So... I'd like some ideas please. Ideas that don't include massive stockpiles of dehydrated food, mostly canned goods. I'm not looking for thrive, or MREs, or massive amounts of prepared 'survivalist' food that costs 3x as much

1. I need various sizes of sealable containers, probably 2 cups to 2 quarts, that have lids that I can stick a hand pump on, and vacuum seal. I've seen a couple systems, but they're super expensive.. I've also seen systems that require a new seal every time you seal it, which is ridiculous. Intended use is for things like rice, coffee, spices, etc. that I can use, then vacuum seal to keep fresher, longer. The closest thing I've been able to find is lids for canning jars, but they're running around $10 a piece....not economical, IMO.

2. I need suggestions for shelf stable foods, and quick meals. My plan was rice, lots of variations of beans, chili, etc. and cans of tuna, chicken, etc to keep cooking to a minimum. One pot meals is kinda what I was going for.. Boil water for rice, and last couple minutes drop beans in and stir, add seasonings and done... Same with chicken and rice.. or anything really. I can get individual packets of mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, onion...etc. Peanut Butter is shelf stable, and I can get individual packets of jelly, so PB&J is on the list... :D

3. I most likely would not have access to refrigeration in this scenario, although it's possible that I may have fresh veggies once in a while. I may also opt for dehydrated Broccoli (It's my fav)..and the need to keep that vacuum sealed is important..especially in humid WA climate. I will be keeping a good stock of canned vegetables.


This is something I've been wanting to do for awhile, basically stock up about 3 months of canned food and necessities in my 5 ton....So I can use it as the RV I wanted to, without wasting money on fast food or relying on going to a grocery store every night.


So, that being said, what ideas do you have?

Mylar.
And a sealer (looks/works kind of like a curling iron)
Mylar bags should be small(ish) so you don't open your whole stash for one meal.
Should also be flat bottomed so they don't spill over when you're filling them or working with them.
Oxygen absorbers.
Store your sealed goods in 4-6 gallon buckets with gamma lids (screw-on) You can put all your sealed bags in a bucket sized mylar bag in the buckets if you're really worried.
No brown rice (oils go rancid)
Corn meal (grits)
Steel cut oats or regular oatmeal. (granulated honey to go with)
flour (whole grain if you have a mill)

Honeyville has stuff like this. When I order grits or oats they come in fifty pound bags which I then portion out.

I usually store anything like that, even store bought stuff in the freezer for a few weeks to kill any bugs that may have sneaked in.

There is a guy on here and on TOS that does group buys of stuff like this; Paris is his name but for the life of me I can't remember his screen name.

I apologize, I don't remember if I mentioned.. I wanna do this hand power.. I have a vacuum sealer now, it's pretty good. but I wanna get away from consumables. I can reseal a jar a 1000 times, I have to cut bags open....

I want something I can plop onto a can/jar, and pump it a couple times to get the air out..

I think this is the closest I've found..https://www.amazon.com/4-Pack-Fermentat ... B0772FXZMR

I still appreciate your ideas...

You can get the mylar bags with zip-lok tops so when you cut them open you can reseal them... but ok.

Don't know if you'll get 3 mos or more out of those jars. Plus they are bulky and breakable, but ok again.

Pasta should seal up well in them (it tends to poke holes in mylar so if you do eventually decide on Mylar, get the heavy mil stuff for that)

when you make up your mason jars put layers of dried potato (mashed) and dehydrated peas and corn, etc. with seasonings and make a meal-in-a-jar; hydrate and add meat and some hot water for instant soup or stew.

Don't forget about bouillon cubes or powder.

The guy who does group buys goes by Col_temp on TOS

Search "Meals in a jar" or "Survival Meals in a jar" on Youtube

That may make sense, I'll have to look more. TY.

Too fragile or?


Good.



That's an awesome idea.. Meal in a jar.. I love it.




Easy way to add flavor, good call, didn't think about that, TY

with those vacuum sealed jars, they might hold dehydrated stuff for a while, but you aren't making the contents "sterile" as you would if you used a hot canning method. Plus, unless you add an oxygen absorber into the jar before you pump them and seal them, you've only reduced the amount of oxygen, not eliminated it. And how air tight are they really (Not a criticism; an honest question)

If you want to store beans rice and such in jars you can Dry can them. It is the same as regular canning but you can using the oven for heat, look up video`s on youtube. if you have a hand vacuum to reseal the jars you can dry can your food then after you open use a fresh lid (canning lids are cheap enough) to reseal with hand vacuum. I have had crackers from a dry canned jar that were crispy and fresh and they were 12 year old.

I'm guessing this method applies to low fat content vegetable matter, and not fish or meats?

Correct Jim

add an oxygen absorber to the jars then use the pump (if the contents in the jar are dry)

I hear you’re not into it TW, but for others interested in the subject....

Mylar is good, but if you’ve got a sealer, you can cut and seal plastic baggies also. The one gallon baggies can make several smaller longer pouches. At a lower heat, you can even partition a big bag of multiple ingredients. (Works fantastic for seasonings. In a moist environment, Mr shaker is not your friend)

I agree. I have a foodsaver I bought at costco and love it.

But, in my application, space and electricity are at a premium.

Do you have a dehydrator?

Electric, yes. Takes too much power to use in 5 ton.