59 replies to this topic

[8thsinner]

Assuming you survive the quake. you can always dig down to your supplies, the problem may be more will the supplies survive it and quite possibly no.
At a minimum I would say is to store things in steel tubing.
If you have a garden that would be a better bet.
Perhaps using a specially insulated scout pit design.

[patagoniagal]

So 8thsinner, tell me more about the scout pit design, I'm listening.
Steel tubing is out of the question, although a good idea, it's way way too expensive.
And yes, surviving a quake would be a good goal! Most of the housing here is so substandard (even the nice houses) that if there's a big quake, there won't be anything left.

[westbrook]

yes renting sux...

if you needed to find space, get rid of the kids box springs and bed frame.. place buckets under mattress with a piece of plywood on top of buckets and mattress over that. you use a bed skirt to hide this.

if you wanted to double stack, gives you a really high bed!

stacking buckets against one wall and placing a curtain over the front... making steps our of the buckets (think outside the box) and using it for shelves.... place dolls on the little shelves.. I know you children are young but you get the idea.

[ArmyOfFive4God]

You can also use milk crates under the bed.

[westbrook]

sevret doors aren't secret if you are talking about them!

[patagoniagal]

Westie and ArmyofFive4God, Howdy. Your ideas are great, but we don't have milk crates or the big buckets down here, LOL. It is taking alot of "thinking outside the American box" to come up with ideas for efficient storage. I have alot of storage space, but its scattered all over the house. I'm trying to figure out how to make my storage spaces work more effeciently so I'm not wandering all over the house looking for supper ingredients. I have tomato products and pastas in a half closet under the eaves, powderd products in a dresser, canned goods in a guest room, etc, etc.

If we ever get to buy or build a house, it will have some secret places, if for no other reason, they are soooo coool!!!

Thanks for your help!

[westbrook]

get a vacuum sealer!

surely there are plastic buckets in bakeries for icing... how about using paint buckets?

[westbrook]

http://how2dostuff.blogspot.com/2006/02/ho...ollow-book.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Hollow-Book
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concealing_something_in_a_book

[patagoniagal]

Hi Westie,

Actually, no, there aren't icing buckets. The bakeries make everything from scratch. I do have one paint bucket that is about 3 gallons maybe and it's been scrubbed, but I don't think I'd want to put food in it. It still smells like paint.

And YES, I have a vacumn sealer on a wish list. We have another missionary family moving down in November and they are bringing a container, so they are offering me some space for goodies. Among other things on my list is a good food dehydrator and a good vacumn sealer. Any ideas on a good model??

Thanks for the links!

[cookiejar]

Free bucket ideas

See below. Ice cream stores. Horse barns. Etc.


http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/f...22563306.html?8

[cookiejar]

A few more

I know


http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/f...5315117.html?12

also try it on freecycle.org they have a group in almost every country

[westbrook]

you can dehydrate in your oven! set your oven to its lowest setting.. crack door .... trying for 135-150 degrees.. most have the lowest setting at 170... which is why the oven is cracked slightly.

use both racks or if you can find other racks put those in too. dry on cookie sheets.

not sure how humid you get but you can dry in the house by hanging stuff on string .. heat rises.

humidity does not allow for much air drying as mold will set in.

here is another idea.... you are making me have to think! I have two brain cells left.. and thinking makes them rub together, get hot and if I have to think too long.. they will burn up!

wrap what you want to preserve in plastic wrap or bag,.. removing as much air as you can... wrap in foil and dip in wax! dip several times to build up a seal.

now my brain hurts.

[RusticOkie]

Thank you for leading me to this Cookie, this is great. Soo many ideas...

[cookiejar]

Originally Posted By: Cowgirl

I have a little half-high space tucked under the stairs. You have to go through a crawl hole in the back of a closet to get there. There's a box in front of the hole. That is where I intend to put some really longterm storage items such as wheat - I think I can fit a bucket through the hole. Now, I just can't ever gain weight, or I can't get my supplies! LOL!

Chica! That sounds so cool! I envy you. Somewhere here I have a post on looking for hidden space in your home but yours sounds intriguing.

LOL on the weight gain access! Put some gold in there too! Guaranteed to keep you on the diet!

[kappydell]

you might try utilizing the between the wall studs idea by storing in a pvc pipe capped at both ends. make them floor to ceiling height, small enough to fit in the wall and set them on end. should hold a fair amt. of grains, beans, etc in mylar.
saves burial, which is the other trick. only glue down one end cap, tamp the other on snug enough to hold but loose enough to pry off. not waterproof unless you seal both ends, but sturdy enough and fits in skinny places well. you might cauk the loose end with some nice soft silicone cauk for waterproofing...

[cookiejar]

Originally Posted By: kappydell

you might try utilizing the between the wall studs idea by storing in a pvc pipe capped at both ends. make them floor to ceiling height, small enough to fit in the wall and set them on end. should hold a fair amt. of grains, beans, etc in mylar.
saves burial, which is the other trick. only glue down one end cap, tamp the other on snug enough to hold but loose enough to pry off. not waterproof unless you seal both ends, but sturdy enough and fits in skinny places well. you might cauk the loose end with some nice soft silicone cauk for waterproofing...

Kappy! That is an intriguing idea... but I am glad you mentioned the mylar bags because some plastics can leach into the food.

Now I'm going to be taping on my walls for hollow spots.

[kappydell]

for those wanting to cache ammo, these things hold an awful lot, if you can handle the weight!

[kappydell]

let me know if any spooks answer your mysterious taps....

[CrabGrassAcres]

You can buy sheet metal duct work that is made to fit inside a wall cavity. You could prob adapt that to hold quite a bit of grain.

[kappydell]

oh crabby, that would be ever so much nicer in the wall than critters! the house i rent is over 100 yrs old and it has all the creaks, groans, and quirks. hubby hates is, but i luv the root cellar (real stone walls), summer kitchen (storage area, albeit hot) and the huge garden area (50x75) i just hope i get a chance to plant it!