SHTF pressure cooker?

Broadside · 01-05-2008, 01:41 AM

Now I know this is probably obvious for a lot of you guys, but I was thinking today of how the heck I would cook the couple hundred pounds of beans and rice I've got laying around here in a post apocolyptic table setting. And then I thought to myself, of course!, a pressure cooker!
Now what I'm really looking at here is...

#1. the distinct possibility that fuel may be limited in one way or another, and that this cooking method could help conserve finite resources, and

#2. that the only way I've ever had really good beans has been from one of these contraptions.

Only thing is, I haven't seen one of these things for about 25 years when I was a kid visiting my aunt in Virginia.
So is the pressure cooker a time and fuel saver like I think it might be and worthy of being essential SHTF kitchen ware, or is there something else I need to look in to.

ArkansasHunter · 01-05-2008, 01:48 AM

When my wife and I got married we bought a pressure cooker and cooked a lot of meals in one.
As far as fuel saver and cooking meals fast I would say they cut 2/3 of the time off of cooking something.

You have a good idea and I'm goona keep it in mind if'in were ever in a SHFT.
We've got a brand new one we bougth off the Home Shopping Club years a go put up some where.

We cooked a many a mess of pea's in ours...A.H

Mooseman684 · 01-05-2008, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broadside

Now I know this is probably obvious for a lot of you guys, but I was thinking today of how the heck I would cook the couple hundred pounds of beans and rice I've got laying around here in a post apocolyptic table setting. And then I thought to myself, of course!, a pressure cooker!
Now what I'm really looking at here is...
#1. the distinct possibility that fuel may be limited in one way or another, and that this cooking method could help conserve finite resources, and
#2. that the only way I've ever had really good beans has been from one of these contraptions.
Only thing is, I haven't seen one of these things for about 25 years when I was a kid visiting my aunt in Virginia.
So is the pressure cooker a time and fuel saver like I think it might be and worthy of being essential SHTF kitchen ware, or is there something else I need to look in to.

Canning jars...to put up food that may spoil with no freezers working or refridgeration....Large amounts of meat and veggies and fruits can be kept a long time by proper canning...Get a large pressure Cooker !
Rich

billy · 01-05-2008, 02:59 AM

i have an 8 quart one that i use all the time.
split peas?
6 minutes at pressure!
mines older than i am and they still sell replacement parts for it.
PRESTO M-40
do yourself a favor and buy extra gaskets etc. for it.

that said,
it'll go with my SHTF toaster and my TACTICAL eggbeater.

musnt forget my END OF THE WORLD salad shooter.

irish murphy · 01-05-2008, 05:23 AM

Mate do like mad max and get yourself a couple of hundred cans of PAL dog food.It tastes like crap but you could survive on it.

Personally i would just hunt for my dinner.

Midas · 01-05-2008, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

i have an 8 quart one that i use all the time.
split peas?
6 minutes at pressure!
mines older than i am and they still sell replacement parts for it.
PRESTO M-40
do yourself a favor and buy extra gaskets etc. for it.

that said,
it'll go with my SHTF toaster and my TACTICAL eggbeater.

musnt forget my END OF THE WORLD salad shooter.

I am equipped with a SHTF Easy Bake Oven, I feel that it would be adequate for such an emergency

billy · 01-05-2008, 07:00 AM

is it CAMO?
you know?
chocolate conspiracy chip stealth cookies ?

Midas · 01-05-2008, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

is it CAMO?
you know?
chocolate conspiracy chip stealth cookies ?

It's camouflaged, yes. Speaking of chocolate conspiracy chip cookies, I think a few members of this forum have a good recipe, ask around.

billy · 01-05-2008, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midas

It's camouflaged, yes. Speaking of chocolate conspiracy chip cookies, I think a few members of this forum have a good recipe, ask around.

consider it done commander!

Midas · 01-05-2008, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

consider it done commander!

Hows that Savage shootin?

billy · 01-05-2008, 07:53 AM

that thing is crap!
i traded it for a mosin with a plastic stock and a $19 reddot scope.

Midas · 01-05-2008, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

that thing is crap!
i traded it for a mosin with a plastic stock and a $19 reddot scope.

A mosin would be good for shtf

redhed · 01-05-2008, 06:53 PM

My main question about using a pressure cooker in SHTF situations, is what do you intend to use as a fuel source? I've quite a bit of experience with the contraptions from old cast iron monsters that will hold 16+ quarts to small family models and one thing consistent is that you have to have a variable source of energy powering them in order to keep the pressure at a constant needed to can or cook whatever you are processing.

This is of course taking into consideration the possibility of not having standard stoves in order to cook with and having to rely on alternate power sources such as wood burning stoves or even propane gas grills.

To me it would be difficult to regulate the pressure in a pressure cooker and therefor wouldn't make it my tool of choice for food preparation in a disaster situation.

As far as being efficient, yeah, very. As far as being indispensable when it comes to food preservation, completely. Better to invest in one in my opinion to prepare and preserve food before an emergency happens then to depend upon one afterwards and not have a reliable way to cook food.

Broadside · 01-07-2008, 12:55 AM

Redhed those are very good points. I never did make it clear in the beginning what heating source I was planning on using.

I, like just about everybody, have a good ol' propane camp stove along with an adapter for using the big tanks. And the premise of the question was whether or not (beans and rice being the staple of what I've got squirreled away) a pressure cooker would help me save time and cooking fuel while getting my vittles edible. And using the propane stove would only be to cook if the regular gas was off because say, a horde of zombies busted the gas main.

But you know what, with everyone's very good feedback I think I ought to get one and get to work canning soups and stews as well as meat in the thing. This has just opened up a whole new list of options for me. Thanks everyone for your feedback.

The Hillbilly · 01-09-2008, 12:44 AM

Mom uses one and makes lots of preservatives in it. She goes nuts with it sometimes LOL

dscrick · 01-10-2008, 05:11 PM

Forget the Walmart jobs with gaskets, invest in a high quality unit like these:

All American Pressure Canners / Cookers - Discount Prices at Homestead Products

They can be used for canning, or they cook just about anything with less fuel and FAST!

I use mine all the time. I take an inexpensive roast, cut it into chunks, throw it in the cooker with some beef stock and seasonings, then cook at pressure for 25 minutes. After it cools open it up, throw in your potatoes, carrots, celery & onions, bring back to pressure for 5 minutes. The meat is tender and veggies are done, great flavor. Mom's potroast in 45 minutes, hers used to sit in the oven all day!

01-05-2008, 02:59 AM	#4
billy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 15,743 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 158	i have an 8 quart one that i use all the time. split peas? 6 minutes at pressure! mines older than i am and they still sell replacement parts for it. PRESTO M-40 do yourself a favor and buy extra gaskets etc. for it. that said, it'll go with my SHTF toaster and my TACTICAL eggbeater. musnt forget my END OF THE WORLD salad shooter. __________________ ignint mcnugget... the slug o love sez... remember kids two warning shots to the head for safety! Last edited by billy; 01-05-2008 at 03:12 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

01-05-2008, 07:00 AM	#7
billy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 15,743 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 158	is it CAMO? you know? chocolate conspiracy chip stealth cookies ? __________________ ignint mcnugget... the slug o love sez... remember kids two warning shots to the head for safety! Last edited by billy; 01-05-2008 at 07:11 AM.

01-05-2008, 07:53 AM	#11
billy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 15,743 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 158	that thing is crap! i traded it for a mosin with a plastic stock and a $19 reddot scope. __________________ ignint mcnugget... the slug o love sez... remember kids two warning shots to the head for safety!

01-05-2008, 06:53 PM	#13
redhed Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Armpit, Illinois/NEMO,MO, USA Posts: 351	My main question about using a pressure cooker in SHTF situations, is what do you intend to use as a fuel source? I've quite a bit of experience with the contraptions from old cast iron monsters that will hold 16+ quarts to small family models and one thing consistent is that you have to have a variable source of energy powering them in order to keep the pressure at a constant needed to can or cook whatever you are processing. This is of course taking into consideration the possibility of not having standard stoves in order to cook with and having to rely on alternate power sources such as wood burning stoves or even propane gas grills. To me it would be difficult to regulate the pressure in a pressure cooker and therefor wouldn't make it my tool of choice for food preparation in a disaster situation. As far as being efficient, yeah, very. As far as being indispensable when it comes to food preservation, completely. Better to invest in one in my opinion to prepare and preserve food before an emergency happens then to depend upon one afterwards and not have a reliable way to cook food. __________________ I'm a member of PETA. People Eating Tasty Animals!

01-05-2008, 01:41 AM	#1
Broadside Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coatesville, PA Posts: 60	SHTF pressure cooker? Now I know this is probably obvious for a lot of you guys, but I was thinking today of how the heck I would cook the couple hundred pounds of beans and rice I've got laying around here in a post apocolyptic table setting. And then I thought to myself, of course!, a pressure cooker! Now what I'm really looking at here is... #1. the distinct possibility that fuel may be limited in one way or another, and that this cooking method could help conserve finite resources, and #2. that the only way I've ever had really good beans has been from one of these contraptions. Only thing is, I haven't seen one of these things for about 25 years when I was a kid visiting my aunt in Virginia. So is the pressure cooker a time and fuel saver like I think it might be and worthy of being essential SHTF kitchen ware, or is there something else I need to look in to.

01-05-2008, 01:48 AM	#2
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 11,267	When my wife and I got married we bought a pressure cooker and cooked a lot of meals in one. As far as fuel saver and cooking meals fast I would say they cut 2/3 of the time off of cooking something. You have a good idea and I'm goona keep it in mind if'in were ever in a SHFT. We've got a brand new one we bougth off the Home Shopping Club years a go put up some where. We cooked a many a mess of pea's in ours...A.H

01-05-2008, 05:23 AM	#5
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	Mate do like mad max and get yourself a couple of hundred cans of PAL dog food.It tastes like crap but you could survive on it. Personally i would just hunt for my dinner.

01-07-2008, 12:55 AM	#14
Broadside Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coatesville, PA Posts: 60	Redhed those are very good points. I never did make it clear in the beginning what heating source I was planning on using. I, like just about everybody, have a good ol' propane camp stove along with an adapter for using the big tanks. And the premise of the question was whether or not (beans and rice being the staple of what I've got squirreled away) a pressure cooker would help me save time and cooking fuel while getting my vittles edible. And using the propane stove would only be to cook if the regular gas was off because say, a horde of zombies busted the gas main. But you know what, with everyone's very good feedback I think I ought to get one and get to work canning soups and stews as well as meat in the thing. This has just opened up a whole new list of options for me. Thanks everyone for your feedback.

01-09-2008, 12:44 AM	#15
The Hillbilly Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 40	Mom uses one and makes lots of preservatives in it. She goes nuts with it sometimes LOL

01-10-2008, 05:11 PM	#16
dscrick Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 54	Forget the Walmart jobs with gaskets, invest in a high quality unit like these: All American Pressure Canners / Cookers - Discount Prices at Homestead Products They can be used for canning, or they cook just about anything with less fuel and FAST! I use mine all the time. I take an inexpensive roast, cut it into chunks, throw it in the cooker with some beef stock and seasonings, then cook at pressure for 25 minutes. After it cools open it up, throw in your potatoes, carrots, celery & onions, bring back to pressure for 5 minutes. The meat is tender and veggies are done, great flavor. Mom's potroast in 45 minutes, hers used to sit in the oven all day!