When you start brainstorming prepper pantry ideas, you probably think about food. As a prepper, the biggest and most immediate concern is starvation. However, there are a lot more things you’ll need in a catastrophic emergency situation. You need tools to prepare the food, medical supplies, ways to keep up with hygiene, and more! Keep reading for 7 things to keep on hand beyond food.
1. Toilet Paper
There’s a reason this is number one of the non-food prepper pantry ideas. Remember everyone mass-purchasing toilet paper in 2020? Keep track of how much your family uses each month and have enough for the amount of time you are prepping for. This will help keep a bit of normalcy through a bad situation, and it will save a lot of water that would need to be used without it.
As a back-up plan, hang on to old washcloths and towels that can be cut up and used as needed. And get to know some of the plants that can be used as toilet paper. Just in case.
2. Water
Dehydration is another top concern for preppers. Water is an absolute necessity, and we need it to drink, bathe, cook, and clean. Running water can also be used to run a water wheel you can hook up to a generator. It has so many uses, so it is important to have as much of it stocked up as possible.
Delegate between drinking, cooking, and bathing water and use with extreme prejudice. You should have enough drinking water for every family member to have a gallon per day for long you’re planning for. In addition to this, you need enough remaining water for everyone to cook, clean, and bathe with.
It’s smart to have a way to purify water as well. Get a LifeStraw for each person in your family and consider saving for a countertop purification system. In a pinch, you can also boil water for 10 minutes to make it safe and sanitized. Kill germs with bleach by adding four drops per quart or 16 drops per gallon.
3. Power Sources
If you don’t have a fancy water wheel generator like I mentioned above, you are going to need alternative power sources. Batteries, solar panels, and/or a regular generator are all great to have. You need a way to provide light and regulate the temperature of your space.
Extreme temperatures can kill as quickly as anything else, on top of causing lots of health issues. Fire is great for this, but if you are in a place that is not well ventilated, it could suffocate you. Fire also does nothing to help during any kind of temperature spike. You must be able to constantly feed a fire as well, and that can really drain your supplies.
Stock up on batteries for heaters, cooling fans, and light sources. Get a solar powered generator and a backup generator just in case. And make sure you have some kind of burner to cook your meals or boil water on. A camping supply store is a great place to get many of the things you’ll need. Whatever backup power you plan to use, always think about a backup for your backup.
4. Cooking Supplies
Cast iron is great to have because is multipurpose and very durable. Just make sure that you have high heat proof gloves to handle it with. You can find cast iron pots and pans in all shapes and sizes, so stock up and keep them in your designated space until you need them.
Knives, can openers, peelers, and cooking utensils will be needed as well. Do your best to find ones that are simple, durable, and all one piece. You don’t want tools that will fall apart over time. You’ll also need plates, bowls, and eating utensils for each person in your family. I would recommend stainless steel for its safety and durability. Again, shop in the camping supplies or check out second hand stores.
5. Medical Supplies
Get first aid supplies and backup medications for anyone that may need them. Stockpile these things carefully, and make sure you pay attention to expiration dates and possible interactions. Have bandages, disinfectant, compression wraps, gauze, stitching tools, antibiotics, expectorants, vitamins, supplements, crutches and even a wheelchair if you can. You never know what could happen. Your prepper pantry ideas, beyond food, should prepare you for anything..
In some areas, you can find wilderness first aid classes. This is excellent information even if you’re never in the wilderness. Basic CPR is something everyone should know as well. And, well you know me.. learn about medicinal plants in your area. I believe there is a plant for nearly anything that you could have to deal with. So learn what plants are most common where you live and what they are good for.
6. Books
Have I ever mentioned that I’m a book-a-holic? Knowledge is power, and books can’t be deleted or drained of their battery power. Have books about local plants that are safe to eat, how to hunt and dress game, field medical care, etc. Most importantly, READ THEM. They’re pretty useless unless you have studied what you need to know from them. Choose the books you need, read them, and make sure everyone else in your family has access to them to be prepared as well.
7. Basic Tools
Having a big toolbox can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation. My husband has more than one, because if I’m a book-a-holic, he’s a tool-a-holic. Make sure you have one with all the basic hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches; and build from that if you can.
A Dremel, soldering iron, drill are also very useful. And be sure that you have plenty of nails, screws, nuts, bolt, and rope in case you need them as well. Don’t forget things like axes, saws and hunting tools like a bow, some guns, and fishing supplies.
Your Prepper Pantry Ideas
There you have it, seven prepper pantry ideas to have on hand other than food. Take another look at your supplies and make sure you really have all the things you could need in the event of a catastrophe. What would you add to the list? Your ideas may help someone else.