Inventory of the stocks

[SavedByGrace3]

Wow...
Barbara and I have finally bit the bullet and are doing the inventory and spot check of our food preps. LOT of work here. We are just half way done and we are wore slap out. We are at a quarter ton of pure food, and we have not even gotten to the rice yet. Lots of beans, pasta, and corn so far. Bags of dehydrated this and that. We did find a half dozen bags of beans and corn that need to be repackaged. The mylar packaging with the OA in them look real good. The vacuum is solid and the packages look "brained" which is what we call a vacuum packed bag that is hard and tight. We are happy with what we have found so far. Opening the buckets is the hardest part. Our little bucket opening tool is a poor tool, and it is rough on the hands prying these buckets open that have been closed for several years.
We will take the rest of the night off and resume the work on the morrow as they say.

 

[FreeinChrist]

Do you have them labeled and dated?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Do you have them labeled and dated?

We label each bag with the contents, date, weight, and if it was repackaged.

 

[FreeinChrist]

That is good. Figured you did that.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

That is good. Figured you did that.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Repackaged 10 items...
2 Dent corn
2 Sweet corn
2 Lentils
2 Big Limas
2 Elbow Mac

 

[MrJim]

Repackaged 10 items...
2 Dent corn
2 Sweet corn
2 Lentils
2 Big Limas
2 Elbow Mac

Dent corn?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Dent corn?

Dent corn is corn that dries on the cob. It is hard when you get it. We got 3 50 pound bags for 34.50 each. The biggest issue is mold. As the moisture content approaches 10% the possibility of mold showing up increases.

 

[MrJim]

Dent corn is corn that dries on the cob. It is hard when you get it. We got 3 50 pound bags for 34.50 each. The biggest issue is mold. As the moisture content approaches 10% the possibility of mold showing up increases.

What do you do with it? Do you remove it from the cob for planting?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

What do you do with it? Do you remove it from the cob for planting?

The is for consumption. You grind it in a wheat grinder into a fine powder and use it to make assorted corn based food items.
We buy it mainly to feed the hungry who will be coming to our door because they did not see fit to prep when they had the chance. My wife and I know ourselves well enough to know we will never turn away hungry children, despite their irresponsible parents. So we are stocking up as much as we reasonably can in order to feed these ones as long as we are able. Some suggest that this is a useless effort because you will never be able to store enough to feed the thousands who will be starving at the time... but we have to try. We will do all we can and the trust God to pick up when we run out. Love will try. Love driven faith will overcome. God will make a way. But you have to try...

 

[4thWatch]

I'm to super lazy to do it your way or the right way....I have so much to keep track of already that I got into the habit of buying Mountain House #10 cans by the case. Solved a lot of issues for me as MH#10 cans if stored correctly are good for 25 plus years but also each case has a date stamped right on it.

Yes I know....lazy but I was going crazy with the food issue for the men who work for me and just fell into the whole case orders for my sanity. MRE's will last maybe 5 years and have a nice date stamped on the case as well but between the 2 MH wins every taste test.

I started making my own venison and beef jerky this year and after freeze drying it and vacuum packing it I up a sticker with the date made on it but that's about all I've done "by hand"

I was spread to thin and decided that I can do a few things really well or a lot of things not so well and this was one area that is far to important so I'm letting the experts at MH create my prep rations.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Never tried the MREs.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Prepped 6 #10 cans of barley and 1 #10 can of cocoa over the weekend. Also dehydrated a bag of kale. Large bag reduces down to a pint jar. Kale is a "super food." We sprinkle half a handful into soups and stews.

 

[FreeinChrist]

Do you have an electric dehydrator?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Do you have an electric dehydrator?

Yes... we have worn one out and are on our second one. Good thing is we have plenty of trays!
Amazon:
NESCO - Snackmaster Pro 600 Watt Food Dehydrator

 

[SavedByGrace3]

We are investigating a solar dehydrator in case the power is out for an extended time.

 

[Razare]

We are investigating a solar dehydrator in case the power is out for an extended time.

Let me know what setup works if you get one!

I was thinking even rather than solar pannels, just buying a solar cooker with the focus of sunlight to do the job. Not sure, though.