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Essential preparedness supplies – gear and equipment – seem to be getting more difficult to obtain, and everything you find is more expensive. Fortunately, there are still options, and some are even affordable. Food is one of the essential preps a person can make, second only to security and self-defense. Taking your food preparations to the next level can give you and your family a serious advantage during any crisis, especially now when bad news keeps coming fast and furious from all directions.

This article discusses the benefits and advantages of having additional freezer space and the tools necessary to vacuum seal meats, vegetables, and many other vital foods. We also cover how these tools, when used correctly, can help you store more food and a greater variety of foods.

 

Long-term, shelf-stable non-perishable food stores are not only essential, but highly desirable in many survival situations. You should stock a variety of canned goods, sugar, flour, pastas, rice, beans, condiments, and of course, coffee for the longer term.

 

EVERY CRISIS IS UNIQUE

When most people talk about “survival food,” they usually refer to long-term, shelf-stable, non-perishable food stores. (Think rice, beans, oats, canned goods, etc.) There’s an excellent reason for this, shelf-stable foods require no refrigeration, and, if stored properly, can usually last for many years. This alone can provide you with a tremendous advantage during any crisis. But, while building a supply of shelf-stable foods is essential, it’s just one part of a much bigger picture. Having a supply of frozen foods, especially protein, can help you add depth and balance to your food stores, and supplement your non-perishable, long-term food stores.

 

A high quality food vacuum sealer system can take your food preps to a higher level, and save you money. Vacuum sealing preserves and protects foods longer, and virtually eliminates freezer burn and “freezer” taste. (Don’t forget to get extra bags.)

 



 

 

LONGER-TERM FROZEN FOOD STORAGE

According to www.foodsafety.gov, frozen meat kept at a temperature of 0° Fahrenheit or lower will be safe to eat indefinitely. This sounds great until you remember that hamburger meat you pulled out of the freezer last month. Although you only froze it a few months ago, the burger was covered in ice crystals and freezer burn. Not very appetizing and probably not really safe to eat. The problem, however, is usually not the freezer but how you packaged the meat before you froze it. Standard freezer plastic bags are not bad for the short-term (30 days or less), but after that, whatever you put in there will start to get ugly. Enter the vacuum sealer.

 

Vacuum sealer bags come in a variety of sizes and configurations. Choose from standard sized bags, to custom sizes you can create using the heat seal rolls. Don’t forget the multi-colored permanent markers to label and date your bags.

 

WHY FROZEN FOODS GO BAD

Food spoils when it oxidizes. Take away the air, and the food will last longer. A good vacuum sealer does two important things (1) It takes the air out of the plastic storage bag, and (2) it seals the bag by melting the plastic and creating an airtight seal. This is excellent news for those looking to extend their food stores’ life and safety.

 

Deep chest freezers significantly expand the capacity of your kitchen freezer, and allow you to store a lot more food. While these freezers were almost impossible to find during the Pandemic, they are presently back in stock, and can sometimes even be found on sale. Garb one while you can.

 

EXPANDED FREEZER CAPACITY

Like many of us, you probably have limited freezer space. While the standard refrigerator/freezer certainly has enough freezer space for everyday needs, it’s more than likely not enough for much more. Chest freezers are an energy-efficient option that offers lots of freezer real estate for a relatively small investment, and a little over $2.00 a month in electricity. For example, a 5.0 Cu. Ft. chest freezer will set you back about $180.00 and add approximately $26.00 a year to your electric bill. (218 kWh at $0.12 per kWh.)

 

A chest freezer fully stocked with meat, pork, fish, chicken and other meats, all vacuum-sealed, labeled and dated is a thing of beauty and will provide you with tremendous peace-of-mind, expanded food options, and one more survival resource.

 



 

 

A standard 5.0 Cu. Ft. chest freezer should more than double the capacity of your typical household freezer at a very manageable cost. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, chest freezers were almost impossible to find. But, you can find them now in most big-box retailers, and if you shop around, you may even be able to get one on sale. Sizes range from 3.5 to 14 Cu. Ft. Most people find the 5.0 to 10.0 Cu. Ft. range works best for them. (Remember to plan for extra capacity since these units tend to fill up fast. The more you fill the freezer, the more difficult it will be to see what you have, and to rotate your food supply. Yes, you still need to rotate.

WRAP-UP

A chest freezer and vacuum sealer are the perfect combo to help you save time, money, and seriously extend the life and quality of all your frozen food. Combining the vacuum sealer with the expanded freezer capacity of a chest freezer will significantly expand your food stores’ quantity and quality. With less waste due to spoilage, this increases food stores and freezer burn. Please do it now, while there is still time, and the inventory is available for both items. Things may change very quickly and without any warning.

Stay Safe and Be Prepared.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard is a practicing attorney, an urban survival consultant, writer, firearms enthusiast, and freedom-loving American patriot. He’s the author of Surviving Doomsday: A Guide for Surviving an Urban Disaster, and The Quick Start Guide for Urban Preparedness. Richard’s books are available at Amazon and other fine retailers. You can connect with Richard on Twitter @SurvivingDoomsd

DISCLAIMER

The general material provided is for informational purposes only. Any use of the general information contained in this article shall be solely at the reader’s risk.




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