There is no perfect answer. Do what you think is best with the time and money you have. As most have posted here. Food, Water, canned and dry goods. Dry goods (beans and rice stored in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers in 5 gallon buckets last a long time. We bought a freeze dryer 3 years ago. It's a little costly up front but I think it was worth it and have no regrets. We also made some water filtration system, using Berkey water filters and a couple of food grade 5 gal buckets. We are also stackers. Remember those that stack Gold and Silver also stack lead.
You sound just like us! We bought a freeze dryer too. What's your favorite things to FD? I really like doing single ingredient foods, like bags of frozen veggies or fruit. I have a bunch of corn (kernals) going right now, and have frozen spinach going in next.
Hubby wants me to do more meals, like the mountain house bags you can buy at the store... but I like having all the ingredients I use, FDed and shelf stable.
Like you... We have mostly done single ingredient batches. Lots of veggies, strawberries and sweet potatoes. We have done some tuna casserole, Lasagna and spaghettis
We have also ran many batches of meat. Chicken, steak and hamburger. We always cook the meet prior to FD'ing. Fat does not FD well and cooking removes enough for easy FD'ing.
We also did two batches of lemons, peeling, pith and all. Ran them trough our vitamix and made a puree', FD, then powered them. Instant lemoade! Turns out the peeling in lemon is loaded with vitamins,
I did batch of horseradish root. Sliced thin...FD'ed.... Then powdered it... place in mason jar, only rehydrate what you need at the time. It is rather on the hot side though. lol
We have been powering most things lately.... Eggs, beets, onions, garlic,,etc. Easy to store in mason jars with O2 absorbers and easy to use. Currently doing herbs and it working great for them... 19 hour turn around time so its fast
We also starting making our own O2 absorbers..... steel wool and salt... look it up on Ytube.... save you some money and you know they are good.
There is no perfect answer. Do what you think is best with the time and money you have. As most have posted here. Food, Water, canned and dry goods. Dry goods (beans and rice stored in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers in 5 gallon buckets last a long time. We bought a freeze dryer 3 years ago. It's a little costly up front but I think it was worth it and have no regrets. We also made some water filtration system, using Berkey water filters and a couple of food grade 5 gal buckets. We are also stackers. Remember those that stack Gold and Silver also stack lead.
You sound just like us! We bought a freeze dryer too. What's your favorite things to FD? I really like doing single ingredient foods, like bags of frozen veggies or fruit. I have a bunch of corn (kernals) going right now, and have frozen spinach going in next.
Hubby wants me to do more meals, like the mountain house bags you can buy at the store... but I like having all the ingredients I use, FDed and shelf stable.
Like you... We have mostly done single ingredient batches. Lots of veggies, strawberries and sweet potatoes. We have done some tuna casserole, Lasagna and spaghettis
We have also ran many batches of meat. Chicken, steak and hamburger. We always cook the meet prior to FD'ing. Fat does not FD well and cooking removes enough for easy FD'ing.
We also did two batches of lemons, peeling, pith and all. Ran them trough our vitamix and made a puree', FD, then powered them. Instant lemoade! Turns out the peeling in lemon is loaded with vitamins, I did batch of horseradish root. Sliced thin...FD'ed.... Then powdered it... place in mason jar, only rehydrate what you need at the time. It is rather on the hot side though. lol
We have been powering most things lately.... Eggs, beets, onions, garlic,,etc. Easy to store in mason jars with O2 absorbers and easy to use. Currently doing herbs and it working great for them... 19 hour turn around time so its fast
We also starting making our own O2 absorbers..... steel wool and salt... look it up on Ytube.... save you some money and you know they are good.
As you! We love ours! FD'ers unite!! lol
This exactly....