Repost from Cosies corner: "What did those Chuckwagons carry..."

[Fence Fighter]

  Hi,
       I consider you knowledgeable folks and thoughtful also, so I knew who I wanted to ask for help. I'm startin' to take this food shortage &  price inflation rumor more serious, and would like to lay in provisions 19th century style. What I'm wondering is, what sort of provisions would cattle drives, remote ranches and line shacks commonly lay in for extended provisioning?
       My wife says things like flour, rice & cornmeal would most like go rancid or "buggy" before we could use up 50-100# bags, I'm considerin'. Any solution ideas for storage, type of provisions & quantities?
                                                        ???Thanks, 
                                                                 Fence

[Delmonico]

  Hi,
       I consider you knowledgeable folks and thoughtful also, so I knew who I wanted to ask for help. I'm startin' to take this food shortage &  price inflation rumor more serious, and would like to lay in provisions 19th century style. What I'm wondering is, what sort of provisions would cattle drives, remote ranches and line shacks commonly lay in for extended provisioning?
       My wife says things like flour, rice & cornmeal would most like go rancid or "buggy" before we could use up 50-100# bags, I'm considerin'. Any solution ideas for storage, type of provisions & quantities?
                                                        ???Thanks, 
                                                                 Fence

Well to be truthful you really have two different questions here.  The provisions on a chuckwagon with what it could carry wouldn't last long enough to spoil most times.  As for bugs, sift them out.  They carried most of those items in barrels and sacks.  For long term storage in todays world there are lots of ways but one of those devices that seals things up in a vacuum pacage would be hard to beat.

[Will Ketchum]

I agree with Del.  For information on long term storage of food there are many "survivalist" type forums.  I would suggest subscribing to "Backwoods Magazine".

You can purchase most grains in 5 gallon buckets that are topped off with nitrogen which helps keep them bug free and from spoiling.  Honey won't spoil and canned goods if rotated on a scheduled basis will keep for a long time.

Will Ketchum

[Terry Lane]

Howdy FF. I'd recommend Frugal's Forums for a vast quantity of information on preservation, storage and preparation of all foods. There are many others, but Frugal's is one of the best.

Howdy Will old friend. Come one now, I was a "survivalist "from the time I was 18 years old until about 5 years ago. Now I'm a "prepper"... same thing, just a kinder and gentler name. You gotta keep up on this sorta thing. 

Take care.