A couple of months ago, we were contacted by a Shelf Reliance independent consultant, Heather. She explained that Shelf Reliance has a new sales model, and they now have consultants who are able to give customers the best price possible. She asked if we would be interested in giving away a Cansolidator, and also share a discount with all of you. Um, yes please!
We've given away Cansolidators before, and we know you love them. Abbie and I also each have one, and they've been so handy in our little houses/apartments. They really are great space-savers. You can read more about it here. That link is also the direct link to Heather's store, where she is selling the Cansolidator for over 50% off of the retail price.
In case you aren't familiar with this product, here's a brief rundown on the Cansolidator Pantry:
-Holds both small and medium cans
-Holds up to 40 cans, and up to 100 lbs of food
-Adjustable width, so YOU plan how you want to store your cans
(Click here for more information, if you're interested)
Want to win a Consolidator Pantry? Just leave a comment on this blog post and answer the following question:
What kind of food storage question(s) do you have? Is there anything you'd like to see us do on the blog that would help you out? Any particular topic we should address?
We'd love to get your feedback so we can make this blog as effective as possible! If you don't have any questions, just comment about anything you want! :) This giveaway is open until Friday, May 13 at midnight EDT. We will announce the winner on Saturday. One comment per person, please.
Thanks again to Heather for this giveaway opportunity! And don't forget to visit Heather's store and see what else she is selling for a discount! Here are the direct links:
Good luck!
145 comments:
I love your tips and your site. Maybe can you share some more tips on container gardening for those of us with only balconies for a yard?
Your site has been very helpful and motivating to me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us. I honestly don't find your site lacking at all right now for the things I need to know. Keep up the great work!
i wonder about keeping water in my big blue barrel...where is the best place to keep it and how long does it last?
You know, I thought I was doing pretty good with my food storage until we had a couple of power outages that lasted 24 hours each and wow was I amazed at what I didn't have or wouldn't be able to use. I don't know what I'd say for you all to add, but I know I sure will be paying closer attention to everything for the next little bit so we can be more prepared for next time!
I love reading your blog. I got married a few years ago and your blog has helped me learn more about food storage. I would love for you to address living in college and having food storage on your blog sometime. I know it is a topic that you have touched on once or twice but I think it would be really cool to do like a one day a week or whole week thing dedicated for students
I just bought these last week...unfortunatly when they sent me the confirmation they tell me it's going to take 6 to 8 weeks to ship? WHAT??? I understand these sites are being hammered due to the things that are happening but why not tell your customers when they're checking out?
I am new to the whole food storage concept so I would ask this: How do you make it not so overwhelming? I feel like I'm struggling just trying to get even 1 month's supply going. How do you keep your motivation when it seems to just take so long?
Thanks for your great tips and tricks! :)
I don't really have any questions, but I LOVE the recipes for food storage meals... I find them hard to come up with much of the time :)
My biggest problem at the moment is that we keep eating things up (especially canned tomatoes!) and then I find that I don't have much extra anymore.
Love your blog! If I could suggest any changes, I would say more recipes and tips and fewer motivational thoughts. I'm already motivated! Thanks for the terrific give-away.
What a great prize. No real questions here. I am in use some of the food before we move mode right now...
I love this giveaway!
I always love vegetarian food storage recipes, tips, etc.
What is the best way (economic or space-wise) to store enough protein?
I get nervous building too much meat in the freezer, if you lose power you have to consume that meat quickly. Dehydration is a long process and Canned meat is very heavily preserved. I am not sure what would be the best option.
Any other suggestions out there?
My daughter and I have Celiac and I'm *always* interested in the shelf life of non-wheat/oats/rye/barley grains. And how do you store them? Some of the grains are so protein rich (like Quinoa) that I can't imagine that even storing them in airtight buckets would be the way to go for long term, and that probably only freezing would work..
I also love gadgets and organization tips. Especially for small or cluttered spaces!
I love your posts on ideas for "hiding" the food storage in plain sight. I live in a small place, that's just part of living in the city, so those tips are handy.
Another part of living here is that I don't have a yard for a garden. Perhaps you could post tips about gardening on decks or in containers?
I can always use more tips on organization (not my best thing).
I really love reading your tips and I appreciate the chance to win.
ethertonphotography@gmail.com
I could use more tips on how to store with limited space (college students).
We are in a new home, so I am trying to get all sorted and organized...again.
I am specifically interested in being prepared for cold and flu season as it always hits us hard somehow, and other "emergencies" like that. Somehow they just feel a little different from the everyday.
(Plus a cansolidator would definitely help some of my storage issues!)
I want to know more about doing your own dry pack. What do I do with my potatoes once they're dehydrated?
I want to have reviews of different products and their quality. Thanks!
Great giveawy!
I'd like more tips on how to get a reluctant spouse on board with food storage.
I love your blog. I especially love the 72 hour and car kit weekly posts. I have done both of them but still read them each time so that I can stock up on those items again, if needed. I would love to know more about using the food storage, especially whole wheat. Also, ideas for storing water. I am horrible at it! Thanks!
I would like to earn more about rying and using the dried veggies and fruits. Thanks!
I am enjoying your blog so much! Thank you for all the great recipes for using food storage.
Thank you for the recipes and tips! I would also love to hear more about water storage and some sneaky ways to hide food in a small house. Thank you for all you do!
I am really only now getting serious about my food storage:( I have read about/wanted to start WAY earlier than I have,but something always came up(money wise)to where I could not even afford to get 1 extra of something just to get started.But I am on a roll now,have been gathering things little by little for the last few months and prayerfully keep adding to what I have. I now have about enough for almost 2 months,but I am working on building that up:)
Contest only email is tmw1223 at gmail dot com
I'd like to learn more about storage of protein. Peanut butter stores for how long? Maybe eggs. Anything you've got would be of interest. Thanks for the opportunity to try the conslidator system
No real questions at the moment. Keep up the good work ladies!!! You could highlight a coupon each week that helps you stock up on a food storage/first aid product???
Your site is FABULOUS! seriously! I searched my head for anything to give you some feedback about, and the only thing I could come up with that I'm not sure if you talk about too much is how best to store the food, like what kinds of containers are best, and how..such as can we put wheat in 2-liter bottles and stuff like that? And do we need to put an oxygen absorber in them, or not. Also, maybe some about container gardening....how to best accomplish this.
Your site is Great! Keep up the good work!
Is there another way to preserve cucumbers besides pickling them? sa pyatt at gmail dot com
Maybe some tips on non refridgerated preservation, like pickling or properly storing potatoes.
I would love some dairy and butter powder. Anything would be great, and a cansolidator would be great with my limited area.
How long will you be able to cook without power?
If power goes out during summer, people will cook with charcoal on the grill, camping cook-stoves with various fuels including propane canisters or butane cans, hobo stoves and rocket stoves (assuming they have enough sticks or wood pieces to chop up, solar ovens when it's not overcast.
Include making coffee and purifying water, heating bathing and dish-washing water too.
So how many meals and other heating liquids tasks would one average-sized bag of charcoal cook? Or containers of fuel like kerosene, white gas, propane, butane? If we had averages for each type of cooking fuel, we could add them up to know how long we could cook without power.
What are some tricks to get more out of our fuel? I've heated water in a small pan on top of our kerosene lantern, but I don't have a way to do it using candles.
Then there's winter when some might be tempted to cook things inside because it's so cold outside, plus the bonus of keeping the generated heat inside, but some of those listed above cause fumes that can kill if not ventilated properly. What about fireplace cooking then? Other than roasting on a stick, I'm pretty inexperienced with cooking in a fireplace.
What can be cooked in foil wraps? Is it recommended that everything be double-wrapped? How much foil should we stock up on? What tools are required to use cast iron pots in the fireplace?
Love your blog, been following it for couple years. Great job! Maybe something on storing fuels and different types, maybe some sources of indoor heat? That's what I'm starting on now. Thanks Lorie pansy567@msn.com
I totally need one of those consolidators!! My cans are always a mess!
I have been wondering how long canned goods last after the due date? I have a bunch of pinto beans and chili and some campbell cheddar cheese that are from 2009 and 2010. Should I just throw them out or are they ok to try? My mother-in-law suggested giving them to the food bank since they will be used up faster than we would use them. Is that an ok idea?
I am horrible with organizing and rotating my food. Do you have any suggestions? I have a laundry room where I keep it all and I have a few storage shelfs and some built in ones, but everything is just kind of thrown on the shelves.
I love your blog! Thanks so much for your tips and encouragement:)
I have just recently found your blog, and it is great! One question I have is how do you store your water storage?
I'd love to know how to take wheat from giant 55 gallon tubs that were given to us when some dear friends move, and put it in smaller more manageable containers.
Do you have any tips on different methods of cooking? Rather than the regular gas/electric stove? Love your site!
I'd like to learn more about emergency prep. We live in a tornado prone area, so 72 kits and emergency plans for power outages are necessary! Thanks!
How do you dehydrate or preserve food when you do not have electricity?
Thank you!!
I have been having a hard time finding long-term storage items that don't cost a ton. I'm not sure where to find them without paying high shipping charges. We're in OK, so there isn't a lot out here.
I love your sight it's very helpful- my only problem is my own motivation to go out do it (also the extra money it takes to do so). I would love to win!
I would love a cansolidator. Years ago I bought something similar, but it was so flimsy, I was rather disgusted with it. The cansolidator looks much sturdier.
vmfisher(at)yahoo(dot)com
I need a cansolidator for sure! The more organization tips and helps, the better! Living in Florida I am learning how to store without the benefit of attic or basement!
I love having new ideas for recipes that are food storage friendly. Thanks for all the ideas so far!
I'd like to see more on whole food storage. I'm concerned about canned foods, and I'd like to see information on how long home-canned food would last and how to make pantry dishes from non-processed foods.
I am trying to get my food storage going and have been for several years now. I have been trying to buy an extra can of something everytime I go shopping, but it's hard when you hit the end of the month and need to dip into your storage a little.
I also worry about what my family eats...we don't have wheat and wouldn't know what to do with it if we did. I have tried to encorporate what we eat into our food storage, but what do you do about storing meat? My freezer is pretty packed with stuff, but that doesn't seem like the right solution. What do others do about it?
Maybe I missed it, how do you plan on cooking? What heat source do you plan on using? I have a hard time with long term storage because we eat so much fresh stuff right now, lots of meat, veggies, fruit, dairy, little carbs, so it is hard for me to rotate.
Love your site and would really love to win! I'm new to food storage and enjoy all your posts! I'd like more info on water storage.
We are just trying to get started with our food storage after moving a few months ago. I get overwhelmed with thinking about it, but am trying to do just a little at a time.
I am a newbie to food storage and would also like to hear more about long term water storage. :)
I have caught quite a few canned food sales these past months and they are getting pretty wobbly, stacked on each other. I could use about 4 of these can holders! I will be checking out the sales on all the products at Shelf Reliance. Thanks for the heads-up on the sale.
Cat
I don't have a system yet. I have been looking at these for a while.
I would love to win this to try!
Love Shelf Reliance stuff. Found them a few years ago.
Was wondering if you had any good ideas for being able to move already full 55 gallon water barrels. I was thinking of the carpeted furniture mover things with wheels, but wasn't sure about stability. Any helpful hints or sugestions?
Thanks for your tips and motivational messages.
I would love to see more recipes. I love the ones that you already post. You do an awesome job!
How can you store flour and sugar without #10 cans?
I love your recipes for sure! I think I need more info on water storage, sepecially guidelines for outside water storage in warmer climates!
Thanks!
As I have said in the past, I love your site. It always has great ideas.
One thing I'd love to know how to do in an emergency is solar-powered cooking! Or other alternative ways to do things if the electricity is out for a while!
I love the info in your blog. We turned our living room into food storage.
I am pretty new to this and am a bit confused about storing anything not in cans...the staples like rice. Do these things really keep in the packaging or do I have to store some other way?
I just love all the recipes you include. I'd also love more information on preparing to cook during an emergency when there is no power. I'm not quite sure the best kind of fuel to store, as that can be costly/dangerous.
I love the recipes. They include simple ingredients that I am familar with. I don't cook well without a recipe in front of me so your website has been great. The creative food storage hideaways was funny. I just pile it up in my kitchen. The pantry/utility room is small so only canned goods can go in there. Its limited space but I've gotten a rotation down. I donate stuff I probably won't use before the due date. Thanks for all you do.
I'd love to see some posts on canning meat, and then how to use it after it's been canned.
anetemso {at} gmail {dot} com
I love when you talk about how to organize and store long term food storage in small spaces. With 3 kids and a small condo, I need all the ideas I can get!
Our family members are all on board with storage, gardening and canning. we all work well together. Your site gives our family the support we need for a common goal.
I find you site very helpful! No questions for me at the moment, but I would love to win!!!
Difference in "bug out bag" and 72 hr. kit???
Brenda in TN
If food storage things last 30 years, can't I just buy what I need and not touch it?
rikkinak2 at sbc global dot net
I would love to see ideas on storing fuel and water
I would love a water refresher. I've been keeping water in the gallon jugs they come in, expecting them to keep until at least their expiration date, but they all have leaked long before then! Crazy! (and messy!) Thanks!!!!
No question....still checking out the site. I have found a lot of useful information. Thanks!
I think your site is great! No questions right now, you pretty much cover it all. :-)
I just discovered your blog through Heathers blog. I would love to have a cansolidator, so here is my entry.
I would love to know the best way to store wheat that you are using on a regular basis. Right now I just keep them in the ginormous bags they come in. Also more great wheat recipes would be great!
I'd love more product recommendations or videos/demos of organization. Thanks!
I can always use help in keeping track of what I have in my storage and figuring out exactly how long we could eat with what I have stored. I've tried inventory trackers yet somehow still cannot manage to keep track.
Great giveaway! I'd like to learn more about canning meat.
Finding good deals on bulk foods. I'm having a hard time with it out here in OK.
I'd like to learn how to can stuff when I have been blessed with a flat top stove... what do you do?
I'd like to hear how to prepare for specific emergencies, maybe hear first hand accounts from people that have gone through them? Also how to help children cope with emergencies.
tHanks for a great site and a great giveaway!
Thank you for your site! I would love even more information on planning meals for food storage and how to organize the ingredients (by meal? by type of food?). Also, any extra tips on keeping track of the inventory would be great!
Becky
I LOVE your blog....you do a great job!! Maybe just some more about gardening....particularly about container gardening...and maybe some about canning too....that would be great!
Is there a way to store cucumbers besides pickling them?
sa pyatt at gmail dot com
This is an excellant blog and great product
We just moved so I think my biggest areas of food storage interest are new ideas on how and where to store stuff, and being better prepared for being sick because that always seems to require different things than the every day stuff.
I can't remember what my question was last time. Oh, well. I love your blog, especially the 72 hour & car kits. Thanks!
Would like to learn more about canning.
I was wondering how long canned goods are good past their sell by date? I have some cans that I found hidden away that expired in 2009 and 2010. Would they be safe to eat? They're mostly cans of pinto beans, campbell's cheddar cheese and chili. My mother-in-law told me I should donate them to the food bank because they will be eaten up faster that way, but I'm not sure if that's good to do.
I love your blog. Even though I'm not very good at keeping up with what you're doing, it's a nice reminder that I do need to do a little at a time and I have an idea of what to do. Thanks!:)
i would love a cansolidator. Years ago i bought something similar, but it was so flimsy I was very disappointed. The cansolidator looks much sturdier.
The one type of food that seems the most difficult to store adequately is oil. I wonder what the shelf life of Crisco is because it seems to be more than a year. Do you have any idea how long its shelf life is?
I just found your blog and I love it! Whenever I start doing emergency prepardness planning, I get overwhelmed and give up. Any suggestions on how not get overwhelmed?
I would appreciate information on food that is good for "Go Bags"--the kind of stuff that will keep well in a car kit, for example, or would be good to grab and go in an emergency.
Thanks for the giveaweay! And for the blog itself.
wordygirl at earthlink dot net
Not for my own sake, but for other's it may be good to stress that you should store what you eat and use what you store.
I would like to learn more about gardening/canning. I love your blog and am crossing my fingers that I win!
Jennifer R in AZ
I would love to see more about oils in food storage. Crisco has great shelf life, but I also hear that Coconut oil is WAY healthier for you and you can do so many things with it including your hair and skin...as well as cooking of course. ; D
I love your blog...I have been reading it for quite some time now and it has help motivate me and get me going on my food supply. I have a good car emergency kit and great 72 hour kits for my family because of your blog!!! I getting into cooking more with my food storage and really appreciate your recipes!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!! I do agree with Lynn, more about oils would be great! Thanks again~
I'd like a list of the average number of meals that "xyz" fuel would cook, listing all the easy to obtain types of fuels (propane, charcoal, butane, kerosene, white gas, alcohol, wood, sterno) - so that we could inventory our various fuels to determine if we had enough fuel to cook our stored and gardened foods.
I guess HOW we cooked would affect how much fuel we used up, so maybe something like "cooked traditionally" vs "cooked with fuel-saving tricks" (thermos or haybale/blanket after initial heating, or Dutch Oven vs grilling).
I think your blog is so very informative! I don't always comment, but do always read.
I'd love to be entered to when the cansolidator.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Vicky
I love your site!! Your information is very helpful. I'd like to know if you need to wash the blue barrels before filling them with water. I'd also like to know what you think of storing dehydrated eggs. Thank you!
Hi,
I would also like to learn more about storing water.
Count me in. I have very little food storage at the moment, but am working on it. I would love to read more about water purification. Thanks
How can u store flour and sugar without # 10 cans?
I think my post was one that was lost- so a big thank you for letting us know! :-)
I love your site. I'm very new to food storage, and I think I'm doing pretty well thanks to some wonderfully helpful friends and sites, but I have water issues. I, like another poster, thought that the jugs would be fine, but they leak. Help!
I'm in the middle of moving from Florida to Colorado and am hoping that means fewer bugs in my food storage that is not in #10 cans. So my question is, what are the best containers for long-term storage after buckets and #10 cans?
I'd love to know what essentials items would be best to send with my kids heading to college.
What source of heat for cooking do you plan to use in a emergency situation?
Thanks
I always love more info on ideas of WHERE to keep food storage...we have such limited storage in our house!! Also, tips on rotation. I would like a "cansolidator" for each and every storage product!! ;)
Good, I'm glad you reopened it for more comments! My question is how to motivate an unexcited husband about food storage. He's not anti-food storage, it's just not high on his priority list.
I would like information about efficient meals for 2 people. I find your site very informative and helps me keep on track.
Deanna
I would like to know about storing meat. We are a big family of meat eaters...no matter how many times I try and make a "vegetarian" meal, my hubby says it isn't complete until he has his meat.
I would love to learn more about how to store water.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Blogger lost my comment:( So here I am again,lol:)
I love anything food storage/stockpiling.I would LOVE to win this.Contest only is
tmw1223 at gmail dot com
I appreciate your "one step at a time" approach to helping the rest of us achieve our food storage goals. The cansolidator will help with rotation issues.
rssavingalot@gmail.com
I have always kept enough to get me through winter power outages that can last a couple of weeks. I would love to be able to better organize my small cans.
More storage recipes would be great to have.
Are there good places to store water in an apartment? I've tried twice in two of our closets and they keep getting mold in the water.
Is the consolidator dishwasher safe? I am considering getting some as my food storage skills increase. Can you easily disassemble one after assembly to wash off dust or food spillage?
No idea what I said before. No questions right now... keep up the good work ladies!
I love to read your blog and it is very motivating to me. I would like to learn more about canning meats.
Thanks for your great ideas.
More information about alternative ways to prepare food during an emergency would be great! Love all the recipes and resources on your site. Thanks!
any knowledge on storing butter. I tried to can it but it wasnt so great.
I love going to your website as well as the opening my email and seeing the latest motivational and/or informational advice. Thanks! I'd like to know if it's really safe to store water in those blue barrels or any barrels I guess, in the garage. I know that they shouldn't be stored on the concrete, but do gas fumes from the cars being pulled in and out of the garage leach into the plastic containers?
I would love info on allergy conscious food storage, like gluten free, soy free and such. I'd also love info on sources of organic freeze dried foods. Maybe something on if anyone does freeze dried or MRE meals that have no soy or MSG.
this looks great and I would love to win!
judyylee@hotmail.com
I would love to learn more about sprouting. I would especially like to sprout wheat. I hear it's easy but I'm nervous to try it. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
I am always looking for more recipes for food storage, and appreciate the ones you share!
I'd love to see help for college students/families that have limited space and money.
Enjoy your site and really appreciate your recipes. No questions right now. :)
I love your site and all the info you share.
HOPE I WIN!
I had a comment before, but it seems Blogger ate it. Thanks for extending the giveaway!
looks like my comment was lost too!
i would love to learn more about alternative methods of cooking (i.e. when there is no electricity for a while!) like a solar oven or something?
thanks for the great giveaway!
I really need one to organize all the food storage i have accumulated with your great tips!
Organization! My food storage takes up the linen closet, one walk in closet and is now spilling out onto the bookcase in the master bedroom!
Thank you for sharing your time, talents and knowledge with a world of strangers you'll never meet. Yours is a labor of love and greatly appreciated.
I would like to learn the ratios of dehydrated foods to equal rehydrated foods; how to assemble my own soup mixes in a vacuum pack for an entire pot of food. Or how many cups of dehydrated strawberries to equal 4 cups of chopped berries to make jam. I have books but apparantly not the right ones! These cansolidators would be a great space saver and am checking out all the sales at Shelf Reliance immediately. Thanks for the great sales tip
Cat
I would like to learn of "meal" ideas using our stored food. Also we live in a small place and would like to hear about what foods are the most important to store.
During these times of financial stress I find it hard to find the extra funds to really work on my food storage and that in and of itself makes me anxious. I love the blog for motivational and organizational purposes so thank you. At one point we actually had all our three- month supply for my family of five.BTW I would love to win!
Thanks for extending the giveaway. I found a marvelous website with recipes focused on using canned foods in the UK:
http://www.cannedfood.co.uk/
Check it out!
How to heat a room when the heat is off for an extended period of time.
How much fuel to store for a year.
I'd like more insight about dealing with food storage in crazy situations like mine. To sum it up, I've spent something like 9 of the last 12 months living away from home, either with my baby in the hospital or needing to be near the hospital. Food storage rotation and building have taken a huge hit.
Love your recipe posts! Would like more info on water storage, maybe specifics on storing outside and in warmer climates?
Thanks!
Holly in Texas
We're just really getting serious about our food storage. I guess our very first issue is space - we don't have any! How can we make the most out of the small amount of room in our home? Thanks!
I think it would be really great if you did a series on storing food for very large families, tips, tricks, etc...maybe find a lady who has lots of kids and stores enough food for all of them.
NOT sure if mine went missing so here I go again! I want to know more about staple storage. How long do things stay in the original packaging, or do you suggest a can or bucket.
Cathy
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