M.D. CREEKMORE

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What is The Shelf Life of Bottled Water in Plastic Bottles?

Bottled Water shelf life

What is the shelf life of bottled water? That’s a great question and one that everyone who stores more than a case of bottled water has probably asked at some point.

From what I’ve read online and from the emails that I’ve gotten from my readers it seems that many think that drinking bottled water that’s over a few weeks old will result in sickness or instant death and this simply isn’t the case.

So what is the shelf life of bottled water… well, the simple and most accurate answer is that bottled water has an indefinite shelf life if it’s stored properly. However, the plastic bottles can breakdown or leach chemicals such as BPA causing problems… this is especially true if bottled water isn’t stored properly.

How to Store Bottled Water

Since the shelf life of bottled water depends mostly on storage conditions it’s important to know what those conditions are so that you can store your bottled water under optimal conditions which provide the longest possible shelf life and water quality for consumption.

Store in a cool, dark place away from products with strong odors such as cleaning supplies.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and if forced to store water outside then keep it covered up and protected from the elements and temperature extremes as much a possible, however, outside storage isn’t recommended and water stored this way should be brought inside and stored under proper conditions or consumed as soon as possible.

Don’t store bottled water near a heat source or directly on the floor or on the ground (this also applies to any other consumable beverages or food items). To minimize the possible growth of bacteria and algae store bottled water in the dark.

I store bottled water in my basement on free wooden pallets that I get from a local hardware store and cover with a tarp to keep out any light.

To avoid crushing or damaging the cases of water on the bottom I stack the cases no more than six cases high. If you have a lot of cases than you could build or buy shelving to make better use of storage space in your allotted storage area.

As with food storage, bottled water should be dated using a permanent marker to note the storage date on each case and then use on a first-in-first-out rotation this will minimize the chance of the plastic bottles breaking down or any degradation of water quality.

What Happens When Plastic Water Bottles Get Hot?

According to The University of Florida water stored in plastic bottles can be unsafe to drink after being left in a hot car because some water bottles (maybe all?) are made from polyethylene terephthalate and can release the chemicals antimony and bisphenol A, or BPA, when exposed to heat and can raise the BPA levels above what is considered safe..

What is BPA, and what are the concerns about BPA?

According to the Mayo Clinic:

BPA stands for bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s.

BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles. They may also be used in other consumer goods.

Epoxy resins are used to coat the inside of metal products, such as food cans, bottle tops and water supply lines. Some dental sealants and composites also may contain BPA.

Some research has shown that BPA can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with BPA. Exposure to BPA is a concern because of possible health effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure.

However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that BPA is safe at the very low levels that occur in some foods.

So the takeaway is that while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that small amounts of BPA are “safe” larger amounts can pose a health risk when consumed especially when consumed over an extended amount of time like that would be the case if you had stored several months worth of bottled water inside your car trunk or inside an outbuilding in the summer.

The same goes for soda (or pop in the south) don’t leave or store it inside a hot car or in other areas where heat could become a problem… 

To recap – don’t store bottled water (or soda pop) inside a hot car, outbuilding or other location where heat could be an issue and you won’t have to worry about BPA or other nasty and potentially health-harming substances leaching into your bottled water.

Or, will you?

Another problem when it comes to bottled water is that we have no way of knowing how long or how it was stored before we came along and put it in our shopping carts.

For all, that we know the cases of bottled water that we picked up yesterday at the local grocery could have been sitting for days or even weeks in a semi-truck trailer in Arizona during the peak summer heat or in a hot warehouse under the same conditions. 

The Bottom Line

In my opinion, it is best to avoid drinking or eating from plastic as much as possible. Although the FDA has stated that BPA is safe at low levels, that could change after further research into BPA safety, and then who knows if the FDA reports and recommendations were influenced by outside sources such as in the case of the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies as detailed in this report.

Store only a few cases of bottled water or soda at a time, date and use as soon as possible on a first-in-first-out rotation.  Also, use glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers for hot foods and liquids instead of plastic containers as much as possible.

Related Questions

How long does bottled water last after opened? Opened bottled water will last indefinitely as long as it’s clean and stored under the proper conditions as stated above, however, over time it may lose its peak quality and or taste.

How can you tell if bottled water is bad or spoiled? If the bottled water develops an off odor, flavor or appearance it should be discarded – in an emergency, it can be purified before drinking (click here to read my article on water storage and water purification).

How long do 5-gallon water jugs last? Milk jugs are biodegradable, meaning that they will break down over time and should not be used for long-term water storage. The best storage containers for drinking water are the AquaBrick Emergency Water & Food Storage Containers that are sold on Amazon or by the prepper supply dealers (click here to see current price and availability on amazon.com).

Is it safe to drink old bottled water? Yes, it’s safe to drink old bottled water as long as it hasn’t developed an off odor, bad flavor or appearance then it’s probably safe to drink. However, if in doubt then purify the water before drinking. You do have a water filter, right (click here read the full review of the Katadyn Vario Water Filter)?

Also, read:  

If this article was helpful or interesting then please leave a “heck yeah” in the comments section below…

 

How Long Does Canned Food Last?

How Long Does Canned Food Last?

by Tara Dodrill

How long does canned food last? Well, that will depend on several very important factors. First, there is a difference between the potential shelf life of home-canned fresh produce or meat and commercially canned food items – at least according to the United States Department of Agriculture – USDA.

As a general rule store-bought, canned foods can remain edible for several years past the listed expiration date on the can, however, canned foods that are eaten past the listed expiration date may not have the full nutritional value as the same foods that are eaten before the given expiration date on the can.

There are several different varieties of “canned” food and date stamps applied to supermarket preserved food – both of these factors can make it very confusing to know when it is time to throw out the items stocked in your pantry. Fear of eating canned food beyond a date stamped onto a can accounts for about 20 percent of safe food waste in the United States annually.

Home Canned Food

The federal government (USDA) only considers home-canned food shelf-stable for up to 12 months and commercially canned food safe to eat for between two to five years – depending on the type of food inside the can.

Anyone who has been growing and canning food for a long time, or grew up eating home-canned food from grandma’s garden, already knows most food canned from a backyard garden or farm is typically stored and eaten for far longer than 12 months. If properly canned and stored, many farmers, homesteaders, and preppers eat home-canned meat and produce for up to five or sometimes even 10 years, after it was harvested – but the USDA strongly recommends against such a practice.

Just as with commercially canned food, it is essential to visually inspect the storage container for signs of cracking, damage, rust, or leaking – as well as the look of the food inside, before consuming any preserved food.

The answer to how long home-canned food will remain safe to eat will vary widely based upon who you ask.

A can of corn discovered in 1974 and had been sitting on a basement shelf in California for 40 years was examined by scientists from the National Food Processors Association. The researchers found that the canned corn both smelled and looked like it had only recently been canned. Upon further review, the scientists also learned a few of the nutrients in the corn (vitamin C, in particular) had lower levels than freshly canned or in date corn.

When cans of peppers were unearthed from a steamboat that sank in Nebraska more than a century, extremely similar results to those found after reviewing the can of corn.

Will every home-canned food item yield these same results? Maybe, maybe not. The USDA would not want you to eat anything canned in your own kitchen that is even a quarter as old, but learning how to can food properly, could make a life or death difference during a long-term disaster…and the extensive reconstruction phase which would follow.

Expiration Dates Explained

There are no true standards when it comes to the labeling of expiration dates of canned food, with the exception of baby formula. The expiration dates placed on cans is primarily intended for use by grocery stores so they know when to pull food from shelves because it is no longer guaranteed safe to consume beyond that date.

Some manufacturers use the term “expiration” others use phrases like “use by” or “best by” when stamping a date onto the bottom of a can. Once that relatively arbitrary dates passes, that does not necessarily mean the can most be thrown out and money lost. That date merely means the food is guaranteed to be safe to consume until the date stamp on the can passes.

Shelf Life Storage Factors

How the canned food, whether it is preserved at home or in a factory, is stored, will most likely have a vast impact on its shelf life. Canned food that is stored in a cool and dry place will almost always last a lot longer than canned food stored in a warm place that is exposed to even indirect artificial light or sunlight.

This is why tens of thousands of Americans used to routinely undertook the back-breaking work of digging a root cellar. The cool and dark storage area where the corn, tomatoes, and peppers noted above were found, almost certainly played a significant role in the incredible preservation longevity. Exposure to light also can diminish the overall nutrient quality of canned food.

While storing canned food in a basement should help it remain safe to eat long past the noted “sell by” date on the can, the placement location even in the underground storage area, is still substantially important.

If the home or commercially canned food is stored near a furnace or beneath pipes where hot water runs, it probably not last as long as the same food stored elsewhere in the basement away from the house utility features.

There are some drawbacks to both using root cellars and basements for storing canned food. If the canned food was not properly sealed, moisture from the typically damp location will infiltrate the food, forcing it to become either invisibly unsafe to out or quite visibly rancid.

Dampness causes the metal in home-canned food or commercially preserved cans, to corrode and ultimately leak If the lid or any portion of the can is damaged or there is flaking in the lid, that might indicate acid has worn through the metal and permitted potentially harmful microorganisms to get inside.

If the lid of home-canned food or any part of commercially canned food shows signs of rust, the contents inside are likely contaminated and no longer safe to eat. Before consuming any canned food past the USDA recommended guidelines, always inspect the food for signs of discoloration or unnatural changes in the texture of the food – this is actually a great habit to get into even when opening a can of food that is only a few weeks to months old.

Also review the color and texture of any broth, brine, or syrup the food is packed in to better detect signs of spoilage. If the liquid boasts a musty smell or appears either opaque or “muddy” in color, that is a sure sign the canned food might no longer be safe to eat.

If liquid squirts out of the can upon opening, air and moisture have infiltrated the inside, making the food quite unlikely to still be safe to consume.

Should you still be unsure about the quality of the food inside a can after following the tips above, do a little taste test.

Dip a clean finger just slightly into the can and sample its contents. Hopefully, you would be able to determine if the food “tastes right” from past experience eating the same item. This test should only be used as a last resort during a disaster scenario when no other food was available and you were desperate to eat.

Impact Of Acid Content On Shelf Life

Canned food with low acidic content can remain safe to eat approximately two to even five, years longer than food with high acidic content. Foods that are high in acid contain vinegar. The same vinegar that helps to preserve the beneficial nutrients in the food causes them to decompose at a far greater rate.

Food with high acid content should boast the crispest or fresh taste as well as the most nutrients for the first 12 months after being preserved, but they will not be shelf-stable.

Therefore, home or commercially canned meat and fish could potentially possess a longer shelf life than many varieties of preserved vegetables or fruit.

Canned pumpkin, peas, carrots, potatoes, and soups as long as they do not contain tomatoes, should have a substantially longer shelf life well past the “best by” date stamped on the can or permanent marker date inked to the top of a Mason jar lid.

High acidic foods that will likely only be shelf-stable or up to 18 months include all varieties of citrus, tomatoes, and pickles – due to the amount of vinegar in the brine used to make them.

Five Commercially Canned Food Items With Longest Shelf Life

  1. Hormel Spam. – This cheap processed meat product might not be a gourmet delight, but it is filled with protein, sodium, and “good” fats that should help your body strong during a long-term disaster. You could mix the canned Spam into soup or stew recipes to create more filling and energy building meals. How long will Spam keep? Some claim to have opened and safely eaten a can of Spam 10 full years after the expiration date stamped on the top of the can.
  2. Beef Stew – This is a low acid offering from the supermarket soup aisle because it does not contain tomatoes. It should safely keep, when stored properly, for about five years.
  3. Chunked Chicken Breast – The small cans of chunked or shredded poultry you would buy to make chicken salad also boast a low acidic count and are full of protein and sodium. This low acid canned food is typically expected to remain shelf-stable for around five years when stored in a cool dry and dark place.
  4. Canned Chili With Beans – This protein-rich commercially canned food also possesses at least an average fiber count and when stored properly, can remain safe to eat for at least five years.
  5. Green Beans – Getting in your greens could prove to be both especially difficult and important during a doomsday disaster. Stocking up on green beans when they are on sale or adding a few more rows to your garden will increase your level of shelf-stable greens. When stored properly, green beans should remain safe to eat for at least five years but possibly seven.

Food Rotation System

To avoid the loss of food and the money it cost to either grow or buy it, use a simple food rotation process for all types of canned goods. The first can put onto the shelf should be the first one pulled out and used.

Food storage rack system made for commercially canned food are designed so you roll a can onto an upper ramp, forcing each can to be pushed toward the opening where it can be selected and used – first can in…first can out.

Also, read: What Foods Have the Longest Shelf Life? [My Top 20 Checklist]

Here are some of my favorite prepping gear

Thank you for investing your time in this article, and I sincerely hope it has provided valuable insights to strengthen your survival preparedness. As a survivalist, I make use of a variety of tools and gear, many of which have proven to be indispensable in my journey. Here, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite survival gear, which I believe you will find beneficial as well.

These are affiliate links, meaning if you decide to use any of them, I’ll earn a commission at no additional cost to you. However, I assure you that these recommendations come from personal experience – these are the exact tools I trust, use, and confidently recommend to everyone, including my own family.

  1. Long-Term Food Storage: ‘My Patriot Supply‘ is my top choice for emergency food supplies. Their selection caters to long-term storage needs, ensuring you’re always prepared.
  2. Water Filter: Clean, safe drinking water is a priority in any situation. This water filter has served me well, and I trust it will for you too.
  3. Versatile Cooking Solution: The Zoom Versa Cook Stove is a reliable, versatile cooking solution perfect for outdoor and survival scenarios.

I’ve compiled an extensive, frequently updated list of my top survival gear recommendations for your convenience. Equip yourself with the best and latest gear here.

Remember, true survival isn’t merely about making it through – it’s about effectively navigating and thriving in challenging circumstances. Equip yourself well, stay informed, and always be prepared.

Heating and Cooking Off-The-Grid With A Wood Stove

Buying a Used Wood Stove by Dan W

This topic has been frequently discussed around our table as one of the prime problems we needed to resolve. I thought that you all might be interested in our solution.

We live about as far north as you can go and still be in the continental U.S. It is about 60 miles to the Canadian border by road and 35 miles or so as the crow flies. Winter is the dominant season here! If it’s winter we’re coping with it and if it’s warm outside we’re thinking about the next winter.

Even so, we manage to stay quite comfortable though the temps often go below zero and stay there for extended periods ……… That is, as long as the grid is up and the propane tanks are full. Our log home is a rather large 2.5 story that is extremely well insulated. We heat, cook, and heat water with propane.

Our two 500 gallon propane tanks get refilled as long as the roads are passable.

Electrical service is fairly reliable but, without juice from the grid (or firing up our generator), we would have no furnace or hot water. Although we can still use our propane range top to cook, our oven is inoperative without electricity.

We do have a gas fireplace that will work without any electricity (no blower) but it is very hungry and uses a lot of propane. Located on the main floor it will not provide much heat for the lower level.

We have a 12.5 KW gas generator and 175 gallons of gasoline in storage plus a lot of 20# and 1# propane cylinders. We’ve bought several Mr. Buddy propane space heaters and have multiple Coleman stoves plus a camp-style small oven, but these are supplies intended for short-term use.

We’ve done about all we can as far as storing away extra fuels. The long-term answer is not man-made fuels. Even the largest supply of non-biofuels will eventually run out no matter how well you manage to ration their use.

All in all, we feel like we’ve planned well and have put in place those things that will dramatically extend our survival time ……….. but, we were still dependent on electricity, gasoline, and propane.

If we could become better prepared so that our supplies of diesel and gasoline were reserved for things other than heating and cooking (Generator, Tractor, ATV, Truck) we’d be in a much better position for a much longer period of time.

Our 30-acre property is all timber and offers nearly a lifetime supply of wood. The obvious solution is to be able to utilize this firewood supply as a means to eliminate our dependency on non-biofuels. A wood cookstove would satisfy the heating needs for the main floor and loft as well as cooking issues.

Due to the design of our home, we would also need a heat source for the lower level. At one time we had a wood furnace located in the lowest level of our home and its masonry chimney is still functional. So, we decided to take advantage of it.

A small wood stove in the lower level would give us the heat to ensure the pipes didn’t freeze and make it livable during winter. A wood-fired cookstove on the main level would give us the ability to cook and provide heating for the rest of the house. It looked to be a workable plan.

Buying a Used Wood Stove The search was on for a wood-fired cookstove that could be moved into place within the home and be safely put to use if/when the SHTF. I did not want to cut a hole in the roof for chimney pipe to pass through …….. a chimney thimble (just in case) mounted in our T&G roof decking was not acceptable to us. It would also mean that we’d have to get on our steep metal roof to initially install the chimney pipe and remove it when it needed cleaning.

Not good! We did, however, have a large window in a location where we thought a wood stove could be installed. The window slides so that one half is open to a screen fitted in an outside channel. The screen channel could easily be replaced with a custom-made solid piece of tin designed to fit exactly as the screen did.

This would be the exit point for the chimney pipe! I had the tin piece sized to duplicate the dimensions of the screen made at a local shop. I added a 6” insulated thimble to it. It turned out to be a good fit and can be installed without tools.

The stove pipe would exit through the thimble, turn at a 30-degree angle and then head towards the 4’ roof overhang. The pipe would be supported at the edge of the overhang by plumbers tape before it once again made another 30-degree upturn.

A short section of straight pipe was then added and finished off with a spark arrestor cap. Our roof is metal which helps to reduce the potential for a spark causing problems. I know, it’s not the perfect arrangement for a chimney ……….. but since the entire length will be only about 14’, the stove should still draw well.

This entire set up is adequate to safely exhaust the flue gases from a small wood fire like that contained within our cookstove.

The key to all of this working was the right stove. The one I was looking for needed to be relatively light in weight so it could be carried into the house when it was time to set it up. It needed to have an oven, be mostly cast iron, and be efficient. I did not want the typical Amish type wood cook stove as those were too large, too heavy, and way too expensive.

Although I found a few of those type stoves for sale locally, with more on the internet, they didn’t fit my criteria. After much searching, I finally found a stove that fit the bill ………. It’s the SOPKA! Manufactured by the SOPKA Stove Company and imported from Serbia (yeah, that’s right, Serbia), these stoves are an excellent example of a small dual fuel cookstove.

I spoke with the nearest dealer and was pleased to find out that the price was reasonable and delivery to our home was not a problem. I asked if they had sold many and were the buyers satisfied? The dealer’s response was very positive and they said that owners were very happy with the stoves operation, construction and performance.

They also said they were glad they had decided to become a dealer for SOPKA as the company was very good to deal with and stood behind their products. We live about 250 miles from the dealer’s showroom and, as luck would have it, they had the model we wanted in stock.

We purchased a black SOPKA Magnum complete with nickel trim. Check out the stoves at the SOPKA website: www.sopkainc.com .

What I especially liked about this stove is the size; it is actually a bit smaller than 3’ x 3’ x 2’. The smaller firebox uses small pieces of firewood and it is, therefore, easier to manage the cooking temps. As I said earlier, it’s also a dual fuel design that will burn coal as well as wood.

The top cooking surface is more than adequate for our needs while the oven is large enough to bake four loaves of bread at the same time.

Both the firebox and oven have glass windows and there is a temp gauge mounted in the oven glass. There is also a full-width storage drawer below the oven. It’s a small unit that offers virtually everything found on the larger old-styled stoves. The outlet on this stove is 4” but it comes with a 4” to 6” adapter.

I plan to have a water container made for it that will sit on the top surface in front of the stove pipe. When we placed the initial order for the stove we also ordered a large insulated floor pad (5’x5’) to protect our hardwood floors. The SOPKA stove, floor pad, and the stovepipe now reside in our garage waiting for the day when they will be put into service.

Once we had the stove and floor pad in hand, I designed the window insert that would serve as the pass-through for the stovepipe. Made of a medium gauge tin it is designed to fit perfectly into the half section of the window slider where the screen had previously fit.

A standard insulated 6” DW pipe thimble is installed. A 2’ straight piece of double wall 6” diameter pipe is inserted into the thimble.

Black single wall pipe from the stove is connected on the inside and double wall pipe runs up to the roof overhang on the outside. Since the interior walls of our home are cedar I designed a simple 4’ x 8’ wall heat protector using the same gauge tin as the window insert.

This not only protects the wall surface but will reflect heat into the room. It attaches to the wall behind the stove using screws and spacers to create an insulating airspace. I painted the wall heat protector with heat resistant black paint. The drawing will give you an idea of how we plan to set things up.

We’ve verified that we’ve got enough lengths of chimney pipe to connect everything when the time comes. The stove weighs in at 441# but we will remove the doors and inserts to reduce that weight before it gets moved into the house.

My little tractor can lift it and set it down on a furniture dolly on our front porch. From there it’s an easy matter to roll it to its home position in front of the window. By using a 6’ ladder on the outside deck all of the chimney pipe connections can be made without having to climb on the roof.

This is important as the chimney pipe will need to be cleaned a bit more often due to the angles and expected heavy usage (once it’s put into service). I don’t even want to think about getting on the roof during winter!

For heating the lower level I found a nice little Windsor wood stove manufactured by the Majestic Company: http://majesticproducts.com/family/Stoves/Non-Catalytic/Windsor/ This is their smallest non-catalytic model.

Weighing in at only 180 pounds, it’s rated at 23,000 BTU and takes up to 18” logs. Perfect for our application and priced right. The floor where this stove will be installed is concrete so no protective pad is needed.

Believe it or not, I was able to find this stove at a dealership in Iowa (we live in Montana) and have it shipped to us for a considerably cheaper price than I could buy it locally! It pays to shop around and buy off-season when you can.

To help move the heat around we purchased two Caframo Airmax Eco Fans (one for each stove). These fans sit on the stove top and generate their own power using the heat of the stove. Not the cheapest accessory but they do move a surprisingly large amount of air.

If the SHTF during a winter cycle we still have more than enough non-biofuels stockpiled to last until the warmer weather permits us to set up the stoves. All told we’ve invested about $4400 for the SOPKA and the Windsor wood stoves including the stovepipes and fittings.

Yes, it’s a big chunk of change ……….. But, these two stoves are pivotal items in our preps. Since our home is a BOL for several other families the expense has been shared. Now, we no longer fear that we will run out of man-made fuels and not be able to live in a heated environment or cook our food.

Obviously, our solution to the issues of cooking and heating if the grid goes down is not feasible for everyone.

The expense is a big factor (when isn’t it?) as is the availability of firewood (or coal). We figured that if we end up never using this investment our heirs can always sell it!

If, on the other hand, our worst fears do come to fruition ………….. we won’t be forced to cook outside over an open fire and freeze inside when winter arrives!

What’s The Best Pocket Knife for Every Day Carry?

What is The Best Pocket Knife

Swiss Army Knives are arguably one of the most underrated and overlooked knives there is. They are great for everyday carry (EDC), camping, and wilderness survival but which is the best pocket knife for 2019.

One of the most important pieces of advice you can follow when putting together your everyday carry, or EDC is to not just get the right equipment but to get high-quality equipment.

One of the handiest items you can have as part of your EDC is the Swiss Army Knife, such as the kind made by Victorinox.

Victorinox has been producing knives since 1897, so it’s safe to say that they know what they are doing. In other words, they know how to deliver quality.

But first of all, why is a Swiss Army Knife even a necessary or wise item to have in your EDC?

Why Carry A Swiss Army Knife?

There are many reasons that you should carry a Swiss Army Knife as part of your EDC, and we’ll outline and discuss the primary reasons here:

It’s Convenient

It may not be one hundred percent necessary to carry a Swiss Army knife as part of your EDC, but there’s no question that it would be a very convenient item for the sole purpose that it combines multiple tools into one.

In fact, Swiss Army Knives are arguably one of the most underrated and overlooked tools there is. This is because a Swiss Army Knife essentially takes several items out of a toolbox, sizes them down, and then stuffs them into the body of the tool:

– Knife Blade
– Magnifying Glass
– Key Ring
– Fish Scaler
– Can Opener
– Bottle Opener
– Screwdriver
– Measuring Tape
– Scissors
– LED Flashlight
– Toothpick
– Tweezers
– Saw

That’s just a small list of the above items that are often packed into a little Swiss Army Knife. With those kinds of tools, you can perform tasks such as:

– Opening Boxes
– Slicing or Cutting food
– Tightening Screws
– Cutting Wires
– Seeing In Darkness
– Sawing Through Small Wood Pieces
– Opening Cans and Bottles
– Peeling Fruit
– Measuring A Certain Height
– Opening A Wine Bottle

You get the idea. A Swiss Army Knife can be a highly convenient item to have with you in your everyday life.

In fact, the most complex Swiss Army Knives have over thirty different tools in them (yes, thirty). The fact that you’re carrying multiple tools together is what makes Swiss Army knives so unique and such a wise item to have with you. It’s multi-functional, and it will be there when you need it.

You Can Carry It With You Everywhere

Or at least you can bring it with you almost anywhere. Because of how small it is. The largest Swiss Army Knives measure approximately five inches in length and the smallest Swiss Army Knives around two inches in length.

It’s really easy to bring your Swiss Army Knife with you around in your pocket wherever you go, and you won’t even remember that it’s with you (at least not until you need it).

In short, Swiss Army Knives are among the most portable tools in existence, and this alone proves their worth in gold.

It will Last For Years

Swiss Army Knives

So long as you buy a Swiss Army Knife from a highly reliable manufacturer, such as Victorinox, it is going to last you for many years, and this is not an exaggeration.

The primary reason for this durability and quality is because Swiss Army Knives are built out of stainless steel, and have been for years. Furthermore, they are also often further coated in rust and corrosion-resistant materials as well, such as the Victorinox Spartan PS Swiss Army Knife that we will discuss later in this article.

It’s Cost-Effective

Last but certainly not least, did anyone mention that Swiss Army Knives are hardly expensive? They are highly affordable despite their multi-purpose design and stainless steel build construction. It’s a relatively cheap investment that you’ll have to make for a tool that is going to give you many years of dependable service.

In short, you should never underestimate the Swiss Army Knife for how it can serve you in your everyday life.

That being said, don’t overestimate it either. You should never treat the Swiss Army Knife like a defensive, fighting, or combat tool, so you’ll need another tactical knife in your EDC that can fulfill those purposes for you instead.

Next, let’s talk about five of the best models of Swiss Army Knives for EDC use.

The 5 Best Swiss Army Knives For EDC

Here are the five best Swiss Army Knives for EDC and the unique features of each model, listed in alphabetical order:

BEST BEGINNER SWISS ARMY KNIFE – VICTORINOX BANTAM

The Victorinox Bantam is easily the best entry-level Swiss Army Knife, as it consists of only the following components:

– Knife Blade
– Wire Stripper
– Can Opener
– Screwdriver (5mm)
– Key Ring
– Toothpick
– Tweezers

Still, there’s a lot that you can do with just those items. But what really makes this a good entry-level Swiss Army Knife is the price, as it’s offered at a much lower price point in contrast to the other Swiss Army Knives on this list.

BEST LOW PROFILE SWISS ARMY KNIFE – VICTORINOX CADET ALOX

If you’re looking for a Swiss Army Knife that can handle basic and yet consistent everyday tasks, while also being very small and low profile, then the Victorinox Cadet Alox may be exactly what you’re looking for. The scales on the body of this Swiss Army Knife are built out of aluminum oxide. You may be disappointed to find out that this Swiss Army Knife does not have a tweezer or toothpick, simply because it does not have the storage room for either of them, but the tradeoff is you are getting a knife with a much lower profile and size, in combination with the superior grip texting.

In other words, this Swiss Army Knife is about as flat and small of a pocket knife as you could ask for. The entire body of the knife is just 3.3 inches long, while the blade measures just under two and a half inches.

Additional tools that the Cadet Alox comes with, in addition to the knife blade, are:

– Can Opener
– Bottle Opener
– Screwdriver

BEST SPECIALIZED SWISS ARMY KNIFE – VICTORINOX CLIMBER

If you’re in the market for a Swiss Army Knife that’s a little more specialized, then you’ll want to pay close attention to the Victorinox Climber Swiss Army Knife. This is a knife that comes with a few tools you may not have anticipated, including a corkscrew for opening bottles of wine (and is also surprisingly useful for untying knots in your shoelaces as well).

This knife earns its name because it was designed for rock climbers in mind. Still, it’s a very small sized Swiss Army Knife that is a great choice for anyone looking for a practical and conveniently sized tool that they can carry with them every day.

BEST SWISS ARMY KNIFE FOR HUNTING – VICTORINOX HUNTSMAN

There’s also a reason why this Swiss Army Knife is called the Huntsman: it really was designed for use with hunters. To this end, it contains tools such as a saw to slice through branches, a hook for hanging fish, a can opener to open your camping provisions, and even an awl that you can use to drill holes into the side of a tree in order to set up snares.

Besides hunting use, this is really just a heavy-duty Swiss Army Knife that can also be used for EDC use in your daily life, then this will also be good for that.

SWISS ARMY KNIFE WITH THE BEST BLADE – VICTORINOX SPARTAN PS

The final Swiss Army Knife that we will talk about for EDC use is the Victorinox Spartan PS, and this knife is worthy of note because it easily comes with one of the best knife blades of any of the Swiss Army Knives.

First and foremost, you’ll notice that this knife is colored all black, including each of the components such as the blade, which is coated in a material called Polispectral for added durability and rust resistance. This coating is also what gives the blade, body, and the rest of the components the unique black coating that can appear to be different shades when viewed under sunlight.

The total length of this blade when closed is three and a half inches, so like any other Swiss Army Knife, it can easily be carried with you even noticing it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Swiss Army Knives are a very good tool to have for your everyday carry purposes for the reasons that we covered earlier in this article: they are multi-purpose, practical, easy to carry around, and dirt cheap too. With all of these reasons in mind, it naturally begs the question: why would you not carry around a Swiss Army Knife in your EDC?

If you agree that it would be a good idea to have a Swiss Army Knife to serve in your EDC, any one of the five models that we have covered here today will be a good option for you.

Can You Use Diesel Fuel In a Kerosene Heater?

Is It Safe to Burn Diesel Fuel in a Kerosene Heater?by Jeff in Ohio 

Can You Use Diesel Fuel In a Kerosene Heater? That’s a good question and one that I will answer below…

It is well-known that diesel engines are capable of using other fuels besides diesel. This includes kerosene (with added lubrication). But how well does diesel work in items designed for kerosene? Theoretically, they should be almost interchangeable.

But are they? I decided to find out for myself. First, I will describe the items used followed by the results of using diesel fuel in them. The fuel used in the testing was off-road diesel that had been dyed red for tax purposes.

So, Can You Use Diesel Fuel In a Kerosene Heater?

Yes, you can burn diesel in a kerosene heater. Diesel burns surprisingly well in MY 23,000 BTU Kerosun brand kerosene heater. I could detect no difference in flame height or heat output and no odors. A friend that works at the local fuel co-op told me that diesel may reduce the life of the wick but so far I can’t tell any difference.

Even if it does occur, wicks are fairly cheap and the difference in fuel price can result in significant savings over the long haul.

Butterfly brand 22 wick 14,000 BTU kerosene stove.

I love this stove because of its simplicity and versatility and I have two of them. It uses rope wicks that are simply moved up and down to adjust heat output. It is made as a cook stove but works quite well as a heater.

Be aware that these stoves do not have an auto-shutoff feature if knocked over. Flame height and heat output were the same. However, I could detect a slight increase in odor and a very small amount of black smoke as well. For temporary use indoors I don’t think this would be a problem. I believe diesel is a viable alternative fuel in this stove.

Dietz Monarch lantern.

This is the”railroad” lantern most people are familiar with. Like the Butterfly brand stove above, these are a model of simplicity. Light output was about the same and I could detect no difference in odor but it was quite smoky.

It didn’t take long to soot up the chimney. This was bad enough that it would have to be cleaned off every day. I would not want to use this in a closed-up house unless I was desperate. Outside use would be fine.

Coleman Exponent multi-fuel stove with kerosene jet installed.

This is a rugged backpacking stove and is quite a little powerhouse. Diesel did not work well in this stove. There was spiking yellow flames among the normal blues flames and it constantly spit and sputtered.

I’m theorizing that the less refined diesel fuel was not vaporizing properly resulting in the mediocre performance. While it would be ok to boil water with, I would not want to cook on this, unless once again I was desperate.

I did not try using diesel in any of my Aladdin lamps after the Dietz experiment above. If the Dietz would smoke as much as it did I had no doubt that the Aladdin would not run on it with the wick and mantle setup. So I passed on that one.

So now that I know the above what good does it do me? Well, a lot. I can store cheaper diesel instead of more expensive kerosene. In my area, off-road diesel is usually at least 1 dollar a gallon cheaper. That is a significant savings if you store fuel in quantity or allows you to store more fuel for the same price.

It seems that in many areas kerosene can be difficult to come by but diesel is readily available. Even when kerosene is available diesel seems to be sold in many more locations.

Also if in an extended TSHTF scenario and my kerosene stock starts to run low I can switch to diesel in the items that run well with it thereby extending my supply of kerosene. Next is what I call “scroungeability”. In short, diesel is almost everywhere.

The tractor sitting in a barn or field. The long-haul truck. That bulldozer sitting at a construction site. Also, many diesel trucks have large fuel tanks in the beds. I am not advocating stealing but this does provide a lot of opportunities for bartering or scrounging in certain circumstances. Also, my own diesel vehicle can be used as a source as well and a large one if the tank is kept at least half full.

While I have not tried home heating oil in the above, I have no doubt that it would work. Home heating oil is virtually identical to diesel. In many areas, the heating oil tanks at houses are more common than propane tanks. Again, another potential source of fuel. A homemade 12v fuel transfer setup would be nice to have here as well.

When trading for or buying fuel of unknown quality it is essential that it be filtered properly for both water and sediment before use. Fuel filters are cheap insurance. I was once stranded along a country road due to clogged fuel filters in my Mercedes diesel.

I had been using scrounged diesel and had not filtered it at all. Both the primary and secondary fuel filters were so clogged that the engine couldn’t run and kept stalling. Not only was I using fuel of questionable quality without filtering it I did not have spare fuel filters with me for the car. Lesson learned.

Many people use kerosene appliances and fuel as their primary backup for emergencies both short and long-term. They are both relatively cheap and readily available. As a bonus, kerosene as a long shelf life if stored properly and more importantly is a safe fuel to store in quantity.

By knowing what alternative fuel can be used in them and their limitations it only increases my options. Fuel interchangeability is a great option to have. Plus be sure to store plenty of extra wicks as needed. Also if used indoors be sure to use more than adequate ventilation and a CO2 detector.

Now for storing that fuel beforehand. Large underground tanks for storage are good to have but may not be practical for several reasons including the cost. Plus, like a lot of people, I live in a small town and large amounts of fuel kept at the house is not practical.

But do you have unused land somewhere or a trusted friend with some property? Then you can make what I call my “mini fuel storage depot”. This is simply a wooden pallet set up on some bricks to keep it off the ground.

On the pallet, there is room for a 55-gallon drum with either diesel or kerosene, five 5 gallon metal jerry cans of gasoline and two 20 lb propane tanks or whatever combination you prefer. On top of this goes a heavy-duty tarp properly secured to keep the weather out and provide some camouflage.

A camo net could go over this for additional concealment if needed. By placing the above in a shaded area it avoids large temperature swings and if the fuel is properly treated this works very well long-term.

By having several of these over a wide area or on different properties you avoid having all your eggs in one basket. If one is compromised or destroyed by fire your entire fuel storage is not lost.

By being above ground you run a slight risk of exposure. However, if sited properly and carefully camouflaged (possibly as a junk pile?) they are not hard to conceal. I hope people find this useful and remember to follow all safety guidelines as outlined by the heater and or appliance manufacturer and keep in mind that these are my results and yours could be different… see the disclaimer policy here.

What Does Don’t Tread on Me Mean? (It’s Shocking!)

don’t tread on me flag meaning
DON’T TREAD ON ME – THE GADSDEN FLAG AND IT’S MEANING

BY JESSE MATHEWSON

What Does Don’t Tread on Me and the Gadsen Flag Mean Today? Of the many slogans that have been socially adopted by some as a banner, and others as the new evil to kill, the line, “Don’t tread on me” is easily among the top ten over the past few years. To find out what the Don’t Tread on Me Flags Meaning today we need first take a look at where it came from, and why.

The idea promoted with the Gadsen Flag and the Don’t Tread on Me phrase is simple, “leave me alone to live in peace, to do what I do best, and as long as my actions do not cause physical harm to others there is no need for your intervention. It is about free will, personal choice, and freedom without rulers or government overloads. It has nothing to do with race or religion and everything to to with maximum freedom and limited government. 

Rattlesnakes, in this case, the eastern diamondback and the timber rattlesnake, were both abundant in North America, and something not found in Great Britain. Benjamin Franklin made many references to rattlesnakes in his commentaries, published from 1751 onward.

In 1754 he published the woodcut of a snake cut into 8 sections with the message, “JOIN or DIE”. Fast forward 21 years and we were on the cusp of a civil war with England.

Contrary to what has been taught for decades in the United States, our war with England was, in fact, a rebellion. Christopher Gadsden designed the Gadsden flag in 1775, this is what we think of today when we hear the phrase, “Don’t tread on me”.

This was the year before the declaration of independence was signed. As a firm believer in the natural rights of man*, I choose to see the benefit of separating from the state of England.

Department of Army EmblemIn 1778 the United States Congress began using the War Office Seal, which was replaced in 1947 for the official document used by the Department of Army Emblem, pictured here. As you can see, the rattlesnake, like the bald eagle and the lone pine tree, features heavily in our history and documentation.

Current day versions of the Gadsden flag can be traced to the Tea Party movement, another maligned movement based in a misrepresented historical ideal.

One article from 2016 says, “The snake, it turns out, was something of a Colonial-era meme, evidently originated by Benjamin Franklin. In 1751, Franklin made the satirical suggestion that the colonies might repay the Crown for shipping convicts to America by distributing rattlesnakes around England, “particularly in the Gardens of the Prime Ministers, the Lords of Trade and Members of Parliament; for to them we are most particularly obliged.” (Walker, 2016) Modern “educated” writers who cannot be bothered to search further than Wikipedia are in fact the reason why, in our current day and age, any use of the Gadsden flag is seen as hateful by the left – or worse, as supportive of yet more government by the right.

These people use just enough verifiable information that no one questions the veracity of their stories, tweets, and posts.

England and more specifically the East India Trading Company-owned or controlled the original 13 colonies, as well as lands spanning what is currently Canada. The colonists had, for many years, dealing with everything from forced conscription in the English naval forces, to forced eviction from homes built and land farmed for years. In addition to these things, there were many instances of the quartering of English troops in colonial residences without any real recompense.

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All of this was done under the color of law and for the colonists’ “own good”. The reasoning was the same as what we are given today when taxes are raised, levies are sought, and new wars and conflicts entered into. “Your safety, the safety of (English) interests abroad and the furthering of (English) influence around the globe!”

For 258 years the East India Trading company literally ruled the world, and it was all done under English laws and rules. (Rittman, n.d.)

The use of symbols was especially important at a time when many people were not able to read and write effectively. By using figures such as rattlesnakes and bald eagles, these uniquely American animals, the colonial civilians could cling to something that was theirs, and that did not stem from the King or company controlling the leaders of the “civilized” world.

What Does The Don't Tread on Me Snake Mean
What Does The Don’t Tread on Me Snake Mean?

It should be noted that the idea of slavery as an institution and means of profit was originated by Spain, England, and the East India Trading Company. (Please note that while the East India Trading Company is also known as the British East India Trading Company, and the Dutch East India Trading Company, it was originated and founded in London in 1600) The symbol of the rattlesnake was specifically meant to offer a warning to England. A rattlesnake that is stepped on bites in every case.

This is obviously dangerous to the person doing the stepping, hence the term, “Don’t tread on me,” it was meant to convey this warning in terms that even the farmers and working man could understand.

So What Does Don’t Tread on Me Mean?

Over the past few years, we have seen extremes, more so than ever before. These extremes are a result of people being classified, labeled, and marginalized by mainstream media and politicians alike.

In our modern society, thanks to endless loops of 15-second sound-bytes and directed social media outbursts, we see even more people becoming disillusioned with the status quo.

On a personal note, the past few years have been difficult beyond any other years before in my life. The hatred is being stoked to further divide the population, much like what happened in France prior to their revolution, and here in the United States prior to ours.

This has led to people using old slogans and catchphrases to promote alternatives to the status quo. “Don’t tread on me” is just such a slogan. I embrace this slogan though I do not embrace all who use it. This is extremely important to understand.

Americans, and humans in general love to use others to validate their beliefs. There are those of us who realize that only the facts matter in the end. This means that in some respects we have to understand that the data is simply that, data.

There is a current phrase being used, “Big Data”. I see this phrase for what it is, the philosophical ramblings of Political Science majors who have no concept of facts outside of how they may prop up their positions.

1778 20 dollar bill from Georgia
1778 20 dollar bill from Georgia

Consider this, in recent decades, this country has been in a state of upheaval. Financial destruction, millions of hard-working Americans jobless, increasing inflation, and hundreds of new laws and protest organizations. Certainly, there is blame to go around, and it should be directed at each of us. We are to blame for our own life decisions and approaches.

This being said, when you have a government that cannot listen to the people, or people who are more interested in emotional outbursts than facts, these slogans and their history become that much more important! I will not blame a single man or woman, but rather a mindset that infects and affects all of us.

This malaise and division are embraced and promoted by those in control as well as many who prop them up with financial and “moral” support.

The modern usage of this term was meant to generate a sense of patriotic furor and has been associated with the Tea Party movement, a more recent movement originally designed to protest extremely high taxes and government overreach, but which was co-opted and devolved into mainstream political infighting.

Between the mainstream media (all sides), and political finagling (on all sides), what could have been a positive thing was subverted, perverted, and eventually demonized by many Americans – simply due to ignorance being given platform over facts.

Commodore Hopkins
Commodore Hopkins

In looking at the history of the Gadsen flag in use we find that the first to use it was Commander Esek Hopkins, the first “admiral” of the newly formed naval forces. He was widely known to have not been enamored with Washington and other “leaders” of that time.

He was, however, an active privateer prior to, and during, the Revolutionary War. In his words, “the two new ships are Launched & will be soon ready if men could be had.” (Hopkins, 1776) He was speaking about the fact that Washington and Gates were requisitioning all the men and not leaving any to man the newly formed fleet.

Washington later sacked him, many believe this was a result of Hopkins inability to hold his tongue when someone was doing something he saw as stupid.

When using historical symbols, my personal approach is to learn as much as I can about them and to absorb the real history surrounding them. This is a reason I have not adopted the rather common “Molon Labe” phrase. In the case of the “Don’t tread on me” flag, it was brightly colored and easy to read.

Also, over the ocean in a sailing craft where it could take an entire day or longer for one ship to overtake another, this allowed for a sense of dread to build and to be felt by the crew of ships being overtaken.

Modern times have seen a resurgence in the use of this flag and phrase, and while many who fly it are a part of the failed Tea Party movement, many others, like myself, have and fly this flag as a symbol against tyranny.

Tyranny is quite simply, “oppressive power”, which can be applied to the approaches used by modern media, activists, and politicians alike. Thomas Jefferson once said, “for I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” (Jefferson, 1800) In my personal study of the founders** I embraced the writings of Jefferson, Paine, Henry, Mason, Lee, Yates, Singletary, Warren, Clinton, Smith, Fenner, Martin, Samuel Adams, and Monroe as well as others seen to be Anti-Federalists or from who the Anti-Federalists drew their inspiration.

How does this apply to the phrase, “Don’t tread on me”?

The idea promoted with this flag and phrase is simple, “leave me alone to live in peace, to do what I do best, and as long as my actions do not cause physical harm to others there is no need for your intervention.

Christopher Gadsden, the author of the phrase, made clear his intent to represent an idea to the British overlords at the time when he penned this phrase, attached as it was to a coiled rattlesnake.

It seems quite obvious that he believed very strongly in the real separation between England and the colonies, and that his loyalty was also very much in the colonies with his family, friends, and those who wished to see us free of the grip of the corporate overlords of the East India Trading Company and England.

Interestingly, there is not much known about this individual, and I have searched everywhere I have access to. Feel free to write a comment below with any links or books that may have additional information on him.

Metallica – “Don’t Tread On Me”

So there you have it, the modern use of “Don’t tread on me”, as well as its history – and my somewhat anemic commentary. If you have any added information or knowledge in this arena, comment below. I learn from what others share with me, and from what I study and research. While I feel confident that my knowledge in this arena is extensive, there is always more to learn.

Thank you for reading, and of course, commenting and sharing.

*When I use the term “man” I am referring to humankind as a whole, using the classic sense of the word.

**There were 3 sets of founders, first you have the Declaration authors than the drafters of the Articles of Confederation and lastly the Constitution drafters. These individuals are not the same though there is some minor crossover between them, many of the original Declaration signatories rebelled against the passage of the Constitution, and some of them were very vocal in their belief that this “document” would be a problem in the future.

Here are some of my favorite prepping gear

Thank you for investing your time in this article, and I sincerely hope it has provided valuable insights to strengthen your survival preparedness. As a survivalist, I make use of a variety of tools and gear, many of which have proven to be indispensable in my journey. Here, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite survival gear, which I believe you will find beneficial as well.

These are affiliate links, meaning if you decide to use any of them, I’ll earn a commission at no additional cost to you. However, I assure you that these recommendations come from personal experience – these are the exact tools I trust, use, and confidently recommend to everyone, including my own family.

  1. Long-Term Food Storage: ‘My Patriot Supply‘ is my top choice for emergency food supplies. Their selection caters to long-term storage needs, ensuring you’re always prepared.
  2. Water Filter: Clean, safe drinking water is a priority in any situation. This water filter has served me well, and I trust it will for you too.
  3. Versatile Cooking Solution: The Zoom Versa Cook Stove is a reliable, versatile cooking solution perfect for outdoor and survival scenarios.

I’ve compiled an extensive, frequently updated list of my top survival gear recommendations for your convenience. Equip yourself with the best and latest gear here.

Remember, true survival isn’t merely about making it through – it’s about effectively navigating and thriving in challenging circumstances. Equip yourself well, stay informed, and always be prepared.