SCP Survival

Best Survival Gear and Supplies

6 Best Survival Radios

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Best Survival Radios for Emergencies

When you’re miles away from civilization and power, or simply living a minimalist off-grid life, a survival radio can be an indispensable piece of equipment. Not only will they keep you apprised of atmospheric conditions and weather emergencies, but they also feature an array of other functions and features. These definitely aren’t your dad’s old hand-crank radio!

These portable powerhouses will keep you safe and informed, but what makes each one special? What makes one stand out over the others, and at what cost?

The Short Answer

In a hurry? Here’s our pick for the best combination of features, functionality, quality, and value:

The FosPower Emergency Radio

Why It’s #1:

  • Can be powered 4 ways
  • Internal 2000mAh power bank
  • SOS alarm
  • Lifetime warranty
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One of the main criteria to make this list was the ability to charge or power the radio in several ways. The last thing you need in the bush is a dead battery because, at that point, it’s just dead weight. The FosPower radio can run and charge devices from conventional AAA batteries, but it can also charge the internal battery from the built-in solar panel, the hand crank dynamo, and from a Micro USB source.

The FosPower Emergency Radio had the standard AM/FM receiver so that you can enjoy some audio enrichment during your time in the wilderness. It also has a powerful 1W LED flashlight and handy reading light if you need more diffused light for a small area. The respectable 2000mAh internal power bank will help keep devices like your smartphone and your GoPro charged up and ready for adventure.

Additionally, it has the ability to receive NOAA stations and emergency alerts. This can be crucial if you are in a wilderness area prone to powerful storms, flash floods, or even natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes. Having even a few minutes advance notice can literally save your life. If the worst happens, and you need help, it features an SOS alarm to act as a beacon should you need to notify others of your position and situation.

With the nearly perfect blend of necessities and extra features, stuffed in a compact and rugged housing, and available for less than $40, the FosPower Emergency Radio is our pick for the overall best pick.

Other Great Survival Radios

Kaito KA500

  • 6 options for power
  • AM/FM/SW/NOAA radio
  • 14.5” antenna and signal strength meter
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The Kaito KA500 is packed with features that other models don’t have, but it also weighs nearly a half-pound more than any other unit and has a higher price point. Not only does it have the usual AM/FM and NOAA support, but this radio also has a dual-range shortwave radio receiver as well. The radio reception is assisted by another feature that other radios don’t have, which is a signal strength meter and advanced reception circuitry. Once tuned in, be even more economical with your battery by using the built-in headphone jack for private listening.

The internal NiMH battery can be charged via the solar panel, hand crank dynamo, Mini USB or AC/DC adapter. The radio can also be powered by 3 AA disposable batteries. Once powered up, you will be able to listen to the radio, receive NOAA and PEAS emergency alerts, or use the built-in flashlight or reading lamp, or charge your devices from the 5V USB output. In an emergency situation, the red LED SOS light can be used to signal for help.

Midland ER310

  • Digital tuner
  • 2600mAh lithium-ion battery
  • Ultrasonic dog whistle
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The Midland ER310 sets itself apart from the pack with a couple of unique features. Once you have used the hand crank, solar panel, or USB charger to charge it fully, you will have up to 32 hours of radio operation. The digital tuner makes it easy to find your favorite station, or tune in clearly to local broadcasts. If you need any of the preprogrammed weather bands, it will automatically lock on to the strongest signal based on your location. If you are unable to charge it with renewable sources, it can also accept 6 AA batteries, although they will significantly increase its weight.

If you end up needing the SOS beacon, the super bright CREE LED has a strobe function that is highly visible and has adjustable brightness, and the built-in ultrasonic dog whistle can help to guide search and rescue to your location. An absolutely invaluable tool in areas prone to earthquakes, where you may find yourself trapped and unable to otherwise signal your location. The 2600mAh lithium battery helps extend the life of your digital devices such as smartphones, another key element, and possible lifeline.

American Red Cross Emergency NOAA Weather Radio

  • Red LED beacon
  • AM/FM/7 channel NOAA receiver
  • 2600mAh battery
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The American Red Cross Emergency NOAA Weather Radio has a unique shape that guards the volume and tuning knobs from being bumped or accidentally changed. Not only does it come with a respectable 2600mAh lithium-ion battery, but that battery can be charged quickly with the ergonomic and low-effort hand crank, and maintained with the built-in solar panel. The included AC charger offers the quickest charging if you have access to an AC source.

The east to read LCD readout indicates the current power source, the digitally tuned station, and the battery level. The battery pack can reliably power up your digital devices, and the bright but efficient LED flashlight helps significantly in low light situations. The beacon function is comprised of a single red LED.

RunningSnail Emergency NOAA Portable Radio

  • 4000mAh lithium-ion battery
  • AUX input
  • Large LCD readout
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The RunningSnail Emergency NOAA Portable Radio packs a surprising amount of power and features into a very modest package. While it can be powered with 3 AAA disposable batteries, you will probably never need to, considering the massive 4000mAh internal power bank it contains. Before you may need to use it, just make sure the battery is topped off via hand crank, solar panel, or Micro USB charging cord, and have hours upon hours of radio time, SOS alarm, reading light, or flashlight use.

In addition to the usual AM/FM/NOAA radio receiver, this unit has an AUX input, so not only can it keep your phone, tablet, or other digital device charged up, but simply connect an AUX cord and have access to your entire digital music collection. AUX input is something none of the other models provide and could be a crucial feature to those who may find themselves using this on more than just an emergency or a periodic basis. The giant LCD display shows detailed battery levels, current power source, and digital volume and tuner information.

RunningSnail Emergency Self Powered Weather Radio

  • 1000mAh lithium-ion battery
  • IPX3 water resistance
  • 3 options for charging the battery
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An excellent budget entry, the RunningSnail Emergency Self Powered Weather Radio has all the standard features, with none of the fluff or extras, and is available for less than twenty dollars. The modest 1000mAh internal power bank can be filled by the hand crank, solar panel, or Micro USB cable. At a brisk 2-3 revolutions per second on the crank, this can be fully charged in 4 hours, much faster if charged via USB before it’s needed.

The analog tuner and volume control can effectively tune into any AM, FM, or NOAA station for continuous listening or receiving alerts. The powerful 1 watt LED flashlight will easily light your way, and the automatically-activated reading light will keep your campsite or tent gently illuminated for evening activities. In a pinch, the internal power bank can give your phone a boost, possibly helping make that crucial phone call in emergencies.

Midland Survival Radio
Like many survival and emergency radios, the Midland ER310 features a USB charging port where you can easily recharge your cell phone on the go.

What To Look For In Your Survival Radio

The most important thing to keep in mind is battery capacity.

Battery capacity is going to closely align with your desired usage of the radio. If you plan on using it for periodically listening to the weather, or playing the radio fireside in the evenings, then anything with 1000mAh bank will work just fine.

If you plan on using a reading light for a while, listening to the radio or weather for longer periods or more frequently, or keeping digital devices like a phone, tablet, or camera charged and ready, then you will want at least a 2000mAh power bank. 

The 2nd factor to consider is the potential for emergency use.

If you are plan on using the radio for receiving emergency alerts, or possibly sending SOS signals in a help-needed situation, then make sure you pick a unit that has those functions, along with the largest battery bank possible. If you need to use an SOS, you won’t want it draining the battery before you have the chance to attract attention.

The 3rd point to pay attention to is your charging and power options.

All of the radios we’ve evaluated can be charged via built-in solar and hand crank, but some have additional ways to power them or fill the power bank. 

If you are going to be going from grid power to no power, then an option that fast charges from USB or AC power and has a disposable battery option might be just what you need to juice up before your getaway. If you generate your own power and are more frugal with its consumption, then having it slow charge via the built-in panel is low stress and a green way to fill that internal bank.

Kaito Voyager Survival Radio
One of the great features of many emergency radios is the versatility in bands. Pictured here, the Kaito Voyager has AM, FM, and 2 shortwave bands.

FAQs

What is the difference between lithium-ion and NiMH batteries?

  Lithium-ion batteries are a relatively newer technology, while NiMH batteries have been around for a long time. You have probably seen NiMH batteries in cordless home phones. They usually have a series of small cells that are bound together, and connect to the device with a small pigtail. Lithium batteries are similar in appearance but are far more effective in their duties. Lithium batteries can hold larger charges, have longer lifespans, and can discharge to a lower level without battery damage than NiMH cells.

 Are any of these radios waterproof?

Yes! All of the radios we’ve highlighted have at least a rating of IPX3 water resistance. This means they can be in running water of up to 10 liters per minute for 5 minutes. While they shouldn’t be submerged, they will stand up to being in heavy rain or storms.

How quickly can I charge these radios?

 Generally speaking, the hand crank dynamos can recharge approximately 250mAh per hour, when cranked at roughly 2-3 revolutions per second. The solar panels are going to be largely for maintenance charging and keeping the power bank full and will take at least 6-8 hours of direct sun to fill the internal battery. On units that have Micro USB or AC charging, a full charge can occur in just a couple of hours or less depending on battery capacity.

Do the SOS functions send any sort of radio signal?

 No. None of these radios are capable of broadcasting in the manner of an EPIRB, or emergency position indicating radio beacon, for example. The SOS functions are limited to an emergency flashing LED or an audible SOS alarm that can be heard from a significant distance in the wilderness.

 How much do these units weigh?

The weight will vary from model to model, but the units we evaluated ranged from a super lightweight 7.8 ounces for the RunningSnail Emergency Self Powered Weather Radio, to a still respectable and easily packed 1.4 pounds for the Kaito KA500. With every radio being under one and a half pounds, none of these units are going to add much to your pack or weigh you down.

What’s The Bottom Line?

When it comes down to it, our favorite is the FosPower Emergency Radio. However, it may or may not be exactly what you need. It is important to take into account your personal situation, and your personal needs and wants when making your decision.

You may prefer a larger battery bank, or perhaps digital tuning will be that one thing that really catches your eye. Reading our breakdown of the leading models will ensure you are prepared to make a well-informed decision on which survival radio is right for you.

Soda Bottle Fishing – A Survival Skill?

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Have you heard of “soda bottle fishing?” I talked to a couple folks, today, and nobody had heard of this fishing method. I never saw it until 2001, when I was living in a campground on the bank of the Shenandoah River.

First, I’m NOT talking about using bottles to float trot lines, which, at least here, is illegal.

I did a lot of fishing that particular summer, using pretty normal tackle, because I was unemployed. I ate some fish, but it was a ‘luck’ (actually skill) thing.

Many of my weekend neighbors, mostly folks from the state of Sonora in Mexico, fed their families (and sometimes me, too) and brought home bass, perch, catfish and carp for the week. They weren’t using fiberglass rods and nice reels. They fished the way they did at home, where everybody was dirt-poor, and resources were in very short supply. Up here, we’d call it “hillbilly ingenuity”. The difference in our styles was, I was ‘fishing’, they were actually ‘catching’. :)

You may not need or want to fish this way every day, but it could be a way to harvest a meal or two, if you need to, using mostly discarded found materials.

You’ll need:

  • Crappy shorts and sneakers you don’t mind getting wet.
  • An empty 2-liter plastic soda bottle (remove the label)
  • 50-60 feet of fishing line. This can often be found in the bushes near the shore. If you look around in the submerged rocks/logs, you can often find good fishing lures, as well.
  • ½ oz. or so weight/sinker. (maybe a float/bobber, too)
  • A hook
  • Bait

Creating Your Rod and Reel

  1. Tie the end of your line to the neck of the bottle.
  2. If you have the cap, tie a knot in the line, put it inside, and screw on the cap to hold it.
  3. Wrap all the line around the bottle “reel style”. This is the annoying part. Try and be as neat as possible.
  4. Tie on a hook at the end. Add your weight to the line about 8-10 inches in from the hook.
  5. Add a float (a stick or a piece of a foam cooler works) if you want to fish off the bottom, or see when you have a bite.

To use Your Soda Bottle Fishing Setup

  1. Bait your hook.
  2. Walk out into the water about waist deep.
  3. Hold the bottle by the neck in your ‘weak’ hand.
  4. In your strong hand, let out about 2 feet of line, and swing it around above your head (like a “David” type sling). (DO be careful and don’t hook yourself). Let it go in the direction you want to cast.
  5. Point the bottle in the direction of your cast, and just let the line peel off, just like it would off an open-faced spinning reel. Once your cast hits the water, play “spin the bottle” to take up any slack.
  6. Yank and pull to retrieve your line and/or your fish. Repeat as needed. :)

A pair of old work gloves are also not a bad idea. That fishing line can slice you like a razor if you’re not careful.

Soda Bottle Fishing

I don’t have a 2-liter bottle (which would probably work better), but here is a picture of a packable fishing kit, based on an acrylic cigar-tube, that I have been playing around with, recently. I’ll cover the braided line with duck tape for protection. (The other tape bundle is about 50 ft of nylon bankline)

This could also be a handy ‘hack’ if a bunch o’ grandkids show up, and there is not enough “real” fishing gear to go around. In general, where there are kids, there are soda bottles :)

Boats: The Open Water Bug-Out Alternative

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Bug Out Boat for Survival

According to the NOAA, the oceans cover 71 percent of the Earth’s surface. This means that if you’re looking for an open, off-the-grid destination to take your group when the SHTF, heading out on the water can’t be beat. Most people expect their feet to stay on solid ground, but if you live near the ocean or in the Great Lakes region, going offshore might be the smartest–or perhaps only–option. However, the equipment and training you need to bug out on a boat is much different than prepping a four-wheeled vehicle.

The Best Type of Boat for Bugging Out

You might be able to survive for a time on a 30-foot weekender, but after a few days, everyone will be pretty uncomfortable. Your best bet is to choose a boat built to be on the sea for long periods of time: a blue water sailboat.

Designed and constructed for round-the-world treks, these boats can be crewed by one or two people and have an interior similar to that of a motor home. This agile bug-out shelter can not only get you to safer ground, it will keep your group comfortable while you travel the open water.

Make Sure Your Equipment is Seaworthy

Conveniently, most newer-models come equipped with water survival tools and contraptions. Sail boats have a battery bank that can be recharged by wind power, an electric desalinization system for producing fresh water, storage space for supplies (i.e. food, first aid kit, clothing) and radar and radio equipment to keep in contact with other water crafts–whether you want them to find you or not.

Some even have entertainment systems and climate controls, but in a time of chaos, you’ll likely have all the “entertainment” you can stand.

Sail Boat Training

It is absolutely necessary to get a formal training on how to control the sail boat; do not take boating education lightly, because you could find yourself in a situation where you’re responsible for more lives than your own. The ideal method of training is to have an experienced sailor take you out on multiple trips with your boat, each one longer than the last. You’ll get more comfortable with steering and maneuvering, as well as learn methods of dealing with varied weather conditions.

You should certainly take your boat out as much as possible before it’s a survival shelter, but you can learn a lot about boating basics and water survival by taking a boating safety course or cold water survival training (check out the American Sailing Association if interested).

The Downsides of Bug Out Boats

Water bug outs are pretty ingenious and a blue water sailboat sounds like a legitimate survival vehicle and shelter, although there are some downsides to using it as a long-term solution. First, not everyone can deal with an indefinite length of time on the water; seasickness is a very real possibility and without the proper training, it will be difficult for one to control a seasick stomach once it’s already a problem.

You can supplement meals with dried vegetables and other staples, but to stay offshore for a long period of time, it’s fishing and diving for food, so you never know exactly when your next meal will be.

Also, cabin fever (figurative term for the claustrophobic reaction to isolation in a small space for an extended time) will likely set in at some point, setting irritability high and trust levels at low. Finally, and maybe the most important, when it comes to self-defense, you’re severely limited in a boat. You can use firearms to repel boarders and pirates, but if the worst happens and they take control, you’ve got no other means of escape.

How To Make a Solar Grill [Easy DIY]

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How To Make a DIY Solar Oven (1)

Solar cookers harness the power of the sun’s rays to heat and cook food. Because they use only the sun, they are not reliant on a source of fuel, like propane and wood stoves are. This makes them great as a backup cookstove for emergency situations.

Also known as “solar ovens”, “solar grills”, or “solar stoves”, these cookers are also awesome for people that live off-grid full time. While off-gridders will usually have a wood or propane stove for their primary cooking needs, having a solar stove allows you to take advantage of sunny days and save fuel. It’s also cleaner, quieter, and doesn’t emit any smoke or fumes.

There are a million uses for a solar cooker. They can be used to bake bread, cook chicken, heat water, make soups and stews and tons of other things.

So, how do solar cookers work?

To put it simply, solar cookers operate on the principle of reflection. With multiple panels that can be adjusted to capture maximum light, the sun’s rays are then reflected into the center of the stove, to create a concentrated area of heat (much like you might do with a magnifying glass).

What are the main types of solar cookers?

If you are looking around at these suckers, you will have already seen that there are basically 4 main types of solar ovens, that look and function slightly differently.

Solar Box Cooker

1. Box Cookers

This group includes the most conventional, “box with a lid” looking cookers. Most of them are rated to cook as high as 200-300 degrees Farenheit in good conditions.

Panel Cooker Solar Cooker

2. Panel Cookers

These are the more scaled down, cheaper models that you see. They can be great cookers and are generally on the more affordable end of the spectrum, although their construction isn’t quite as sturdy, and coatings not always as reflective as other cookers.

Solar Cooker Parabolic

3. Parabolic Solar Cookers

Also called “curved concentrator cookers”, these are the things that look like metallic satellite dishes. They can heat up to 600 degrees, but they use a tiny little cookpot, making them not a good fit for many uses.

Gosun Style Solar Cooker

4. Gosun Style “Grillers”

The Gosun unit (and other similarly styled solar ovens) are nifty but a little limited in size/application (everything has to fit in that little tube). Plus, they are expensive as hell!

Within these 4 different types, you will see millions of different little homemade variations. You will also see some types of stoves that don’t really fit into any of the styles above (such as the tire cooker), but by and large, these are the main styles that you will see.

How long does it take to cook in a solar oven?

Like you might guess, it depends on what you’re cooking and how much sun is out when you’re doing it. It also depends on what type of solar cooker you are using, the size of your sun panels, the thickness of the pot you are cooking with, whether there are clouds in the sky, and even things like the temperature and altitude where you are cooking (although with solid enough sun, you can cook just fine even in freezing temps in the dead of winter).

Here is a handy chart of rough time estimates to cook 4 pounds of food on a sunny day:

How Much Time Does It Take to Cook With Solar Cookers?

How much do solar cookers cost?

Commercially available solar stoves can be expensive. The official “Sun Oven” is listed at $349 (although you can usually find it for quite a bit less online). Folding panel cookers are less. The Sol Cook comes is very popular and sells for just under $100. As mentioned above, the Gosun is extremely expensive, with their “grill” model selling for $700 (I actually saw it on the Home Depot website listed for $822!).

However, there are also plenty of folks creating their own DIY sun ovens. With a little ingenuity and some household materials, you may just be able to come away with a cooker for much less.

DIY Solar Cooker Made Out of A Sun Shade

There are several different kinds of DIY solar stoves out there. One that I had often seen is an oven made out of a reflective windshield sun blocker. I finally made one, and when I did, I was surprised at the results. Works pretty good!

solar oven 4 shade

What You Will Need:

  • Large reflective sun shade (Walmart, gas station or Amazon)
  • 5 gallon bucket
  • Oven bags (like the kind you roast a turkey in)
  • Dark-colored pot
  • Clothes pins, or something else to hold the sun shade in its conical position

How To Cook With It

Solar Oven 3

I picked up a sunshade for $2, clipped it together in a conical/parabolic shape (like the pictures above), and added a five gallon bucket underneath.

Solar oven 1

Put your food in the pot, and then place the dark-colored pot inside the oven bag. It takes a few hours and works best if it is above 60 degrees, but you can cook without fuel!

solar oven 2

The Slightly More Heavy Duty Solar Cooker

The sun shade solar cooker is awesome and does work, but it certainly isn’t heavy duty. If the pot is too heavy, the sun shade alone will not be able to support it. Then if it’s too light, it can be blown over in winds. Even if it isn’t blowing over, the sunshade itself can be blown around in the wind, causing less consistent exposure from the sun’s rays (and less heat).

For these reasons, I decided I would try my hand at putting together a slightly heavier duty solar cooker.

2 boxes

I scrounged up 2 plastic boxes in the basement. The bigger one is from some kind in-ground fountain that someone gave me, and the other one is some kind of bin.

Yes, the outside box could have been cardboard, but with snow and rain in Minnesota, and the potential for dogs getting into my meal, and given that I had one on hand, it just seemed like the thing to do. After all, the goal with this cooker was heavier duty.

insulation

I put a sheet of clear plastic in the bigger box and put a garbage bag around the smaller box. Then I put the smaller box into the bigger box and stuffed insulation all around it.

I pulled the smaller box out and taped it thoroughly. YES, I know that this insulation is frowned upon because of fumes, but in Minnesota, I believe in insulation! It is also thoroughly taped and as you will see, it will have a Mylar coating on it so that it should never even get warm.

lined box with finished edges

Mylar on top of the insulation to reflect the sun’s rays and Mylar on the sides of the inside box – not sure about that yet, but I have another box with no Mylar that I’m going to test.

frame on box

Then I looked for an old picture frame that I could use as a lid to the cooking chamber. I swear this solar cooker was meant to be because I had a picture frame with glass that fits it perfectly!

cardboard top and sides

At this point I still wasn’t sure this was going to work, so I just cut my sides and top out of cardboard and siliconed on the Mylar. Then I duct-taped the flaps onto the box for a trial run.

oven bag and granite ware

A dark colored pot is preferred with solar cooking. The reusable oven bag is to add more heat and capture the heat from the pot.

cooker in snow bank

This is the first test run. Got to 150 degrees in that snow bank!

almost done

This proved to me that it would work, so I cut up some quarter inch plywood I had laying around and re-siliconed the mylar onto the wood.  I drilled holes in the wood and corresponding ones in the plastic, and used cable ties to hinge the flaps.

I put screws in the two outside flaps to lean the back on, for times when I wanted to get the solar rays at a better angle, and used garden twisties to hold them together. Then, I siliconed the glass to the picture frame, and ran some foam strip sticky seal that I had around the frame to ‘tighten” it a bit more.

So far so good!

screw

I then put a screw in the frame so that I could tell where the full sun was. I have been experimenting with this, and the last test I did, the temperature was about 15 degrees Farenheit, and I got it to 225 degrees – not to shabby (this was with the cooker sitting on the garbage can, not in the snow).

More Iterations and Refinements

Although 225 degrees is pretty solid, I still want to refine this more.

I’m thinking another panel on the front. And a way to tilt it up. The cable ties snapped at just 5 degrees above zero so I replaced them with electric fencing wire. And I am looking for a glass container to put the cooking pot in because the glass will amplify the solar heating.

bottom adjustments

To make a riser for tilt, I cut three strips of wood and siliconed them onto the bottom of the box.

box riser

Then I took a scrap of 2×4 and a board, screwed them together to complete the riser.

3 screws

Well, then I had to add more screws to the side flaps  for more adjustments on the top flap.

more finished

I added a bottom flap that I made adjustable just by drilling a hole on either side of that and a hole in each of the side flaps and lacing garden plant ties through it.

Oops! Got so hot it warped and melted holes in the inside plastic box! So then I took some aluminum flashing scrap I had around and made an aluminum box for it, painted it black – I need to keep my eye out now for an old metal box, maybe a bread box or something for the inside.

All in All

So, with materials I just had laying around the house I created this solar cooker that is pretty much weather resistant, dog and cat resistant, not nice enough where anyone would want to walk off with it, and it all folds into itself so it is easily stored.

Why should I bother doing this now? My experience has been that even though someone on YouTube or in an article can do this or that, doesn’t mean I can. And there is always a learning curve! It didn’t cost me anything and I have the time right now to build it and learn how to use it.

If the grid should go down tomorrow for a month or a year, how will you cook (in reality, not in theory)? Do you have what you need and know how to use it?

Videos, Plans, and More DIYs

Printable PDF – One of the best downloadables I’ve found on solar ovens, how to make them, and how to use them. From Solar Cookers International.

Solar Cooking Wikia – Several plans and DIYs (basically the motherlode of all things solar cooking)

Solar cooking IS a PROVEN technology. That said, you have to have sunshine. In Minnesota the sun does not always shine, and it gets cold. At this post, we are again below zero at night… Will winter ever end???

Because the sun does not always shine, I am also creating a thermal cooker that can be used whether there is sun or not. Much like a Wonderbag, the thermal cooker I’m making is kinda like an off grid slow cooker. If interested, check it out here.

Survival Soup with Rice and Beans [Recipe]

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Survival Soup

Soups have long been the mainstay of any cook who is trying to stretch the larder to feed more people, or the budget to save money. Soup is the basic survival food. And for that reason (among many others), it should always have a place on your survival food list.

This is the first in a series of Survival Soup recipes that you can make from commonly stored foods, your garden in season, foraging wild edibles, or what is seasonally plentiful on the homestead.

This recipe comes from a post written by MsKYprepper “Feed a Family of Four for 1 Year for Less Than $300” and can be seen here: https://seasonedcitizenprepper.com//feed-a-family-of-4-for-1-year-for-less-than-300/

Don’t have time to prepare and cook soup? There are some really great dry soup mixes available. Oregon Lakes has 15 different recipes, and is all natural. See all their flavors here.

Recipe #1 Rice & Beans Soup

Measure out:

  • 8 oz (1 cup) of rice
  • 2 oz (1/4 cup) of red kidney beans
  • 2 oz (1/4 cup) of pearl barley
  • 2 oz (1/4 cup of lentils
  • 1 oz (1/8 cup) of split green beans
  • 1 oz (1/8 cup) of chick peas/garbanzo’s

(The chicken bouillon and salt are optional, but highly recommended!)

Put the ingredients into 6 quarts of water, bring to a boil and then simmer for 2 hours. When I cooked this it didn’t thicken up for me in two hours, but once I turned the burner off and let it sit for a while it did thicken up into a very hearty soup!https://survivalusb.com/products/survival-recipe-vault

If you decide to make this soup, I would suggest going to 1/4 to 1/2 of the recipe and adding liberal amounts of salt and chicken bouillon. Think of it as a very hearty chicken and rice soup with beans, etc. adding protein. This is a very basic recipe that you can add nearly any meat, including jerky, too. It will fill your belly and stick to your ribs. MsKYprepper said it is especially good with cornbread.

I bought all of the ingredients (3 lb. bag of rice and 1 lb. bags of the rest) for less than $10 at Walmart. If I purchased it in larger quantities, it would cost far less for the same amount, but I wanted to try it before I committed myself to larger quantities, and I’m glad I did! If necessary, I’m pretty sure it would feed us (2 adults) for at least a week, maybe two! No, it may not have all the calories you need, but it is meant to be a base for your foraging other foodstuffs from your garden or wherever.

I decided to vacuum seal this, with the recipe, as a gift for one of the kids, to start them on emergency food storage.

packaged food

Then, to keep it all together in a package they could stash almost anywhere, I put it in a clear baggy that I got with some sheets I just bought – I love to repurpose things!

packed done

How To Feed a family of 4 for 1 year, for less than $300

This plan is the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to start a food storage program. It has become semi “internet famous”, and is appropriately referred to as “survival soup.”

Think about this:

  • You are done in a weekend.
  • There are no hassles with rotating.  Pack it and forget.
  • It’s space efficient – everything is consolidated into a few 5-gallon buckets.
  • You’ll sleep content, knowing that you have a one-year food supply on hand for your family should you ever need it.

With the exception of dairy and Vitamin B12, this bean soup recipe will fulfill your basic nutritional needs.  It won’t fill all of your wants, but using this as your starting point, you can add the stuff that you want.

All of the food and storing supplies listed below plus 2 55-gallon recycled barrels to be used for rain catchment cost me $296, including taxes.  I purchased rice, bouillon and salt from Sam’s Club.  You can buy small bags of barley at the grocery store, but if you don’t mind waiting a few days, special ordering a bulk bag from Whole Foods was cheaper.

All of the beans I purchased from Kroger’s in 1-lb bags.  Supplies can be purchased online, although it is usually possible to find more opportunistic deals “on the ground.”

Survival Soup

Supplies you need for Survival Soup:

How To Store It

Install the gamma lids on the bucket and insert mylar bags.  Place 2 or 3 bay leaves in the bottom and fill the buckets, adding more bay leaves after each 1/3 to full.  Place an oxygen absorber in the top.  Label buckets with the contents and date. Fill:

  • 3 buckets with rice (shake it down good. Get it all in there!)
  • 1 bucket of kidney beans
  • 1 bucket of barley
  • 1 yellow lentils
  • In 1 bucket, store the split green peas, garbanzo beans, salt, measuring cup and bouillon (I removed the bouillon from the box and vacuum sealed it as bouillon contains a small amount of oil.).
  • Yep, that’s a total of 7 buckets, so far.

I place a broom handle across the bucket and wrap the ends of the mylar bag over the broom handle to give me some support. Then, slowly and smoothly, run a hot iron over the mylar bag to seal all except the last 2 inches. I press out as much air as possible before sealing the remaining 2 inches.

Make sure your mylar is completely sealed from end to end. Now, stuff the bag into the bucket and rotate the gamma lid into place. This will protect your food for roughly 25 years. You’ll have excess mylar bag at the top. Don’t cut it off, that way if you have to cut it open to get into it, you have enough bag remaining to reseal.

Where To Store Your Soup Supplies

It’s pretty easy to find a place for 7 to 8 5-gallon buckets, even in the smallest of apartments. You could:

  • Discard a set of box springs and lay a kid’s mattress on top of the buckets
  • Line the back of a large closet with the buckets
  • Make a couch table by stacking buckets two high between the couch and the wall.  The buckets are about 6” taller than the back of the couch.  Add a shelf and drape and it looks fine; a convenient place for a lamp and books.

Get creative!

Cooking Your Survival Bean Soup

Measure out

  • 8 oz of rice
  • 2 oz of red kidney beans
  • 2 oz of pearl barley
  • 2 oz of lintels
  • 1 oz of split green peas
  • 1 oz of chick peas/garbanzo’s

Add 6-7 quarts of water.  Add bouillon or salt to taste.  Then add any other meats, vegetables, potatoes or seasonings you have on hand. Bring to a boil and then let simmer for two hours.  You should have enough to feed 4 people for two days.  This is thick and hearty.  You will be warm on the inside and full with one large bowl.  Kids usually eat half a bowl.

After The Emergency Is Over

This system allows you to open the Mylar bags, retrieve as much of the ingredients as is needed and then reseal everything after the emergency has passed.  Just be sure to replace the ingredients used so that you always have a one-year supply.

Other Survival Food Items I Would Want (Keep These in The 8th bucket)

This list isn’t included in the $300.  This falls into the “what I want” category.  As money and resources became available, I’d just go crazy adding all of my indulgences, starting with coffee!  You can add what you want, but I’d fill it with:

  • Dry onion.  Let’s face it, what’s bean soup without onion! Sprinkle on the onions just before serving.
  • “Just add water” cornbread mix packets.  I just can’t eat bean soup without cornbread.
  • Beef jerky and Vienna sausages.  Add protein and zest to the bean soup
  • Instant oatmeal.  Do you really want bean soup for breakfast?  Freeze the oatmeal for 3 days before packing to kill any bugs.
  • 10 lbs of jellybeans.  Now, don’t laugh – it’s a bean.  Jellybeans don’t melt like chocolate might.  The high sugar content is quick energy, and a morale booster – with just enough of a high to help you over the really bad days. Easter is about here – stock up!

Before Filling Your Final Bucket

Buy small bags of the ingredients and fix a big pot of bean soup for dinner.  Eat the leftovers the second night, and 3rd night, until it’s all gone.  Find out now – rather than later – what your family might like to add to it.  Anything tastes great the first meal, but quickly becomes boring after the 3rd or 4th repeat.

Don’t wait until the emergency happens to discover what you SHOULD have stored in your 8th bucket. … Maybe some Beano!

How to Make Your Own Saline Solution [Recipe]

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How To Make Your Own Saline Solution for Wounds Care

I was just reading a post about making your own DIY sterile saline solution, but it didn’t call for canning the product, and they expressed concern over keeping it “clean enough” during storage (sterile).

Here’s the thing: If you employ a canning process, you should not need to worry about sterility.

I believe everyone should have some home-canned water on hand for cleaning out wounds, eyes, etc., but it should not be municipal or even water from a well, because you can not control what’s in it – fluoride, other people’s drugs, leeched contaminants, etc.

If you must use tap water, this is where I would bring it to a rolling boil for 5 minutes BEFORE trying to can it. (Allow to cool before canning.) Otherwise, I believe it is best to use the highest-quality bottled spring water you can buy.

You could use commercially prepared distilled water, which would be a very good idea for wound treatment, but using bottled spring water (read your labels carefully) will allow greater flexibility, should you need to drink it, rather than treat wounds or wash eyes out with it.

Distilled water has had all minerals removed and is not “healthy” for human consumption in the long term; however, drinking it on a rare occasion will not hurt you – just, not a great long term habit.

You could just add sodium chloride (salt) tablets to your water; you can buy these online at amazon, among other places (100 tabs to a bottle).

Homemade Saline Solution Recipe

If you want to ensure that you’ll always have some saline solution around, without paying an arm and a leg for it, here is the best homemade way to do it:

  1. Combine 1 pint water and 4 grams sodium chloride tablets (each tablet is 1 gram, so, 4 tablets per pint).
  2. For a quart, simply double to 8 tablets of 1 gram each.
  3. If using a granulated product (such as salt), use one teaspoon per pint, or two teaspoons per quart. DO NOT USE TABLE SALT; it probably contains added iodine, but it most surely will contain anti-caking agents, which you don’t want in your water for this purpose (It’s ok to use all natural salt, as long as it is iodine and caking agent free).

How To Sterilize Your Water

To sterilize your water, simply can it, using a pressure canner (NOT a pressure cooker). Here’s how:

  1. Wash and sterilize your jars – I prefer running them through the dishwasher
  2. Put your tablet or teaspoon of salt in the bottom of the jar using a canning jar funnel to keep rims clean
  3. Wipe rims with a clean paper towel dipped in hot water to remove any stray grains – a clean paper towel for each swipe, to avoid transfer;
  4. Sterilize your caps for 30 seconds in boiling water and place them,
  5. Sterilize your rings for 30 seconds in boiling water and place them,
  6. Then process @ 10 lbs pressure: pints = 75 minutes; quarts = 90 minutes.

Basically, you’re processing your water as though you are canning a meat product.  This will dissolve the salt products and sterilize the water. This water can be stored for a very long time. How long? Depends on HOW it is stored, and WHERE. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from heat source, in a non-humid environment, and it should be good for years, but you can certainly drink it whenever needed.

Note: this is not a sports drink (replacing electrolytes, etc.). If you wanted to create that, you would need to add a carb (sugar, usually) and as a bonus,  potassium and magnesium, and maybe some L-Glutamine powder. While making a home made sports drink is easy, I’ll leave that for another day.