Camping / Bug out cooking

Its far more likely that i'll be camping with this gear then in a evacuation situation, so as with most my gear I plan for the former and that covers both. This is a quick peek at the "cooking kit" I keep at the ready in my garage.  I planned it out to work with the type of camp and emergency food I keep just as it is. but given time I would also grab some heavier pots from my kitchen.  The key is the kit contains essentials so I don't forget anything.

The pots and pans are sackable teflon camp cookware and fit together to save space.  There are measuring cups, a spatula, mixing spoons, and a bunch of cutlery sets. 2 of my 6 mess kits, and very cool Coleman folding camp dish washing station.  I also keep 2 pair of cut-proof butchers gloves for food preparation without injury, and of course one of 3 can openers that are spread among my Preps.

One of my key methods for preparing food in a grid down or and evac situation would be the use of my thermal cooker.  In a nutshell, a thermal cooker is a stainless steel soup kettle that fits inside a highly insulated holder with a locking top.  

After bringing whatever you are cooking to a boil in the inner pot, you place it in the thermal holder where it will continue to slow cook from the reflected heat without using additional fuel. Especially helpful if fuel is at a premium or if you want to have a small heat signature.

Here are a couple of my "Thermal cooker" recipes I developed from my shelf stable emergency food

Crisis Gumbo

Bring 6 cups of water and a box of Zaterain's Gumbo with rice mix.  Cut up some Vienna sausages and add in a can of chicken.  Seal it in the thermal cooker and an hour later its ready.

One-Pot Spaghetti 

Bring pasta, dash of salt, spoon full of oil, and required water to a boil in base pot and seal in thermal cooker.  After half hour or so open and pour off water. Stir in can of spaghetti sauce, tomatos and canned ground beef  over a heat source. (this is just to warm up the canned ingredients).   Now place it back in thermal cooker and let it sit.  The cooker will keep the meal hot and ready to eat for few hours. 

Meals like this can be a tasty way to raise spirits in a crisis.  The canned and dry food requires no refrigeration and they "handle the road" very well if need be, and using the thermal cooker you can make a full meal for 4 with a rocket stove and just a few pine cones or a hand full of sticks for fuel.

My "bug out" evacuation food supply

So I have a few cases of MREs. Who doesn't, big deal! Right? Right!

There is nothing magic I have to share about them.  But since I shared my bug out / base camp trailer, and my overall food strategy.  And I clearly said I don't have or believe in a bug out bag to survive for 72 hours. I realized that these post would clearly point out a gap in my plan. That I may not be able to go from eating at home to an evacuation camp site in an single day. So then what?


My MREs are how I fill that gap. MREs are my "emergency rations" that can be heated and eaten on the road or in concealment without cooking, fire, establishing a full campsite, or compromising my location.  On an additional note, MRE's are now available in a "low sodium" variety.  While I don't have a hypertension, avoiding increased sodium while enduring the stress I would be under if I were eating these during an evac would be preferable.

I showed the case just for scale, but I have broken down 5 cases into 2 of my Green Horizon totes, just like the rest of my "kits", and they are ready for an evac just as quick as I could grab a Bug out bag.   These totes are solid and protect the MREs a lot better then the factory cardboard boxes they came in.  In addition the totes are designed to stack and lock together so they securely "fit" into both my truck and my evacuation plan.

I also have a supply of Mountain House freeze dried dinners for four and Gatorade drink mixes that I keep in these.  Of all the camping food, I think Mountain House brand is head and shoulders above the rest in taste. Whenever I catch these on sale, or I can get a good discount coupon for Dunham's, I add a few packs. The drink mixes add an extra electrolyte boost to bottled water while under the stress of travel or can help hide the taste of water after purification.

My favorite Survival knife

The M-Tech Xtreme MX8054

I'm not a knife guy.  I don't carry one every day, or have a big collection of pocket knives, or even particularly like knives.  In fact, of the 10 or so blade / edge weapons I own, 3 are this same knife. So, why is it my favorite and why would I spend time writing about it.  Because i'm not a knife guy and I like it, so if you are NOT a knife guy like me, the same reasons it is my favorite may make the MX8054 appeal to you.

First, its full tang.  full what?  yeah, I know, drop the tech talk.  Ok, its one solid piece of metal from tip to the bottom of the handle.  Anyway, being one big hunk of metal, it feels nice and solid. No flipping open and slicing your thumbs here (been there, done that) its a nice fixed blade.  But that also means its not something you can carry around every day.  

Second the grip has that curved hand guard which I LOVE because i'm always afraid my grip may get loose from water or sweat and my hand slide forward. Working with this I know my hand is protected. Also, Its thick enough to get a good grip on so it feels comfortable. 

Third, that blade shape creates the recessed area right in front of the guard, I found it perfect for shaving on sticks to create kindling for a camp fire. Fourth, at 3/16 of an inch thick and 440 Stainless Steel, I could beat on forever splitting small branches building a fire and never fear it would fail me.  Its just comfortable in a lot of ways, and "comfort" when you're not a knife guy says a lot.

Oddly enough, my son says to me the other day, "Dad, the guy in my video game has your knife".  I guess the M-Tech is the Call of Duty developers favorite knife too.







Now, just because I'm not a "knife guy" doesn't mean I can't work at it being comfortable with them (Remember my definition of prepping is learning a skill at a time and place of your choice and NOT because of a crisis).  In fact I have several books on knife combat, tactics, and usage, as well as several videos on the subject.  Here are my rubber training knives and I probably dedicate about an hour a week to practice knife tactics.

Anyway, if sharp objects are not your thing and you don't like knives, but need a good SHTF survival knife for your BOB, take a look at the M-tech. It just my be what you need.

Executing my "food strategy"

In an earlier post I explained my food strategy. Eat what you store, store what you eat, FIFO, "layering" my off the shelf and canned then freeze dried.  How my emergency food strategy works. But sometimes a picture can speak a thousand words, so let me give you a tour...

This is my pantry in my basement. I picked this room because it has no heat vent and is on an exterior basement wall, the room stays in the low 60s year round. I keep all my everyday foods here using the bins to organize them by type. Pasta, potatoes, muffin mix, lipton rice and noodle side dishes. I try to keep the heavy items on the bottom. I use grease markers to put purchase dates on bulk items from Sam's and Costco.

A tip, when storing food, don't forget spices, the ability to "punch up" the flavor on bland food can have a big impact on moral, and can help make some less then appetizing wild game palatable. And remember its my "food strategy" and I have developed it specifically to tie into my other prepps.  This is not a one size fits all solution and may not fit your needs.   I have a lot of "breads" because I have a camp oven, so I can bake even after an evac. These items work for me but would be almost useless if my plan were only for campfire cooking. Unless i had a well seasoned dutch oven.

Now for the longer term items, and what would be the first stuff loaded in an evacuation I use milk crates and 5 gallon buckets with Gamma lids.  They both are sturdy, and the limited size keeps them from getting overloaded and too heavy to be moved easily, and they stack very neat for transport.

A few cases of canned meats.  Tuna, chicken, to name a few, and of course SPAM, food of the gods... I also have a few cases of Keystone canned ground beef and cases of turkey and chicken gravy.  I have tested recipes using these and shelf stable mixes that can be used to make a hearty meal in camp with minimal fuel usage.


For example, bring 5 to 6 cups of water to boil in a thermal cooker interior pot (you can do this very quick with a rocket stove and a few sticks).  Pour in to a box of Zatarain's Gumbo mix with rice, then add a can of cut up vienna sausages and a can of shredded chicken, seal the pot in the thermal cooker and go do whatever else you need.  An hour or so later you have a hearty and tasty camp meal for 4 with a low smoke/heat/smell signature.   Maybe i'll do some complete field tested recipes posts later.


Anyway, these crates are all complete "meals in a can", such as hearty soups, ravioli, chili, beef stew.   They heat up in a field mess kit and feed 1 or 2 depending on if you have some sort bread to go along with it and stretch your supplies.  My kids love this stuff, so I rotate all of these to the pantry and then upstairs to the kitchen cabinets as they eat it and I buy new.



I have these canned ready to eat sauces to go over pasta thats sealed in mylar in a bin in the pantry. The pasta is the main source of energy being heavy carbs, but a tasty sauce on top makes it a much better meal. This isn't my favorite brand, I prefer Ragu and use that at home, but glass bottles do not "travel well under stress".

I also have some freeze dried products, mostly Auguson Farms because I like their quality.  The products I have are specifically chosen to fill nutrition wholes in my food plan by the lack of fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy, that would be caused by the interim period during a protracted crisis.  In combination with my rice, and other dry grains I still have complete nutrition for my family.

Eventually all these food sources would be filled by fresh grown produce directly from a garden or farm after crops could be established, and from either wild (preferably trapped) game, or domesticated animals, if the crisis lasted that long and it came to that.  But then we are basically talking about a reset of society. 

Everybody needs these two radios

Its just my opinion but information is critical.  In a crisis news can save your life.  Here is my two Midland's XT511 emergency crank radio.  Its gets both AM and FM as well as weather band.  It also transmits on the standard GMRS walkie talkie frequencies so for me it can act as a base station for my other coms. You can plug it in or use the hand crank to power it in a blackout

key ways of getting information.  On the right is the "preppers standard",

I really like this radio and they are cheap enough where there is no excuse for every household not to have one.  You can find them on Ebay for around 60 dollars with free shipping

The second one is for a little more advanced, in that its a Uniden Bearcat BC355C scanner.  While its just a basic model, it gets Police dispatch, fire rescue, and EMS.   To be able to listen and know what is happening around you directly during and emergency, as appose to waiting for traditional news reports could buy you some much needed time if you decide to evacuate. These are on Ebay at about 80 dollars but you may want to add in some money to pick up and upgraded the antenna. I personally bought a much better suction cup window mount antenna, and the cigarette adapter cord.

I own, have tested, and rely on both of these radios to keep me informed in case of an emergency.

My base camp / bug out trailer inventory

I put the trailer up, but didn't go through everything I carry, so here is  a detailed inventory list.

Now first off, I know i'm carrying a lot of stuff that most preppers don't think is a necessity.  They figure "i'm evacuating so grab  my bag and what i need in 5 minutes and go".  But by keeping all my base camp gear packed and prepped, I can hook the trailer up just as quick as I can get to a closet and grab a BOB.  Yes, it takes a lot of discipline to clean and repack all my gear on a Sunday evening after a long weekend of camping when I'm hot, dirty, and just want a shower, but if you're committed and want to stay ready then thats the price.  If i let it get away from me, thats exactly when the crisis will come.

Second, IF I bug out, its gotten so bad chances are I am going to be gone a lot longer then a 72 hours, so I plan to take everything to survive for an extended period. Third, I keep it in an unheated garage, so a lot of temperature sensitive gear and all my food stays in the basement.  Just because you don't see it listed doesn't mean i don't have it ready, i just don't want some of my other gear subjected to the heat and cold. Ok so here we go...

1 Coleman Elite Weathermaster tent

1 Coleman Instant 8 person tent w/rain fly
(my tents are oversize for my family of 4 so it allows me to bring gear in and protect gear from the elements as well as offer others shelter if i need to)

2 waterproof 18oz duck canvas tarps custom sized to base layer under the tents

2 Coleman 4 in 1 air mattress sets (4 twins) 

5 sleeping bags all season sub 0 (one spare) 

4 camp chairs

3 Camo vinyl general use tarps
2 Camouflage nets 6 X 9

5 heavy duty rope cords

12 100ft cords or 550 para cord (4 black, 2 tan camo, 4 green camo, 2 winter camo)

Miscellaneous pulleys, tie-down hooks, and steaks   

Titanium chain and pad locks

30 1 LB propane tanks

1 Camp chef stove / oven

1 StoveTec Rocket stove

Field rated cookwear set

1 Mr Heater

1 Camp Chem toilet

1 Katadyn brand Ceradyn gravity water filter w/spare cartages 

2 cans fix a flat

2 fire extinguishers

Mosquito / bug netting

1 Shovel

1 large Axe 

1 Stanley extreme pry-bar multi-tool

1 bolt / lock cutters

1 Rubber mallet

1 Manual tire air pump

1 Camp shower

2 Fuel siphon hose (you never know what the fuel source will be)

6 BSA mess kits and cutlery sets

2 LED flash lights (there are a lot more other places)

4 Frog togg rain ponchos

First aid kit

I think I'm well equipped for my family of 4, but my spares allow me to assist and support others like additional family members or contribute to a small group should the need arise.  I also have space for my solar panels as part of my power generation system, but I don't keep them in the trailer.

Now, my Eagle Scout buddies out there and Bear Grylls are saying "Seriously dude, air mattresses, chem toilet, and camping chairs? WTF? Carry food!"  Well, thats what the bed of the pickup is reserved for... Seriously, do I have a food plan, and an environmental reason for an evacuation is a lot more likely then TEOTWAWKI.

So I figure if something environmental like with hurricane Sandy or Katrina happening is the cause of the evac, and you will be gone a while but eventually return home and things will normalize, you can afford to make your temporary camp as comfortable as possible.

I'm by no means an expert, so if you see something I missed, have any suggestions, ideas, or comments, i'ed love to hear them. 

Winter storms Hercules and Ion and the knot in my stomach.

Being a prepper I guess some people already would think i'm a bit of an alarmist.  I mean we talk about the fragility of our social and economic systems, the extreme reliance on the electrical grid, the lack of self sufficiency that our "just in time", fast food, and microwave  society has created.  But it really hit me today.

Even though i'm well stocked, I did manage to run low on Lactaid milk.  So after blowing the snow and cleaning and warming up all the cars, I decided to venture to my local grocery store for 2 half gallons so I could have a nice hot cup of hot chocolate.  I saw the news reports Saturday and Sunday about there being runs on staples and shelves being empty but I didn't think too much of it.  So, when I'm grabbing my Lactaid, I notice there is very little regular milk on the racks in the cooler. Not only that, but there were none of the usual racks filled with dairy products in the back of the cooler to restock.

I asked the stock guy, and his response was "yeah, we missed a bunch of our trucks today because of the storm.  We're out of eggs, almost out of dairy, and a bunch of other stuff if you look close".  I looked around.  Things like no "ready to bake" cookies, low on ice cream, no bread, no ground beef, a few packs of chicken...  A chill went up my spine.  I had not noticed because they repositioned inventory like lunch meat in the cooler to fill the space.    This is just a snow storm. The roads will get plowed and the trucks will eventually show up.  But what if it didn't? What if the trucks weren't coming? We aren't talking weeks, or even days, literally 24 hours and the wheels had begun to come off of society.  The cracks in the damn began to leak.

In studying the fragility of Great Britain's food chain, Lord Cameron of Dillington, the first head of the countryside agency, told Tony Blair that They were "Nine meals away from anarchy".   He was right, we are really that close to the edge.