Date: December 03, 1997 11:04 AM
Author: Robert Brocato (rbrocato@ionet.net)
Subject: How to help this thread

I want this thread to be just for improving this particular ideas list - Food Storage Equipment. See my post titled Ideas Lists:.. under Useful Web sites: ... on this forum to read the lists. Also you will find instructions for how to improve the lists on my web site.

Any ideas that pertain to improving this list are welcome, not just new items and catagories.

If you have a question regarding an item or a section of the ideas list that is not an improvement to the list, post it under a new thread titled something like "Ideas List: Food Storage Equipment - nitrogen questions," or something more appropriate.

Rob

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=6691)

Date: December 03, 1997 11:07 AM
Author: Robert Brocato (rbrocato@ionet.net)
Subject: CANNING SUPPLIES example improvement

(I pasted from the CANNING SUPPLIES sub list from the Food Storage Equipment list and I added a few items and I posted the new edited list. Add spaces to make it show up as a list.)

CANNING SUPPLIES

Pressure cooker

Hot pads

Tongs to remove jars

Canning books

Windup timer

Widemouth funnel. You still need to wipe the top of each jar really well, but a funnel will help a lot to keep them clean.

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=6692)

Robert, i think I'm reading your intention here, so heres my idea.....

I have been practicing a little Y2K in the kitchen, out of need. And I have found how it changes your entire outlook in eating and preparing if you have little nic things in the cupboard, for example;

Jam/jelly; if your getting used to whole wheat bread an dpowdered milk for breakfast, a little jelly on that toast makes all the difference in the world.

Chocolate; My husband loves brownies, cheap mixes at the store, but not cheap enough to store THAT stuff for Y2k. so I have decided to put some cocoa powdere in my food storage, great for cold mornings/evenings also.

Special canned goods; I was making some leftover turkey into chowmein last night, it changed dramatically when I put in a can of pineapple, what a treat, water chestnuts too.

I know this stuff is expensive, but it can be found on some good sales, especially at holiday time. and you can dole it out when the time comes. so I think it's important to have these things when your eating out of your buckets and trying to be cheerful about it.

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=6762)

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Date: December 04, 1997 04:43 PM
Author: Rita (rspeir@zianet.com)
Subject: Canning jars for storage


I hate to can but if I had to I could. In the meantime though I thought I could buy more jars and use them for storage of dry products such as beans,corn meal, flour etc. You could replace them in the original boxes and maybe with some bubble plastic between them stack them about 5 high. I've always heard that as a general measure that a pint's a pound so that would be app. 24 pounds per box and would serve two purposes, having jars available while providing storage.

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=6805)

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Date: December 04, 1997 11:30 PM
Author: Lynn (hope1@breeze.net)
Subject: canning jars


that would be a worthy idea, but Im afraid your food would go bad, just as fast as it does in the cupboard. The way you described it , there is now preservation of the product. You would be safe with things like salt and sugar, and some spices, maybe even beans for awhile. but I think you would loose your flour to bugs. That would be an awful thing when youwere really hungry.

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=6824)

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Date: December 09, 1997 11:01 AM
Author: Geofrey (g.w.brooks@usa.net)
Subject: Stacking and storing


I would not bother with the bubble wrap between the boxes. The cardboard should be all you need. What would REALLY help is to vacuum pack the items in the jars. I have a machine with a wide mouth lid head. Fill the jar, drop on the mason lid, cycle, snap, click its vacuum sealed. Almost as good as what Al D. can do in a can. The boxes will keep out the light, the vacuum seal will keep out the bugs, the vacuum and lack of oxygen should kill most of the bugs and eggs. With very little Oxygen in the jar the shelf life is way longer. Short of clumsiness or earthquake you are good for a long time. MUCH better than the paper or plastic bags. I expect that the rodents and such will not be able to get to your stored food as well (Except for the two legged variety, keep a Taboo for those!)

Geofrey.

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=7134)

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Date: December 09, 1997 01:04 PM
Author: Bill Lee (bull_le@hotmail.com)
Subject: OK! where do you get the equipment?


Hmmm, I am sold, where do you get the equipment, lids etc . THANKS - Bill Lee

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=7153)

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Date: December 09, 1997 03:35 PM
Author: chrissy (chrissyb@usa.net)
Subject: vacuum sealer


Bill,

Sam's carries them for about $50.00 less than anywhere I have found. The Food Saver Compact II goes for $149.00 at Sam's and $199.00 on QVC and in all the catalogs I have seen.

You don't need special lids. Just use your flat canning lids. It doesn't have to be a new one and can be re-sealed over and over. No need for the rings either.

This DOES NOT apply to foods that have to be processed. You still must process anything that you normally would. It is great for small amounts of grain, flour, spices, sugar, rice, beans, etc.

It comes with a supply of bags, but Sam's also sells boxes of replacement bags for nearly half the price of anywhere else.

I think it is a good investment, especially if you grow a lot of your own herbs. I haven't checked to see if it is okay, but I think you could store your non-hybrid seed this way too. Anybody know for sure on that?

Chrissy

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=7169)

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Date: December 10, 1997 02:24 PM
Author: Al Durtschi (rcox@mail.lcc.whecn.edu)
Subject: Storing seeds in a vacuum.


>...I think you could store your non-hybrid seed this way
>too. Anybody know for sure on that?

Talking about a seed's ability to sprout after being in different storage conditions, Geri Guidetti, the moderator of the Gardening Forum here at Dr. North's site said,

"...seeds, grains, beans do not become dead food when the oxygen is removed. In fact, according to the National Seed Storage Laboratory in Fort Collins, CO--our official national seed bank--research shows no measurable difference in seed/grain viability whether stored in air, CO2, N2, or vacuum. If sufficiently dried, all of these seeds are effectively dormant to the point that the surrounding gas mix, or lack thereof, is insignificant to storage. Note, too, that we are talking viability, here--the ability for the seed to grow after storage."

Al

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=7235)

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Date: December 09, 1997 04:36 PM
Author: Al Durtschi (rcox@mail.lcc.whecn.edu)


Sounds like a good solution to me,

Al

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=7170)