Storing food (and other supplies) in non temperature controlled remote cabin
Posted by DropAGearNDissapear@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 28 comments
Hello, I have recently been thinking more about my readiness in the event of a catastrophe, and while I feel more than secure in the fitness, weapons, and bug out location aspect, I am lacking one thing: food. My location has a well and plenty of spaces for food plots, but I would like to store food there long term.
The only problem is when I am not there, it is not heated during winter. I am trying to source foods that will not spoil. I have beans and stuff like that, and will see how they fared after this past winter. But looking for some sure solutions, I can always eat stuff and rotate, does not have to be crazy shelf life.
Also open to suggestions for other supplies to store there. I have some ammo, but the majority of it I keep in a temp controlled space. Thank you!
Academic_Win6060@reddit
Dig a celler. Store food underground where the temperature is more consistent.
I've seen ppl dig down and put in a cooler or a barrel with a lid and use those as a celler. Cool in the summer, won't freeze in the winter.
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
Great idea! Absolutely- the pipes for the well are 6 feet deep so they do not freeze. Makes sense. Thank you
offpeekydr@reddit
If you post on a buy nothing/free cycle looking for a broken chest freezer, you may be able to get one free to bury. You can put a lock on it too if it doesn't have one.
wageslave2022@reddit
Check out some of the Amish books on this. I second the suggestion to put in a root cellar.
There_Are_No_Gods@reddit
That's a great plan when the location allows for that.
In cases like ours with a regularly very high water table, where any hole I dig more than a foot deep will most of the time start filling with water, an alternative I've been looking at is very thick (6'+) earth-berming above grade. So, if you can't "dig a cellar" you may still be able to "mound a cellar" to achieve similar results.
Cronewithneedles@reddit
Coleman makes a large cooler two people could comfortably sit on. I’d be curious whether filling it with canned goods would keep them protected enough. They claim and I’ve verified it keeps ice frozen for 5 days. Also, canned brown bread seems like it would be shelf stable through freezing weather. One version has raisins in it.
mmaalex@reddit
I have a bucket of dry survival type food variety mix, and keep various other dry stuff year round. Cans and everything expiring goes home in the fall and replaced in the spring. Cans can freeze, expand, and break the seal and shouldn't be kept in freezing conditions.
All the year round stuff is kept in sealed plastic containers.
I do bring food when I go, but I like to have backup plan food for when I forget something or if spend a few extra days out there.
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
Same for me. Propane fridge but it gets shut off. Never really thought about just bringing stuff back for the winter and keeping it in a tote ready to go. Thank you!
mmaalex@reddit
A lot of it gets rotated due to expirations. But I'll buy new and eat the stuff that comes home.
I use smaller totes for the shelf stable stuff. Coffee/tea, ride, beans, pasta, random shelf stable snacks.
Havent had any rodent/pest issues that way so far
ElectronGuru@reddit
Store multiple stages
. Granola and other ready to eat for the first days. Things you can heat for the first weeks. Beans and things to cook for the first months. Seeds and things you can grow for the first years.
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
Great ideas. Thank you
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
What is your State or Region? How cold does it get in the Winter?
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
Northeast, can get as cold as -40F below, but winters usually hover between 5 and 20F
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
You and I have the same Winters.
You want Freeze Dried Food. It is the only food that can handle those temperatures. As long as moisture doesn't get into the product, it won't care.
Get High Quality. Nothing from 4Patriots or Ready Wise. Go for the stuff sold to campers.
If your willing to pay for the top shelf stuff, go to Freeze Dry Wholesalers. Use code CANADIANPREPPER for 15% off any order.
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
johndoe3471111@reddit
With the freezing in the winter I would not suggest canned goods. Beans and rice are some solid staples, but I would do some freeze dried meals too. While the folks that produce them suggest a cool dry environment, they would last years in those fluctuating conditions still. In my cabin I keep all my food in an air tight large pelican case. Never had an issue with critters since I went to that.
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
Great idea! The mice do get inside, but not into the cabinets. An airtight case is a great idea too.
ChocolateOk7997@reddit
For stuff that might be damaged by freezing (cans?) you have to bury it in a hole at least 30" deep, just like a water line. Maybe dig three feet sideways into a hillside?
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
Thanks
SunLillyFairy@reddit
If it's not getting frozen, it's fine. Do you think the inside where you store it goes below 40? If so, can you keep it in an insulated room so it doesn't?
It depends how much food you want to store, but you keep it in an insulated chest (you might be able to use a large chest freezer... doesn't need to be plugged in).
Could you build a root cellar?
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
Absolutely it gets below 40 up there. Insulated room is out of the question. Cellar would be only option it seems
Optimal_Law_4254@reddit
Cellar is a great suggestion. Just make sure you protect it from mice and other rodents.
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
That’s the hard part. Probably use 6 gallon buckets or something.
Relative-Ordinary-64@reddit
Canned foods. Meats, veggies, try to get traditional style cans vs pop top style cans. Keep’em rotated. Can openers are a must. I personally like MRE style meals, and I keep datrex ration bars in my car. Rotate out yearly. Just my .017 euro
mmaalex@reddit
Canned foods can freeze, expand and break the seal on the can. Especially if theyre water heavy type canned foods.
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
Will do! I have maybe a week of canned food there I will work through and work on adding to. Thank you.
grislyfind@reddit
Dig a root cellar if the terrain allows, or bury some blue barrels or metal drums under the cabin?
DropAGearNDissapear@reddit (OP)
It’s a little tight underneath, I would probably elect for somewhere nearby. But the root cellar is a great idea. Thank you