We all realize that when disaster strikes and we are forced to do away with refrigerated foods it is certainly going to be extremely difficult. It seems like our complete social structure centers around the ability to maintain foods in a cold or frozen state. We are all familiar with the propane powered refrigerators that are used in our modern campers and motor homes. These propane powered units can readily serve our needs as long as the necessary fuel is still available but we have to be realistic and understand that there will be a time when no propane will be available.
The same situation will eventually fall upon the use of block ice or even dry ice. These products may be available at this time however as the situation worsens you can forget replacement supplies. Any sort of supply such as propane or dry ice is going to be dependent upon a continuing supply of the products from mainstream businesses. As our infrastructure starts to deteriorate and break down we have to fully understand that after a specific period of time these items will become a thing of the past.
Aside from the use of canning and salting food we have to make the appropriate plans for our upcoming life without refrigeration. Imagine a scenario where meat can no longer be shipped from large processing centers but must be procured on a local basis. No longer can we maintain vegetables and fruit for any sort of extended period of time. These too would need to be obtained locally and consumed within a reasonable amount of time.
The down falls of canning is that you will have to replace the canning supplies that you use - jars and lids. Here again the raw products used for producing the canning equipment will not be readily available therefore you are sure to run out eventually. Rubber will need to arrive from South America assuming that the supply routes can be accomplished safely. Although you can make glass yourself it will not be a practical venture and thus you will no longer have any sort of glass jars for canning. The problem is multiplied due to the roaming savages that are out to rob any shipments that may pass in their direction.
As a result that only leaves us with dehydrating, salting or perhaps smoking meats and the old reliable root cellars as our only means of preserving foods. A root cellar is easily constructed without a lot of materials. Dirt floors are totally acceptable in root cellars and you should seriously consider one in yours. These dirt floors are excellent for storage of fresh vegetables while cement is more preferred for your dairy and meat preserves.
During the winter you can readily grow sprouts for yourself and your family. Some herbs can be container gardened and others are content to be grown in window boxes. You dairy products will see a longer life span when stored in a root cellar. Both cows and goats milk can readily be converted to cheese. You may wish to consider obtaining an old butter crock in which to store your butter in. You can safely store butter for up to several weeks when it is stored in a crock. The key here is to obtain one container and place your butter into it. Now take another container and place the first upside down in it. Fill the second container with water. The purpose of the water is to prevent the air from entering the first container and destroying the butter.
I personally have all the necessary equipment and supplies to make my own sausage. Sausage making is actually an ancient means of preserving meat. The majority of the thing which we have to contend with is to ensure that we do not become reliant upon some product which may perhaps become unattainable in the future.
By:Joseph Parish
