you said. those hidden box and plumbing idea are great and those list of article are common sense. it will be interesting.

[Tater Raider]

On food, you can add honey. If it crystalizes you just put the jar in a por with enough warm water to almost float the jar, then put on low heat. It's a kind of double boiler method and will renew the honey. Just go with a plastic container rather than glass in case it freezes if that's a worry, or place it in your root cellar.

Sorry I keep bringing up the root cellar thing, but for long-term storage of food goods in something that doubles as a shelter it's kinda hard to beat.

[azrael99]

well if interested, i intend to use a shipping container convert into a "mobile office" converted into a cabin.

those are made of steel but yet they are isolated.

[azrael99]

*duplicate*

[Tater Raider]

well if interested, i intend to use a shipping container convert into a "mobile office" converted into a cabin.

those are made of steel but yet they are isolated.

Are you planning to bury the container? If so that's where I'd put the food stockpile and move stuff to the pantry when you are at the cabin for ease of use - this will rotate foodstuffs nicely I think and leave you with a secure place to store the stuff while protecting it from tempurature extremes.

Plus storm and fallout shelter, but that's bonus and pure win. I'm actually a bit jealous.

[Ryder358]

I'll second Tater_Raider's idea for using a root cellar. If you can build a proper root cellar below the cabin you don't have to worry about freezing, you can stash tools and valueables in it and use it as a shelter. Make a hatch in the floor boards that's hidden and that should greatly reduce chances of theft if placed right. As always Y.M.M.V.