printerman
07-31-2010, 09:51 AM
Many of us have jarred supplies that are often referred to as "canned" goods ! Putting up fruits and veggies is a great idea and if you have the resources by all means do so . If your looking to save actual canned goods here are some tips that you may use to avoid problems in the future . I have been storing and eating canned goods for well over twenty five years and there are some do's and don'ts .....
1. Never buy pull-tab cans as their seal is only good for short term storage (if the product you want "only" comes in pull-tab design , buy new often and eat the old)
2. Buying "Acidic" products such as tomato paste , whole tomatoes , stewed tomatoes , pineapples and fruit's will end up being a short term storage as the rim will develop leaks . Rotate these items and you'll be alright .
3. Under stress you'll consume more food at first and cans of heavy foods will "feel" good . Cans of Corned Beef Hash store really really long and give you that full feeling and lots of fat and protein . Ravioli is also good for that full feeling . (note: tomato base in spaghetti and ravioli products are so thin and cooked down they won't usually burst can with acid over time)
4. Major companies like Chef Boy Ardee have completely switched over to pull-tab cans . Campbell's has not used pull-tabs in their Spaghetio's or Ravioli's yet . Buy while you can ....
5. All canned goods are cooked , so if you have to , you can open and eat ! Other "survival" foods require water and or cooking . You never know what "conditions" your survival will be under so having rugged canned goods of ready to eat food is a plus .
6. MRE's are great but require huge storage space and are rather costly compared to the same amount of bulk in canned goods . However canned goods are heavy and are really best suited for a place where you will remain . Unfortunately they don't travel well .
7. Canned veggies often store better with "brand" names . Comparing ten year old string beans I found on countless occasions that name brands hold up better . 10 year old green beans by the way are grey , mushier , and rather bland ! However they do have food value and you can survive on them .
8. Buy some veggies that have lots of valuable water in them like whole potatoes . The potato comes in water that you can drink . (water might be even more important than the food) Never pour off this water no matter how stinky it is , unless it smells bad , as in putrid (potato water stinks but is good )
9. Spoiled products smell awful and your stomach should turn upon scent . However avoid any dented cans when purchasing and treat your cans well . Keep out of direct sunlight and don't store in that 130 degree shed out back . Pin holes can develop in some products (mostly acidic) and cause brown sticky goo on edges of cans . Throw anything suspect out .
10. Tuna stores really well , however buy both oil and water varieties , oil "is " needed under stress and survival .
11. Avoid huge commercial size cans unless your crowd is big enough . You'll save money on these sizes but once opened must be eaten .
12. Always take Sharpie pen and date can and write what's in can . Labels fall off or get wet . Large dates on cans are easy to read in low light situations like candle-light after a hurricane . Dates allow you to easily rotate cans .
13. Buy lots of diversity in product . You'll appreciate that can of guava paste when all you've had for three weeks is tuna and beans at room temp .
14 . Buy good can openers are buy several . Using those little military openers are great when your traveling but when at home use the real . That way little Debbie can open her own , while your doing more important things .
15 . Never , I mean " NEVER" show anybody your storage and how much you have . You can tell them to get started on their own but showing your stash means real trouble down the road . Remember mankind will kill his own brother to fill his stomach . Avoid later hassles and NEVER show your wares !!!
16. If I had to pick just three favorites I would go with Corned Beef Hash , Tuna and Fruit Cocktail ! Fruit Cocktail must be rotated often but's real tasty and comes with needed water , plus it's sweet . ( a treat when stressed )
1. Never buy pull-tab cans as their seal is only good for short term storage (if the product you want "only" comes in pull-tab design , buy new often and eat the old)
2. Buying "Acidic" products such as tomato paste , whole tomatoes , stewed tomatoes , pineapples and fruit's will end up being a short term storage as the rim will develop leaks . Rotate these items and you'll be alright .
3. Under stress you'll consume more food at first and cans of heavy foods will "feel" good . Cans of Corned Beef Hash store really really long and give you that full feeling and lots of fat and protein . Ravioli is also good for that full feeling . (note: tomato base in spaghetti and ravioli products are so thin and cooked down they won't usually burst can with acid over time)
4. Major companies like Chef Boy Ardee have completely switched over to pull-tab cans . Campbell's has not used pull-tabs in their Spaghetio's or Ravioli's yet . Buy while you can ....
5. All canned goods are cooked , so if you have to , you can open and eat ! Other "survival" foods require water and or cooking . You never know what "conditions" your survival will be under so having rugged canned goods of ready to eat food is a plus .
6. MRE's are great but require huge storage space and are rather costly compared to the same amount of bulk in canned goods . However canned goods are heavy and are really best suited for a place where you will remain . Unfortunately they don't travel well .
7. Canned veggies often store better with "brand" names . Comparing ten year old string beans I found on countless occasions that name brands hold up better . 10 year old green beans by the way are grey , mushier , and rather bland ! However they do have food value and you can survive on them .
8. Buy some veggies that have lots of valuable water in them like whole potatoes . The potato comes in water that you can drink . (water might be even more important than the food) Never pour off this water no matter how stinky it is , unless it smells bad , as in putrid (potato water stinks but is good )
9. Spoiled products smell awful and your stomach should turn upon scent . However avoid any dented cans when purchasing and treat your cans well . Keep out of direct sunlight and don't store in that 130 degree shed out back . Pin holes can develop in some products (mostly acidic) and cause brown sticky goo on edges of cans . Throw anything suspect out .
10. Tuna stores really well , however buy both oil and water varieties , oil "is " needed under stress and survival .
11. Avoid huge commercial size cans unless your crowd is big enough . You'll save money on these sizes but once opened must be eaten .
12. Always take Sharpie pen and date can and write what's in can . Labels fall off or get wet . Large dates on cans are easy to read in low light situations like candle-light after a hurricane . Dates allow you to easily rotate cans .
13. Buy lots of diversity in product . You'll appreciate that can of guava paste when all you've had for three weeks is tuna and beans at room temp .
14 . Buy good can openers are buy several . Using those little military openers are great when your traveling but when at home use the real . That way little Debbie can open her own , while your doing more important things .
15 . Never , I mean " NEVER" show anybody your storage and how much you have . You can tell them to get started on their own but showing your stash means real trouble down the road . Remember mankind will kill his own brother to fill his stomach . Avoid later hassles and NEVER show your wares !!!
16. If I had to pick just three favorites I would go with Corned Beef Hash , Tuna and Fruit Cocktail ! Fruit Cocktail must be rotated often but's real tasty and comes with needed water , plus it's sweet . ( a treat when stressed )