Topic: 37 Awesome Survival/Prepping Hacks

[Maddy]

I thought it was questionable that it was enough of a hook but liked that it got me to thinking. The spices in the tic tac boxes I thought was kind of silly.

My Dad grows and dries his own herbs and gives them out at Christmas time in his leftover prescription bottles that he accumulates over the year. He just takes off the script sticker and replaces it with a regular label. Works like a champ - and holds a heckuva lot more than tiny tic-tac bottles.

[LadyVirginia]

Although it would be messy I would probably just scoop out the center then hold the wick in the center as I added back the grease. Might be easier if a 2nd person was holding the wick as I spooned the grease back in.

Or stick a knife down the center and make a tunnel, drop the wick in and then use the knife to push grease back into the tunnel.

[Alphabet Soup]

I thought it was questionable that it was enough of a hook but liked that it got me to thinking. The spices in the tic tac boxes I thought was kind of silly.

I did too. On the other hand, I found a brand of (dry) kittie food that comes in a plastic container with a lid large enough to allow me to refill them with charcoal briquettes. They can be tossed in the river without getting damp, which means last years charcoal is as fresh as last weeks.

Easy (clean!) to transport and dole out too ;')

[Pandora]

Does Crisco float in water?

[Maddy]

Alphabet Soup - yep, I know what you mean. We have some Milk Bone containers that we usually use as camping kits. Great for keeping stuff dry and just big enough to be able to store a good amt of whatever you need to keep dry.

[John Florida]

  I use juice bottles(plastic) and ice tea gallon jugs to store rice in and it works real well for me so far.I started hanging on to the moisture absorbers that come in Asperin bottles and the like to add to the rice.

[benb61]

My one question regarding the Crisco candle is how do you stuff the wick straight through the center to the bottom of the can?

I wonder if you soaked it in wax a couple times if that would give it enough tension.

Maybe first poke the center with a soda straw (or even a stick would probably do) and then put the wick in?

Find a stick about 14 inches long and 1/4 inch in diameter, cut a notch in 1 end and tie a knot in one end of your "wick".  Stick the knotted end of the wick in the notch and string the wick up the length of the stick, then push the stick to the bottom of the crisco.  when you pull the stick out the wick will stay in the crisco.  viola

[ChrstnHsbndFthr]

My one question regarding the Crisco candle is how do you stuff the wick straight through the center to the bottom of the can?

I wonder if you soaked it in wax a couple times if that would give it enough tension.

Maybe first poke the center with a soda straw (or even a stick would probably do) and then put the wick in?

Find a stick about 14 inches long and 1/4 inch in diameter, cut a notch in 1 end and tie a knot in one end of your "wick".  Stick the knotted end of the wick in the notch and string the wick up the length of the stick, then push the stick to the bottom of the crisco.  when you pull the stick out the wick will stay in the crisco.  viola

Sounds good, but I am more of a cello fan.....

[KittenClaws]

The Water bottle lantern made me think of this.

These are being used in poor countries to lighten up their hovels.  I thought it was pretty interesting. Water bottles, a bit of bleach to prevent bacteria build-up and you've got lights!  Useless at night, but all in all a decent idea.

[Pandora]

I've seen a piece on that elsewhere.  Lots of folks who have incorporated them in their dwellings have no windows, so the places are that dark even during the day without electricity, which is scarce and expensive.

[John Florida]

I've seen a piece on that elsewhere.  Lots of folks who have incorporated them in their dwellings have no windows, so the places are that dark even during the day without electricity, which is scarce and expensive.

 Solar powered lawn lights brought inside at night would go a long way to light it up at night and then toss them out in the sun during the day. Cheap and effective.

[AlanS]

I've seen a piece on that elsewhere.  Lots of folks who have incorporated them in their dwellings have no windows, so the places are that dark even during the day without electricity, which is scarce and expensive.

 Solar powered lawn lights brought inside at night would go a long way to light it up at night and then toss them out in the sun during the day. Cheap and effective.

Also very short life span. The ones my wife and her sister used lasted from less than a year to 2 yrs max.

[John Florida]

I've seen a piece on that elsewhere.  Lots of folks who have incorporated them in their dwellings have no windows, so the places are that dark even during the day without electricity, which is scarce and expensive.

 Solar powered lawn lights brought inside at night would go a long way to light it up at night and then toss them out in the sun during the day. Cheap and effective.

Also very short life span. The ones my wife and her sister used lasted from less than a year to 2 yrs max.

  http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422026_200422026

how about this.

[AlanS]

I've seen a piece on that elsewhere.  Lots of folks who have incorporated them in their dwellings have no windows, so the places are that dark even during the day without electricity, which is scarce and expensive.

 Solar powered lawn lights brought inside at night would go a long way to light it up at night and then toss them out in the sun during the day. Cheap and effective.

Also very short life span. The ones my wife and her sister used lasted from less than a year to 2 yrs max.

  http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422026_200422026

how about this.

Looks like good reviews.

And for dry storage, we have peanut butter jars. A bunch. Or course we have teen-age boys who almost live on peanut butter.